Thursday, January 31, 2008

Help me decide

I figured out two color schemes yesterday and now can't decide which one I like better. I started out with the 70s forest green of our couch and went from there. Our furniture is neutral, brown-black, the room has a good size and isn't crowded, and it has a large window with lots of light coming through.
Version 1: the beach colors
I chose an analogous color scheme, and grounded it with a neutral beige. I was thinking of using the blue or beige for the walls and the rest for pillows, curtains, rug, and paintings.
Version2: the drama colors
Here I used a triadic color scheme, also grounded with a beige. I would use the beige for the walls, and the rest as pillows, curtains, rug, and paintings.
In case you were wondering, the color patches are from Ralph Lauren paint.
So what do you think? I would love to here your input.
I'll be back tonight with some freebies.
Thanks, Angie aka IkeaGoddess

147 comments:

Anonymous said...

hay

i would go for the beach colours.

gr algerijntje

Lisanna said...

I vote for yellow!

Lindsay Jane said...

I would go for the beach colours! :)

Anonymous said...

I love the first colors!

*sarahm172* said...

mir gefallen die ersten farben besser, sie wirken freundlicher und harmonischer. die 2. sind mir zu duster

Crystal said...

I would go with the beach colors because they would look good in a bright room.

Jenny said...

They are both great, but I think the first color scheme is my favorite. It seems so calming. :)

Anonymous said...

i'd use the beige for the walls and yellow and other collors for pillosws and accents

ChrissyW said...

i LOVe the second set of colors and that shelf LOVE IT!

Amanda said...

I vote beach colors, but that may also becuase it's winter and those colors are bright and cheery.

Anonymous said...

I would go for beige, blue, green (obviously, haha) and orange in stead of yellow :-)

Anonymous said...

I like the one with the purple. It just seems more homey to me. The one with the yellow doesn't make me feel like I want to spend time it---yellow and blue does that to me. So it is really going to be your preference---which one makes you want to curl up with a good book and spend some time?

Anonymous said...

Well, it looks like the beach colors win!! I love them, but I probably would've voted for the other one, because that is more the colors of my home right now, with eggplant (dark burgandy) instead of the purple. My home is stucco, I live in Southern California, so there is much more of a Spanish influence in our area...plus, my floors are all Mexican Saltillo tiles and also dark hardwood. A beach look wouldn't look as good. My sil and friend have the beach color scheme...and it is very bright and cheery. Mine is more warm! They're both great, so choose some things in those colors, put them around you, and see which one makes you feel the best!!!

Anonymous said...

i vote for second set. i like warmer colors. makes me feel cozy.

denise said...

I agree with Jenny : the first colour scheme is more relaxing.
Let us know what the result is !
Denise

Anonymous said...

I vote version 2

Anonymous said...

I agree with Paula. I have not ben a huge orange fan but I like it with the other beach colors! It feels kinda retro. Good luck! I'm sure whatever you do will be beautiful!

Stephe said...

Hands down...Version #1!!

Anonymous said...

I like the first set of colors. I would keep the walls beige and use the color in your art, rugs, and fabrics.
Beware of the Ralph Lauren paints. They are difficult to get even, even when you prime. You can take the same color chip and go to a paint from Benjamin Moore or Duron and get good coverage with less coats and good even color. Do not use flat paint! Every scuff or mark shows. Go up one finish, they are called different things but I think it is satin, don't go as high as gloss, it shows every flaw under the paint. And tint your primer close to the color of your walls. You will use less paint which is much more expensive than primer. Hope you can learn from my mistakes and successes! I just finished my house and basement and love it all now that it is done. Lisa T.

Anonymous said...

ntI say beach colors! More "Happy"!!

HML said...

They are both nice, I prefer the second b/c they are warmer and I am a fall person myself.

Natalie and family said...

I like them both I really think the beige and blue from the first would look great on the walls but I like the purple and either green:) Best wishes I hope it turns out just the way you envision it:)

Millicent said...

Most definitely Version #2. #1 is not grabbing me at all.

Susanne said...

I would go for the first choice - I love light colours ;-)

If you are interested I have a new freebie in my blog today. It's a minikit in blue and beige...

Anonymous said...

i like the beach colors - blue walls would be awesome -

~ sharon

Anonymous said...

I like the second set the best. I have that green with a burgandy, darker blue, gold and a creamy beige wall color. The curtains are also in that green. We've used oak furniture so it isn't too dark.To this day I still love it.

Anonymous said...

For my own house, I would go with the beach theme, just because I think I'm kind of boring. However, if you're up for it, the drama theme looks really good too! Rich and vibrant, and I bet it would make the room feel very cozy and warm. You really can't go wrong with a beige wall, though. My living room is a beige color, with cranberry red accents in the curtains, rug, and candles to tie in with our red dining room next door.

Anne of Alamo said...

I like version 2...lol because the orangey adobe color is on my walls now...works great with plants and leather

Lor said...

I am drawn towards version 1, because they are so inviting and comforting... just as a room should be! And with a big window with lots of light! Wow! Even more inviting! Also, I'm a beach lover all the way! :) Awaiting to hear your decision Angie....

Anonymous said...

I like both! The top would go in my house very well! I have a beach type them. So if it were me I would go with the top! Hugs, Tammy

Brooke - in Oregon said...

Ha ha, looks like you are getting 'lots' of input! I think I am outnumbered but I would go for the 2nd group. You are keeping the walls beige so I would bring in COLOR, but then I LOVE color :) My entire house is done in Caramel with accents of Brick - Cocoa and Green. I am completely happy with color around me! Good luck with your choice.

Angie said...

My vote is for the beach colors as well.

Karen M in FL said...

I vote #2

Cheryl Leong said...

I love the first choice as well... but it all depends on whetehr u want a warm or cool tone :p

Megan B said...

Version #2! Ha ha! Looks like we aren't much help! Sounds like you can't go wrong!

Anonymous said...

My vote is the beach colors - I love the yellow!

Deanna said...

I vote for #2! Either one would look great though. I've had my eye on that huge shelf from IKEA forever. I love it!

Anonymous said...

Hi Angie :) I like the 2nd set of colors. The colors in the first set, the "beach" theme, just doesn't do it for me. That's my 2 cents ;)

Cheryl Leong said...

Angie, forgot to suggest to you the RED color... why not add some interesting red to your color scheme? I am sure it will brihgten the house

katg1006 said...

I personally like the beach colors but with the furniture I would have to say that the second set would look best.

Melissa said...

Someone else mentioned the beach colors with an orange instead of the yellow... I LOVE that idea.... :)

Anonymous said...

oooooo! Beachy colours! They look great!

Ledyn said...

I definitely like the first color scheme.. But instead of the yellow i would use the orange for small things!

Unknown said...

I personally like the 2nd set, but they are both nice!

Anonymous said...

beach colors but with small accents of the red/orange color added in (a stripe on a pillow, a vase filled with flowers, etc). the beach colors are definitely calming and soothing (aaaaahhhh....I feel relaxed just thinking about a room filled with them) - but a dash of the red would add just a little hint of energy and excitement - a visual spice so to speak.

either way the colors are great! Have fun!!

Bonnie said...

I like the first set of colors better, they seem very tranquil.

Anonymous said...

Since you asked, I would go with option 1; but wouldn't put any blue on your walls unless you use it on just one sponged on as an accent wall.

We had a blue room when we moved into our house and it was horrible -- it made the room seem so much smaller.

Chrissy said...

I vote for #2. I have that brick color on my bedroom walls with a gold, green and brick duvet cover. It gives such a warm and cozy feeling. good luck!

Ryan said...

my vote is for the drama colors - I love the rich feel!

Annie said...

I think this is a situation where you can't go wrong, they are both great combinations.

For me, I would pick the beach colors, because it is just more what I personally would choose and use. But I can imagine going into someone's house with the drama colors and thinking, wow, this is gorgeous.

:P Annie

Anonymous said...

I would totally go for the first set. very nice!

Randi~Dukes and Duchesses said...

I love the second option, but I really like rich colors like that. The first option is good too although I don't like that shade of green with the blue and yellow ... I think it needs to be lighter. It also depends on the look you want ... the first colors are more soothing but the second colors are warm. Good luck! And thanks for all your awesome research on freebies!

Serena said...

I like the second set!! But I'm weird.. hee.

ghostgals said...

I vote #2

Anonymous said...

I am very drawn to that first yellow. But I think the second palette works better together than the first one. Good luck on it!

Brittney said...

Whoa! So many comments. I love version 2. the drama colors.

Anonymous said...

I definately like the triadic colors. I think that the room would be more stunning. The colors would work better for accenting than the beach colors. I think the beach colors would all run together and look a little blah personally!

Danielle Roe said...

Wow they are both great... the first is more summery, the second more wintery. So I don't think you can go wrong either way... but I like the brighter summery one myself!

Anonymous said...

Go for the Drama. It's richer looking and goes better with the forest green. Or you could always slip cover the couch and use whatever color scheme you love.

Good Luck with the new house!

Anonymous said...

Definately the first colour scheme gets my vote!

Anonymous said...

I say the first group. i love that blue!

Nicole said...

Delurking to say that I really like the first colors

Anonymous said...

Hallo!!
Schön Dir mal helfen zu können, wo Du sonst immer mir mir der tollen Freebiesauswahl hilfst!
DafĂĽr erstmal ein riesen DANKE!!!

Und dann eindeutig die Beach-Farben!

Liebe GrĂĽĂźe
mauseturppe

Anonymous said...

I vote for the drama colours

Karidan Kaye said...

The first colors... beach colors.. I like the more dramatic colors for bedrooms!!

kyra said...

drama colors; that orange is so great. also, you said you used ralph lauren paint swatches for reference, but i have only had bad experiences with the paint. it never mixes to the color you want; i tried to get a beige like the ones in your photographs, and i turned out so pink! we ended up going with a different brand after several unsuccessful attempts to get the colors right.

Anonymous said...

Definitely the drama colors!! The blue and yellow are beach-y and the green is forest-y; to me, they just don't seem to work together--like skiing in a swimsuit LOL. The drama colors reach out and give your eyes something to appreciate. I'm glad that you're color-courageous.

Natasha said...

I vote for the beach colors!

Anonymous said...

it's safe to go for the beach but i think the drama scheme would be more dynamic!

Anonymous said...

beach, beach, beach

Anonymous said...

I'd go for the beach theme... love the color combination! Good Luck!!! :)

Anonymous said...

Beach colors...you will be more likely to regret your decision later as trends change!

D said...

I vote for the beach colors with the blue on the walls.

Anonymous said...

Hi
I really like the first set of colours. They will give you a fresh, clean feel. The room will also appear larger since they are cool tones. The yellow will help brighten any gloomy day. I have a similar beige colour running threw my whole house (Benjamin Moore paint "Natural Linen" Canadian paint) which I have matched up with navy, white, orange, blue-green in various different rooms.
Just make sure your beige is not too cool, or it will turn sterile looking.
The second set of colours will give you a cozier feel, but purple can be very eye tiring if used to much. These colours will give you a tribal ("Afghan" feel).
But I vote for the first since those are colours I would want.
Have fun you can always paint a patch and see if you like it, I always try neutral on the walls because then I can change decor. Though I have repainted more than I needed to. ha ha ha

yo

Anonymous said...

I like the drama. Seems to match your personality better and is more modern.

Anonymous said...

I always love analogous color schemes so I'd have to go with #1.

Ramie :-) said...

I say the 2nd set!

Anonymous said...

Beach colors!

Anonymous said...

I would go for the "drama" colours. What you said. Beige for the walls and the rest (above all the purple) for curtains etc. Good luck :-D

Anonymous said...

Version #2!!! Go for the Drama!

Anonymous said...

I think the beach colors are the ones for sure...the others sort of make me think of sports. Good luck and I can't wait to see what you decide!

Anonymous said...

I like the beach colors...

Anonymous said...

I'm the first one, beach colors.

Jacinda said...

I like the first colour scheme best. More elegant I think.

Anonymous said...

He, I like the first one best because it goes with all seasons, the second one gives me more of a winterish feeling, hope this helps..
XX Gon

Katie said...

I do like them both, but the first set/ beach colors feel far more calming to me than the second set. Can't wait to see what you decide!

Rosebelle said...

I like the first version best!
Good Luck whith what ever you deside.

Anonymous said...

vesrion 2 !!!! no blue, it's better.

Anonymous said...

I like the drama colors, and if your room has lots of light the dark colors shouldn't make the room feel smaller.

Anonymous said...

I love the first colors. although I like orange as well.

elnorac said...

Okay, so this might sound weird, but I'm not crazy about either set. However, if those were my only choices, I'd go with Version 2. The first one seems blah to me. But I'm one of those monochrome gals; our house is all beige and ivory, so what the heck do I know???? LOL. Hope you come up with a combo you like and won't tire of easily. That's all that really matters.

Sara said...

I vote for #2

Michelle Powell said...

I think brown/black furniture would look better with the rich "drama" colors.

fun2educate said...

I love the second one b/c it seems so happy and bright! Looks as if people full of life would live in a room with these colors.

Naomi said...

I like the first option, with beige on the walls and the other colors as accents. Great choices.

kikitsak said...

the first combo definetely :)

Paige said...

Version 2--I like version one, but it seems kind of stale, like it's been done in magazines a lot , the whole brown and blue thing was so hot last season. I love Version 2 b/c it seems really fresh and the purple and orange are very energentic. I say #2. I'm sure it will be great no matter what. I love all the colors, but my true opinion is #2.

Anonymous said...

I vote for the beach colours.

Anonymous said...

Hi! I like the first scheme better. Hugs!!

Anonymous said...

I love both palettes; I think the beach colors would be conducive to a more restful environment, while the other combo would give your space a more energized feel, so you might want to consider what mood you'd prefer the room to have. (I'd be having trouble myself, picking between the two!)

Kristen said...

I love the orange scheme!

Anonymous said...

Ich würde bei beigen Wänden die beach-colours für Frühling/sommer verwenden, im Herbst und winter die Kissen, Teppiche usw. tauschen zu dem zweiten Farbschema, weil es wärmer wirkt.

lg von scraphannah

Jaye said...

I would ALWAYS recommend a neutral for the wall color, then you change all the accent stuff when you tire of it! It's the smart way to go
:D

Anonymous said...

Beach colours!

timounette said...

The second one for me...
They are much brighty

Anonymous said...

I like beach colours

Anonymous said...

Mein Favorit ist auch die erste Version! Allerdings wäre ich für gelbe Wände, mit entweder grünen akzenten oder auch beigen.
Wir haben selbst viele Wände in Gelb und es ist einfach so sonnig!
Wir haben allerdings fast ĂĽberall eine Kontrastfarbe entweder an einer Wand oder als Sockkel auf ca 1 m eingestrichen.

Anonymous said...

I am an Aussie girl so I really like the beach colours too!!
Kirsten

Julie said...

I vote for the 2nd version! Love the richness of the colors! And if you like candles *L* like I do you could go with so many yummy scents that would have colors to match also. *L* Like coffee....vanilla...woodsy scents

Anonymous said...

The first colors (blue & yellow) look happier to me, so that would be my choice. Janet

Esther Andrews said...

I love them both! The beach colors are calming, the second is dramatic and elegant. I'd usually go for beach and blue, but I love that orange and purple! Do you want to be calm or dramatic?!

Anonymous said...

I think version 1 would make your house feel brighter and airy. I've got those collors at my house and love it!
Good luck!

Anonymous said...

I´m a interior arcitect and I would have gone formore whiter than the beige - that for me is a bit grey ( and I love that) but its to much color anyway - a bit more whiter would make it lighter and then the orange color - that are lovely, and very nice to the green on ONE wall - use it in one way in the cortins ( I would look for the curtins BEFORE I paint - its harder to find curtins than paint!!!) and pillows and rather use the other colors in more smalers details in the room - they are all very lovely colors - but I think I would have shousen only ONE main color and then spred the other colors in smal details!!!
Looking forward to see it all finish!!!
Love Josefin

Anonymous said...

Oh, I wanted to pass on that when I used RL paint, I was not happy with it at all - I used a lot more in a smaller space than anything else I've ever used. My sil had the same problem. Janet

Christy said...

I like version2!

Anonymous said...

I love the drama of the Version 2 colors! To me, the top set seems a little drab. But then I'm not a huge fan of yellow. Go with what you really like and want in YOUR home. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

The first scheme looks more balanced. You can use dark furniture with it in case you get more IKEA stuff.

Anonymous said...

Iam all about the drama colors. I think they have more impact since you will be using them as accent only. Id be afraid the yellow would be too washed out fighting agaisnt the beige
I have to agree with the comment on the Ralph Lauren paint. I have painted a million times and it is the most difficult paint I have ever worked with.

StarWarsFans said...

Definitely the beach colors. Plus, you could have so much fun with that theme!

Cristina said...

I vote for beach colors

Gina.Maria said...

If you're not going to slipcover the couch (that's what I'd do if I had a forest green couch) then the second set of colors would look best. I think it's bold and exciting and doesn't make the green stand out as much as the muted colors of the first pallette.

Ramalka said...

I vote for the beach colors, as I'll be in the same step as you though after I'll choose the furniture from Ikea lol: ;)

But we have the ceiling blue (lighter then you have in your color scheme) and the walls are yellow, it looks really great and as we have a very big living-room with 3 windows and big frech window it made the room little bit smaller but we needed that. And I though about similar type of furniture and about the beige for the curtains and pillows (pillows alaso in yellow and blue) and the green one is really great idea I had to think about that one. Cause I was thinking about red tone for the sofa ;)

Good luck with your choice ;) but I think taht both color schemes look really great but beach version is warmer and more positive for me.

Shandy said...

oh how fun!! ok.. I personally like the beach colors - it'll be so refreshing (that blue is gorgeous!!) and I can NOT wait to see your finished room!
good luck!

Lisa said...

Version 2.....I'm a bolder kinda gal!

Anonymous said...

Wow - you got lots of opinions already! I like both schemes. I think the first one is calm and the second one is energetic. What "feel" do you want?

alexandra said...

ganz eindeutig die erste version. die gefällt mir viel besser!

Jason & Kelli West said...

beach colors!!

Cindi said...

I like #2. It's colors make me feel good as opposed to #1 are just nice together....

Anonymous said...

Okay I am back

I kept thinking about my earlier post & was thinking that I didn't take into account the green sofa, which depending on its size relation to the rest of the room could almost act like a second room colour.
So I searched IKEA canada for fabrics because that's where I start (with a pattern I like) there was in the fabric section under textiles a Hedvig fabric that has scalloped colours & Elisabet (Neither really said I gotta have it but you might be able to pull your colours from the prints).
I found some pictures that might work, it is the Pjatteryd framed artwork with the green pussy willows.
Okay, I also googled green colour schemes and found this website

http://www.colorcombos.com/forest-green-color-schemes.html

3 schemes which had some orange, light blue, black CHECK IT OUT

I REALLY like some of their color combinations and may be more suited with your black & white kitchen picture you have posted. You can still go neutral on the walls & work the colors in.

Hope this was a help

yo

Anonymous said...

I might be too late to vote but I love the drama colors.
Lauren

Anonymous said...

Now that i've seen the Green Monster, I'd go with the DRAMA colors.

Kelly

Anonymous said...

definately the beach colors

Anonymous said...

I think I would go with the beach colrs.

Anonymous said...

I would go for the beach colours. I had to laugh when I saw the picture of your living room.......thought you were in mine. I have the same sectional!!! Mine is gray/black, got it for free and have paint chips taped behind it at the moment.

Anonymous said...

I love the beach colors.
I would use the beige color for walls and anything else for accent.

Anonymous said...

I like the drama colors...warmer:)
Krista

Anonymous said...

angie,

I LOVE the drama colors!! I like warm, cozy colors. Good luck!

Sonia said...

I like them both and to be honest can't pick one, good luck!

Anonymous said...

Hi Angie--I like the 2nd group and I might put the adobe/clay color on the walls.

We painted most of our house recently--and discovered Devine Paint. It's fabulous and goes on like yogurt. Excellent coverage, no spatter, and very little smell. Plus you can buy little sample pouches so you can try it out first on the wall. We picked a wall in the kitchen in five or six different ones and then spent week or so watching it in the different light/times of day. We loved it--it's just yummy. Here's the site: http://www.devinecolor.com/

Good luck :)

Lilaclady said...

ok, I am a bit late, but my choice would be the Drama...I personally would do one feature wall in the purple and have your knick nacks/cushions etc in a mix of the 3 colours with the biege for the rest of the walls. Have fun! :)
and thank you for all your hard work finding and posting the freebies!
Have a great weekend! :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Angie - I would recommend the Beach color scheme, but I am just a guy, so my opinion usually doesn't get to count.

Lots of Love. Amy W's Dadoo :)

Tracy Blankenship said...

lol....lots of opinions...so I might as well throw mine in...I vote dramatic! woohoooo! go girl go!

and your couch is not bad at all..does look quite comfy and stains disappear??!?!?!? I want one,lol!
hugs
Tracy

Yin said...

I say beach!

Anonymous said...

LOVE the Beach colors!
Desiree :)

Anonymous said...

Beach, baby!! :)

Kim B said...

Just catching up-LOL
I love the Drama colour scheme- love the touch of purple with the warm orange-
Good luck with the choices

Hugs

Crazee Daizee said...

Definately the beach colours. I have this unit in my living room and is goes so well with my colour scheme of aqua blue, dark brown and mid brown