We are still receiving requests for help – and are glad to give it.  Here are a few recent inquiries that we think have broad appeal.

A WALL COLOR THAT IS LIGHT AND FRESH

Belinda writes:  “My walls have been antique white but when I decided to give them a fresh coat, my sister suggested I try a color. My furniture is a sienna (brown/wine) colored leather.  I’ve tried a couple of colors – one was too golden and one looked like mud.  Yuck!  We have white trim in some rooms and wood trim in others. I don’t like anything with a yellow or gold tone.  I want to stay fresh, light and neutral but with a little color.  I thought about adding blue or green accents to the room but I can’t afford to totally redecorate right now.  Do you have any ideas?”

You mentioned some specific colors which I’m not familiar with - Wicker and Macadamia.  From the names I’d guess they are in the tan family which usually is going to have a yellow undertone.  However, here are some new Sherwin Williams colors that I think meet your criteria – no yellow undertones, light & bright and fresh and leaning to the ‘hot’ new color, gray: Greek Villa #7551 (light, hint of gray), Westhighland White #7566, Origami White #7636 (little more gray), or Rhinestone #7656.  These colors all have varying touches of gray in them.  Gray is a great neutral, would work well with sienna colored furnishings and any accent color will blend with it.  I’d suggest you buy a couple of those $5 pots of color and test paint some spots on different walls before going to the trouble to repaint the room yet again.  In trying to avoid colors with yellow undertones, gather together all the paint chips you’re considering and place them side by side.  Compare the lightest tones and you’ll be able to eliminate ones with yellow easily.

(via House & Home, Michael Graydon photographer)

This photo illustrates that warm browns can work beautifully with cool gray walls – use an even lighter, silvery gray for a brighter look. 

As far as adding blue or green accents, you certainly wouldn’t have to start over or make a big investment.  Start with a couple of pillows that have both brown (sofa color) and your accent color in the pattern.  Add a throw in the accent color and a couple of candles and for $50-60 you can add spots of color to your room. (check out our post about accessorizing)

If you’re adding color to please your sister/friend/neighbor but not having success finding an alternative, maybe it’s because you really liked the almost white walls you had.  Not everyone has a tolerance for color on the walls and you should make your house suit you, not friends/family.  However, if you’re really wanting change because you want to expand your horizons, then keep looking – the right color is out there!

WAINSCOTING HEIGHT

Kam writes:  “I am installing beadboard wainscoting in my dining room.  The contractor is suggesting 2 walls with beadboard at 33″ high and one wall with it at 66″ and a plate shelf at the top.  The 4th wall has a window and 2 doors.  I like the idea but I’m wondering about the different heights in one room.  What do you think?”

I think two heights of wainscoting in a small space would be odd and not cohesive.  If you like the idea of the plate shelf, run all the wainscoting at 66″ and run the plate shelf along the plainest wall.  An alternative would be to have all the wainscoting at 33″ and run a plate shelf at door trim height along one wall.  It would continue the line started by the door but give you plenty of room for plates – a little higher than normal for more of a statement.

Although not Kam's room, it illustrates the unity created by wainscoting all at one height. A plate shelf runing at the height of the door frame would be a great finishing touch. (via photobucket)

Kam responded and decided to keep all the wainscoting at the 33″ height and add the plate shelf on the plain wall.  Hopefully she’ll send photos to let us see how it turns out.

WHAT TO USE BEHIND THE COOKTOP?

Christina writes:  “We remodeled the kitchen and the last thing to be done is the wall behind the cooktop.  The kitchen style is Nantucket with mustard yellow walls, beadboard cabinets and a sage green island.  The breakfast room has a white farm table and sage green hutch.  The wall space is about 3′ wide by 2.5′ tall up to a non-functioning window.  Currently it’s just a painted wall so I want some suggestions about what to do.  Thanks.”

(via Tile Mural Store)

Function is the first consideration and the area behind the range or cooktop should be easy to clean as well as attractive.  The first logical suggestion is tile.  For the most drama I’d suggest a tile mural.  There are many sites online with tile murals of all sizes but here’s an example:  Tile by Design or Tile Mural Store.  What caught my eye is the mustard yellows and sages that would blend with your color scheme.  Since it’s a small space, you might consider working with a local tile artist to give you something totally unique and perfectly suited to your home.

If not tile, try wallpaper.  It’s making a big comeback so there are lots of beautiful options – you don’t have to settle for the stereotypical kitchen pattern of teapots or flowers on a trellis.  Since it’s a small area and won’t use much paper, check closeouts or remnants or even designer samples. You may find just what you need to add a bold touch of pattern in the room.  If you decide to order something, use the leftover paper to paper the inside or backs of the shelves in the hutch in the breakfast nook to bring another layer of cohesion to the space.

For something outside the box, how about pressed tin (or a knock-off) for a vintage, cottage look? (explore The Tin Man)  Whether the real thing or a look alike, you won’t need many tiles, it will provide a little texture and protection behind the range and can be painted any color you’d like – you can match your walls or contrast them for higher impact.

 

Christina writes back:  “Thanks so much for all the thoughtful suggestions.  I had thought of tile but wanted something more unusual.  I’ll have to do some research but now I have a couple great ideas to think about.  Thanks again for responding so quickly.”

HELP WITH DESIGN DILEMMAS

These are just a few dilemmas we’ve been able to assist with.  As you look ahead this year, what projects are you going to tackle?  If you hit a snag or want a creative idea or two, drop us a line (comment or email) and we’ll help you out.