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amydan96 (Also see photos below)

amydan96 Would it look better if I chose a paint color like in the following pics? (Could not fit these in main post)

The Creative Man If you add accents of black to a sage color wall, wonderful things begin to happen. If you really want to make a statement paint the white areas incasing the fireplace black. This will bring a continuity to the two rooms because of the black counter tops. The window treatment should not be beige. Go with a David Hicks geometric pattern with black and brown. I would also consider using a half curtain on the lower level and remove the top panel, it would help to carry the patterns across the new tiles. With the panel on top it looks segmented and takes from the drama of the fireplace mantel unit.

Amy V i think a brownish color on the walls will definitely be better!! the green doesn't really go.

i would then do your window shades in a cream color to contrast with the walls but nearly match the trim paint. . a creamy shade will be more relaxing than a bright white shade. you could do wooden blinds instead of shades. . .in a creamy white color.

i would eventually (when you have funds) add some curtain panels to the windows. ones that reach the floor and put a matching valance in the kitchen. curtains help often the lines of the windows and also help with acoustics.

Journeys of Spirit Home I think "The Creative Man" is on to some great ideas. Maybe take a look at having mirrored doors above the fireplace for hiding the TV. The white space is such a focus it distracts from the beautiful tile work and balance of the room. I really love the sage color. It brings out a sense of warmth that is in the wood element.
I do Feng Shui and this is really a good use of your space.

decoenthusiaste Soft fabrics are part of what's missing. Window treatments in the form of patterned stationary panels hung floor to ceiling, much larger area rug in complimentary colors, not the red. You could use a lamp and table beside the armchair. If possible, pull the sofa further back from the FP and add a coffee table. As The Creative Man said, a black FP would be a style statement. But you might prefer just replacing the busy tiles with black. At the least, paint the brass accents black with a FP specialty paint.

amydan96 Creative Man: The countertops are Verde Butterfly, a dark green shade with flecks of white and gold. Would you still paint the fireplace casing black?

les1238 How does the room feel on a sunny day, or when all your lights are on? It's a pretty shade though it feels a bit cool and washed out in your photos. But don't repaint just yet. Bring in some more saturated warm colors with wall art, cushions, and fabrics first. That, plus lighting, may liven things up considerably.

amydan96 I love the room colors on a sunny day, I like it less in the evening. Thanks for the tips, good things to consider.

The Creative Man I consider avery dark almost black green.

framelady If your liking is shade of green try favorite Tan by Sherwin williams. It is darker than your paint and easy to work with or Outerbanks Sherwin Williams paint.

The Creative Man No tan or beige.

thislittlehouse I recently found this website: there's a tab you can click that explains each colour really well, and explains why sometimes paint colours just look wrong.

http://www.mariakillam.com/category/understanding-undertones

Enjoy! :)

Elise

amydan96 Creative Man: you comments about adding black accents to a room with a sage wall color made me think of this photo. Since I'm not sure if I want curtain panels in my room, do you think I could achieve a similar look with natural woven shades and other black accents?

janishill Deco was correct about adding drapery panels. Hang them high and wide as seen in the attached illlustration. You should also hang them on the French doors.

You also need a larger rug.

The tile work around the fireplace looks a little skimpy. Painting the brass black will help to distract the eye.

Natalie Hi---yes it should be repainted. BM-Lenox Tan HC-44 or Sherwin Williams SW 6142 Macadamia... One of those will work for you. Keep us posted and Good Luck!

[houzz=Gracie Towhomes][houzz=Kitchen view of the island from the sitting area]

Natalie Hi again---I agree with janishill--- you do need a larger rug and window panels hung high and wide. Found this rug for you-it appears to have similar hues to your color palette and it has a nice BIG pattern. CheerS!
http://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-transient-ikat/brown/200BHBC13A-76096.html

Natalie another angle

janishill Forget to add the illustration.

MahtaMouse What's off is all the white. Instead of re-painting the entire room, try repainting just the fireplace surround in one of the lighter medium browns from your mosaic tile; then paint the mantal and knobs black. This would not only make your fireplace the focal point of the room, but would also tie the tiles in with the surround better. Right now your eyes don't see the fireplace as a whole soothing unit, but are drawn first to the white surround, then the tile, then the walls, then the black fireplace itself.

Carolyn C Hi AmyDan, I think it's more a problem with the valances. They are very tiny for the space. Here is a rendering that will help you visualize what the longer panels will do in your space. You could consider taking the valance fabric and bringing it on to the kitchen window as well

Carolyn C Here are visuals of what people suggested so you can see the effect they will have

Carolyn C Black FP Surround

Carolyn C Beigh FP Surround

Carolyn C Beigh FP Surround

Carolyn C White FP surround - with just the new panels

Carolyn C My preference would be the panels, leave the fireplace white and if the print has the right green combination with the white and beige I think you will have a very nice balance. Ultimately it's up to you as you have to live in the space.

There isn't a right or wrong for the colour, it has to speak to you, but what you want to do is get the design elements all working together and complimenting each other.

Good luckl

Carolyn C Just a close up of panels

jansseninteriors I would not consider changing the paint color until you have selected the window treatments, furniture, rugs, etc. Paint is available in virtually every color, while you will have limited selection of the exact color of more permanent items in the style that you want.

The color you have is beautiful, and not the beige/neutral of all other options being shown. You need window treatments and a living room rug that reference the wall color to make it work. That is working backwards, (doing things the hard way) but it can be done. If, after the window treatments and rug you don't like the wall color, then you will be ready to select the right one, and you will have an explanation for your husband as to why it needs to be different.

amydan96 Carolyn, thanks for the visuals!! Would love to know how you do that! I like the panels in the visuals. I am leaning towards the last picture but am just finding the tile on the fireplace too distracting.. I think I might have to have the tile removed and just have the black slate surround that was originally there restored.

Natalie Hi again---I've been looking and reading the comments and wanted to explain what I see from the photos you've posted.
So here goes: There are several breaks/interruptions in your space---the floor, the windows, door, FP, and white cabs really stand out against the sage---in addition, you have small patterns-backsplash, FP surround, valance fabric----it's all too much-too busy. I recommend, if you want color and pattern then consider different window panels with a larger pattern/design or add accent chair(s). If you want your FP to be the focus, change out the small mosaic tile to something larger, little contrast in colors, and perhaps installed vertically; paint the cabinet above one of the colors of the tile/surround---hang solid window panels or large patterned with neutral backgound... If you want to keep the fabric/tile you currently have, then change the wall color to something that will "blend" it all together---like a tan, beige, change out the valances with floor to ceiling panels made of the same fabric. Neutral rug...
I hope this is helpful. Your room is beautiful, just a little disjointed. Attaching pics for inspiration.
Keep us posted and Good Luck!
[houzz=Georgia Pearl Armchair - Pearl][houzz=Granada Rug][houzz=W10 Grey Smoke Quartzstone Brick Glass Mosaic][houzz=Basket Weave Linen Rod-Pocket Drapery][houzz=Zinnia Fabric by Galbraith and Paul in Sky][houzz=Eames House Bird by Vitra]

amydan96 Natalie, thanks so much, you have been really helpful. One of your suggestions was to re-paint with Sherwin Williams Macadamia and that is the color in my foyer and in the stair well leading up to 2nd floor. I also love the inspiration pics. Lots to consider.

Natalie Hi---nice to see more of the room... I like this pillow for your sofa. Definitely a different rug, less graphic, softer on the eye... Like the examples from yesterday. All coordinate well together... :)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/112345576/colonial-williamsburg-collection-ikat?ref=sr_gallery_36&ga_search_query=sage+green+pillow&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all

amydan96 Thanks Natalie, I love that pillow. Just need to figure out how to work out coordinating the pillows/rug/window panels. Could I possibly get your opinon on some pictures of window panels I have seen on Houzz and if you think a similar style of window panels might work in my room? (Then I could bring pattern into the room with an accent chair and pillows)
(The second pic you have to click on it to see color at top of panel.)


[houzz=Forest Manor Model Home]

[houzz=Colonial Revival]

amydan96 or these:
[houzz=Lovely Living Room]

or the bold pattern:
[houzz=Modern Classic Family room]

Natalie Hi---I like LOVELY Living Room best. You could do a woven shade on all the windows-including the kitchen... Not sure about having that much color on the panels, but that is definitely the right look for your room... :)
Yay-found a pic of exactly what I was thinking---semi sheer with tone on tone subtle pattern... As a matter of fact, I'm sending you the link to the entire home-click on the photo and enjoy the view---I think you'll find it quite inspiring... Keep me posted.
[houzz=D for Design - Morning Canyon - Corona del Mar Ca]

Project: Morning Canyon - Corona del Mar

amydan96 Natalie, just curious, Do you like the Panels in D for Design also because they are all white?

From the same house you found I also saw these which have a pop of color at the top.
[houzz=
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curacaoblue I think that the curtains are what throws it off. They look dated compared to the rest of the room

judyg What draws my eye immediately is the different heights of everything that is white. The cabs do not go to the ceiling; the french door molding is lower than the window molding; the fireplace has crown molding to the ceiling. I would put crown molding all around the room; fill in over the cabinets to that molding; remove those valances and leave those windows bare; hang panels on either side of the slider. Also, buy a substantial sofa console to hide the back.

Natalie Yes, I like the white panels in D for Design and I like how high and wide they are hung, as well as the woven shades underneath. That is perfect for your room. I do like the photo you posted with the zebra ottoman---but I think the horizontal top/bottom lines are more favorable in a room such as that with a high/vaulted ceiling. For your home it would be better if the pattern ran vertically instead of horizontally because it would give the illusion of a higher ceiling. If you opt for the latter then I recommend a simple/subtle tone on tone stripe---just like the white ones in the D for Design photo I posted. I hope this is helpful. Keep me posted...

amydan96 Carolyn C: is it possible to get one more of your computer model visuals that show the same panels over the French doors in the center of the wall? Thank you so much!

Natalie Hi amydan96---you mentioned the panels over the French doors---you're referring to the photo in Design D, correct? It's a great look and will definitely create more flow. Hopefully Carolyn C will stop by and be able to do a quick mockup for you---she is a wiz at it... :)

Carolyn C You mean like this?

sorry, I'm away so it's not very good.

Natalie Oh you're away? Sorry. Actually it is more like this===white panels, woven shades-white FP. Just do the mockup whenever you can Carolyn-if you're away, it can wait. Thanks for popping in. Very Kind of You... :)
[houzz=
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Carolyn C Here it is

maag ok ,so what I find most amazing is how we each see something different in the same picture! I liked the point about the moulding heights and all the various levels interfering with the overall flow. For me the sage paint colour blends well with the floor tiles and the rest or the room. the difficulty is in the red tone beige of the back splash subway tile clashing with the yellow grey-green tone in the floor and paint and the couch appears to be a rose taupe shade...too many different tones to paint tan shade and get a smooth feeling.....maybe just change up the tile shade but keep the tile that ties in the FP tile if your keeping that. on the FP

More great ideas Natalie and all

maag OOPS forgot!! The Brass on the fireplace just lifts off and is blck underneath...no need to paint!

barbara21 If you don't need the woven shades you could leave them off for now. I do like the curtains to the ceiling. I painted my whole house in Sherwin Williams Oyster. It is light but has some black in the base which makes it look realy great with black accents. I have white cabinets also. I painted the ceiling with 1/4 less of the color so it is lighter but looks good as it isn't a stark white, yet not as dark as the walls. You would never notice the difference but made my ceiling seem taller. I like the zebra ottom and the accent table. I took an old oak table and panted it black and it looks like the one in the picture. I wonder what would happen if you painted the fireplace the same color as your walls, perhaps it wouldn't stand out so much. My friend has cabinets like yours and she puts some greenery and decorates above the cabinets and it looks nice. She just puts a few decerations not to the point of excess.

Staged for Perfection I think the wall colour is fine,but all the white on the fireplace is too white

amydan96 Barbara21, do you have Oyster Bay paint by SW? If so it is very close to my color. I did consult with a color specialist at the BM store. She said the warm tones in my kitchen backsplash and fireplace tile are competing with the cool tone of the green walls. That is why I like the paint best on the walls where it is not next to the tile. She suggested Repainting the whole room with BM Decatur Buff which is the same color as BM Deer Path. Photo shows Decatur Buff paint in another house against white fire place and I do like it. Of course I'll still need to change some of the other furnishings in the room to make it work.

amydan96 Carolyn C, thanks again for the great visuals! I love the panels in the photo Natalie showed me in Design D. I'm just wondering about the practicality for me about all the white panels in a house with young kids and pets. Especially since we'll have to move the white panels aside a bit to access the French doors that go to the deck and the light switch panel which is directly to the left of the doors. (unless they are on tie backs which changes the look). Need to think about this a bit more :)

amydan96 Staged to perfection, are you saying repaint the tv cabinet a darker shade of white? Even if then it will be different than the color of the kitchen cabinets? Not sure what you were suggesting.

Natalie Hi amydan96
I want to ask you a question... Which do you prefer-the wall color or the backsplash/FP tile?
If it's the wall color-then change out the FP tile to a blend and switch out the decorative inlay tile in the backsplash to the blend or retile the entire backsplash with the same tile of the FP.
If you like the tile better, then paint the walls a creamy warm color.
If the answer is both-then I suggest finding a fabric that will tie those elements together. Once you answer that question, you can move forward. I hope this is helpful for you... Keep us posted. :)[houzz=Cozy Greatroom][houzz=Traditional kitchen][houzz=W10 Grey Smoke Quartzstone Brick Glass Mosaic][houzz=Lovely Living Room 1][houzz=Lovely Living Room 2]

Natalie Terrible edit, out of proportion and value, but just to get an idea...

Staged for Perfection Amydan, I do not have a BM fandeck and there is no store in my town that sells it, however I would paint the area around the FP that is white in a darker green/greytoned color (darker than the paint.) To me the wall color looks ok. You can make it work.

amydan96 Very helpful suggestions Natalie. Thank you again. I'm going to paint a swatch on the wall of the BM Decatur Buff and see if I like it and if it helps complement the tile more. Changing the kitchen backsplash is just not an option at this point.
I'm also going to keep looking at fabrics that would work with the sage wall color like the one you found in an effort to make a decision and get started in one direction or the other!

Cheery Curtains When it comes to curtains that will work with the wall and other interior decor, Cheery Curtains has lots of nice curtains you may like.

For more curtain designs, welcome to my Houzz page!

scmickell I think the wall color is lovely but the white fireplace is a little too stark. I would pull a color from the tile to use on the fireplace. Something a little darker than the walls. The white trim on the window frames would still look great.

amydan96 Scmickell, right now I'm leaning towards removing the tile on the fireplace and going back to the black slate that was there before. I'm also leaning towards leaving the paint on the walls green and getting a new rug and accent chair and window treatments. i've looked at some coordinating fabric patterns i really like. Would you still paint the fireplace cabinet if the tile was removed?

jenpa8 Don't repaint, that's not the problem. the problem is the blockiness, squareness and choppiness of the fireplace and the windows. Put up some inexpensive paneling, moulding and bookshelves that pull the fireplace and the windows all together in one cohesive unit. I like white, it's always classic. And if you weren't set on having your TV above the fireplace you could hang a piece of artwork or a mirror there, add in some lighting, and you will have transformed this room.

amydan96 Yes, also considering crown moulding throughout downstairs..

barbara21 I liked the white flowing curtains you had in one picture. I would just tone the fireplace down. My friend had a fireplace like yours with a small area of tile. We picked out a small stacked stone tile in creams and whites. It looked so good and it toned the fireplace down and she didn't have to paint the fireplace, as it had a little white in the stacked stone. It is hard to explain, but the stone is in 2 to 3" lenght and 1 1/2" width, it is rough like a quartz..

amydan96 Hi again,
Just wondering if I could get an opinion on some fabrics and a rug I found. I've decided to keep the walls green. I've found a fabric I like for window treatments and want to do a roman shade in the kitchen and matching panels in the family room. I also painted the brass on the fire place black, and would like to order some custom pillows to add some color to the room.

amydan96 ooops meant to post this pillow also

ann Yes, change the Sage

vickiric Before I did all the repainting I think I would put a slip cover over the couch with the new pillows. Love them. See if this helps tie the room together. I love your room, Just think it needs a few extras to tie it all together.

amydan96 one more rug idea..

amydan96 vickiric, I've also thought about just having the back cushions on the couch re-done in a new fabric to give the couch a new look. Here are some of the fabrics I've found.

vickiric I think you're doing great and heading in the right direction. If you love everything you put in the room there is no way you won't love the end result. I always get so nervous when I change wall color. But make myself finish the room before I change my mind. Some how it all seems to work in the end. Bet yours will too.

vickiric Sorry had to leave for a while. As for the wall color. I always get the things I want in the room and then pick the color from the things I want in the room. It amazes me how I then pick a color I would never have thought of to start with. So for wall color I wouldn't change it until the last. It's easier to match the paint than it is to match the decorations. You may find you still love the color it is. Just needs finishing touches to make the room perfect.

Aja Mazin mosaic tile?

eeeeeeew!!