apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

it looks like the space gets lots of light, which means you don't need to count on the paint color to add brightness. i think if i were you, because the space has a loft-like look in a way, i think i would go with a greige look - like grays and beiges and browns. i think there are ways you could make the space both cool and warm, and give it a modern edge even though it's in a more traditional style building. i think this woudl also enable you to leave the brick alone and have it really work with what you are doing, rather than just being in the middle of it all.

check out my post on a jeffrey bilhuber-decorated "modern barn" that did this concept really well:

http://honeyliving.blogspot.com/2009/08/gray-matter.html

I really love it the way it is! The wood walls and glossy paint in white and green and the loft like architecture are interesting on their own.

I look at paint in three ways: color, calming neutrals, and energizing neutrals. You might want to flip through decorating magazines to see those to which you respond. The greige mentioned in the earlier post is what I consider a calming neutral. I like to use those in bedrooms and bathrooms. I like an energizing neutral in kitchen and living areas. There's a paint color called Ancient Scroll by Lowe's that I love (a very subdued yellowish-green).It seems to go with every color that I put with it. It might also be interesting to do greige and then do an intense color (raspberry?) on the wall with the daisy prints.

This is a great space - It appears to have lots of color already.
Looks fine to me until such time that you get a rug and decide on a color that you can't live without...
...but for right now, I'd leave it as is.

My suggestions, as an interior designer are:

--look at the Benjamin Moore Historic Colors and America's Colors fan decks. The paint color numbers start with HC-## and AC-## respectively. Historic Colors were developed for historic preservation properties. America's Colors, brighter, but a smaller collection, were developed for Victorian row houses (particularly the Alamo Square row houses).

--As for red or blue or green or grey--there is no right answer, but in my experience, most people are most satisfied with colors they look good wearing.

--Remember that if you are renting, you will have to repaint when you move out. If it is a neutral color, you might convince a landlord to leave it. Brighter colors will require more primer or Kilz which is more expensive, to return the walls to their original color.

Something weird just happened to my message> anyway, I was going to say that I love the new place, and the colours are pretty as they are, I think.

So why did you move twice in as many months? Dish! :-P

A warm neutral would showcase the color you already have in your accessories and be more of a "bridge" to the warm tones in the floor than is the current white. I like the idea of color in that nook, and I like green. But I'd change it to a more saturated green like kelly or lime to fit with the boldness of the colors in the accessories. Cool space!

Based on the colors you have chosen for your accessories, I would go with a lighter yellow-green, like Sherwin Williams Ancestral Gold (SW6407), or any of the colors around that swatch. It would be nice if you left some of the walls white, to keep it crisp and fresh.

You just moved, and you've already got all the art hanging, the chotchkies arranged and curtains at the windows and you're wondering what color to paint the walls? I think I'd live with it for awhile after going to all that effort. And I agree with kodak about eventually having to repaint. Don't go for brights.

I hope you get to stay put this time!

For this space, I'd say go white. There is enough going on already that colors may just detract instead of adding to the charm. Like that green wall? Ugh.

I also say go white- the floors are gorgeous and you have beautiful things that are colorful- it will be a very fresh place to come home too especially if you have had one of those hard urban days when the city gets to you. If you want some color consider doing one wall- I think Silver would be lovely with your other pieces but I would stick to one wall. I love your place- a lot- and am thrilled for you whoever you maybe.:)

I agree with neutrals - I'd probably hit the taupe or tan colors. I'm sure all of us would have loved more pics of the place - looks nice.