Today’s decorating dilemma:
I have oak floors (much lighter than the pictures above) and have oak trim at a low chair rail height and around the window and doors. I would like to put chocolate brown on the walls, but I don’t know if I should just do below the chair and something lighter on top like a golden color or beige? I have a golden color for the curtains and my accent color.
Any ideas? –Wendy
Bethany suggests:
Yes, I recommend having a darker color, such as Ralph Lauren’s VM24 Strudel, under the chair rail, and a lighter color above such as Spectra-tone collections 7772W Roman Chamomile color. Having light colors on top and darker colors on the bottom is appropriate because darker colors have more visual weight than light colors. Also, darker colors hide scuffs the usually ding up the lower part of the wall first.
You could spice up the buttery color on the wall, since you already have golden colored curtains and accents, with a metallic faux finish.
If you want to room to have a more formal flavor, stick to the golds and browns more exclusively. Here is a gold frame when added to the room will give it a selective, sophisticated look.
If you are looking for a more casual look, I would incorporate more than just warm colors. The gold theme will really shine when it isn’t overpowering the room. Balance can be acheived by including hints of the “other side”.
Some cooler, complimentary colored accents in the room, such as a deep eggplant purple table cloth will give some visual balance.
You can draw some inspiration out of nature. Start out with a bowl full of colorfully beaded fruit with grapes, plums, or artichokes would help to bring the temperature down!
