Need help with painting and carpet suggestions

[dibogart]

I owe a condo and want to repaint and recarpet the unit. Presently my walls throughout the unit are yellow and I'm looking for a change. My present carpet is a brownish/light gold color (don't remember the exact color and I'm looking at it right now). I have a sofa and love seat in living room that has beige background with brown, gold and thin blue stripes, teak wall unit and rocking chair. In bedroom, my bedspread is a green palsley and green curtains and I also had a teak bedroom set and desk.

Now, the problem...I don't really know what colors to change to. I was thinking of in the bedroom, going with one wall a different color than the rest. Maybe a darker ligher green for one wall and then a lighter pastel green for the other 3 walls. Ceiling would be white throughout the condo. Has anyone done this??

The living room I'm not sure. Any suggestions??? I would like colors that are neutral and long lasting since I'm not the one to keep painting every couple of years. And the carpeting...?? I would like to get a dark green carpet but don't know about the thin navy stripe in the sofa and love seat.

I know that you really don't know me but I am very conservative, but feel that I need a change in my life. Going with 2 different colors would definitely be a big FIRST for me. I would like to keep the kitchen in a bright color, since there's no windows there and I want something that feels airy. Kitchen cabinets are I guess walnut in color....my applicances are almond and kitchen table and chairs are teak....I just love teak wood as you can tell!!

Ok DODers...I am now ready for any suggestions, comments, questions, whatever you might have for me. I'm getting ready to leave for work now and will try to check back during my lunch. Or definitely, tonight when I get home.

THanks for all the help!

dibogart

PS don't really have the funds for an interior decorator...

[3tbear]

My DH and I always stick with neutrals, that is, off white, ivory, just not stark white for the walls. It always goes with everything, makes the rooms look larger, and if we ever want to change the curtains or furniture to another color, no problem. If you are a female like me, you could always stencil a border at the top all around the room. It is time consuming however. I did a stencil around my doorway leading to my living-room, it took me about 2 hours, but then again I was brand new at it. You could also get one of those wall borders. They don't cost a bundle, also look nice, many varieties. What I also do, is match the colors in my curtains to the light switch covers. You can buy pretty cool covers at say a Home Depot, any home fix-it store, not sure what's out your way. They don't cost a mint either, best part. Carpeting, don't know, have wood floors. Guess some kind of neutral, not too dark to show lint so you have to vacuum constantly, not too light to show tracked in dirt from the outside.

[bradedit]

I too, like neutral colors on the walls, I have moulding where the ceiling meets the walls and that is where I have a splash of color that blends in with my couch and pictures.

Lighter always makes the rooms look larger and brighter, although with kids, lighter carpet can be a pain!

Its sounds like you are having fun

[dibogart]

Thanks for the sugestions...I do have an archway between living room and kitchen. The stencil idea sounds interesting...is this where you just get a 3 ft stencil and paint the open area??

anyone else have any other suggestions or helpful hints???

dibogart

[mayfly]

I have dark green carpet, and I love it. It is high low carpet, which is may favorite, so the green isn't so overwhelming. Plus it always looks freshley vacummed. I always get compliments on it (though I don't know why, it needs a good cleaning).

Also I have a green couch, and a blue one, and both go great with the carpet. My walls are painting Silk Pillow- which is white with the slightest tinge of pink. You can't see it unless you really compare with the ceiling. Keeps everything open, while warming it up a bit.

Wall paper in my bedroom. no help there. My friend painted her room a soft green, and the upper 5-6'' of it she painted a cream stripe. Over that she had a flower stencil- It was BEAUTIFUL. I would love to do that someday.

Have fun!

[ILoveElf]

How about going to model homes or open house of homes for sale to see what you like.Most model houses have been done by interior decorators so your could barrow what you like for the cost of your time and gas going to look.
Look at decrating books from the library.

[dibogart]

thanks Ilove elf....that's a great suggestion...i didn't think of that...

and everyone else for their suggestions. I should really get some of my students who want to get a degree in Interior Design to come over my home and see what they come up with. Maybe I can work with their prof with a project...unfortunately, there's only 4 more weeks til the end of the semester...

I have gotten a lot of hints as to what I would like to consider...ummmm now to do some leg work.....I only have this weekend free during April...so I guess I'll start then...I have lots of vacation time, so I'll probably take off some time during the next few weeks to go around looking. Will keep everyone posted.

thanks again.

dibogart