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Good Questions: What Color for the Chimney?

chimney121508.jpgAisha is looking for some color advice: I have a question for the community. What color should I paint my chimney?
Near the chimney we have brown leather chairs and a slate blue rug. Opposite the chimney is an olive/pea soup green accent wall and light blue chairs. To the right of the chimney is the pinky/red couch and farther over a cocoa brown accent wall. (more photos below...)

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chimney2121508.jpgThe floors are rusty brown stained concrete. Note that the flowery fabric wrapped canvas panel is currently becoming a beautiful painting.

The chimney used to be a mustard orange color that didn't work with any of the other colors, we updated it with this butter yellow. We like it, but in some lights it gets a little 'baby' for our taste.

Also we're not loving the blue rug/red couch/yellow chimney primaries all together. We're open to bright colors or muted, though probably not too neutral. The latest idea is to go for a tangerine orange, but then we float back to greens, teals, and more.

chimney3121508.jpg

Thanks for your input everyone!

Please help Aisha out with some paint color suggestions in the comments...

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Comments (21)

You already have tons of warm colors...I'd bring in a cool earthy contrasting color into the room, like a deep blue-green.

posted by nazrd on December 15th 2008 at 4:26pm
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I like the teal/blue-green that nazrd suggested - one of those jewel colors everyone's talking about.

Your plants are gorgeous! What a great space.

posted by carolyn_suzanne on December 15th 2008 at 4:30pm
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I would repeat the same chocolatey color you have on the wall behind the TV.

posted by mribaro on December 15th 2008 at 4:31pm
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I would pull a color out of nature like a slate blue/gree/grey. Something with some vibrance not to dull

posted by miscanlo on December 15th 2008 at 4:39pm
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All of those sound like decent options.. Might consider leaving the recess the yellow color it is to frame out the artwork, though

posted by TabithaL on December 15th 2008 at 4:41pm
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awesome place! you should enter the fall colors or smallest coolest contests!

posted by Joan in SB on December 15th 2008 at 4:46pm
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I DEFINITELY agree with change to a slate blue/grey color. Use the print/artwork that is on the wall as the source for color--go with the blue/gray color that is already in the background of that piece, voila! Perhaps even a shade darker than the bluish/grey that is in the artwork-print.

Goodluck--can't wait to see the results!

posted by hwickless on December 15th 2008 at 4:49pm
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How about a blend of the brown and reddish tones...a shade of wine?

posted by Annieo on December 15th 2008 at 4:54pm
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i would actually do a more olive green - and as a side note I think the seating in front of a fireplace should be more cozier and romantic such as a love seat or a section of large throw pillows

posted by MilenaB. on December 15th 2008 at 5:07pm
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Slate blue/grey gets my vote, too! I think that it would balance things out and make your brighter colors POP.

posted by RRAMONI on December 15th 2008 at 5:15pm
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just throwing this out there, but what if you used a modern wallpaper instead to accent the chimney? something grounded in blue/grey but with an updated pattern? i am in love with anything by the brand ferm LIVING.

posted by wakebrooke on December 15th 2008 at 5:28pm
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I like the idea of slate grey/blue, but what about adding large (2ft) horizontal stripes all the way up!

posted by jpriley75 on December 15th 2008 at 5:37pm
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black! glossy beautiful black that will play off your dark brown leather furniture and window panels.

posted by jenniejenjen on December 15th 2008 at 5:46pm
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I'd stick with the same color brown as the other wall as mribaro suggested...

...there's just too much going on this room which is making it appear chopped up and uncohesive.

In addition, I'd rearrange the room so that there is a single seating area at the fireplace with the TV to the left - and collect all the media, computers, keyboard, etc into a workspace in the far end of the room.

posted by bepsf on December 15th 2008 at 6:11pm
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lovely home. great suggestions here.
I adore your sofa... where did you get it??!!

posted by ilovebc on December 15th 2008 at 9:49pm
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I'd go with same brown as accent wall. And I'd paint ALL the other walls that yellow to tie it together, the white wall is the odd wall out.

posted by mskk on December 15th 2008 at 10:07pm
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I'll agree with mribaro and bepsf, EXCEPT that I'd do the chimney in a half-strength shade of the chocolate. That way you'll have consistency of tone without it looking too "match-y"

posted by Blandwagon on December 15th 2008 at 10:11pm
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And hey, 15 comments in and no one has gushed brainlessly about the cute cat yet! A first for an AT comment thread?

posted by Blandwagon on December 15th 2008 at 10:13pm
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I'd pull a green from one of the paintings.

Or, if you want to play it safe, I'd go with grey, brown or off-white (pulled from the painting on the chimney).

posted by seattlegirl on December 15th 2008 at 11:09pm
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I think Dark Grey ( Black - Grey) would look good on the wall.

posted by dzignkrazy on December 16th 2008 at 12:53am
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Wow! Thanks to everyone for such amazing feedback! These are great ideas. I to have been leaning towards some cooler blue/slate/olive/light brown tones to make the room feel more cohesive.

My boyfriend has created a gorgeous painting for the niche with lots of grey tones, so maybe the olive would be a good contrast... I'll have to post an 'after' soon...

Ilovebc - I found this couch under a pile of boxes at a thrift store in Boston about 10 years ago. It was a dream find, and one of the few items that made the cut for my cross country move. I don't know the brand unfortunately.

Thanks and keep 'em coming if you've got more thoughts. - Aisha

posted by Spacesha on December 16th 2008 at 11:37am
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