Reader dilemma...and my least favourite colour
Thu, 23 Apr 2009I need your help with this one folks. Lauren wrote us with this problem: "I am going back to school, and my friend is oh so graciously letting me move into his house (rent free!). So, I feel like I should not complain too much, but the room needs a lot of help. I attached a picture for you to see the bedroom, just to give you an idea of the wall-to-wall maroon carpet I have to deal with. He has taken down the wallpaper boarder and painted the room a buttery yellow, but I think it kind of looks like a nod to McDonald's now... He actually just replaced the carpet (but kept maroon, I'm not sure why), so I have to live with that - and the room is pretty large: 16' x 13'. But he did say I can paint, which is a good start. So, my question is, do you have any ideas as to what color scheme would work with this carpet? I am normally a "blue" person, but just feel like I can't completely disregard the carpet color. I was thinking maybe repainting the room white, and doing an accent wall - possibly relating to the maroon carpet, but I'm not so sure. Any ideas would be much appreciated!"
When I see maroon/burgundy I practically break out in hives. So I'm a bit at a loss as to what Lauren should do with this. My only thought is getting sisal rugs and trying to hide most of the carpet, and maybe painting the walls a pink (on the pale side). That's all I've got. I'm hoping our readers might have better ideas.
Reader Comments (30)
Moroccan theme with lots of colors?
my first reaction was paint all the walls bright white and paint the wall or just a stripe behind the bed bright pink.
I feel like a chocolate brown color on the walls (or maybe an accent wall behind the bed) would de-emphasize the carpet color. I would check out the chocolate and flax colored paint at Restoration Hardware. I would replace the curtains with champagne colored window treatment (maybe a dupioni silk -like texture). Your bedding will also make all the difference. A neutral colored duvet with mis-matching colorful pillows; and lots of candles and pictures to distract from the carpet. Finally, there is nothing wrong with putting an area rug over carpet. That would really help with disguising such an offensive color. Good luck!
Hmmm I would maybe go with a gray on the walls. If the trim is white, this will pull attention to the brightness of the trim (and hopefully away from the windows). White sheer curtains could also help. Then some picture frames on the wall with white and black and a hint of some maroon or pinkish color to help tie it in. I would also change the bedspread if possible. Something with just a little or even no colors from the red family. I would probably choose white. Then you could have a throw pillow with a hint of maroon or pink to pull the bed in with the room.
Those are just my rambling ideas. :)
love the bedroom...
boubou
I like the gray idea. I think something from charcoal to a lighter gray or maybe an accent wall of the charcoal and then some lighter gray. I think that and some different curtains... something white, off white or maybe a steel blue color since you say you like blue. Another color to accent and play with the maroon would be a Lime green sort of color and some yellow accents.
A rug would NOT hurt to deemphasize that carpet. COME ON, Maroon people?! I feel your pain.
Mmm. I'd get rid of the curtains altogether. I like the gray idea but I'd do the opposite, white/off white on the walls and gray trim, in an enamel based paint. And then I'd get a big charcoal rug and centre it. From there you'd almost have a blank slate to put your own personal touch on things. I like the idea about a neutral bedspread and colourful cushions, but I'd also have one of those south american stripy bedspreads on the end (having a complete mental blank on what they're called) or even a granny square crocheted rug as they tend to have maroon accents in them, but also have lots of other lovely colours.
I would paint the walls in the lightest still visible gray with all other accents white. Loose the curtains and replace them with striped silk or something in that category, you can find lots of mixed fabrics for much less. Gray with white or yellow /white.
Then change the bed spread. White and a silver cover at the end of the bed and some funky through pillows. I love the idea of an area rug, with some graphic pattern or maybe a zebra stripe?
Can you paint the head board and bed side table?
Try to stick to modern with the rest. Keep it neat and not cluttered. Bring accents to the walls, so people will not look down...black and white photoraphy.
Add glamour! A painting with maroon/white/gray, try it yourself...
Have fun, it looks like you are in for some work!
Sorry my English... I meant throw pillows.... :) Victoria
Find a fine art print or two done by a great colorist such as Gauguin (see Fatata te Miti) to hang on the walls. Make sure the art has maroon burgundy in it. Then choose the rest of your color scheme from the Masterpiece hanging on the wall. Sisal rugs and wood/grass shades will add gold accents to the burgundy which never fails, and will add a lighter, tropical look. Dark gray also is very sophisticated with maroon, but you need to be careful or it will get too gloomy.
I'd paint the walls a pretty duck egg blue. I'd trim it off with a lovely glossy white and replace those curtains with shimmery white lenghts of fabric. Because the carpet is so dark, I'd really try to limit the colours in the room and the dark furniture. Good luck
:)
I think a turquoise blue would go beautifully with the deep aubergine (doesn't that sound better than maroon?). Then just lovely fresh white linen and curtains and lots of fresh flowers.
white white and white...with some warm accents - reds and oranges.
but really you cant hide that sucker, so id almost try not to hide it but mixing in other colors, just make the rest of the room and clean white and bright as possible!
good lord those stuffed animals haha!
I think a light to mid-toned gray or beige would work nicely for a paint color. The idea for beautiful, colorful art is a good one with touches of maroon to incorporate the carpeting into the color scheme. I think since you're a "blue" person that you should express that. Try working with mostly neutrals on the walls, furniture, curtains and bed-spread. And in the accessories, throw pillows and sheets go for an analogous blue, violet and red-violet scheme working with plenty of different values. Analogous schemes have natural continuity, it might help!
I would paint the walls in enamleyellow NSC number 1010-Y20R
if you are familiar with that codesystem.
Good luck from Helene
i love the idea of a moroccan theme, also. or maybe something with a run-down victorian vibe. you know, the whole, i'm too bohemian for this shit kinda thing?
gah! wall to wall is bad enough...but maroon?
My advice, don't paint the walls too light as it will only emphasis the carpet, as it does in the image you sent in. I'd go rich neutral on the walls, perhaps with a feature wall behind the bed. A simple Moroccan inspired theme would work, however don't follow it too slavishly otherwise it will look like a theme park. An area rug, either a wool dhurrie or persian style would be good to break up the carpet, although make sure its big - nothing worse than an area rug floating like an island in the middle of a room.
Best of luck!
OK here's my two cents worth :) First declutter. Strip strip ans strip. Nothing makes the carpet scream granny bad taste than lots of clutter. It would be great to cover the floor with a rug like sisal but even a "cheap" one will probably dent your budget and they aren't very robust if they are the cheap ones. Can't afford one then live with the carpet. Nothing worse than a teeny rug.
Next I'd paint the walls in a slate blue grey like in the room above in the Claudia Bryant post. The one with the tan tartan wool couch. The dirty olive green velvet cushion is also a nice accent colour. Paint the window trim the same colour. A matt/flat paint is the way to go. I'd do a roman blind or if money is tight then a simple unbleached linen drape. (I often use hessian ... I think you guys call it burlap) - rustic and simple. Do not gather, keep it like a simple panel whether as a pocket or with clips or rings. To the floor. Very very simple. Think that tan colour in the sofa.
If you have a light fitting where you can use a click in the socket extension cord then sweep an extension over to the side of the bed in the corner and drop it down above side table height. Use a cheap rice paper shade. If it is too bright white then gently stain it with tea to get that rich vintage look. (Do not soak.)
I'd try to keep the bed covers tailored. A duvet is good but a bedspread that drops neatly to the floor is better. Think again a tan/linen look. Remodelista had a great post on canvas drop cloths as bedspreads. Perhaps a tan marcella bedspread. A vintage quilt (or Indian) folded at the foot of the bed will add extra colour and texture. Remember that olive cushion, some slate /storm blue and a touch here and there of maroon.
Side tables I see as something vintage and rusty or industrial or timber. Accessories think wood like teak or acacia. Like that photo in the Claudia Bryant picture above with the grapes in the bowl. If you want to use metal then brass or bronze.
I know I'm rabbiting on but if you do need a feature on the wall behind the bed think of a stencil in a tan/tea stained colour up the wall and partially on to the ceiling. A narrow strip and to one side of the bed.
OK I'm stopping now :)
I just realised that what Americans call tan is slightly different from what Australians call tan. Just work with that couch colour. I also forgot to say that you could lose the bed head if that is a box spring but if you can't then live with it at first because your friend probably won't want his furniture painted and you probably can't afford a new bed right now. Pile the pillows high against it and ignore it :)
Firstly those curtains have got to go!! Drape fabric, or use long white curtains .
I agree with massive sisal rugs to cover the carpet.
I'd get rid of the cabinet on the left if you can. I'd also move the bed if possible (not sure where the door etc is), so the end of it faces the windows.
I think with white bed linen and lots of big pillows, the bed head will look ok and possible ground the room a bit if you're going all white.
Projects like this are fun, I'm sure you'll make it a millions times better with just a few changes, Be sure to show us finished pics
I would try to make it as light and spacious as possible (eggshell NCS 0507-Y maybe, should also be acceptable to your friend). I guess you are going to study in there, so don't make it too dark and womb-like or you will drop off when your readings get boring! Although a maroon fitted carpet would obviously not be your first choice, try to find colours that make maroon work for you.
My suggestion is light walls & simple, light curtains that don't take too much of the light during day, and how about accents of rich olive green and a hint of pink for your loose fittings/accessories. Also I have to agree that to de-clutter is really important! A Maroccian colour scheme would also work, with red, rust and orange. I am not so sure about blue & maroon, but try to put the colours together and find what works for you.
You should paint the room bright white, with a gloss black trim bring in a sisal or other neutral toned area rug, go for a white duvet cover sheet and pillows. Add a green or yellow colored coverlet as accent. Use the same or complimentary colored accent pillows and an oversized piece of art or just a paint stripe (maybe black or green or a combination) as your headboard. Do something with a wall wide shear window treatment and swag panels (same color as accent pillows or coverlet) at the ends of the wall.
If you really wanted to cover the carpet you could go with FLOR tiles wall-to-wall. This would allow you to leave the walls as is and you'd never have to look at the ugly maroon stuff again.
We actually have that maroon color, too, and it has to stay. I happened upon the darker greenish-teal color and it works really well. But, if you like a lot of colors the idea some one had about jewel tones and morrocan feel would work also!
Tell her to check out: http://twolia.com/blogs/dwellingsanddecor/2009/04/22/guest-post/
It's post from Down and Out Chic about blue-red color combinations which might inspire her;)