My Favorite Things

2 Comments

1. Dear Beam Babe,
   Stumbled across your site while I was trying to find some inspiring suggestions for dealing with my post and beam interior. Color!!! When we first constructed, everything was Bejamin Moore Navajo White. I am applying color to the four bedrooms upstairs. Three rooms are now completed. One is a deep vineyard green with a goldwash. The furnishings are classical mahogany, tapestry linens and gilded lighting. Another, is a deep coral geranium pink with a light pale pink colorwash glaze. The furnishings are rosewood antiques, white embroidered linens and needlework carpet. The third is caribbean sunset, which is a deep yellow with golden undertones. I used four different glazes, to achieve a tuscan aged appearance to the walls. As this is my teens room, the furnishings are an eclectic mix of ironhead board(which I faux bronzed)large bronze mirror, bookcases and a large dresser which I am painting dark chocolate with cream drawer fronts and changing the hardwear out(reproduction amber). The bedding is very colorful; a crazy hodgepodge of fabrics. Goes great with the bronze monkey lamps with the maroon silk shades lol. My dilemma… what to paint the fourth room?? Belongs to my son who is in college. The three girls rooms were no problem. He has antique mahagony furnishings. We are thinking a deep red accent wall and the rest a neutral?? Although, he is not sure if he would like to use a textured paint or some faux treatment. I will most likely keep the upstairs baths(2) a neutral. The halls and landing I have not decided. Maybe a deep accent wall on each and the others neutral? If an accent wall, should I choose a green. We hope to use the house as a bed and breakfast someday, so I would like guest to enjoy the color, not be overwhelemed by it. The downstairs for now including the master bed and bath all remain Navajo White. I am thinking a period wallpaper for the Master( reproduction federal furnishings) or dare I mural the walls myself? I must confess, we have not painted any woodworks or beams can’t bear too!! The wood is gorgeous!! So, I am risking everything on the walls and furnishings, fabrics etc. Any ideas come to mind?? Thanks Dee

2. Hi Dee,
   Wow! Good for you using all that color! Most people are not so brave but for those who dare, the rewards are often well worth it. You home sounds wonderful. Your college age son’s room would look terrific with a deep red as an accent color. I agree with your assessment of overdoing it with the color, but one wall would compliment the rich mahogany furnishings beautifully.
   I have just done my entry hall (as well as several other rooms in my carriage barn) in a faux Venetian plaster look. I LOVE it, and the beauty of it is the various base colors from green to peach to gold to terracotta that can take on gorgeous hues when glazed. i used gold but I was tempted by every other base color i just mentioned. When using this look, I tend to use warm neutrals as complimenting colors. For the gold faux plaster I used Benjamin Moore’s Huntington Beige but any warm neutral will work. The beauty of paint is if you like it, that’s all that matters; and if you don’t it’s easy to change!
   I think the idea of a mural is a fantastic idea. Again, we just had one done in the kitchen and we LOVE it. If only were talented enough to have done it myself. I envy you!! Go for it!
   I’ll think on this further and get back to you should I think of any other ideas or great colors. Have you seen the candle light finish from Ralph Lauren? It creates a beautiful shimmer for a bedroom!
   Good Luck and have fun!!!!!!

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