Ineke's Design Dilemma

[Eliza]

On another thread Ineke had asked Louise for suggestions on decorating
her livingroom. I thought that having a thread specifically for that
conversation would be helpful. :)

>>>BTW Louise, I'm now in the actual process of choosing a color scheme for my livingroom. It's driving me mad!!
I also have to decide on whether to buy a woolen carpet or a man made
fiber. Do you have a suggestion?<<<

[Louise]

Is the other thread here or at Color Connection. In other words, did I
miss a thread?

Eliza - there are pros and cons to wool versus synthetic. Please read
all about it here. It's better than the explanation that I can give
you. OK - very generally, I think that nylon carpets are best. I can go
into more detail if you want me to - but most people seem pleased in
the long run with this type (and it's the most popular).

http://www.mohawk-flooring.com/carpet/carpet-fibers.asp

[Eliza]

Louise wrote:
>>>Is the other thread here or at Color Connection. In other words, did I miss a thread?<<<

Louise, It was on here.:)

Ineke was the one who had questions. I took what she wrote to mean that
she is preparing to do her livingroom now.

:D

[b.do...@tiscali.nl]

Thanks Louise! It seems to me that the colors are better in a woolen
carpet. It's the same as when you buy clothes; a woolen suit looks more
luxerious then a polyester one does. Well, I haven't decide yet (what's
new here!) so I can chew on it for some more weeks.

[Louise]

Do you think so? I can only tell a difference when I hold them side by
side. Wool just wasn't an option for me because of how it wears. I'm
also concerned about mold and mildew because I live in a relatively
humid environment. Here is the carpet I have in my house:

http://www.shawfloors.com/FloorChoices/Carpet/CarpetCatalog/ProductDetail.asp?SellingStyleNumber=52918&pg=1&strRecordSetId=97CC50BBC24049A3BFCC378FF3EBD3C8&strSubCategory=&strSellingColorNumber=&strbcColor=&strRoomUse=&strStyleType=&pageName=CollectionProductResults&ResultsBreadCrumbs=All&strCollections=KATHY%20IRELAND%20SHADES%20OF%20AMERICA

[b.do...@tiscali.nl]

Wow! Those colors look great. And there are so many. Well, I have not
decided yet, anything is still up for a change, lol.
Louise, if you decorate a room, where would you start first? The floor,
the curtains or the wall? I have read to start with the floor, but to
me curtains and wallpaper are more important then carpeting. However,
if there is logic in working the way I described, I won't be
stubborn........I think. Hahaha.

[Louise]

I have read a million times that you should start with floors, then
walls, then upholstered furniture, then the hard furniture, then the
window treatments then finally plants and accessories. I disagree with
this - it really just depends on the situation, are you starting from
scratch or do you have existing things you have to match, etc.?
Generally speaking I like to start with the main pieces of furniture
and/or anything patterned that comes in a more limited selection. So if
someone knows that they want wallpaper, that would be one of the first
things I would find, whereas paint would be one of the last. Carpet
also comes in just about any color under the sun, I'd wait with that.
Am I making any sense?

[b.do...@tiscali.nl]

I happen to agree with you. Wallpaper first (or curtains, they are my
obsession). In my case, the floor and the curtains are probably going
to be a plain color, but the wallpaper is going to have a pattern, so I
think I start with that first.
I don't need much furniture; I will probably look in an antique shop
or/and Ikea. I like to mix cheap with more expensive things.
Anyway, my main problem is the color scheme. As you might remember, I
have this sadle leather chair and twoseater and a lot of wood in the
same color. I want a peaceful, but interesting background for them
without using boring ivory/creams.
I was thinking faded/old gold or sage green. I can't make up my
mind.....

[Eliza]

Faded old gold and sage both sound lovely! I am starting to really dig
sage and jade and greens like that. :)

[Louise]

Why not find something with both the gold and sage green (and a bit of
brown to tie in your furniture - though it's not absolutely
necessary)?? Just go out and look at lots. Bring home the wallpaper
book and see how it looks in your home. Many wallpapers have matching
fabric for curtains - that might be an idea.

Then find one of the main colors from the fabric (or a couple of
colors) and get your curtains in that color. Pull out that color (from
the fabric and curtains) use it as a primary accent color along with
one other color from your wallpaper that you haven't used so far and
use that as a secondary accent. Make sure you spread your accent colors
around the room evenly.

That's just ONE way you could do it. Or did you have something more
monochromatic in mind?

[b.do...@tiscali.nl]

Or did you have something more
monochromatic in mind?

Yes! I'm thinking of doing floor,walls and curtains in different tones
of one color, to create a soft balanced background for the more
dominating color of the furniture and all the woodwork. However, I
think the curtains need to be several shades darker then the walls and
the floor, to keep it interesting.
I'm also exploring the color purple, but faded in something like muted
lilac or something like heather.
This color can be quite stunning against mahogany/cherry/orange brown
leather.
The problem is that you have to make up your mind on something you can
not see. It's my experience that it turns out to be a disappointment,
because I couldn't visualize it.

[Louise]

That sounds nice too. I've done that in my den/office. I have medium
brown judges panelling on the walls, two brown leather chairs, dark
wood furniture and soft shades of green on the sofa, carpet and window
treatments. I have dark brown suede accent pillows on the furniture.
Those are the only real colors. I find it a very relaxing color scheme.

[b.do...@tiscali.nl]

Yes, that does sounds relaxing, and it might be just the thing I'm
going for. The only question is: which color?? Hahaha Louise, you can't
answer that for me. I'm driving everybody nuts with this. I'm sorry.
The thing is, I like almost all colors. And themes. There is something
to say for everything.

[Eliza]

All those color schemes sound nice, they seem soothing. :)

[Louise]

Go the fabric, wallpaper and paint stores. Get samples of things you
like. See what looks best with your existing furniture.

Some other things to think about:

1) Are you planning on moving? I DO have a lighter green carpet in my
den but it's a fairly small space and it borders to hardwood floors.
Green isn't a very good carpet color for resale. Something that blends
with gold (but isn't bright gold) might be better.

2) However, green is a classic color. Gold not so much. It was a trend
and it's not as popular as it was say 5 years ago. Don't know if you
care or not.

3) Have you spent any time in a green room versus a gold room? They
give completely different feelings/atmosphere. Either can be
comfortable and elegant of course but there is a big difference in my
mind.

4) If they are equal in your mind, then just "eeny, meeny, miney......"
LOL