Living Room & wall color!
BLUE EGG BROWN NEST LIVING ROOM: BENJAMINE MOORE PALE OAK.
Photo Credit: Helen Norman, Cottage Style Magazine

Living Room & wall color!
BLUE EGG BROWN NEST LIVING ROOM: BENJAMINE MOORE PALE OAK.
Photo Credit: Helen Norman, Cottage Style Magazine
One of my top questions that I receive is about my wall paint color. I revealed a few probably a year ago, but never got through each room. I thought I’d let inquiring minds know through a series this week. Starting with my living room.
What you must know about color on a computer screen or in print is that it’s not true. You will need to see the color live and in your hardware store to really decide. I was super excited to find huge, square color swatches from Benjamin Moore that you can buy. I found them much easier than buying sample paints and painting a wall. Just take your heavy tape and tape the sample square to the wall. Leave it for a few days, walk past it a few times a day and see how you feel about it. Yes, I said “feel”.
The benefit from picking a neutral color is that you can layer out. You have not designed yourself into a corner by committing to a strong color. You can then have the freedom to pick an accent color that you love and will work with that type of room. As you can see, I’ve picked a duck egg blue. Shocker.
All animals need not coordinate with wall color. It is, however, the 100lb lab’s redeeming quality.
Another tip to keep in mind when choosing a color for a room is to make sure that it coordinates and makes a smooth transition to ALL THE ROOMS IN YOUR HOUSE. That means do not paint a dining room red and your adjoining hallway yellow. It will not feel right. If you love say, red, and want to use it then pick coordinating colors that will blend well. Red is a hard example for me, though, as I think we tire of bright colors more easily. I much prefer a neutral wall and then bring in your color (if you so choose) in fabrics and pillows. It’s less committal. And yes, I freely admit that I’m too practical to get too whimsy. Oh and re-painting a brightly- colored wall once you decide you need a change is not an enjoyable chore. Last thing I will say on the matter is let’s not get into that painting one accent wall in a room. That trend had it’s time and now it’s over.
When you’ve selected a color that doesn’t invade your senses too much, you are then able to freely move furniture in and out and change up what’s INSIDE the room without getting heartburn over it. Again, another reason to make your room colors flow – you don’t want to get stuck or limited. Trust me.
BLUE EGG BROWN NEST LIVING ROOM: BENJAMINE MOORE PALE OAK.
Tuesday: Kitchen/Family Great Room
I was recently challenged to create a post on my dream living room. I created a beautiful space with freedom to pull from Arhaus and any other products/brands I thought would work. This was an easy assignment, because I love Arhaus and I love design! The kids and I were recently at the mall and as we passed the shop large windows, Reid pointed out, “That’s mom’s favorite store!”
When designing a room, the first thing I do is my research. I pour over pictures, Pinterest, magazines and other people’s homes to see what I like and what I don’t like. I look at color, materials and the overall feel. A living room for me, is a bit more formal in feel. It is a place to use when entertaining or sit quietly with a friend with a steamy cup of tea. It is quiet and beautiful. It can hold more delicate treasures, fabrics and furniture. Very often the dog is not allowed in this space, but cats are a different story.
Layout
The rough layout for my living room design would be anchored with a fireplace and mantel on the far wall. There would be two upholstered couches opposite each other, two side chairs, a coffee table pulling the room together in the middle. I would have a large piece of art or a mirror over the mantel, formal curtain panels, a soft rug, and delicate accessories. Here is an idea of the overall layout of the space. Image via Pinterest.
Sofa
When I am ready to start purchasing pieces, I always start with the sofa. I love a beautiful sofa, but more importantly, it has to be comfortable. No one wants to sit on an itchy or hard sofa. I would select something like this from the Arhaus collection.
OUTERBANKS 86″ UPHOLSTERED SOFA IN LINDY NATURAL
I love this classic English roll arm design. If you start with a neutral, you can build your room easily from there without being constrained by a color or pattern. You color can come in the form of pillows and accessories.
Gilt Coffee Table
I love the idea of having a delicate, gold coffee table and side tables. This is the next item I would pick to shape my room. It is airy and light.
Side Chairs
I would next pick upholstered side chairs to flank the fireplace. This is a place where I would do maybe a bit of pattern, but nothing that would take away from the luxury of the room. I am in love with these animal print chairs.
Old Hickory TanneryColleen Chair
Accessories
At this point, I would start laying some of my essential accessories like a large painting or mirror for above the fireplace. I think I would choose a mirror to continue my bright design. A paned mirror like this from Arhaus gives an architectural look as well as the reflection, which will make the room look larger.
36″ X 78″ TEAK ARCHED WINDOW PANE MIRROR
I want wood on the floor and an area rug. In an ideal world, I would find a FAUX sheepskin rug to layer in there too (I have yet to find a faux one that looks real and is beautiful.)
The curtains should be a more formal material like silk, linen, etc. I would not choose a cotton in this room because it will look too casual.
The coffee table is the perfect place to place special memorabilia and books about your favorite subjects. This is also the place to put a little flower bouquet or a plant for some green. I love accessories like this below:
PINECONE SMALL TEALIGHT HOLDER
For more living room inspiration check out my “Arhaus Living Room Board” on Pinterest found here. I have more inspiration and images to help if you are working on your own living room.
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