We have two issues to address in this living room. First, is the issue that our reader submitted: how to paint a great room which includes the living area, the dining room and the kitchen. How can you differentiate spaces when each functional area shares so many walls and so much air space? The second issue, which I noticed, is that this room suffers from a serious overdose of brown. Some carefully placed wall color and area rugs can help keep the spaces from blending together too much (and can also break up the monotonous brown!)
Here is the current room. What you can’t see here is that the dining area is next to this seating area, which then blends straight into the kitchen. It’s a quintessential “great room,” but without architectural features, there is little to articulate the functional areas.
In every scenario, I’ve painted the two walls different colors. When you are faced with one huge room, a simple solution is to create an accent wall. Pick any wall or area of the room you want to draw attention too. Check out this teal color, which coordinates nicely with the existing brown. Some golden yellow touches give the color palette a little edge and global accessories timeless. Also note that I added molding to the window and updated the blinds to make it look more substantial. Here’s the updated room recap:
- Benjamin Moore paint in Wedgewood Gray and Aegean Teal
- Andalusia rug from West Elm
- Etched Square pillows from West Elm
- Woven wood shade from the Shade Store
- Cowhide cocktail ottoman from Room and Board
- Rafia bowl made in Uganda from Ten Thousand Villages
- Black and white photograph of Paris from Allposters.com
Next up, some modern blues. I replaced the brown recliner with a more modern chair in a contrasting beige. I also darkened up the window shade. My favorite addition is the art to make an interesting focal point behind the couch. That particular piece is total steal – original art by Seon-Jeong Kim sold on Etsy. Room recap:
- Benjamin Moore paint in Lucerne and Serenata
- Axis chair from Crate and Barrel
- Seaglass Stripe rug from Crate and Barrel
- Jenga pillow
- 2″ wooden blind from the Shade Store
- Original modern art sold on Etsy
- Agave bowl
- Twine floor lamp from CB2
Lastly, an accent wall is excellent place to make use of wallpaper. I find that an all-over wallpaper is too busy for my taste. On a single wall, however, it adds a lot of depth and life to a room. This totally adorable wallpaper comes from Denmark. Room recap:
- Wild Flower wallpaper from Ferm Living
- Benjamin Moore paint in Caliente
- Yasmine rug from Crate and Barrel
- Mona Lisa and George Washington pillows from Atelier Expo Arte sold on Etsy
- Neo bunching cube, Gentry table lamp and Streeter swivel chair from Crate and Barrel
There are a lot of ways to define spaces within in larger room. Don’t be afraid to use more than one color of paint or to experiment with wallpaper and area rugs. A big great can be just that…great!
Continue reading about Putting the “Great” in a Basic Brown Great Room
This living room comes from a reader who is looking to update their living room while keeping the vintage chic vibe. They’ve already chosen the paint colors and are a making a bold (and wise) move – going from pasty pink to a deep chocolate and tan. They write to us looking for some help in tying the vintage blue couch with the bold brown and some more modern updated accessories. I think we have a few fun ideas for vintage eclectic living room in a lovely blue and brown palette.
Here is the original pink living room (soon to be painted deep brown and tan). The carpeting will also be removed to reveal a dark brown hardwood floor.
The owners picked a nice bold accent wall in dark brown. I also love the hardwood floors. To play up the vintage couch, try a patterned curtain combined with some unique accessories like an organic wood table and chartreuse vases. A subtle crocodile rug adds a little more pattern without overwhelming the room and two vintage chairs complement the velvet couch.
Here, instead of heavy drapes, try a flouncy tulip shade. Add some interest with a coffee table, a modern rug and fun vintage upholstered chair. Metal wall art adds another earth element to the wood-heavy room. My favorite accessory is the modern, yet historic pendant lamp. Upgrading your fixtures in a great way to make a room feel instantly more luxurious and expensive.
This last option is an elegant modern retreat, set with dramatically tall plain white curtains and a simple bold rug. Simple neutral chairs give the vintage couch and the houndstooth stool the spotlight. Streamline the fireplace wall with a large modern painting and a fireplace screen. Finally, the floor lamp gives the room a more intimate feeling by lowering the overhead elements.
In all of these options, the key to creating a vintage eclectic look is to create a balanced mix of styles. A few pieces of vintage furniture with classic lines combined with a couple of bold or unique accessories and your room will come alive!
One of our friends is painting a bathroom and wanted some quick color advice. They would like to update the bathroom, but prefer to leave certain things in place. For example, the bathroom has existing purple blinds and modern (but woody) fixtures. Both the doors and trim are in a natural wood finish, but painting over all of those details is not feasible (and not desirable if you like the look of wood). So, how can they freshen up the bathroom with little effort?
My 2-step fix is (1) a simple paint job and (2) a new light fixture over the vanity. Check out the existing bathroom:
In this room, your palette should include the purple of the blinds, the brown of the wood trim, and the creamy white of the fixtures.
Purple can be hard to match, particularly when it’s in the venetian blinds. I wouldn’t use any color too bright, for fear of looking like a circus. Also, this bathroom belongs to a couple, so I wouldn’t opt for anything too frilly or girly either. Step 1: My first thought is gray. A mature, neutral classic (see it in the mini-palette). Step 2: Add a simple modern sconce in brushed nickel. Check out Bathroom Lighting Universe, where I found a huge variety of lighting styles.
Purple and navy are bold and and regal, but grounded by the brown wood.
Blue and purple make for a calm and cool analogous color scheme. In other words, they are neighbors on the color wheel and coordinate well without too much drama. Step 1: Navy blue adds stability to the regal, and sometimes touchy-feely, purple. Step 2: A classic sconce reinforces the preppy navy blue vibe.
Purple becomes the accent color in an otherwise neutral earthy palette.
Lastly, I opted for something a little more earthy. It’s tempting to keep bathrooms in a fresh white color, but rich dark walls recede into the background, actually making the room feel a little bigger (contrary to what most people think). Step 1: Rich brown walls do a nice job of highlighting both the pretty tile fixtures and the wood trim. Step 2: A geometric sconce adds interest above the mirror.
Kitchen upgrades are a common and easy way to update a home. I’ve done a few posts where we painted walls and cabinets, but here, I want to focus on the backsplash. Perhaps the most common and easiest upgrade (aside from paint) is to add tile. I also love that tile can be a doable DIY project as well. Check out this plain kitchen below. Note the the newly installed Silestone countertop in Mont Blanc.
The owners chose to keep their original black appliances and maple cabinets, so we are working with a palette of white, black and light maple. I found some great tiles at Modwalls, which come in a nice variety of colors and are really affordable. Here is the dramatic Marakesh blend.
If you are willing to commit, a backsplash is also a great place to add color to the kitchen. I like this bold Tango blend. A solid color would also make a nice statement and feel less busy.
One of the great features at Modwalls is the custom tile blender. You can pick multiple colors and blend them in any proportion to create your perfect palette. Here is a brown and white blend for something more muted than the colorful Emma above.
A lighter look in a custom blend of white and speckles of green.
If you don’t like the looks of small squares, subway tiles are another good option. Here is Modwalls Lush tile in dune. I love the elegant lines and tasteful colors.
The backsplash is also a great place to mix textures and materials. While I love the glass and ceramic tiles, I’m always drawn to earthy stone and marble. Here is a great mix of glass and stone in matchstick shape from Glass Tiles Etc. So earthy and stylish!
Continue reading about Tiled Kitchen Backsplash Extravaganza
Here is a lovely house in need of a little color boost. The interior is bright and open, with tons of light and nice lines. It’s currently finished in a pleasing neutral scheme, including brown and beige furniture. Our reader would like to liven it up with a fresh color palette. The good news here, is that you can really take this decor in ANY direction. With such solid basics, the sky’s the limit.
Mini-palette: Brown, Yellow, Sage, Beige
My first thought is a yellow and brown theme, to match the existing furniture and accessories. The color inspiration comes from Olympic paint in Calabash, which I paired with a chocolate brown. An aqua/sage striped curtain keeps the room looking modern.
Mini-palette: Teal, Terra cotta, Black
I found more inspiration with Olympic colors Blue Bayberry and Baritone. I love the combination of teal/blue with Terra Cotta. Add a little black and the palette really pops. To bring it all together, add some tall curtains in modern organic print.
Mini-palette: Terra cotta, brown, beige, yellow
Continuing with the Terra cotta, here is Olympic Ginger on the wall. This is warm and spicy, without being dark and oppressive. The Ginger coordinate easily with the the brown and beige of the existing room. I also love the existing throw pillows on the couch with a modern/ethnic rainbow appeal.
Mini-palette: Dark and light green, beige, brown
Lastly, a calm and friendly green in Dark Sage and Asparagus. The combination of muted green with bright green keeps the room lively, but still feels understated and earthy. Simple curtains soften the back wall. Also, note the green paint on the mantel and the back of the bookshelf to highlight the architectural details.
Our first post on exterior colors comes from reader inquiry. She wanted some ideas for her parents’ house before settling on a final palette. I just love the hacienda bungalow style – complete with arched colonnades and a terra cotta tile roof. I’m certainly envious of this warm weather home.
Spanish style homes often look best in classic Mediterranean palettes. Colors include yellows, peach, pink, olive, terra cotta, brown, white, etc. Think lush, warm earth tones and refreshing cool waters. This is Behr Sunbath, a color that is optimistic and timeless. It also goes well with the terra cotta tiled roof. I created some contrast with bright white trim and a dark brown deck.
Another classic hacienda color is pink (or coral/peach). I chose Behr’s Antique Cameo and again contrasted it with a white deck and brown columns. Make sure the pink/peach doesn’t clash with the terra cotta roof. A warm shade of pink should do the trick and a little Bougainvillea adds another dimension to the palette.
If yellow and pink are too colorful, why not a tasteful beige? I found this nice color from Behr called Cardboard. When used with terra cotta, white and dark chocolate brown, Cardboard is much more interesting than the name implies.
Lastly, and perhaps my favorite, is white with colorful accents. White is very fresh with the roof and greenish-blue trim. The element of the shutters adds even more visual interest with a beautiful tile pattern. I found these lovely Pueblo shutters at Shutterstile. An architectural accent like these shutters is not only distinctive, but can provide inspiration for the entire palette.
I’m always a fan of trying daring colors on interiors and exteriors, but sometimes it’s nice to stick to your architectural roots. Rooting this house in a Spanish hacienda color palette is both festive and classic (and will look great even years from now).
We hope our reader’s parents find something they like!
I was lucky enough to catch my friend in transition between apartments – which means clear photos of big empty rooms! This is a Mochi Home dream, of course, as it’s really easy to quickly play with some different looks.
I used some window coverings from The Shade Store as inspiration. You can see how the right window treatment can really set the style of a room, even without any furniture. Here it goes:
An empty bedroom.
Classy green silk inverted pleat drapes. I kept it monochrome with a complementary shade of celery on the walls. I also darkened the floor to an eco-friendly deep brown bamboo.
This is a really sexy panel system in a Chilewich fabric. I dream about dividing a loft space with panels like this. Here, it works for a subdued bachelor pad bedroom.
Lastly, a more feminine tulip shade in pink silk. This is also practical, as it doesn’t block the AC/heater (although it doesn’t hide it either). I couldn’t resist an accent wall, which would look lovely behind a bed.
Hopefully, this will remind you not to neglect your windows!
One of our readers recently wrote us with this question:
I’m wondering if you might weigh in on a debate I’m having with someone about whether to paint these funny closet doors in a bedroom…The color thought is a darkish brown.
Absolutely, we can weigh in! This is a perfect job for a Mochi Home visualization. Our reader had originally been looking at a Fuller O’Brien paint chip book. Unfortunately, paint chips for this brand are not easily accessible online. We picked some Benjamin Moore colors, but they could be easily translated to other brands.
Here’s the current room and the closet doors in question.
First, we painted just the closet doors a dark brown, as requested. This is Van Buren Brown from the Historical Colors collection. This already adds a little interest and definition to the room, but it doesn’t totally hang together yet.
With a little more effort, we think the brown doors could be a really nice feature. We added a classic chair rail, with the lower half in a neutral brown/gray called Smoked Oyster and the top in Pampas grass. This nice palette of warm neutrals works well with the hints of red already in the room. To really tie it all together, we found a modern rug from West Elm, which includes all of the colors.
Along the same lines, here are the closet doors in a lighter shade, Rockies Brown. We paired it with a wall in Sea Froth. Finally we removed all traces of red and replaced them with dark browns and neutral blues. A fun rug from 2modern does a nice job of tying it all together.
What if you are into the red? Try something a little unexpected and paint it on the doors. We matched the red of the duvet cover. We recommend bringing some paint chips home to match your accessories or you can bring any item into the paint store and they will match it for you. These red doors are fun and little shocking, but…
We painted the wall that rich Van Buren brown and turned that plain wall in to the clear focal point. We love how the rich colors are outlined by the bright white trim, making them even bolder and crisper.
Lastly, I thought we could leave the doors white and just paint the wall instead. This shade of Gravel Gray is modern and sophisticated and goes great with the red accessories. The bright white closet doors suddenly look crisp and fresh on the dark back drop. I couldn’t resist adding this quill rug from CB2, a pillow, and some white vases on the dresser to add some height in the corner. To finish off the look, the curtains have been replaced by wooden shades, which I snagged from Hunter Douglas.
Hopefully we’ve given our reader a visualization of their ideas and some new ideas they hadn’t thought of. Don’t be afraid to paint doors, walls, or even both! This plain wall can become an exciting focal point or an elegant backdrop. Good luck!
This month’s Dwell magazine has a nice summary of the best eco-friendly paints on the market. I’ll let you read their article for the details. In the meantime, I’ll “try out” some colors from the various brands.
First, we start off with a living room. As a note, in our before photo, the walls are painted using Benjamin Moore Eco-spec paint in Tundra. At the time of painting, Eco-spec was the best low-VOC paint on the market from Benjamin Moore.
Benjamin Moore Natura
As detailed by Dwell, Benjamin Moore now offers an even better option-their Natura line of paints. Natura is a zero VOC product and is available in all of the fabulous Benjamin Moore colors. Benjamin Moore is available at various paint retailers and hardware stores. Your best bet is to check their retail locator.
Here we try out Fresh Butter from the Color Samples collection.
Below-Benjamin Moore in cheery Blue Daisy.
YOLO Colorhouse
I had never heard of Yolo until I read the Dwell article. It looks like Yolo is available at various green building stores, but check their store locator.
Yolo has a very tasteful and well curated palette. Below is Stone 06.
I love their deep neutral earth tones. Here is Stone 07.
AFM Safecoat
Safecoat also has a nice limited palette, though I had trouble navigating to it from their site. Rather than using the typical earth element theme, Safecoat uses Ayurveda to categorize their colors into a system of healing and meaning. I’m always a sucker for Eastern philosophy! Safecoat, like Yolo, is available at specialty retailers or through contractors.
A bright juicy green called Pitta Day.
I always love yellow, and this is especially nice as it dips into the orange spectrum. This color is Vata Landscape.
Mythic Paint
No need to play it safe with color just because it’s safe for you and the planet. I find the Mythic color palette very user-friendly and the retro graphics are charming. Mythic doesn’t seem as widely available as other brands (at least here in NYC), but the dealer locator will confirm.
I love-love-love any shade of Terra Cotta and in almost any context. Below, the Mythic version called Moroccan Clay.
I’m also quite enamored by deep aqua teals, which are my favorite beachy jewel tone. Here is Emerald Bay.
There’s really no excuse for not using eco-friendly paints. They are healthier for you, your family and for the planet. Plus, the paints are widely available and comparable in price to their chemical laden counterparts. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, these paints come in a full spectrum of colors from the softest whites to the deepest shades of earth and jewel. It might be time to update my own living room!
There are so many colors in the world, how do you find a palette that’s right for you? Color inspiration is anywhere and everywhere. One of my favorite blogs, Kris’s Color Stripes, knows that better than anyone. I absolutely adore Kris’s lovely palettes inspired by everything from nature to cities to artwork…even insects! If you are looking for fresh new combos, this is a great place to start.
I picked 4 of Kris’s recent color stripes and tried them out on our friend’s very bright (and clean!) Hong Kong apartment.
Cherry Blossom Palette
First, a spring (and Japanese) inspired cherry blossom palette. You can see how the color stripes are pulled directly from the photo to create endless custom palettes. I thought the dining room would look great as a dramatic accent wall and the black doesn’t disappoint!
Venetian Palette
Who doesn’t love Venice? These colors make a warm, inviting space. I always love shades of terra cotta and the green is just the right shade of olive. Also notice how we added a throw blanket on the couch to pull the color across the room. The walls include art from CB2 and West Elm.
Rustic Door Palette
Next, a modern room inspired by rustic architectural details. Blue and brown are an excellent combination that can be both modern and classic. To give it a little playfulness, you can also include the aqua color stripe. Big paper lanterns and live bamboo freshen up the whole look.
Sweet Treats Palette
I couldn’t finish this post without a proper striped wall, of course! Again, the dining room wall is the perfect place to highlight the lovely sweet treat palette. With a wall this bold, you don’t need much art. However, a bold light from CB2 helps balance the strong graphic pattern.
I’ve been following Kris’s Color Stripes for awhile and we hope you can find inspiration, too. Why not use your own favorite things or places to inspire a palette for your home?
Continue reading about Finding Inspiration: Kris’s Color Stripes
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