Sunday, January 17, 2010

New Living Room Color Reveal


I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday.

The living room went from a deep burgundy red to a mellow caramel color last week. I was very ambivalent about getting rid of the red. But it was so dark and only looked good at Christmas and at night with every light on and candle lit.

The living room BEFORE

In progress

Bob, our painter getting rid of the red!

The living room AFTER
It still looks good at night with all the lights on and the candles lit.

As you know, whenever one thing is changed, it is a "can of worms!" I can see a light brown cowhide rug under the coffee table now. Ballard has one here. Should I?

The two chairs in the room also need to be reupholstered. The backs are faded from the sun and the mauve (I hate that color and name) needs to go.






Up for consideration for the chair fabric is this cotton tan and cream ticking stripe. Especially if I decide to slipcover the sofa in linen.






Or, this paisley fabric that picks up the colors in the linen drapes and walls. It would go with the green velvet sofa if I decide to leave it alone.

I'm leaning toward this tried and true heavy woven cotton from India in a cream and green ticking stripe. I think it would go with the green sofa, should I decide to keep it, and also with the sofa if I should slipcover it.

The sofa. I have always regretted my decision to cover it in this color and should have trusted my gut and covered it in apple green. However, these days, I'm dreaming of slipcovering it in a wonderful textured linen. Restoration Hardware has a lovely sofa that I'm in love with, but I think I can remake this one to resemble theirs. It would need new back cushions, instead of the structured ones.

More after pictures of the living room

This picture really shows the paint color.

The color: Benjamin Moore's "Richmond Gold"

Looking from the entry into the living room.

And from the living room, through the entry and beyond into the dining room.

I welcome any thoughts about the fabrics for the chairs, as well as your ideas. This room is a work in progress. My goal is to tone it down, but still keep color in my life. I know lampshades and accessories need to be changed out.

Please visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for more before and after projects on Metamorphosis Monday.

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43 comments:

Unknown said...

BEAUTIFUL rich warm inviting color. GORGEOUS ROOM, LOVE EVERYTHING... great job!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

OMG Girl your home is BEAUTIFUL...I loved it in red but now it looks like a camel apple to me...You have wonderful taste my friend...WOW!! this place blows me away...I love the green strip fabric the best but that's just me thinking out loud again...Thanks so much for sharing and also for coming by to see me I alway love your visits...May you have a great week on your side of Ca. Hugs and smiles to you Gl♥ria

Anonymous said...

Oh wow, I love that color. I have found my color. You see, last year I painted the dining room and kitchen walls a dark red. I love it, hubby loves it, but yes, its too dark in the dining room and kitchen, due to not enough light.
So I thought I would paint the living room red, a ton more light, but was stumped as to the new color for the dining room, etc.
Can't wait to get started.

Thank you,
Jilly
visiting from BNOTP

The Tablescaper said...

Beautiful color. Loved it before, but it's a great transformation. How about an oriental under the coffee table??? Call me a traditonalist.
- The Tablescaper

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

You have chosen the most lovely color for your livingroom! Yellow is my favorite. It makes anything look great. I also love the green you chose.
I know what you say about opening a cann of worms! One decorating project always leads to another in my home!
I would love to see any other projects on this room.
Yvonne

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Beautiful - Love the color. Your home is so pretty. I hope to get some more painting done before to long.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Your home is just beautiful. I love the new color so much. It is just fabulous. I like all of the chair color choices. Can't wait to see what you decide. Hugs, Marty

Sonia said...

I just LOVE love this color! I thought the room was gorgeous before and I loved the red too...but you chose a wonderful color and your furniture looks stunning with the wall color. I just had to recover my comfy overstuffed chairs and I went with a chenille gold/brown fabric with burgundy piping. I was pleased with the choice. It's hard to decide on fabric and I'm always a color chicken because I usually have to live with my decision for many years. Your room is one of the prettiest transformations I've seen! Have a great week!

Miss Bloomers

Blue Creek Home said...

The red was pretty, but I absolutely love the Richmond Gold. I adore all of the rich colors
in your rooms.
Rhonda

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Delores, your room turned out beautiful girl. It seems to take on a glow at night now. My kitchen is painted Carriage Red, and I've loved it for the longest time, lately have had the desire to paint it a bit lighter. Mr. P has problems with his eyes now, and actually enjoys all the dark.. maybe a project after he has a few more of his tests run. I'm loving your sofa..all the fringe is so old world.. and loved..is it actually darker in person than on line. You know how the pixels on these screens can change the actual color at times.. I love the striped fabric, but here it appears to have alot of white in it, or is it cream? I also love the more brocade look as well. Exactly what look are you going for? You said you were changing out all the lamps and accessories. Just went back and I love the cream and tan stripe, it wouldn't lock you in to other colors going with it..OK you would think I'm at work... I'll close for now I seem to haven't written a book. Whatever you decide on is going to be gorgeous, your great tastes already shine through... hugs ~lynne~

Kammy said...

Very pretty and so warm looking !
Kammy

Jeanette said...

I love the new color! The color is warm and inviting!

Here's a great giveaway. Nothing to do but comment.
gafoodies.blogspot.com

Beth@The Stories of A to Z said...

Very rich and lovely looking! Wonderful transformation.

Amanda Lee said...

Love the warm caramel color. It's rich, but still comfortable and inviting!

xinex said...

I love the new wall color. Perfect choice, Delores! Your home is gorgeous!...Christine

cotedetexas said...

I love the new color! i want to go from yellow to gray but everything would have to be redone then! oy. like your chairs! i love what you are plannning - the ticking. love that. your house is so beautiful - both of them actually.

Lana Kim White Austin said...

Great warm color! I have a similar color in my living room--it's camel (BM). I do have a cinnamon red in my office and bathroom, but they both have TONS of windows/natural light and lots of white molding and those two rooms need some extra pizazz. Yes, you opened a can of worms--have fun getting some new matching elements! Hugs, Lana

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Lovely rich warm inviting color. Like soft caramel. I love the idea of linen and the muted stripe on the chairs...

Best to you through the transformation...Oh I know that can of worms well!

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

OMG, I love it!!!! The background color of my mural in the dining room is about the same color and I almost did not do the mural when I saw that color alone! Your room looks fab. You have the magic!!! 5*

Kecia said...

Wow! It was gorgeous before but I LOVE the change of color! It is so warm and inviting. I think the cowhide rug would be beautiful and add a touch of whimsy!

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

It's a gorgeous room!!! I love the new color, and even though I love red, I see what you mean. The couch is gorgeous and would look great however you decide but I do love those ticking fabrics! Cindy

helenabelle said...

I love the new color!! I also think the green/cream ticking would be perfect with your gorgeous couch. What a beautiful room! Please post the final product, whatever you decide.

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

The new caramel color is so warm and inviting! Great choice! Thank you for the nice comment you left on my son Grants blog. :)

Becca Bertotti said...

BEAUTIFUL !! I'm a lover of red paint, too, but your new caramel color is perfect !! It shows all of your pieces so beautifully. Your home is lovely (love your fireplace), and am glad I found your blog !! Stop by sometime, Becca (Adventures in Decorating)

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

This is gorgeous!! I loved it before, but after is stunning! I really really like your sofa....and that cowhide rug would look amazing!

Can't wait to see what you do!

Lou Cinda

Linda Q said...

Wow, now I love the red, maybe because I haven't gotten a red room yet! But I must say I like your new color and doesn't new paint always freshen things, lovely and warm. I like the second chair fabric choice myself but I am sure what ever you end up doing it is going to look great!
Linda

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Oh gosh girl, I hope you don't have any damage. I heard California was having storms. Wish I were close by and I'd run to help. We've had a solid week of fog here, and they say we're due for another storm on Friday. I'm personally sick of winter and it's only January.. holler if I can do anything.. hugs ~lynne~

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

Such a pretty room...brfore and after!!! I love rich colors but usually save them for furnishings and accessories. I like a little bit more neutral palette for the backgrounds. the color you chose is beautiful and rich without being overbearing...love it!!!

I hope you don't find yourself with too much damage...I will say a prayer!!!

Enjoy!!!
XOXO
Cathy

Angie Holden said...

Oh I really like that color!

Kendall@ Finesse Your Nest said...

The room was beautiful before, but I love it even more in the warm caramel color! Elegant and gorgeous! May I ask -- Where did you get your woven shades? I'm looking for some just like that for my open living room/kitchen/breakfast room. Many thanks!

Teresa said...

You have beautiful home. I like the living room in both colors! But I know what you mean about red. I have that same red in my dining room and I often think I should change it. It does look great at Christmas. you are right.

The-Countrypolitan said...

your new color looks great... really freshens up the room. The scale of the paisley looks to be awfully close to the scale of the floral drapes. When you mix patterns in a room, be sure to vary the scale and the type of pattern... so the ticking would be, in my opinion the better choice for the chair. If you slip cover the sofa in linen, which would look great, be sure to balance the weight of the drapery fabric pattern with some accent pillows for the sofa and chairs. I think the persimmon color in the drape pattern would be a good color for you to repeat.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Delores, I LOVE the new wall color! Those draperies look so pretty with the wall color (they look like they were made to go with the wall color!) Of course, I think it looks pretty the way it is, but I can't wait to see your changes. laurie

Catherine said...

The color really makes a huge difference. I would go with the paisley on the chairs. Good luck with the rest of the project. It looks great!

vignette design said...

The paisley actually is a small print and doesn't compete in scale with the drapes. However, I'm not using it anyway! I have decided on either the green ticking or the tan ticking for the chairs. Still undecided on the sofa. If I slipcover it, it will be in a very textural warm color. Thanks for all the comments and opinions!

Hill Country House Girl said...

Thanks for your visit to hill country house and your endorsement of my being patient! Oh, it is so hard when those ideas just keep coming.

I love your new wall color and all of your ideas - I vote ticking since you can do so much with it as far as pillows, sofa, etc. goes. Maybe I need to look for something to slipcover so I can get over my paint thing!

Suzanne said...

Honey, that color is just gorgeous! I love it! What a beautiful home...
Blessings,
Suzanne :)

Mary said...

Thank you as always for your kind comment. My friend called last night following a terrible electrical storm with hail - she's in San Carlos - also said it was snowing again up at her vacation home at Lake Almanor, and huge hail was dropping at her son's in San Diego!! Gosh, seems the entire state is getting walloped!! Stay safe, off those roads, and hopefully no damage at your beautiful wine country house.

Love the new look of the golden toned walls and just know you will pick the right fabrics - it is a gorgeous room.

Mary - ACROSS THE POND

Be Colorful Coastal said...

Thank you for sharing the paint color. I just discovered your blog today and I am in the midst of a first floor redo. I can tell I will be visiting often.I like your traditional style and for this old house of mine that is where I need to be but I like to infuse it with the unexpected. Love the color you have chosen here. My walls are currently a soft yellow but I have been thinking of gold for more drama. Thanks for inspiring me.

Anonymous said...

Love Love Love It!So happy to see rooms with color ,dark floors, and lots of pretties! The white furniture and white slipcovers on so many blogs all look alike. Your personality and love of decorating is evident. Keep posting I'm soooo enjoying your blog!

Be Colorful Coastal said...

I have looked at this before but I am revisiting. I really like the new wall color. It has so much more life. I am curious though what the color you used for a green in the foyer or dining room I forget? I have been posting about being over my floral living room drapes but when I see yours I am rethinking the whole thing. I know I need an update but now I am just throughly confused. :) Oh well, I really do love your blog and I am always happy to see a new post from you.
Pam @ Becolorful

Anonymous said...

Hi there,

Just found your blog after visiting My Romantic Home's Show and Tell Friday. Since you've eliminated the paisley, I'd choose the green ticking - has a little more "oomph" and will still go with either the green velvet sofa (if you leave it alone) AND the natural linen if you slipcover it. Plus, it will look great with the drapes. I'm a designer of 30 years. If you are not a professional, you have a TERRIFIC eye! I love the idea of the slipcover as you will have a Summer AND a Winter look.

Blessings,
Trish

Antique Style said...

My daughter says Dolores is my twin. So when I see you painted your living room Richmond Gold... maybe she's' right, I painted mine that color several years ago--just pulled out the paint chips to see what color it was!

I've looked on your blog thinking I can't go to a different color in an adjoining room, but I'm loving the view from the living room, through the entry to the dining room.

I think I'll do samples of November Rain tomorrow.

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