apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

A grey with blue undertones (or even a blue...but a grey-blue) on the wall would look nice with the wood. And then you could do crisp white linens. Or if that's too crisp, something with a pattern that subtly picks up the colour you choose for your wall would also look nice.

I think I had the crib to go with that bedroom set when I was a baby...

Furniture with sentimental value is always hard. I think that whole set would look much better painted white, and that altering so that it suits you would be an even better tribute to your grandmother than getting bitter because you're stuck with furniture you don't like. But it might be hard to sell your mom on that. Might be worth determining why she's so against it getting painted to see if there's any work around.

If not, what about staining it so that the finish works better with what you have in mind? That would be a harder DIY, certainly, but it's doable. I think a darker finish would look more modern, if that's what you're aiming for.

If your only choice is to leave the furniture as is, I'd stick with the style of quilt you have on there and aim for a vintage look. Then find some sort of 'vintage with a modern twist' wallpaper. The furniture will look better when it's not against those red walls.

Can you work on your mom a little more with the painting the furniture idea? That bed would look so much better painted white. If she really won't go for it, what about making a slipcover for the headboard? You could use plain white, or a pretty color or print. That would cut down on some of the wood. Then you can paint the walls whatever color you like.

Once you paint the walls a lighter color, the bed set will stand out beautifully. With this gift, you have started acquiring the objects that make a home intimate and caring. The stripes are the problem; they drive out hope and thought. If you cannot think of what to do, just paint the room white for now and change the color when you feel more peaceful.

I definitely agree that blues and whites are the way to go with this one. I also think that the bed doesn't need to be painting, but it's looking a little dull and could use some TLC. Re-staining it or giving it a good coat of oil could make all the difference.

Also, lots of throw pillows and a nice, modern lamp for the nightstand!

I agree with anmar that a blue or grey would look great with the wood. Perwinkle, sky blue or a silvery grey would all look nice, depending on your taste.

I don't think the wood looks overwhelming in the room. It's the red stripes that are overwhelming!!!

In any case, I wouldn't keep the quilt. It looks too insipid with that pattern. A modern quilt with some red in it would look great.

Have you considered color? Your furniture seems to have a cherry finish. A soft rose color, like BMoore HC 63, would compliment the color of your wood furniture really well. Leave the trim white, and go with crisp white linens. The wood would pop in the room.

I think gray would be depressing, and wouldn't commemorate the furniture all at. (Blue would be wrong for too many reasons to list. IMHO)

I think that the bedset and walls would look fine... except for that bedspread. Defo change that!

Maybe a sunny yellow/white?

-Ruth

I would go with a soothing color in your guest bedroom. A nice light sage green might look nice. I like the quilt but that's personal taste.

:o)

If you're feeling a little ambitious, you could always upholster the bed by making a simple pattern to slipcover the headboard. This could be out of a nice linen (for a more organic look,) a classic white cotton (add black trim for a chic hotel design,) or even a fun print (maybe a Marimekko?) to create a focal point in the room.

For the walls, I would recommend a soft green, pale blue or even a classic beige; something tranquil and soothing, so that you're guests will truly feel at ease. And change out the window treatments. That will make a huge difference as well.

Looking forward to seeing the 'after' photo!

Good luck!

What color is the light fixture? From the photo, it looks kind of dark steely blue-grey. You might consider coordinating the room around it. I also agree with DialJforJake about the window treatments -- changing those would make a huge difference in the room's appeal. I commend your consideration of your mom's feelings; people are, after all, more important than stuff. (If she has a change of heart, though, I think the set would look fantastic painted glossy black.)

The red stripe walls are quirky and fun - with a couple of adjustments you could work with them for a 21st century retro-chic vibe, no problem. Anthropologie has several bedding sets that would complement both the walls and the bed itself (see below). Depending on what you pick, then you could get a colorful accent table, a larger lamp, and some kind of window treatment, and voila, a funky, colorful room with heritage & continuity :-) good luck!

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=4910754241486686940&id=79502&parentid=SLEEP_BEDDING_DUVETS&pushId=SLEEP_BEDDING_DUVETS&popId=SLEEP_BEDDING&sortProperties=&navCount=26&navAction=poppush&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=whe&colorName=WHEAT

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=4910754241486686940&id=893096&parentid=SLEEP_BEDDING_QUILTS&pushId=SLEEP_BEDDING_QUILTS&popId=SLEEP_BEDDING&sortProperties=&navCount=29&navAction=poppush&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=mul&colorName=MULTI

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=4910754241486686940&id=79214&parentid=SLEEP_BEDDING_QUILTS&pushId=SLEEP_BEDDING_QUILTS&popId=SLEEP_BEDDING&sortProperties=&navCount=32&navAction=poppush&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=mul&colorName=MULTI

A medium charcoal would be a very adult and sophisticated color for your room and work with the dark furniture. Fieldcrest has a lovely grey coverlet on sale at Target and featured in an earlier post. Balance with shiny white trim and white matting on prints. Renovation Hardware use to have many choices in grey-blue silky curtains so maybe a color picked up from the curtains would work. Of course the choice of grey as a color could be problematic if you live near the Great Lakes where it is grey for many months, so perhaps just paint the bottom half which backs the furniture. Your mother has a considerate daughter - I would be sorely tempted tp paint the furniture.

i agree with the light sage green idea

My boyfriend's entire house is that medium-tone wood. I found that stone greys, warm beiges and bright greens (think lime) colors actually work very well with it.

I got my color- pallette inspiration from watching ABC's Brothers & Sisters. The set of the "walker" house mixes a lot of wood tones with "earthy" greens, beiges and grays. Beautiful!

I inherited similar finish furniture. I like it against khaki, cream, brown, and fuchsia. I can also see the yellow and white combo.

I would replace the quilt with one that has more 'pop.' Otherwise the granny-ness dominates.

Given your furniture and quilt, this would be a fun room to do in the original style of your 1940's house. Colors that pick up your quilt - http://www.us.kohler.com/designkb/colors/timeline_1940.jsp - would work. Some ideas for accessories and fitting the windows in -- http://www.antiquehome.org/Inside-your-house/1940s/1940s-Livingrooms.htm

Your local library may have a book or two that gives more detail about decor in either the war or post-war eras.

If you Mom wants to keep the furniture unpainted, then it should be in Her House.

Meanwhile, I agree that the furniture would be so much better painted White - or even Black. And with fresh White bedding and window treatments, and a larger lamp - the walls would look great as-is.

The AT post "Cribs" has some paint colors that would look beautiful with your wood furniture - see how their woodwork is a similar color, and they got some great combinations?
The wood is basically an orangey yellow brown, so if you go with warm, tangy colors they will harmonize. A yellowy green, a pinky orange, a greeny blue. Each has a little yellow in it.
I recommend BM pale sea mist, a kind of margarita color but not too bright.
The dining room pictured looks to me like BM autumn cover, maybe a paler shade - it depends on how much light the room gets and how much color you can take.
BM antiquan sky and hazy blue are nice aquas.
Remember to leave the ceiling white. I would like a white bed with accent pillows that contrast with the walls. Good luck.