Reader request - bedroom with beige

I have 2 reader requests for you guys today, and this first one comes from Kayla: I was wondering if you have any inspiration on how to combine beige and grey in one room - particularly in the bedroom. We have a custom-made beige built-in wardrobe (there when we moved in) that we can't afford to replace. I don't like it and so I've been stalling on decorating the bedroom since we moved in (over a year ago). I think I just need to work with it and so I'd like to mix in some greys to make it more contemporary. Any ideas? My first thought of course is paint it if you don't like it. If you're worried doing it yourself you could remove the doors and have them professionally sprayed. Otherwise, I think if it's a soft beige I think adding alot of light grey, some beige in your bedding, and hints of black and white would work. If it's a darker beige, I would maybe go for browns instead of grey. I found some photos that do both, including one with a black accent wall that you could consider to draw attention away from the wardrobe. The first photo is my favourite. Jewel toned accents (you could do more than a couple purple pillows) bring in that needed pop of colour. Hope this helps!

Stuart McIntyre
Nuevo Estilo
Phoebe Howard
Country Home
Jim Franco
HAND

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Design Crew

Got a problem? Need some help? Just standing there shaking your head? Don't know what to do? You're not alone. Send us a link to photos of your design quandary and let the Desire to Inspire design crew help you .... that's you lot ... the readers! A few weeks back Chase emailed me.

Chase - I have a new home I'm purchasing and its needs some help! Could you post this house to see what the readers think about ideas!?

Jo - If I put it up as a Design Crew post is there anything in particular you want them to "discuss"? Anything that really has you stumped? Warning though. Some of our readers are starting to play tough and may hurt your feelings :) If you are fine with that then I can't wait to see what they come up with.

Chase - The front of the house is what I would really like some help with. The inside is pretty much a blank canvas so any ideas for design would be great. Overall, just what readers have in mind. I would like to come back once I've finished to show the final product. As far as getting my feelings hurt goes, it's the Internet... Peoples opinions are all over the place! I appreciate it :)

OK you heard Chase. Go for it.

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Design Crew

Got a problem? Need some help? Just standing there shaking your head? Don't know what to do? You're not alone. Send us a link to photos of your design quandary and let the Desire to Inspire design crew help you .... that's you lot ... the readers! Polly emailed with this week's dilemma.

Attached are pics of my living room.  If possible I would like to keep the tv against the same wall b/c it is now installed on that wall.  I also tried the couch under the window but found that it made the room feel smaller and darker - I need as much natural light as possible.  All the furniture can go, except the tv and (new) cabinet. Also attached are some pics of pieces we like. Any suggestions for wall decor? How about start-burst mirrors or a large mirror on the wall that faces the window? And maybe a group of b&w photos on the small piece of wall the faces the entrance - by the corner that we are thinking of putting a chair? area rug? styles of furniture that would work with the media cabinet? We prefer light colours. How would a greyish couch look with the cream walls? Any suggestions would totally be appreciated.

  

Design Crew

Got a problem? Need some help? Just standing there shaking your head? Don't know what to do? You're not alone. Send us a link to photos of your design quandary and let the Desire to Inspire design crew help you .... that's you lot ... the readers! Peege emailed with this week's dilemma.

I need HELP. I've inherited 2 plain plain plain Pottery Barn slip-covered sofas and one gigantic matching armchair and have to make a sitting room out of them. Luckily (?) they are white, slipcovered but so blah that it's killing all inspiration. I have a set of Suzani pillows (reds) which I've added and I have a Kilim upholstered rectangular Ottoman on order. I love all things vintage, and from the Middle East but have no idea how to make the sofas look slicker. The only thing I like are the pillows. I am getting the upholstered ottoman in place of the temporary wicker garden table but please do post this so I can get some inspiration. I need to hear that they're not too hideous and my dreams of a serene sitting room will come true! Any ideas?

Design Crew

Got a problem? Need some help? Just standing there shaking your head? Don't know what to do? You're not alone. Send us a link to photos of your design quandary and let the Desire to Inspire design crew help you .... that's you lot ... the readers! Here's a good one to sink your teeth into. Danica emailed about her beams.

I am looking for help with my design problem involving exposed beams. I have a 35 yr old Cape Cod that has exposed beams through out the main floor. They are in ceiling in the kitchen, dining room and living room. They are also in the hall and continue down the walls in all these rooms too. Some are stained a 70's chocolate brown and others are painted the same brown. At first I liked them as they lent a sort of chalet look to the place but now they are just too dark and dreary. They are large beams about a foot thick on all sides. I really don't want to paint them white and I can't even think about striping them. We have natural cedar walls everywhere too. I would like to brighten the kitchen by painting the cupboards(green) and the walls(white) in that area. I was also thinking of painting the ceiling a nice blue. But what to do with those beams? I also have a part wall of exposed brick.

I have been trying to come up with a practical solution to all of this for over five years now.  So here are some pics of the kitchen/dining room and living room. Looking at them all I am thinking is "Yikes, that is a lot of wood!"  We live out in the woods in East Coast Canada and have a eclectic style. I love the house but want it a little bit brighter.