On the main floor of most homes it works best to have the colors in all rooms work together. This doesn’t mean that all rooms have to be painted the same color. You can use your fabrics, accessories, and furnishings to tie the colors together.{dtbrk}
For example in an open floor plan if you were to use several different wall colors, a great way to pull the look together is to use coordinated fabrics in pillows, drapes and table cloth.
Making a connection through color will allow the rooms to flow together beautifully




I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Stacey Derbinshire
Hi Stacey,
I’m so glad you found my blog helpful. Thank you for the kind words and I look forward to having you stop back often.
Cheers,
Kate
I have more of a question than a comment. I have an open floor plan with all white walls that are making me crazy. I NEED color! I want the rooms to flow, but be distinct. The front room gets a lot of sun and has oak colored bookcases, and a little darker piano. I would like to do a sage(ish) green, pale yellow and raspberry-reddish colors. It flows into the kitchen with one wall that connects via a vaulted ceiling. The kitchen has med. wood cabinets, black countertops, and stainless steel appliances. The current decor is sort of country(ish) with black,red and goldish yellow. The living room shares the same wall as the front room and kitchen, and currently has a reddish leather couch that will have to stay and is sporting and “Americana theme” which could stay or go. Most Pictures that will stay as part of the decor are framed in black. All rooms receive a good amount of natural light Any suggestions? I have pictures of the rooms if that would help. Thanks in advance! -Mindi
Hi MIndi,
I understand your frustration and will be happy to give you my thoughts. Pictures would help and you can post them at the makeover gallery at http://www.roomvues.com and then I can take a look and make comments.
I look forward to seeing your pics.
Best,
Kate
I love all the tips I’m picking up from reading your responses ~ thank you!
I have a question about paint for our home’s new addition. We’ve added approx. 700 sq ft which is one large room – great room, dining room, and kitchen. The great room has a cathedral ceiling with lots of windows so we can enjoy our country setting and see the outdoors from anywhere in the room. The kitchen proper is 10′ x 18′ with a vaulted ceiling, and will have all stainless steel appliances, Kraftmaid oak cabinets in the color “Autumn Blush”, and Cambria quartz counter top in “Nottingham”. The floor throughout the entire room (and into the adjoining renovated laundry area, bathroom and foyer) is wood laminate in a medium cherry.
I need help! I can’t decide on paint colors. I like earthtones but don’t want it to be too safe and boring. Since the room is so large and open with lots of windows, I picked the darker cabinets for the rich color I felt they would add. I was considering picking up on the colors in the Cambria counter top for the kitchen walls. For the dining area/great room I would like to bring the natural colors we see through the windows indoors, so I thought about a shade of green. I’m also wondering if I should paint the ceiling a color instead of white/off-white. Trim colors? I have no idea. The overall look that I’m going for is one of welcome, warmth and comfort; nothing too fancy, because we are pretty easy going personalities who enjoy having people feeling at home in our home. But I don’t want it to look too “country”. More of a transitional look. Can you help me choose the right paint colors for the look I want? Thanks so much! Debbie
HI Debbie,
I’m so glad you are finding the information helpful.
Let me work on your question and post an answer for you on the blog.
Then you can stop back, we’ll have a cup of coffee and talk color
Kate
A million thank yous, Kate!
I’m really looking forward to hearing your ideas over that cup of coffee.
Debbie
p.s. I forgot to tell you that the laminate flooring is Armstrong Woodland Park Cherry.
Hi Kate,
We are in the process of finishing our basement. It is about 2100 feet and will have a main living area (pool table, air hockey, tv area, and a large bar/kitchen), exercise room (the wall that connects to the main living area will be half glass with glass doors), a bedroom and a bath. The bar and pool table will be a medium oak. Our house is decorated in warm earth tones throughout, and we would like to carry this down to the basement. However, we don’t want to simply replicate the upstairs. I would like it to be a little bit more lively and fun. Also, we only have no direct light from windows, so we are concerned about the space feeling too dark. If you have any color suggestions, we would love to hear them! fyi, our contractor includes Behr or Benjamin Moore paint.
Many thanks – -
Hi Francie,
Thanks for your question.
Let me work on your question and post an answer for you on the blog.
Colorfully yours,
Kate
Hi Kate,
We are installing verde butterfly granite countertops with a light oak appliance. We are going to get all black appliances as well on a light tanish/white floor. The family room is right next to the kitchen on wooden floors. We have a beautiful view of a lake in our backyard. Can you give me an idea of what color I should make the family room? I have not bought furniture yet and hope to add color through cellular blind shades and of course accents. What color accents should I add to the Kitchen as well? Thank you, I really appreciate it
TPJ