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Design Merge: How Do You Pull off Traditional Furnishings to Get Closer to "Spa"?

By
Industry Observer

I need some design help, or inspiration, or hand-holding. :-)

I hope to be in a new, much smaller space in a few weeks, hopefully a condo, but perhaps an apartment while I find the perfect new space for my family, closer to all things work/school/play than my current suburban home in Northwest Austin.

If I had to start from scratch, with no furnishings at all, I would go for a very clean look with straight lines, black or dark brown casegoods, and subtle, soothing colors on the walls that make me think "spa", like sublte blue-greys, or pale greens, maybe a nice neutral lavender-grey. Mixed with pops of color, and textiles with more texture than pattern.

Starting with what I'm keeping, however, I need wall colors that work with more traditionally styled dark cherry chests and cabinets, creme marfil marble (ivory) and black. Dark brown hand-scraped floors, travertine, white cabinets.

Been there, done that with gold/beige/tans, and am so excited to try some new colors.

So, what color would you put on the walls to make it seem more updated, serene . . . (I'll be using the Aura Matte paint from Benjamin Moore).

So, staging professionals out there, here is your opportunity to link in some of your work - articles on your blogs, articles on ActiveRain, anywhere . . . relating to my question, or not.

Put your links in the comments, and I'll move them up here to help showcase your business!

And Austin real estate pros - who do you recommend in Austin for pickiing paint colors?

Ironically, I pick 'em just fine for other people, but I just can't seem to get my head around my own!!!

And, I'll post before-and-after photos, and give credit where credit is due, including links from anywhere else photos are shared.

 

Peggy Hughes/pha logistix, inc.
pha logistix inc - San Francisco, CA
SF NYC LA

Hi Alison... good luck with your upcoming move!  If it were me, I'd pick something that was gray-green to pop the cherry color of your furniture. I don't have a Benjamin More fan deck, but in looking at my Kelly More fan deck, I'd choose KM 3410-1 called Villa Nova and I'd ask them to add a drop of black to the mix.

Jun 27, 2011 06:59 AM
Allen 2222
Austin, TX

Hi Peggy - I have both decks, so I'll go check that color out! Thank you!!!!!

Do you happen to know the color "silver sage" from Restoration Hardware?

We did it in the house shown in one of the pix on my profile . .  . would that look good with the cherry? LOVE LOVE LOVE that color.

 

Jun 27, 2011 07:18 AM
Allen 2222
Austin, TX

Oooh, just pulled out the Villa Nova - beautiful! I need to go get a sample and make up a board. That is exactly the type of color I had in mind!!

Especially since my daughter's room is going to be dark purple and black paint. Teens, sheesh.

Jun 27, 2011 07:24 AM
Christine Smith
Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com - Canton, MA
Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA

Alison....not sure about you but I have found that my tastes have changed over the years!  I don't have much advice for you but I wanted to see what the "professionals" had to say!

Jun 27, 2011 08:53 AM
Allen 2222
Austin, TX

Hi Christine - hoo boy don't they? I remember when I wanted a americana/primitive look with hand-hooked rugs, raggedy dolls, old metal stuff, peeling paint. Still love that when someone with really good antiques and a good eye puts it together, but mine always looked "early american yard sale". :-)

Now, I just don't want anything "extra" - just what we USE. 

Y'all are going to get tired of my moving posts! :-)

Jun 27, 2011 01:26 PM
Gwynn Carpenter
Gwynn Teal Carpenter-Broker: Home and Hearth Realty (Austin) - Austin, TX
: Broker, Home & Hearth Realty (512)467-6191

 

Alison: I have a suggestion for you...call a couple of the stagers in town and see what they might suggest for you. I suggested to friends of mine (who have good taste) they might call a stager to re-set furniture and color in their home as they spruce it up. Looking forward to the suggestions you get.

Jun 30, 2011 03:27 PM
Allen 2222
Austin, TX

Hi Gwynn - could ypou send me the contact info for some stagers you've worked with? I have a listing coming up that needs it, too!  Thanks!

Jun 30, 2011 03:30 PM
Gwynn Carpenter
Gwynn Teal Carpenter-Broker: Home and Hearth Realty (Austin) - Austin, TX
: Broker, Home & Hearth Realty (512)467-6191

 

Alison: I must admit I have not worked with stagers to do homes ... I've been fortunate to have sellers with good taste - but a friend of mine is Nancy Wesson (see Feng Shui's homes as well)...she teaches at the Board frequently. I'll send you her contact info outside of AR.

Jul 02, 2011 04:37 AM
Allen 2222
Austin, TX

Thank you!

Jul 02, 2011 03:16 PM