Natwerk Designs

Any interior design help out there?

Hi - please help! The white, cream, beige and brown is really starting to depress me... sorry to be so melodramatic but it really is! I want to inject some deep bold colours but i don't know where to start! Do i get the curtains first? The bedlinen/cushions? The walls painted? Then i don't know where to inject the colour... Do i have the colour on the curtains? The walls? Or do i keep them neutral and put the colour on the sheets etc? Then i don't know about patterns... Do i keep the curtains one main colour, then pattern on the bedsheets? Or what about wallpaper? Does anyone know any golden rules? Maybe you know a website or forum that is amazing? Maybe i should just throw a few thousand at it and get someone in to do it? Please help...

Public Comments

1. if everything matches why not paint one of the walls a bright loud colour ,like red, and match curtains
2. Its really gratifying to do it yourself. I would start with going somewhere they sell paint and getting some paint chips of some colors you like. Bring them home, take them to the room that you want to change and envision what each one would look like. After you choose the color you want and get the walls painted I would then go shopping for curtains decor etc to go with the walls. You could take the paint sample with you and compare it! You could also try choosing a theme for your room like beach, asian, tuscan etc. I have all of those themes in different rooms in my house. Its really fun finding things that compliment the look Im going for!
3. i think you could spend your money better just doing it yourself. most people can figure it all out themselves once they have a good starting point. what i suggest is finding curtains, a bedset, a table, wallpaper pattern, etc., find something in the color scheme you want, something you REALLY REALLY like, then get inspired from there. if its a print, pick out certain colors in the pattern you particularly like and bring that out with accessories in the same color family ((doesnt necessarily have to be EXACT same shade--monocromatic is a nice touch)). as for patterns and prints, i think youll have a good idea of when its just too much. patterns can be mixed and matched--everything doesnt have to be solid--but make sure its all unifying to the whole 'look' and doesnt create busy pieces which separate the room. look through some home and garden sites/magazines for inspiration. go to home furnishing stores, second hand stores, garage sales, and craft stores. ((try a new technique like mosiac tiling on the top of a used table. use tiles with colors you would like to decorate in and create a pattern/design. osmething that simple could be the focal point for everything else you buy to accent it)) back to the original point, find something youre in love with and design with things that compliment it. im sure youll do great once you get that first light bulb
4. man, you sound lost! i think the best way for you to get "unlost" is to find one thing you reeeeeeally love, and go from there. it would be easier if the thing you love is large, like a paint color, curtains or bedspread or large piece of artwork. that will make it a lot easier to base other things around that one item. once you commit to it, you will have a jumping off point and not be so confused by all your options. in my place, for instance, i have a silk bedspread that is black with dark purples and reds. i then found a dark purple velvet love seat and red velvet chair. i used black and dark stained wood furniture and have a few unexpected items (lamps and large candles) in a bold chartreusse green which are complemented by lots of plants. the look is tied together without being too match-y. as for general rules: too much of too dark a color will make a space seem smaller. the opposite is also true (lighter colors = more spacious). don't feel the need to match things exactly. this is just my personal preference, but linens that match curtains, for example, make me cringe. it's okay to mix patterns. as a general rule, they should either be similar (in content and color) OR one should be much bolder than the other (in color or drama/size of pattern) consider your lighting. overhead lighting is often very harsh, while some well placed lamps will give you the option of snuggling down in a corner and is over-all more homey. lastly, i would not suggest hiring someone...don't you want the space to reflect YOU? and because you are new to this, it might be a good idea not to start with painting. choosing wall colors to optically achieve your goals is difficult without experience in what effect the shade will have on your room, and also because the color will not always appear the way the sample did once you get in one your wall. since you have neutral walls, i suggest changing art, linens, curtains/shades/drapes and accessories (lamps, knick knacks, cushions, etc), which are easily returnable and exchangeable in a way that a painted wall is not! GOOD LUCK! have fun with it! ps. i think theme rooms are lame for a grown adult. ;>
5. Select one wall in your room. Paint that wall *one* of the following colors: Deep brick red, Burgundy, olive green or deep teal blue. If there is a window on that wall, put heavy velvet draperies of the same color as the wall, and underneath put crushed silk sheers in cream. Put some accents of that wall color as throw pillows on the couch, vases, candle holders and candles. If that does not give your room some pizazz, nothing will.
6. I always found it easier to choose a fabric first. Go shopping at local stores and find a bedspread you love and pull your wall color from there (paint stores can match the exact color if you bring in a photo or piece of the fabric.) I always went by the rule that if your bedspread/comforter has a pattern (floral, damask, toile, etc.) then your curtains should be solid to keep the room from looking too busy. If your bedding is neutral, a patterned curtain fabric would look great. Also, if your bedding is solid, a good way to add color is with throw pillows. Throw pillows are great cause you can get as funky and fun with them as you want. Another great way to inject color is with artwork and accessories. If you are going for an organic/natural look, choose prints with leaves or branches in earthy tones. If your style is urban, find some cool urban architecture prints. Flowers make any room look gorgeous and a little more "designer," so don't forget to pick some cool vases with colorful flowers. Lampshades are a good way to get some color in as well. Get a black or bronze lamp so that it will go with any lamp shade you ever choose to get. It is always good to find inspiration before starting your decorating. It can be overwhelming so laying out a general plan and getting a feel for what your style is will help tons! Some websites that may get your creative juices flowing: http://ratemyspace.hgtv.com/SNC/Main.aspx?pguid=6db6be3f-1720-4ba3-a081-999042c09b6b www.hgtv.com www.housebeautiful.com www.cottageliving.com http://www.traditionalhome.com/ http://www.oprah.com/magazine/oathome
7. Wow...you've got a lot of questions. I think the easiest way for you to makeover your bedroom is to steal ideas from pictures of well designed rooms. I added two links that should provide you with a diverse array of styles. Browse through, find a room you love and analyze what it is that you love about it. If you love the whole room then copy that room as much as you can. The wall color, linens, lamps, window treatments, etc... Make a list of the items you will need to reproduce that room. The internet will be your bestfriend in your search. The room you love might have a $9000 bed. I'll assume that is a little ridiculous for your pocketbook. So dissect what it is about the bed. Is it mainly a huge headboard, if so you can purchase a moderately, or even cheap version online (or you can make your own). If the end tables are very pricey, analyze what it is that is so great about them. Are they all mirrored? Are they very large scale, very formal. Search the internet and stores for a similar look. Are the curtains floor to ceiling, then buy floor to ceiling curtains, not a valance.... To be honest there are "rules" about decorating, but the funny thing is that sometimes the best designed rooms look that way because they broke the rules. You'll be amazed what you can do if you take a more analytical approach towards design. Don't get stuck on "should the pattern be in the comforter, etc. Good luck! Have fun. http://decoratinggallery.bhg.com/Category.aspx?RoomTypeID=b41159d5-bf9d-409e-815c-9eb21ca7786f&IID=07581401-4a0b-4d4f-b2da-5b0003227a8b http://www.dominomag.com/galleries/rooms/bedroom/search