I am enjoying my new slipcovers, click here if you missed the post, and although I love, love the new toned down look in my living room, my walls are still yellow, which doesn’t go so well with the oatmeal colored linen.
I had oil paintings with heavy gold frames, yellow walls, and a gold and brown rug. I am moving toward a white palette, so the yellow on the walls was bothering me, but I didn’t want to paint the wall right now, if I didn’t have to.
The first thing I did was to put out a distress call on Facebook. I got so many wonderful suggestions.
I decided to change out the rug to a tan colored wool flat-woven rug.
Then, Linsey at Farmhouse Porch, suggested I add some elements of white and gray to the room. I know if you just have a color in just one place, it can look odd, but when you repeat it, it can look intentional and coordinated. Some suggested adding yellow pillows to the sofa, but I just got rid of the red and yellow, and didn’t want add more yellow, when I am moving away from that color.
So here is the bookcase with more creams and grays. I shopped my house, and saved money on the bookcase redo.
I had just opened a box from One Kings Lane the day before, so I had this gorgeous gray bouquet to add to my room. You can find a link to One Kings Lane in my sidebar.
The gray metal picnic basket was one I bought at World Market. It had been sitting in my closet just screaming for me to do something with it. When I bought it, it was red, white and blue. You can see what it used to look like in the Three Pixie Lane picnic post, that you can see here. I painted it Paris Gray, then used a stamp with white paint to make the fleur de lis, then used an antiquing wax on top of that.
Remember my white gesso frames, click here? I found a place for them! They were just leaning against my fireplace, and I did like them on the fireplace, but I really needed them here, on my walls. The best addition on the walls are these ORIGINAL oil paintings by Linsey at Farmhouse Porch. (Check out the link, because she sells her paintings on her blog.) I just realized I took these photos before I put candles in the sconce. Oh well! BTW, the sconce was on clearance at Kirklands for $5.
I think the room would probably look better if I painted it a more neutral color, but I am not excited about tackling a big painting project right now, and we will be moving soon enough. So do I go to all of that work if I know we are moving any way? Do I need to paint it to sell the house? What do you think?
I am actually much happier with the room, after I made these changes, although the walls are still yellow. The extra white and gray in the room, hopefully makes the yellow look like a decorating choice, rather than a vestigial tail. I really do want to know what you think. If you think the color will be a problem for potential buyers, then it may be worth my time to paint.
I will say I have learned my lesson about wall color, only neutrals from now on!! This wall color was in half of my house! The color I am considering for our new house is SW Windsor Greige, which is the color we used on all of the interior walls at the ranch. It goes with everything, and yet adds a warmth to the room. But if you have any paint color suggestions, I’m taking those too.
I think it looks great! The new rug made the biggest different, I think, but also the added touches of white.
As to you new paint selection…I considered the SW Greige as well; it’s a lovely color. But I finally settled on SW Nantucket Dune, which is quite a bit lighter, but I *love* it. It’s warm without being dark.
What a wonderful room! It looks so cozy to me no matter what colour it is. I think you should live with your small changes for awhile and if it’s still bugging you in a few months then go for it.
Im liking all the changes you are making. Great post:)
Looking great!
This post is more like a design primer! I learned so much Anita. Now I need to get out in my family room and see why I think it looks so dark!!!
I am very very inspired!!!!
Your room is GORGEOUS… was before and is now!!! You just have a wonderful upscale, classic yet fresh style!
Anita I love this room and LOVE your new bookcase display! I would leave the walls as is, especially if your going to move.
Hi Anita, I love the new rug and it really brightens up the room.
I love this new rug Anita! I’m trying to lighten up my living room too and it’s not easy!
Your entire home is beautiful, and your living room is no exception. In my opinion, that’s what sells a house, not the color of the walls. I don’t know what the housing market is like where you live, but we’ve bought and sold homes quite easily, and I never repainted my colored walls.
Mary Alice
looks wonderful now!
It’s a beautiful room and the color of the walls looks neutral with your slipcovered furniture and new rug. The color of walls hasn’t stopped us from purchasing a home. Good luck in the sale of your home!
Anita, I love the new additions! You have two beautiful homes! I love your style in both! Lindsey’s oils are gorgeous! I love your new frames, the lamps are so pretty and the slipcovers are amazing!
So beautiful! Your style is so inspiring!
Dru
Luv all the new touches of grey and white. Just beautiful.
You are a bit ahead of me on the neutralizing I think. The only place left to paint the gold out is in the Master suite. I too am regretting a paint job :-/
Cheers, Gee
Anita your room is beautiful! Not sure what to tell you about the color as far as selling it.You will get different opinions from different people.When we sold our last home 6 years ago just as the market was starting to tank I did not repaint my walls.That is for the first month.After that I did because we were not getting any offers.But I did not repaint my whole house.Just a few rooms.I also put much of my things away and made it a bit sparse.I even put all our family photos away.We sold our home ourselves and did it in three months.As I said it was when the market started to go sour.Don’t know if it would have sold sooner if it had been better.Good luck with your sale.I hope you sell it quick!
xx
Anne
Anita,
Moving??? Where??? When??? Your physical address??? I’ve been so busy getting ready for our Fall Market booth that I’ve definitely MISSED something important!!! I adore the look of your room!I don’t think I would paint it for selling purposes…chances are the new owners will have their own decorating style and will paint it themselves! I adore your subtle color palette in your bookcases!!! AND, thank you for all the sewing tutorials!!! I made a slip~cover for a foot stool and I call it “My Little Miss Muffet Stool”! You’re the BEST, dear friend!!!
Fondly,
Pat
Small changes can make big differences. Love what you’ve done.
Anita I love your changes, the rug is perfect!! I would not paint out the yellow. Let the new owners decide.Especially since you are painting at the new house!
Xoxo
Karena
2012 Artists Series
Awww…thank you SO much for the shout out about my little paintings. They don’t do your beautiful room justice. I think it looks fabulous!. I agree with everyone else, hold off on the painting. When you put your house on the market the feedback will tell you what to do. I think it looks very pretty! LOVE that rug!
♥Linsey
I really like how your frames look hung on the walls. And just the act of scattering the white and gray throughout the room made a huge difference.
It looks so nice. I don’t think I would paint the walls either if you are moving.People will always put their own stamp on it anyway. 🙂
Such a large beautiful room
and the change out of the rug
was a big help… I also have
white slip covers and just
love them..
nice photos
Sandy
Beautiful Room! I love the way you neutralized the room, making it so elegant! The rug is gorgeous!
The rug is a great change! The geometric pattern really freshens things up! I love that! xoxo!
I just love all the changes you are making! The room looks so gorgeous!
Just found your blog and love it. I live in Texas too! Keep posting… love it!
The rug, the rug, I love the rug! Can you tell where you found it? I never see rugs I like and this is pure love! The room is really beautiful. Your changes have made it even better!
Liz