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Good Questions: What Color Behind This Sofa?

1-29-newcouch.jpgHello AT,

We were just bestowed a second-hand couch to replace our old, curb-found college days model. This one is in decent shape, comfy and perfect for our room. The only problem is, the fabric covering is sort of a beige-orange color and I'm having a really hard time trying to figure out what color to paint the huge wall behind it...

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Since the two colors will be directly juxtaposed, I want to make sure I pick a great color. I've spent quite a bit of time with color chips, but I'd welcome some input from you color saavy readers.

Thanks! -Ally

Dear Ally,

Go for contrast. You've got a dark floor and a fairly dark sofa, so we'd go with a light wall that will allow the sofa to pop off of it. For a subtle pop, go with a warm off-white like Pirates Cove by Benjamin Moore or even China White (which is warm/grey in tone), but for more fun and more pop, why not a bright green like this or a softer green like this.

Anyone else??

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Comments (13)

I am in the process of decorating my living room.
My walls are white, chesterfield and chair is medium blue, and the floor is oak hardwood.
I do not know what color to paint the walls and ceiling? Please advise.
Thank You

posted by Pat Horvath on 2007-03-20 10:21:02

I love a lighter version of Tiffany Blue with brown.

posted by Sharp Lily on 2007-01-29 14:34:37

We inherited a bathroom suite of a similar colour (believe it or not. We painted the wall a raspberry red and it worked well, if you want colour.

posted by double eff on 2007-01-29 13:59:24

One solution I came up with was to find out what the negative color of the object looks like. The easiest way do that is to use a program like photo shop and upload a picture of the couch. Then you can view the image as a negative. When you do that your couch turns a color that looks like a gray-steel blue color. Or you could use a lighter sky blue which is the negative of the floor boards. Send me an email and I can send you a pic of your couch with both colors.

posted by Charlie on 2007-01-29 14:13:51

I forgot to include my email. Send me a message if you want me to send you the image of your couch. cwschi01@hotmail.com

posted by Charlie on 2007-01-29 14:15:33

I tend to like beachy, eclectic shore-inspired decorating, and this sofa is a perfect backdrop for dreamy caribbean blues & greens. It mirrors the sand and sea. If you put a coffee table or side tables down, some hand picked shells would pick out the color of the sofa nicely too.

posted by Mary on 2007-01-29 14:19:45

Try a rich espresso for contrast. I like the Devine Cocoa (Miller Paint).

www.devinecolor.com

You can buy "paint chips" from them that are roughly 8"x10" so it's really easy to hold up some behind your sofa to see the effect.

Any Miller Paint store should carry them.

posted by Keith on 2007-01-29 14:28:43

I think you should paint the wall a pale-medium blueish grey. The grey will give you a neutral background to work with, and the blue undetone will bring out the warm orangyness of the beige sofa.

If you're not into that idea, and want something warmer, I'd maybe suggest a darker, coffee/cafe au lait colour - try different chips or samples to find the right tone.

posted by arza on 2007-01-29 14:52:15

It is true, that if you want your sofa to pop you would use a shade of it's complimentary opposite, but that isn't always what you would want. If the couch was a statement making piece of furniture I would say yes, go for it. But the other option is that you could go with a similar paint tone and color and then use accents to brighten up and draw attention. For instance a pop of color with lamps, a bright side table, and interesting objects, or art. This will distract from the "ordinary" couch and allow it to be a functioning piece of furniture instead of a main attraction. Also, keeping the pillows a monochromatic color to the couch doesn't draw your eye right there either. A warm straw/rich beige cream is also highly versatile, if you ever change the furniture.

posted by Richard on 2007-01-29 15:22:05

charlie, how do you get the negative color in photoshop? is there a negative button i don't know about? (which wouldn't surprise me cuz there's a lot i don't know about)...

posted by pc on 2007-01-29 16:27:55

you can also do this in paint as well if you aren't technically advanced in photoshop. Go into your programsm, then accessories and then into paint. You then can simply paste your sofa photo onto the page, and under the image button on the top, you can click and see "invert colors"

posted by richard on 2007-01-29 17:00:08

Benjamin Moore's website has an awesome feature that lets you virtually "paint" a bunch of different rooms so you can test out colours...why not give it a go with a photo of your couch up in a window for cross-referencing?

Although, if you ask me, a bright mossy green would look gorgeous - and you can do fun accent colours like teal, orange, yellow and white with that green as a base.

posted by roxanne on 2007-01-29 21:38:58

Wow, thanks so much for your insight, guys! I knew AT would be a big help. I have a good idea of what I'm going to do, and I'll be sure to post a follow up when we finally get that wall painted. Keep the suggestions coming! I appreciate the help!

posted by Ally on 2007-01-30 11:44:05

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