This room is not designed yet. I put it on the back burner because honestly it was good enough and I like really simple bedrooms. We had a bed, our old nightstands, lamps that we’ve had forever, and a huge new mirror. But no, it didn’t feel finished and not a room that a designer had touched. So we needed to move forward with it. After staring at the paint swatches for literally months, I finally made the decision on what I felt was the perfect warm, moody, happy, mid-tone powder blue.
I had two main conflicting fears – 1. That it would feel too gray (a big no no up here) and 2. that it would be overwhelming and be a color that was too blue. And y’all you truly don’t know how anything is going to “feel” until it’s on all four walls – you just don’t. You can do all you want in Photoshop and put paint stickers on all four walls and stare at them at different times of the day, and you can have a lot of experience painting colors – but you simply don’t know how it’s going to “feel” when you walk in until it’s on those four (in this case 5) walls!
So when I made the decision I was at 80% sure (my new metric I try to get to before making a big design decision). But that is still 20% unsure. I gathered so many opinions – my team, Brian, friends, everyone. I felt about as confident as I think I could have. We all agreed that SW 9139 Debonair was the right color. We would do all the walls and trim (flat on the walls/ceiling, satin on the trim). It took a day and a half. We slept in the guest room. Easy Peezy.
After the first coat, I walked in and was SO EXCITED. I LOVED the color, vibe – the whole thing gave me so much hope.
So How Do I Feel Now?
Chair | Ottoman | Rug (unavailable) | Art | Bed | Duvet Cover | Nightstand | Lamp | Bench | Wall Color | Sconce | Switch Plates
I don’t know!!! Brian loves it. Kaitlin loves it. At times of the day, I love it. But other times and in certain areas it feels too blue, too much. So we did this update shoot (which is genuinely so helpful) to show you and honestly to help me see it more objectively. The color itself is very beautiful, but is it right? Should I have left the ceiling white? Is it the wrong vibe/too dark for a spacious room full of so much natural light?
Mirror | Sconce (unavailable)
When we painted the family/TV room the dark SW 6223 Still Water, it felt an instant “so much better” but I was nervous for a few hours. It took bringing back in the sectional and the rug to be like, “Oh yes, this is it” and now I’m 100% in love with it. But when the recessed lights are on I don’t like it as much because the pigment of the paint pops and it reads as a really bright dark teal – which is fine because this room is meant to be enjoyed with lamp light. So if I were to recommend it to someone I would say it’s so great for a room like ours, with very little natural light and meant to be very dark and moody.
So I guess what I’m saying is that A. Not all color choices are an immediate “yes,” some colors need the context of the other design elements to make the color make sense. And B. Even if this is the perfect color, perhaps it’s not the perfect color for this scale/size of the room.
My biggest pet peeve of it all is how prominent the recessed lights are. No thank you. I’m not sure what to do about it but they can’t stay like that. It’s all I can see.
So my options are:
- Shop for brass or black canned lights and switch them out.
- Paint the ceiling light or white.
- We’ve joked that we are going to put the paint stickers over them and just pretend that they aren’t there – this is obviously a very bad idea, but it sure is easy!
- Paint the square part but leave the round light inside white. This is not advisable in any way, but it is a not ideal option we’ve thrown out there.
I’m wondering if I should change the trim color – make it lighter or darker? Should I paint back the ceiling?
What Am I Going To Do?
For now, I’m definitely going to keep working with it and see if we can get to a point of it being right. It’s not overwhelming but if I had a clear idea of how I would change it, I would do it. But it might be that I just need to get used to it and that it needs more powerful furniture to contrast against it. I went from a boring white box to this. Maybe I went too far too fast? I don’t know. I have ordered a new bed, in camel velvet (this one) and I’m excited to see how it is. The bed we have here is from Maiden Home and is so simple and pretty, but it’s too wide and covers the light switches, and is too low for the room (the mattress, not the back). I also wish I had chosen more of a statement bed (I was in Scandi mountain house mode when I ordered it) So I regret to say that this will be heading to another great home soon (maybe the river house guest room!). The piece of art is from the OG Portland project, by MaryAnn Puls, the nightstands are from Made Goods, the table lamps are from Rejuvenation (that I’m likely keeping but with a different shade), and that incredibly cozy chair and ottoman are from Crate and Barrel. I LOVE how the chair contrasts with the wall – so I’m leaning into those tones. Re the bedding – I just bought this duvet cover from Parachute and I love the color, but I’m open to exploring other tones, too. It’s all up in the air and I’m really really happy we painted and can move with a design direction. I would genuinely love your thoughts, though. Not a “do you love it or hate it” but more, what would you do in here? Do you see a clear answer? Or do you, like most people around me, think that it’s so awesome and think that I’m not used to having such a saturated color in my bedroom??
Let’s chat! xx
Resources:
Wood Flooring: Oregon White Oak by Zena Flooring
Windows: White Oak, Aspen Casement by Sierra Pacific Windows
Roman Shades: Decorview
Fireplace: Slimline 7X with Tranquil Greige Refractory Brick by Heat & Glo
Blue Wall Color: Debonair by Sherwin-Williams
Current Fireplace Color: Smoky Blue by Sherwin-Williams
Skylights: Skylights with Room Darkening Shades by Velux Skylight
Lights and Switch Plates: Rejuvenation
*Photos by Kaitlin Green
The walls and fireplace look great- so pretty. The new bed will help a lot and I think a different duvet color would help a lot too. Maybe a patterned duvet… the walls are an awesome color!
I agree. I live in Maine (low light in the winter) and I love the moodiness of my blue/gray painted bedroom and I lean into it in the winter months by changing out my bedding to darker colors (LLBean flannels and cozy Sherpa throws). In the summer months (brighter light), I change the bedding to white and add colorful quilts (mixed colors and patterns).
Our guest room has a similar paint color; ours is an older color that Restoration Hardware used to sell. Swap out the bedding would be one idea. We have textured white bedding and patterned decorative pillows with browns/blues/greys/whites. It looks cozy and has become one of my favorite rooms in the house. Good luck!
Ouuuuh pretty! I love that you let us follow along through diverent evolutions of your rooms 🙂 The colour is gorgeous and I can see how ties back to the other blues in your home without copying them. I am super excited about your new bed – I love blues with coppery-browns and I think it’ll tie in the wood of the windowframes nicely too. Since you’ve now painted it I would tinker around with it and see how it’d look properly styled and outfitted I do agree it’s maybe not quite there yet. I would love some art to engage more of the width of the wall above your bed – maybe one large horizontal piece or even a gallery wall? the current paintin while lovely makes everything look a little narrow I feel. I actually think using the paint stickers as covers for the plastic parts of the canned lights could work – worth a try at least? 😉 I do agree this is rather much darker than all of your past bedrooms have been where it seems your have enjoyed lighter and brighter bedrooms and maybe this room is a little to large and bright to fully… Read more »
thank you for your thoughtful suggestions! that’s interesting about the art. At times I wish I hadn’t put the sconces in because it has really limited the art space availability (and we only read on kindles now). I love how they look though. I’ve thought about putting my now epic collection of seascapes on this wall, too. But I think you are right about the narrowness of the art in the room …. something to think about for sure. xx
It’s a stunning color, for sure! I’d love to see the room in the evening: is it cozy to tuck into? A few ideas: 1. I know you have built-in window treatments but I think light-diffusing curtains in a shade similar to the chair would return some airiness to the room. 2. A side table and reading lamp to make the new chair area more of a moment. Perhaps a mini gallery wall above (of silhouettes? animal portraits?) would hearken sweetly to the seascape gallery wall in the den. 3. Add some subtly printed bedding into the room, perhaps in a print similar to some wallpapers you’ve added in other parts of the house. (My partner was ardently opposed to printed bedding. I decided to wade in so as not to disgruntle him too much and ordered light pink, ikat-style sheets from Anthro. His immediate take was a begrudgingly muttered “You were right.”) 4. A styled-out dresser where the mirror is leaning. I dearly loved the dresser-chair-ladder area of your LA home! I am not a designer- just a gal with an iPhone and insomnia! 😉 As always, thank you for inviting us in! I’m already looking forward to your… Read more »
Ha! Just a gal with an iPhone and insomnia. Love it.
all good ideas! yes to lamp/side table in the chair corner. And i am definitely looking at printed bedding (for the first time in years maybe). Oh and re nighttime? ITS AWESOME. I LOVE the color at night. And I agree about the shades/curtains! Part of me wants to buy some readymade for one window and see how that feels just holding them up. Maybe a warm flax color (I love the color of the chair). Oddly the wood of the windows really pops more than I want it to, so I need to make it make sense!
I didn’t follow the future bed link, but I think a wooden bed would be warm, bright, and tie in the windows to make them make sense .
Can recessed lighting be converted to light fixtures of some kind? I have no idea. but maybe switch out for some small fixtures. Or go black.
I would paint the ceiling white! I agree the blue feels off, but I think it would look beautiful with a white contrast!
I agree. Usually I love an all encompassing color, but it does seem too stifling for some reason with it all one color. The color is great, can you have someone photoshop using your old white ceiling and see if that seems better. But I love the styling of the room now, it seems so simple/high end/interesting.
YES. that’s exactly what we are going to do – photoshop the ceiling. And maybe its an ivory or taupe? we’ll do some options. I LOVE The color, but yes it feels just like a lot.
Love the idea of an ivory vs a white – but I think the white would be the final icing on the cake of this room! I absolutely LOVE the blue though, it feels like a real sigh of calm at the end of the day, but something about the ceiling isn’t 100% sitting right for me. I think because of the texture of the ceiling, it feels like it needs a colour/tonal contrast…
I love watching the process of living in a home and how it changes the design as you settle into a place!
Totally agree about too stifling and would def paint the ceiling white or ivory.
Hi Emily! I think it’s a very pretty shade of blue, but even as someone who adores deep colors, I think you’re right that this is a little gloomy and overwhelming for a bedroom, and this big, bright bedroom in particular. Because painting woodwork is so expensive and time-consuming, perhaps you leave the ceiling and trim, but paint the walls white again? That contrast of painted wood and white walls would fit with the famhouse feel. Or — what I think would look really lovely — leave the trim and ceiling, but paper the walls with a paper that has a white/light background but a delicate, small pattern — from Soane or Robert Kime or somewhere like that — in a shade of blue that’s similar to the existing blue trim and ceiling. That would, I think, make the woodwork recede and just look like a complement to the walls.
Oh I REALLY REALLY like this idea! Keep all the trim and ceilings that lovely blue and just repaint the walls back to a creamy white … or light wallpaper with subtle print, texture, grasscloth?
Amy, re the grasscloth – i have this incredible fabric textured paper from Ashley Stark that we all agreed might be too gray, but now that i’m seeing something so ‘blue’ i’m thinking that it won’t be. Its sooo pretty. so i’m right there with you.
I love this idea of blue trim/ceilings with white walls!
This is a very cool idea. I was thinking to paint the ceiling back to white, but keeping a blue ceiling with white walls could be so fun. I could go either way on whether to make the trim white or leave it blue. Both could work great with blue ceiling/white walls so just personal preference there. I think using paint stickers over the lights is a great option. Maybe you’ll find you don’t even miss having ceiling lights if you don’t use them for a while. Or if you do miss them, then you’ll know it is worth having them changed out. Just put a piece of tape over the switch so no one accidentally turns them on while they are covered. I love the color but agree that maybe it’s just too much or too large of a room to go so bold. But there are lots of fixes if you leave it all painted, such as patterned side panels on windows or patterned bedding or rug. You’ll make it great. Play around with photo shop to see if taking ceiling back to white improves it for you or if this new idea of leaving ceiling blue with… Read more »
OOOOOOH. maybe i’ll photoshop that, too! I do have this simple stripe that now i’m wondering if should be in here all along?? the color is definitely not gloomy nor dark, its just ‘too much’ is the only phrase that I keep coming back to. I love the idea of a small low contrast print wallpaper, but maybe that would also be too much? I don’t know Robert Kime so i’m going to research those right now. thank you so much for this – its actually really helpful.
I like this idea! To be honest I liked the white better, but I am team white walls always. This is more creative and could re-introduce some brightness.
I really like it, Emily! The medium tones are very lovely together and the new bed will look amazing. A mix of lovely patterns when you style it out will pull everything together; mini geometric florals, pleated patterned shades on those cool lamps, and your artful mix of pillows will look great to me. I’m not usually a fan of painting the ceiling and trim the same color but with those gorgeous windows and skylights it doesn’t look like light is a problem.
I am shopping for pleated pattern shades!!! curious if I can get them custom made in time. thank you thank you
Great sources for beautiful lampshades – @newportlampandshadecompany
@lumenlampsnash @cvillehadeshop @hollywoodathome @cruelmountaindesigns
Ballard has fun patterns and they should be ready to ship.
I think the color is wonderful! I know you’ve mentioned in previous posts trying to keep your rug, but even with envisioning the new bed coming and some of the changes you’ve mentioned, my eye still wants to see more of a statement rug to anchor the room and draw the eye down. I think this room is a great spot to bring in a vintage or vintage inspired rug.
Your place is stunning and you are doing an amazing job.
thank you Renee 🙂 And I know. everyone wants me to change out the rug. its also VERY stained actually. I’m going to look. Also we might have some rugs we have to promote in the fall (hint hint) so i was kinda waiting for that 🙂
Wow – the dogs look GREAT surrounded by the new paint color and isn’t that the most important thing! Of course, just kidding. I’m for leaving the painted ceiling but I’m wondering if you need to soften the walls by hanging drapes where possible; maybe a small print incorporating the paint color among other colors. The wood trim looks beautiful by the way. Keep going with this new color, especially if so many others think it’s a wonderful choice.
thank you 🙂 yes a printed drape could look so pretty!!! and I agreed that the dogs look good in here 🙂
Wow, yay- I am on Team Awesome. I think the painted ceiling makes it! It feels cozy and I think swapping out for black can lights (and maybe a crisp white duvet cover, to brighten things up and help light from the skylights reflect into the room) will help. Plus wider/less “petite” nightstands, and paint the fireplace a soft contrasting color (mauve, peach, rose??). Just sharing what I would do – I’m sure you’ll make this space great, it’s already nearly there!! (Selfishly I would love to see it with the ceiling painted white, too, to compare options- but I say trust your guy and it’s more fun/interesting (er, for us readers) to see how you work with what you have!
OMG. I have TOTALLY dreamed of paitning the fireplace a rose color, too!!!! maybe i’ll photoshop it in. And agreed that I need to try like 5 different duvet colors/patterns in here……
Yes— try it in photoshop!! (And important correction—I meant “trust your gut,” not “trust your guy.” Both good sentiments, but different…)
I would paint the ceiling white 🙂
It was so light and airy before. Now it is more interesting for sure, but the room needs a little space to breathe.
that was my instinct, too. But others whose taste I trust say its the coolest part…..
It looks very blue grey to me, but maybe the grey bed is contributing to that. It doesn’t look warm at all, though of course it’s impossible to really tell on a screen. It does seem like a vast space to be all this color.
I liked the white bc it’s a very bright and airy space especially with all of the skylights. It seems like you designed all of these bright and airy high ceiling’d sunlight flooded spaces and then you are trying to make them smaller, warmer, and cozier afterwards. Maybe you designed them for Los Ángeles light but now here you are in the Portland light (or lack thereof) so it’s just not feeling right? That’s also hard to see over a screen.
But as you said, you haven’t styled it yet. Maybe the camel velvet bed will change things.
Ha. i have had the exact thoughts re LA versus Portland. I mean, the natural light in this house is incredible. I honestly wasn’t trying to make this room feel warmer – I love a big white bright box, I just wanted it to have a design point of view – and to create more of a vibe. The TV room? Yes, dark and cozy but for this room I just didn’t want it soooo boring. I probably should have gone a little lighter but I was afraid of baby blue!!! I genuinely love this color and if it doesn’t stay here i’m happy to report that I now have another color in my repetoire that I can recommend. But I fear that this room is too big for this powerful of a color (as of this moment – do not quote me on anything right now :))
Two options come to mind here. 1) A warm white a la BM White Dove on the ceiling or 2) You need a lighter blue with some green in it to avoid baby blue territory. Something like BM Palladian Blue or BM Wythe Blue. It might be the way it’s photographing, but this looks very similar to your den. And is shockingly dark given how light the room was before. I love the painted trim BTW, much more modern.
This was my thought as well – It seems to cold a color for Portland (I live here too and have had my color battles due to lighting). It might work now going into spring/summer, but I’m afraid in the dead of winter it would feel to closed in.
I love the color! Seems very restful whether you’re unwinding or watching tv. With the new bed would love to see you bring in some deep and colorful plaids. Something to contrast w the art to bring in strong lines and patterns.
I just remembered about how you had wanted to upholster a living room sectional in your vintage plaids but then you were concerned it wouldn’t be comfortable/wouldn’t hold up. Could you upholster a bed with those instead?
Oh yes. I’ve thought about that SO MUCH. Maybe a bench at the end of the bed?????? I have thrown the plaids over the headboard a few times but that was before we painted the walls. I’ll try again and see how that looks (but our bed is on its way :)) But i kinda forgot about all of this, so thanks for the reminder (also spoiler but we just reupholstered Charlie’s headboard in one of the plaids this week which i’ll show you soon).
YESSS to using the plaids on an end-of-bed bench!!!
I was also going to post that you might be able to use your plaids in here! Perhaps make pillows or a quilt or throw at the end of the bed. Or a long framed piece above the bed, to build on an earlier comment. The corner chair is amazing and you could layer warmth and texture with that vibe. You’ve got this, and thanks for always including the doubts along with the triumphs. It is truly inspiring.
Thank you for this post. I love your designs, and appreciate hearing about your initial concerns/reactions to something like paint color. It’s reassuring to know how you process through these decisions, and it’s not just me,
Live with that beautiful blue for a while, the layers will make all the difference. Your designs are always amazing.
thank you 🙂 I like exploring these with you guys because you all honestly have great ideas and an outside perspective is just so needed when you are in it so deep. it also just makes it more fun 🙂
I agree … the bedding and drapes would be the same whether you paint the ceiling or wallpaper the walls, right? So bring in the bed, bedding, drapes, art., etc. and reassess. Also re: the sconces–it does seem like bedside tables OR sconces make sense, but not both? I wonder if taking them out would make this more functional/flexible in terms of art placement. Personally I love the blue on both walls and ceiling, although I get how it could seem to dark. But having an all-white room seems with vaulted ceilings too similar to the mountain house (to me).
You have so much good light in that room. Maybe sit with it for a while. Get your new bed in there and play around with your bedding. Maybe the original white made it look to stark, and a warmer white like BM Swiss Coffee would provide that feel you want, but without such a saturated color.
Paint the ceiling white and beams and floorboards to match the fireplace?
Paint the floorboards?!?!? Wot?? Noooo!
I meant baseboards. Oops!
I know once you put your EHD spin on this room, it’s going to be amazing! I think this is a normal part of the process of making a big change and as you yourself point out the room is not designed yet. I loved the bright airy room before and I love the cozy moody vibe it has now. Definitely you made the right call to paint the ceiling for the vibe you are going for. Also while it might have worked before in the white, this seems to fit what is happening with the rest of the house and especially coming off of the tv room. Once you get that amazing headboard and your bedding and art and everything very intentional in there, it is all going to come together fabulously. Can’t wait to see! Thank you for sharing your whole design process and thinking with us, really learn a lot from seeing that.
thank you 🙂
Hi Emily! This is a gorgeous colour, but for the usual Portland grey rainy weather it just feels a tad saturated? I also live in an area that is predominantly rainy, and snowy, and grey for most of the year. Paint colour can go a really long way to brightening mood when living in climates that are less sunny. This may be why Brits tend to love fun patterned wallpaper? Does the colour bring you joy on the grey days? That would be the question I’d ask myself. Thank you for the honest update!
we’ve talked so much about this internally – re how a weather/climate affects the amount of color/pattern. I’ve needed so much more here than I did/do at the mountain house. its definitely used as a mood booster. This blue does make me feel very happy. every time I walk in thats my first feeling – ‘ooh so pretty’. the color is just so wonderful. I think that living with it through the winter is going to be key (I actually think i’ll like it MORE in the winter as I like it MORE at night than during the day).
I would argue that since your bedroom is utilized mostly at night, the fact that you love this color then is a good argument for keeping it. Any strong color will look different from day to night and you’re likely going to prefer one look over the other. it would be really silly if you chose a bedroom color you liked more in daytime.
I would keep the ceiling the same color as the walls. I would try a white or cream duvet with the new camel bed. The mauve or rose one is lovely but I think it would be too dark with camel. I understand how you feel about the can lights, but I love the ceiling anyway. Thank you for sharing this.
I LOVE IT!!! My first thought was, I need to copy every element of this room for my bedroom. But to your question, I just don’t think there is “a perfect paint color” for a room. Yes, some shades look better in a room but you will get that right. Ultimately, I think the question is. Do you want a light bright bedroom that may be a bit more simple? Or do you want a moody saturated room?
I’m really loving the blog posts recently – anything that gets into the wherefore’s and why’s of design is just so engaging. Love it.
When I look to your kitchen (similar in colour scheme – blue tile, white ceiling, wood tones) I wonder maybe if this room could benefit from a white ceiling too? I’d probably have painted it a neutral white so that more natural light is reflected in the room (Debonair has quite a low LRV). But that’s just personal preference because I do better in lighter spaces. I’ve used ‘Shell Cove’ by Colourtrend with Valspar ‘Prairie Blue’, it’s a great neutral. And I really love the duvet cover too, however, I think I’d lean neutral again with bedding and bring in a hit of pattern in the lampshades/throw cushions to lend some movement to the room.
Can’t wait to see where you go with it though!
Agree! I usually love the monochrome moody color look, but after experimenting with a similar color in a bedroom that gets a lot of light like yours, I’m more inclined to incorporating some white paint. I think it just compliments great light really well. I vote white ceiling (and maybe white trim)!
Oh this is so much better! I was honestly thinking I’d repaint it white, but with the white ceiling and bedding I think the blue could work. All blue felt a little depressing to me.
I love it.
It does not read moody to me- it reads like a soft blue cloud with depth and dimensionality. I do think the white ceiling would be lovelier…..fresher and brighter and softer. Blue is such a gorgeous color and really healing- very good for the nervous system…..
I do not see it looking or feeling like anything particular style as in too contemporary…and it does not read smurflike to me at all… goodness. Hang out with it awhile…
I honestly think the white ceiling makes the room look dated. And if, as you said in Stories, that the blue looks Smurfy, well the white ceiling makes it even Smurfier. I say no Smurfing way to the white ceiling. 😉
oh wow. thank you so much. I honestly think I have a lot to learn about paint color. I’ve talked about it with my team up here – how I want to take a class to understand undertones more (after having to repaint too much here). I love how you photoshopped that – THANK YOU. It does look good with the white ceiling!!!! oh dear i’m going to be so annoyed with myself if I have to repaint this room….. thanks for your support 🙂
I honestly feel that the white ceiling makes the room look dated. And, if like you said in Stories, that you are afraid the blue looks Smurfy, well painting the ceiling will make it way Smurfier. I say no Smurfing way to the white ceiling. 😉
Hi hi, thank you for sharing! I loooove the color (full transparency I am someone that loves a rich deep saturated color, so my ideas below stem from that). I think that with the new bed you could add a duvet that is a similar saturated color like on the fireplace, and to keep things neutral have the bedding be all in that same color with your classic long bolster—drape a throw similar to the mountain house at the bottom (or something graphic). I also remember reading you loved the rug, if you were so inclined to change that and found a dusty mauve/rose vintage one I could see it bringing out the warmth of the wood floors. Always love seeing what you come up with, and sharing your journey with us 😊
Cans with paintable housing are definitely a thing….. if you’re going to swap them out then I would do that over a gold/brass to really make them go away.
ooh awesome. i haven’t googled it yet so I appreciate this hope 🙂
You’re just getting used to the saturated color. I would probably have left the ceiling white but then I’m a white ceilings kind of gal. I know white ceilings aren’t “trendy” but they are trending in my house. 🙂 I think the new bed you ordered is going to look terrific. The only thing throwing me off in this room is that mauve (lilac?) duvet. The color looks so somber against the warm blue. Maybe it looks different in person?
the duvt is def not working. i LOVE the color, but not in here now that its painted 🙂 And yes part of me knows i’m just getting used to it!
I really like the lilac with the ochre and blue tones. It feels really Danish-cool to me, the triad of colors. I think you should mockup a pale rose-lilac or greyed-rose ceiling with the blue walls.
I think it looks really pretty, and I would definitely paint the ceiling (and maybe the trim?) white.
I think it could work with some brass canned lighting and by paining the fireplace a lighter color… really wish you could do a whitewashed brick, but since it’s already painted, maybe white?
I just hate TV’s and gas fireboxes on white fireplaces. but I don’t love this color yet either. I kinda want it limewashed….
I have read that a room doesn’t feel finished until drapes are hung. And I have found that to be true in my own home. I see that you currently have shades now. But you could layer drapery panels over them.
As for the paint color you chose…I love it! If the ceiling bothers you maybe paint it a couple of shades lighter. But not white.
I also think the lack of patterns in your fabrics is making the room feel more modern. Layer some patterned bedding. Get some quilts. Pattern drapes. That should help to cozy up your room.
Definetely something that I have thought about (drapes) and as I stare at these photos I totally agree (again) 🙂
For me, it’s just too much of that color in the room. You have some really lovely elements that were carefully and purposefully chosen that seem overwhelmed now. The room has so much natural light with the skylights and windows but the color now seems to absorb it and make it look rather muted. That is fine, but you mentioned in the early planning stages needing all these windows because you wanted the primary bedroom to be awash in natural light. You don’t get that now. The planked ceiling also doesn’t standout anymore, as well as the pretty trim. There’s just no contrast anywhere. Again, this is all fine, but you don’t seem happy with it and I don’t think just switching out the recessed lights is going to get you to the 100% mark.
I would paint the ceiling white, paint the trim white, get a different rug and larger scale stuff. It’s a giant room and needs a better sense of scale.
good luck Emily! We’re in the middle of our own whole house renovation and the decision fatigue is REAL. I cannot imagine having to make choices to put out for general public comment. 😂
I agree with all of what you said. 🙂 no contrast anywhere, specifically….
My first thought is that the room needs to be finished in order to fully decide. The new headboard will look great with the wall color. For me, I’m focused on what I would change with the furnishings to complete the room. One thing I would consider is bigger nightstands and bigger lamps. To your point, the bed wall is tall and to me that wall needs to be the focus. Perhaps wallpaper?
I’m going to keep moving forward, whilst monitoring how I feel and not make too many decisions that won’t work if we were to repaint. To love a color but not love so much of it in a specific room is a tricky mental state to be in.
It was very nice of you to respond to my note. You have a beautiful home and I very much enjoy following you.
I like it! Great job!
I think the bedding should be patterned -like something from garnet hill. Older vibe with more depth.
At first, I was thinking just paint the ceiling. But I love the way it currently looks with the dark fireplace. New bed will make a world of difference. I think I would change the light fixtures instead and am leaning towards brass. I love the art!
I would paint the ceiling lighter or white and use the same color on the doors and trim. I think the contrast would help and keep the color from looking dreary or overpowering. It will be beautiful!
I do think a white or very light blue would be a nice contrast on the ceiling and potentially the trim as well. Jess’s post on pattern was coming to mind while looking at your room. I understand wanting to keep things simple in a bedroom, but that could be an easy styling path to play with and swap in and out. Also – I’ve been admiring your growing collection of cool houseplants. Having 2-3 various sized plants in your room in cool vessels would take things next level very quickly…words from a person who truly loves horticulture. Plus they’re great for improving your air quality!
You need textiles to bring all these colors (teal, almost black of the fireplace and browns/creams of the furniture and windows) together. Right now, everything feels to color-blocked, and it’s creating a lack of balance. The room is screaming for curtains, IMO. Yes, change the colors of the recessed lights to brass, too.
agreed!!!!!! all of it!
100% this! Emily I’d love to see you embrace your eccentric vibe in this room. A vintage rug, a beautiful quilt in the bed, some plants and a bookshelf for life and personality. It’s got nothing in here to give a sense of who you are – the colour is so you but obviously there is much more to 40-something Emily than “my favourite colour is blue”!!
OH MY GOD THOSE HINGES! (The brass door hinges/hardware are divine). I think what you may be responding to is the fact that they tone of the wall is very MID. Like it’s not dark blue, it’s not light blue, it’s MID HUE blue gray. I tend to find midtones (like meaning in the middle of light to dark) a bit blah, especially when they’re on the gray spectrum. So if this were my house I’d keep the fireplace the same color (it looks amazing), go a tone lighter on the walls, keep the trim its current color, and paint the ceiling white. The monochrome vibe is def cool but kinda feels too contemporary for the room and too minimalist for the amount of architectural detail there is. Also ask Sherwin Williams if they’ll send you a peel-n-stick paint sample big enough to cover that TV over your fireplace JUST KIDDING I LOVE YOU BYE!
“too minimalist for the amount of architectural detail” nails it – the beautiful details retreat in this monochrome
I think you are right – especially, the ‘monochrome vibe is too contemporary for the room and too minimalist for the amount of architectural details’. OOOOOOHHHHHHHHH that makes so much sense. Its like why put this all in and then not highlight it at all???!!!
Love this suggestion Orlando. I also agree with others that the color is good. It just seems too much as it is. My first thought when I saw the room was that the color is a fine color but some “softening” is needed with it being everywhere. I agree with all the comments about drapes. I think the bed will be a wonderful addition too. The lines and color of the bed seem like they will be great in here. I also think the bed wall is too empty. Maybe larger nightstands or a gallery wall or tall plant or something. And, I feel like the rug is now appearing too stark. Maybe after the other furniture and drapes are in, try a rug with several colors that’s not quite so light to pull it all together.
Have you considered repainting the same color but in eggshell? To me, the flat paint in absorbing all the nice light and reading dull.
I like the color. Its soft and relaxing. I wouldn’t touch the trim at all, the wood is lovely. A huge fiddle leaf fig tree and softer styling all around and it will sing. As you said, I feel like you are moving from a Shaker style to a more maximalist style here and these are growing pains. For me it’s as much the shapes and textures as the colors. I’m not feeling glossy, contrasty, rectangles and squares, I crave funkier, rounded shapes and soft matte textures in this room. The new bed will help a ton, the color will give so much punch, and the headboard will echo the rounded mirror and chair. I would not make any big decisions until the new bed is in. In that vein I personally would do a horizontal painting with a softening frame. I am also not a fan of the glossy black lamps with white shades, personally would lean into the funk and use more organic / thrifted wooden lamps to pick up the trim- perhaps the tramp art lamp can live here. A Pooky lamp mood. I would also layer a stronger rug under the bed, a navy Nichols would… Read more »
OH yes, so many good ideas here. I love how specific these suggestions are. Pondering all of them 🙂
Oh, I love it. It’s warm enough for winter and cool enough for summer. The window casings look amazing with this, and I would use more of those wood tones. Didn’t even notice the recessed lights! The paint job is so modern, you could totally pull off a vintage quilt at the foot of the bed or a richly patterned rug, or both! Would the blimp drawing work in here? Love the camel velvet bed choice.
I really like the Debonair, and I love how the house as a whole is kaleidoscope of rich but muted colors. My instinct would be to use different, visually weightier nightstands. Also, not trying to be ornery, but genuinely confused as to why you need/want table lamps when you have sconces by the bed? In general, my advice would be to live with the color for a bit and see if you come around to loving it. If not, no biggie, that’s why they make paint! Looking forward to your eventual choice, and as always, the insights about how you arrive there. Thanks for your openness and for asking for our input!!!
I was thinking this too. I love negative space as a graphic designer, but there seems to be a lot here. I also love simple bedrooms so lots to consider to find a happy medium. But I would live with the current paint color awhile if it were me! I think there are fun opportunities in accessories that work with the color as is…and styling is your jam!
ha. i know the sconce + lamps feel redundant, but they aren’t really (and i love lamp). But we don’t really use the sconces because (well, A. the light switch is behind the headboard, hahah and b. i read on a kindle). So i kinda wish they weren’t there in order to free up wall art space. But for people who read books I think have a sconce like that (directional) is better than a lamp because the other person (assuming) can go to sleep. Dunno. thats the thought process anyway.
The color really is beautiful, but I think the sky lights make things a little more complex. The natural light from the skylights makes the blue look brighter in half of the room, which makes the corners with the shadows look murky in comparison to me. -So half of the room feels calm and half feels moody, which are both great, but it’s just the stark contrast between the two that keeps it from creating a cohesive feeling. I wonder if painting the ceiling white would help?
AGREED. i like the color more when the skylights are closed, but then you see four white squares of blackout fabric!
I’m not usually into monochromatic schemes, though I definitely light up with appreciation of rooms done by EHD Alumni – but my view is that the amount of natural light in the room make it a design point of difference!
I’m genuinely surprised by just how much I like it.
It reads “relaxing” in this light-filled room … just what you want for a bedroom!🤗
Yes, the can lights are very prominent. Are the square housings paintable?? Down lights aren’t great. Full stop. Not sure why they’re in a bedroom? Can you remove them and patch??
Buttercup & Oscar!!!! 🐾🐾 Well, ANY room looks better with those two in it!
I hope you’ll be great friends with your newly painted bedroom.
It’s restful and callllllllm.
Once you get some texture involved, like the fab-u- lous chair and pouf, it’ll settle in.
Texture!
Biiiig improvement, Emily. Huge move forward! Kudos! 🥰xx
thanks, Rusty 🙂 The pups help EVERY ROOM.
I love how much you dive into your decision making and gut feelings on how things turn out! Big decisions are rarely 100% certain. I absolutely LOVE this color but there’s something about the architecture and vibe of this room that wants bright – the arched ceilings, the skylights, the light so I think the color just “doesn’t feel right.” Especially on the ceiling with how bright and stark the skylight boxes are. I’d start with painting ceiling and trim white to lighten it up, then get the new bed and decor in to decide. I really do think it’s a beautiful color though! Good luck!
First, I love this color! I love a dusty blue, and the color you picked is so rich and beautiful. Definitely going to keep it in mind the next time I paint. Initially, I had similar thoughts to what you wrote here: that maybe the color is too dark for how much light floods this room. I feel like there’s a way to make it work if you want to though! If this were my room, I feel like I would approach this in one of two ways. First: keep the paint color, but make the furniture and accents moodier. I think the headboard and duvet you ordered will help a lot! Maybe a couple darker toned throw pillows or a lumbar pillow on the bed could be interesting? I see the dark fireplace, and in my mind I’m trying to balance it more. Maybe the ottoman/bench could be swapped for something in a richer color. I think it could be interesting to swap the white lamp shades for a black/navy, or swap the lamps for something in a solid navy/black. I would also swap the light gray rug for something darker. I feel like something in a navy or… Read more »
I love it! Very warm and enveloping and cozy. I think if you painted the ceiling and/or trim white, it would really chop up the room. I vote for black or brass can lights. Maybe a little more decor and a little more quirk, for lack of a better word, would help, though I get that you like simplicity. I’m also not sure about the mauve bedding. But honestly, I think with a few tweaks you’ll be there.
I really love the color – it’s beautiful and very you. I would just swap the recessed lights for brass. The skylights don’t bother me a bit. Love the new bed and like the idea of some leather and brass accents and lush soft fabrics.
My bedroom is a similar color. I’ve added textures (repurposed, gold silk draperies, darker blues velvet chair and bench) plus I found a great colorful velvet animal print for pillow shams. If you keep the color, I’m sure your styling magic will kick in!
Hi Em! This is a beautiful colour. However when I saw the post, I was sure the byline was wrong – it had to be a MOTO or something. I didn’t believe it was your room because the colour absorbs SO much of the natural light that used to get bounced around. A dark moody vibe in a bedroom can be sexy, soothing, and interesting. Is that what your heart wants? Maybe! But you already have a moody den. Maybe you want your room to be more “airy, soothing, personal, and easy to live in” like some of your past rooms. Both vibes are great, it just depends what will best serve the room’s purpose. (For me, our room’s purpose is to support our sleep, mental health, and marriage.) Since you’ve painted, maybe try to lean into the moody one and then after a while compare its effect on you & Brian with the mountain room. To lean in, I would: – Add a lot more warmth with woods, rattan, etc. to balance so much cool blue. (Your new bed will be great for this!) – Add big happy green plants. (As Lea has written for EHD, “if you can’t… Read more »
I LOVE the color and think painting it all the same shade really works in this room. The ceiling is very busy with all the different heights and wood paneling and painting it the same as the walls calms it down. I would NOT paint it white. The only thing I don’t understand is why one door was not painted. I also really like how the fireplace paint color works with the tonal moody room. I did not like the fireplace color against the all white room. If the cans really bother you, I would try black for less contrast. I don’t mind the current bed but do not like the solid mauve bedding. I think you need a delicate print here- especially if you are getting the new bed. I would look for something to tie into the camel velvet and wall color. I would add texture to the bedding as well.
I love the color. It’s exactly as you said- not too gray and not too blue, and it does wonders to make the fireplace color feel right. Definitely go with the camel bed, the contrast will be arresting as [heck]. And agreed that more patterns would liven things up- patterned quilt for sure. Anything against the blue will look awesome. But there’s just too much blue here- the space is too big for this much of it. Keep the walls, re-paint the ceilings, though I wouldn’t go bright white on the ceilings, because it would interfere with the moodiness of the room. I would put in soft brass (not too bright and shiny, but soft metallic) light cans and paint the ceiling a soft beige (a drop cloth or some SW equivalent). In general, I feel like the walls in the house could use more beige/cream to balance out all of the white. The white keeps things modern and clean, but greige/cream would warm and soften things up. I had to combine a lot of white and greige/cream/neutral in my house due to budget constraints around repainting a ton of beige trim, and I ended up absolutely loving the results.
I think the color is beautiful, too. And if Brian loves it, it’s worth keeping. I don’t know how it feels to be in the room, but in the photos, it looks like a lot of blue. What about:
—Painting the trim one shade darker, in a gloss?
—Painting the ceiling two shades lighter, in flat?
That might add more texture and depth while keeping the original design intent.
interesting … and i’ve thoguht about just a lighter ceiling, too! it is a lot of blue. def needs to be broken up. hoping that furniture/decor help but I think i know in my heart that what the biggest problem is the moody vibe doesn’t make sense with the amount of natural light we have (which is why i like it more at night than in the middle of the day).
Yes, the architecture of the room with the windows and natural light are at odds with the moody color. Is it a den-like TV room or a soaring airy lovely bedroom? The architecture says one thing and the paint color says something else. The conflict is what makes it not work. It’s not that either are wrong. They just arent married to each other. I’m not sure any amount of styling or accessorizing will remove the conflict so much as mask it. Also as someone else said, the contemporary paint job is at odds with all the detail you put in. Why add all the detail only to flatten it with paint? If anyone can figure it out, you can. I think the color is pretty but not right for this specific space.