So on to the next project....decor de MartiP

[martip]

I'm going nuts this week trying to decide on a paint color, etc. for the living room. I'm running around slapping paint color samples on posterboard on the walls, and obsessing over the perfect soft grayed green that is not too blue, not too yellow. It exists! I know it does, dammit! *eyes cross from the billion shades of green on my wall

Comments

[alrescate]

I can understand wanting some color on the walls, but I think the room is very pretty as it is.

[martip]

Thanks, and I agree, but I want more color!

[martip]

That's what we're thinking - once we pick a color, we may go a darker or lighter shade for the niches.

[martip]

Oh, and one of the problems is how the light changes in that room. It faces due east, so the morning sun makes everything more buttery and bright, then goes away. So when I tried a soft creamy gold, it looked neon in the morning, and mud-tan by late afternoon. However, it looked fabulous for about 3 hours of the day!

[holmesfan]

What a shame you can't see the colour charts of major paint manufacturers in our NZ. There are perfect examples of the soft grey green you are looking for.
Perhaps you could try this link:-
http://www.dulux.co.nz/index.php?code=CONSUMERSEARCH&Search=44
The colour is called Glendhu Bay, after a lovely scenic spot in the South Island. Our daughter has it through her house; several of her friends have been so impressed with her walls that they have also used it although some have used it half strength when it is slightly softer.
it is almost a softer version of the colour on the top of the floor cushion (humpty?) on the right hand in the third photo.
Good luck with your choices but I do think the room looks lovely as it is.

[martip]

That is pretty! I've been resorting to playing with mixing my own. I mixed a sample of "palm leaf" with something called "greige", and it's almost what I want. If I can hit upon it, then the paint store should be able to match it for me.

[islandmomma]

I wouldn't dare to make suggestions, because I always think you have to live in a house for a while and get the feel of what it wants or needs. I've often changed my mind about how I thought I would make changes after living with rooms for a couple of months. Also decorating is very personal, it has to reflect your lifestyle needs as well as your tastes. But let me say this house is just gorgeous, absolutely stunning. Am sure whatever you do with be with style and look forward to seeing the finsihed room!

[martip]

Oh, feel free to suggest! By all means! I won't be offended if you tell me what isn't working. And yeah, I am doing it slowly. For instance, I keep looking at that lamp on the end table, and it's the first thing you see when you walk in. I'm thinking I want something fatter but shorter, then maybe a tall floor lamp on the other corner.

Or I could get some kind of narrow console to put behind the couch on the window side, do a lamp there - so long as I don't encroach too much on the dog beds! There isn't room to do one behind the couch on the long side, without shoving it much further toward the fireplace. The room faces due east, so gets beautiful morning sun, but the lighting is dim in the evening.

[martip]

Well, the guy we bought it from is Iranian, not Afghani, so I doubt he's a relative. ;-) The colors really are richer and prettier than show in the pics.