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Design Dilemma
billybelldance

Paint?!?

billybelldance
10 years ago
So this is my NYC dining room / home office. I need some help I can't decide what to do with the walls. Any color suggestions would be greatly appreciated. It tends to be a darker room and I'd like to brighten it up a bit while still keeping it a warm and cozy space to eat dinner and drink whisky in with friends.

Again, any help is appreciated!

Thanks!
Billy
Featured Answer
  • Rosemary Freitas
    10 years ago
    I would start with the windows. Get rid of the rods and double curtain things. go for a polished smart simple inset window treatment. Cellular or pleated. Then get yourself some art work to go between those windows. Then choose your wall colors. You can use color in a dark room, it is worth it to use a designer or colorist to choose the right ones.. I can see a lightweight pendant light hanging there. eliminate some of the clutter on the shelves and get some light colored items there. Refinish that table if you can't replace it. Try to get that dark stain off of it.

    Comments (21)

    • Cheryleen Nel
      10 years ago
      Hi Billy
      I would paint the walls a lemon yellow.
      Regards
      Chez
    • studio10001
      10 years ago
      Warm the walls, and brighten the ceiling. Rough example:

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    • studio10001
      10 years ago
      last modified: 10 years ago
      Those colours translate a bit more wildly than intended, but you get the idea.
    • billybelldance
      Original Author
      10 years ago
      I'm not sure if painting the ceiling is so much of an option as I think it would look strange since it's open to other rooms as well that might not feel right with a yellow ceiling. I do like the sandy color though! Any other suggestions?
    • laurakdesigns
      10 years ago
      Benj Moore Plantation Beige is a creamy light warm shade the would give your room some personality.
    • Nancy Searle
      10 years ago
      I would go with a pale buttery yellow
    • C Bromley
      10 years ago
      navy blue would be great
    • C Bromley
      10 years ago
      And with a more dramatic light fixture
    • C Bromley
      10 years ago
      Me again. The light fixture is very cool but try it in the kitchen, And the drapery treatment is unfinished looking., Try putting 2 panels on each window and pull the back as you have done here. navy blue is wonderful and surprisingly does not make the room look at all dreary or small. Quite the reverse.
    • pamelatyrrell
      10 years ago
      [houzz=
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      ] I think a gold would brighten and warm; it is one of the hardest colors to pick so you would need to sample several in your space (get samples and paint a large piece of poster board and move it around the room to see how it looks in different light). Notice how well these gold/yellow tones go with woods and accent colors… Have fun
    • groveraxle
      10 years ago
      I think your window treatments are way too heavy for the space. Replace the sheers with shades, hang single panels on the outside end of each window. Choose something lighter, a natural color linen, for example.

      The shelving on your back wall is very cool: industrial and open looking. Add to it enough components to store everything in the cabinet you want to be seen and send the cabinet somewhere else to live. In its place put a credenza to store your office stuff and anything else you wish to hide. Above it put a large bright piece of canvas art.
    • pamelatyrrell
      10 years ago
      I like your industrial light but it looks too small for your table. And the room looks very dark. You could go with something larger, but still industrial that might reflect more light around the room like a cage type pendant http://www.lampsplus.com/products/industrial-style-cage-bronze-double-multi-light-pendant__y0404-w8377.html (watch the video for ideas). Get a dimmer on it in case it's too bright for hanging out drinking whiskey
    • newman1958
      10 years ago
      Your ceilings are low or either your furniture and drapes are hung hig. To give a open airy feeling declutter the tops of the furniture and consider lowering the drapes.
      I have done a Ben Moore beige on walls and Ben Moore pale blue on the ceiling. You could keep the blue on ceilings that connect. You could also reversing the two colors.
      Since the room is small and you want to keep it a guys scotch drinking room then remove the other collectible a from the room that have nothing to do with the guys coming over.
    • daniellesarah
      10 years ago
      Hey there may take everything out and start from scratch, I would paint it a nice crisp white and replace the dark cabinetry with maybe some nice white open shelves, add colour with books and accessories , and some nice bright art work, I would also maybe try some blinds that fit in the insert of the the windows and then dress them with some shares for display purposes only (lol) , good luck and I would love to see some"after " pictures!!
    • daniellesarah
      10 years ago
      Actually forget the sheers keep it clean and simple binds only!
    • R and S M
      10 years ago
      try potterybarn.com dining room gallery photos. find a look you like and recreate the look. using the items that you already have in the room. you have some fun pieces. i would suggest you minimize the amount of smaller items. so many can be distracting. the middle space inside of your open shelving unit should have a taller piece of simple wall art...one that would fill most of the space and bring your eyes up to the taller shelf level (maybe a mirror or a picture that brings in your favorite color. then balance the other side. i agree with others about the window treatments. the color seems heavy. take them down while you decorate, then see how much weight to give the opposite side of the room. good luck!
    • PRO
      Advanced Construction Enterprises
      10 years ago
      I'd paint the walls Linen white or White dove and super white on the ceiling. Put in pleated off white blinds or roman shades. Bring in color with accessories. Keep it bright - you can always change accessories when you want to change things up.
    • PRO
      Warner Decor
      10 years ago
      Hi, Billy! I think the first thing I would do is replace your window treatments with something brighter so that you can get an idea of a color you may like to paint the walls, while still brightening up the room. Here are a few options for you. To purchase any of these items or see others, just click the orange buy product button, and it will take you to the page:

      http://deciture.com/shop/decor/world-market/jute-angeline-curtain/ (masculine but still brings color in)

      http://deciture.com/shop/decor/world-market/taupe-accacia-curtains-54inwx108inl/

      http://deciture.com/shop/decor/world-market/fresco-print-jute-curtain-48inx108in/ (my personal favorite!)

      Hope this helps!
    • whitebranchstudios
      10 years ago
      First thing I saw was the small size of the light fixture. There needs to be a larger fixture with some presence. And I agree with the others about the window dressing. For an industrial style room, these don't fit in plus they don't do much for the window. I would do a pleated shade (not too $$ if you go to a home builders store) maybe in a dark brown with side panels of a midtone neutral. But not if you paint the walls navy! I agree with Mr. Navy, I have a room painted yacht club blue and it is a small room but you don't see the edges of the room when the walls are dark and the room has a great look. I would start with the wall color and go from there, fixture, window shades. Good luck!
    • designworksarch
      10 years ago
      last modified: 10 years ago
      Your room has very expressive elements in it (shelving, light fixture) so I would concentrate on simplifying the surfaces, not to compete with color, so I would keep the color neutral, white or linen, depending on other finishes. I agree with other suggestions to get rid of the window treatment and go with something simple, plain,'whittish' and inset, so the window sills can be used for display (i.e. glass) and add some space into the room. A great advice is to add a good piece of artwork for the spot between windows. If the character of the room is established by the light future and shelving, then I would work with a different table/chairs combination to align character better; perhaps something from Restoration Hardware. I would suggest to work with a square or round table, more comfortable chairs for a more casual, 'clubby' feel. A square table may work well rotated 45 deg. A rug with a corresponding shape for a complete look.
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