apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

What if you did one wall in a pumpkin color and did the rest in something more chill and soothing (a nice calm grey or cream?)

Dear Aruna, Don't do anything for a while. That's the advice given me by a big-cheese decorator in England. Live with the rooms until you figure out (a) the fall of the natural light throughout the day and (b) which rooms/spaces you use most and why. THEN start thinking about paint. You have to really understand the spaces before you start slapping on the Pratt & Lambert. Also, your rooms flow into one another, which is another consideration when you start thinking about the most successfull paint colors. Green is good for you to think about, but note that your dining chairs (right in the next space) are red, red, red ... Think less about paint colors and more about the overall scheme ...

Aren't the dining room chairs orange not red? Either way, where did you get them??? They're *great*!

I agree though with the suggestion for something soothing. Especially if you continue to get more cool pieces with strong bold colors like those letters on the wall and your chairs. (Really...where do I find them?)

Consider "refreshing teal" by Benjamin Moore. It's not at all a cliche of a teal, and I assure you that the chairs will look fantastic against it.

I think charcoal grey could be a nice foil for the bright pops of colour you have. It seems like you have great light in you apt. so you could handle a rich colour like charcoal easily.

Just chiming in to say that I really like the idea of green, it's just a matter of finding which green will work in the space, and I agree about living in it for a while to get the feel of the space first.

Also, I LOVE your big letters hanging on the walls :)

What about a gray (like many have suggested) that's on the green side (way more gray than green)? I would think more of the lighter/soothing variety, but if you want *more*, perhaps something strong like charcoal, teal, or pumpkin (as others have suggested) used very judiciously along with the light greenish gray?

what about brown? I don't think you can go wrong with brown. It is cool and calm.

WHO IS THAT IN THE CORNER?

If you like greens, I think you should go with a green. After all, you live there. Like bluestar said, it's a matter of finding the right one.

Benjamin Moore - Silver Fox. It is a wonderful grey color that does not seem grey at all.

It was featured in the color column on at a year or so ago. Using their new fancy search engine it should be no problem to locate...

your living room is giant and lovely. i really want to see you move that couch away from the wall though!

One thing I would suggest is samples. Benjamin Moore has two ounce samples sold in most stores that carry it and I think you might be able to order additional colors on their website as well. Colors can look really different on the wall and under different lighting conditions-so putting up a square of a color or two can save you time and money instead of buying a whole gallon and then realizing you hate the color. If you do use samples put up a large square on the wall and try doing two coats so you can really see what it really looks like. You might also try it on different walls. You can always paint over them later once you find the color you love.

Forbidden Fruit,

WHEW! I wasn't going to say anything until I blew the picture up in PhotoShop, just in case it was Aruna herself, but it's a mannequin!

Krister--Refreshing Teal is yummy.

I would try a very very blue green. like a sea glass color. (go one shade lighter than your first instinct) Your apartment is has great light, and it will make your red and orange accents pop!

I think brown is a natural friend of green; however, perhaps you can have one accent wall with bright green. Alternatively, I think a wallpaper with browns, greys and reds/oranges would make this space look way cool.

i second the idea of living in the space for awhile first.

also, all your furniture is against the walls! its all so cool and beautiful, get it out into the room so it can be seen and divide up the space :) nice place... lucky!

Cute space! I agree with the above advice. Don't do anything too soon. You need to love what you choose. Why don't you get a couple of large canvases and paint them in a solid color. Live with them a while until you decide what you like best.

I am leaning toward an orange wall. But orange is one of my favorites lately.

By the way - I really love the large graphic letters. Can you tell me their source?

I love the idea of one orange wall. I have a wall painted BM Bronze Tone - a beautiful pumpkin color. The other walls are two shades of a soft neutral tan/green (BM Richmond Gray and Sag Harbor Gray), which provide a nice contrast to the orange and might be a good choice for you. I chose these after spending a small fortune on samples of paint and poster board.

I don't think that's a mannequin. I think it's the vampire who took the picture of the mirror, only with a lot of bad make-up so that she could be seen.

I like Pool Party by Benjamin Moore for this (a finalist had this in the smallest coolest kitchen contest) or dove grey for a more subdued and chic look.

I think a light grey would look beautiful on your walls. I noticed the nice white trim and thought that it would stand out so nicely next to grey walls. I am not too fond of bold bright colors. I would prefer for the furniture and architectural details of your home to stand out instead of a dark bright color on the wall. You can always get pillows in bold colors that can be changed depending on your mood. I'm curious what silver fox, mentioned above, by Benjamin Moore looks like. Please post your final decision!

Without seeing a floorplan, it's hard to tell if there are any really good candidates for an accent wall... perhaps the wall against which the table is anchored.

I third the "wait to paint" idea, since paint gives you many more options than things like upholstery and rugs.

This is going to sound weird, but try a warm silver grey (I used Resene 'Mercury') - not as boring as white, and works well with everything you put on the floors or walls. It took me months to settle on silver, but i am so pleased just how well it works. If you household collection is as quixotic as mine (no real theme, just a reflection of a reckless collector), sometimes a little restraint might be needed. And it will make those reds pop!

Aruna make sure to take advantage of paint manufacture color combinations. I use Myperfectcolor for this becasue they are not limited to one brand.

Color Combinations
http://www.myperfectcolor.com/Color-Combinations-Myperfectcolor-com-s/3254.htm

if you like a color MPC can lighten it for you for an accent wall or ceiling

Greeenmount Silk by Benjamin Moore. Very nice color try a drysample on your wall.

http://www.DrySamples.com