It’s been two years since I last moved, and I had almost forgotten how long it takes to get things in place! We have everything now, and we are in the process of putting things away. I am preparing to begin my work, starting with stripping the wallpaper (only one layer I think) in the parlor and the foyer, and then painting those rooms. I have changed my color palette for the house quite a bit. All the woodwork in the house, except for the kitchen and bathroom, is natural wood. The PO (previous owner’s) stripped the woodwork, but never really got around to finishing, so after painting I will stain and seal the wood. Natural woodwork really looks different against paint colors, so I’ve decided to go with a craftsman look, using a lot of the colors in the Sherwin Williams Arts and Crafts palette.
I’m painting the parlor a deep berry color (Behr Delicious Berry) but I’m totally stuck on what to paint the foyer. The dining room will be the 2nd color in the third row of the color card above – sort of a medium blue green. The foyer contains a beautiful green tile fireplace, but what color to paint the walls? The POs added a chair rail (which I do not like and will probably remove) and were clearly of the idea that light colors would make the house brighter, which hasn’t worked – this house needs rich color to come alive.
The ceilings are also paneled in the foyer and parlor, which I love.
The infamous fireplace, looking into the dining room.
The rooms are not as connected as they look here – there are a set of pocket doors in the way, as well as a stairwell. Right now I’m thinking about either a darker blue, a hunter green, or a deep red for this room. I was thinking neutral, but I now own sample pots of every single neutral under the sun, and they all look dingy in this room, which most of the day gets little natural light. The foyer is large (11’x16′) and will be used as the waiting room for my piano studio, so the color in here matters. I know I seem anxious, but oh my gosh I hate that awful salmon color it’s painted right now!
I want a warm rich feeling… any ideas? This has really been driving me crazy every time I walk through this room!
Green apples - Stitchywitch Creates 
It isn’t as satisfying, but I would suggest finishing all the wood first. When it’s stained and sealed it will make whatever colours you’d painted on the walls read differently. You’d be more satisfied with your paint choices. Check out the library or amazon for books on colour combination ideas and patterns by William Morris. Looking at the wallpapers can give you great inspiration for using the colours to paint different rooms and have a great flow that will never be boring or fight itself. Your house is beautiful and will really become home when you’re added your character to it. I can hardly wait to see what you do!! Have fun.
I think a deep blue would look nice with the green fire place or if you want something warm maybe a gold-ish color
The first I thought of was orange. I looked a SW’s website, and I think either Cayenne or Raucous Orange would be good choices. You want something cheery but not too bright for those students:) I also think either of these colors would look lovely with the fireplace and the wood. Totally agree about the chair rail!
What a great house!
I’m thinking a reddish orange or an orangey amber color–not too deep of a shade–with a William Morris style rug with a few flecks of ultramarine blue or blue/green as a complement and a mica lamp.
I look forward to seeing what you end up doing with it.
I so love your house. I’m sorry I have no color advice. But please keep with the decorating blogging 🙂
I’d go with a gold or a subtle green and let the fireplace really stand out. I like the first and third colors in the last column of your palette.
My first thought was orange too. If you don’t want something to “bright” orange, a nice rust color would work as well. I’m sure you’ll find something that you like. 🙂
I’d say it would really depend on which way the windows face. I’ve just decorated a room with north-facing windows, which means it’s quite a dark room. The blue I loved on the sample card looks insipid and cold in the room, but an eau-de-nil green of the same hue looks gorgeous.
There’s a great book by Kevin McCloud called Choosing Colours, that has colour palettes from different periods that is helpful for this kind of project.
I immediately thought “deep red” looking at the photos before reading the colors you were considering. I think it will really let the fireplace and wood ceiling stand out.
What about a deep golden color? It will add light and warmth to the dark room and will look fabulous with both the natural wood and the green tile, and will coordinate with the other two colors you named.
I love the idea of the darker blue. I think it will really sing with that fireplace.
This house is just gorgeous!
I really think a green would be fabulous in the foyer- especially if you’re doing a berry in the parlor. If you did a green in the fireplace, like an deep emerald or even a applish hue, it would be a great compliment and help the rooms flow. If you need any help shoping or painting, let me know!
I think a dark amber gold. Your new house is lovely.
I think orange/gold would be nice… a warm color will brighten up the space.
I agree with most of the above commenters. A rich amber or gold color (like soft wheaty gold) would look lovely in any of the rooms and would compliment the woodwork and the freaking awesome fireplace (I covet your fireplace, I want to hug it). Definitely do some more research on historically accurate colors for a craftsman house and use that for direction. Perhaps not for the foyer but for another room, there’s deep mossy/olive green that was used a lot during the art nouveau/craftsman period that would look gorgeous. Perhaps for your music room?
HI…I’m not sure if you have Benjamin Moore paints in your area. They have a new and very popular line called “Aura”. 144 colours that all ‘go together’ to give a unified look to your home. Looking at their selection, reviewing their samples and then colour matching to SW if that is your brand of choice may give you a few ‘flashes of brilliance.” Here is the link to their site. Of course, the online colours don’t show the depth and richness of real samples.
http://www.myaurapaint.com/
ps. I’m with the rest of the group that is leaning towards the rusty red/orange family – warm and vivid….
All the best…Ruth
If you like wallpaper try Bradbury and Bradbury Art Wallpapers or William Morris historic reproductions. Wallpaper will make your house come alive!
You’d be more satisfied with your paint choices. Check out the library or amazon for books on colour combination ideas and patterns by William Morris. Looking at the wallpapers can give you great inspiration for using the colours to paint different rooms and have a great flow that will never be boring or fight itself. Your house is beautiful and will really become home when you’re added your character to it.Definitely do some more research on historically accurate colors for a craftsman house and use that for direction. Perhaps not for the foyer but for another room, there’s deep mossy/olive green that was used a lot during the art nouveau/craftsman period that would look gorgeous. Perhaps for your music room?
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