Today’s color dilemma…

We have a rather large bedroom which includes a fireplace with standard, red/pinkish brick surrounded by a medium cherry/maple color mantle. There is also a bay window, also surrounded by cherry/maple trim. We have medium cherry stained furniture, dresser and panel bed, from Restoration Hardware more of an arts and crafts style.

The walls are currently a mauve color, probably to pick up the color in the brick. There is also a master bath (very small) off the bedroom, also in the mauve/pink paint. We plan to completely re-do the bathroom, but have not tackled that project yet.. Please suggest a paint color scheme for both the bath and bedroom, as I am stuck! Thanks,
Monique

Barbara suggests…

I understand your dilemma, and the desire to arrive at a decision for a color scheme for your bedroom and master bathroom.

Your description indicates a dominance of red-based colors, from the fireplace to the mantel, to the furniture. My thought is that rather than “pick up the color in the brick,” I’d recommend that you use colors that complement the brick and not try to replicate its color.

You didn’t describe the light conditions in either room, therefore I’ll recommend a middle-tone color—not pastel, and not too saturated. Your room is “large” so perhaps you would consider an accent wall color, maybe behind the bed—and that color can also bring out colors from your window treatments and bed coverings.

Incandescent lighting will make any color you use have a yellow cast, which in the bathroom will probably be a bit intensified if there are not windows to add the daylight element during the day time. A gold-based color is something you might want to avoid for the bathroom.

You also did not include any information about the floors in either – so, it’s hard to assume correctly what they might be–carpet? wood? tile?– and what color and material? In any case what covers the floor is an important ingredient when considering wall colors, which are not in any way isolated from all the other qualities of your space.

Ultimately, when you re-do the bathroom you will also want to consider the type and color of the hardware and fixtures you use.

Rather than give you specific colors—which may or may not be what you like—I’d just like to direct you to some basic things to consider when you are looking at paint colors:

• the kinds of colors you like, that resonate with you
• lighting in the room: natural and electric
• floor color and material
• decorating elements: fabrics and art work
• size of the room
• the feeling you want to create: intimate, lively, fresh, historic, etc.

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