Help me get excited about my new house

[thenewaveragebear1983]

We've had a stressful few months buying a house and should complete in 2 weeks (ish) - please help me get excited! We have so much decorating to do, and a limited budget. The rooms are massive. We have a big open plan lounge/dining room which we will need to change- I'll post a pic in a minute! Currently the floor is white tiled, not our taste but has to stay. There's no lighting except halogen spots all through- also will have to stay. There's no curtains, only blinds but I want to put some up asap. Lounge is about 5m x 4m and dining room is 7m x 4 m in an L shape. I love mid century style furniture, and would really love something blue on the wall, but not a 'seaside' blue. Our sofa is large and brown leather and is currently staying but could be replaced in the future. Please help - it feels so overwhelming!

[thenewaveragebear1983]

Ok here's the pictures.

[Bluntness100]

Just don't rush, we moved two years ago, and we have done a huge amount to the house in that time, however the one thing I have learned is take your time and think it through, once you've llived there awhile you will start to understand what needs doing and be able to prioritise and not make mistakes,

Sorry I know thats not exciting,

[Thissameearth]

m.maisons-du-monde.se/UK/en/produits/fiche/mango-wood-tall-kitchen-stand-in-grey-blue-with-distressed-finish-w-75cm-avignon-121387.htm

[Bluntness100]

Sorry, just seen the pics,,,I'd paint that yellow out though,,,

[thenewaveragebear1983]

Blunt I just cannot live with the yellow. Dh wants to paint it all white, but it will feel like a dentists surgery!

[Thissameearth]

m.next.co.uk/g53996s2#100999

Next do interest free credit

[Thissameearth]

Ps nice rooms - but Jesus - Zebra couches with yellow? Zingy!

[Thissameearth]

White means you can have any colour furniture, cushions, candles, curtains...

[thenewaveragebear1983]

Thissame love that kitchen stand but dh would hate it. I really like the table though, with the mismatched chairs and the bench. That looks really 'relaxed family living' , I love it

[TheHiphopopotamus]

I agree with the previous poster about not rushing. When we moved into our new house, I had to live with the previous owners taste for heavy curtains and baroque style wallpaper for a while til I got a feel for the place.

If you really can't live with the yellow, paint it all white until you know what you want.

[Thissameearth]

Oh you literally meant blue walls I thought you meant against walls hence furniture. I am on bike at the gym and not reading properly. I would go white and brighten up with cool old coloured odds and ends that you pick up as you go along. Scandi chic. I have white walls, blue couch, pale blue, gray and cream fireplace tiles, red mix tartan chair and multicoloured odds and ends.

[thenewaveragebear1983]

I suppose a 'warm white' might work to give us chance to live in it. I'm worried we'll spend our days in this giant cold room wearing shades because it's so shiny and white. Definitely will need some lamps! I love those giant angle poise floor lamps, but I bet they give off a harsh light?

[ShebaQueen]

Those rooms are huge, lucky you OP and you should definitely be excited!

I agree with others that perhaps a blank/neutral canvas might be best (and cheapest), at least until you get a feel for the place.

[Bluntness100]

White for me is too harsh, worst case on that spectrum a warm cream. A pale oyster is usually good, maybe have a feature wall in a pale duck egg blue, or pale chocolate or something similar, depending on uour colour preferences,

Also Laura Ashley does a lovely pale dove grey which is very elegant. Depends what you are going for really in terms of personal taste.

[thenewaveragebear1983]

I was thinking blue walls, even a very dark inky blue (rather than a turquoise?) maybe with a bit of copper and mustard?

[thenewaveragebear1983]

I do love grey but I don't know if it will work with brown leather sofa (which has to stay for the time being)- I quite fancy being brave with colour in here because the room can take it (clearly, banana yellow anyone?) but don't really know where to start!
I'm currently toying with switching the two rooms as well and having our sofa/lounge by the patio doors to the garden and dining room in by the fireplace. The back part of the room is bigger and has better dimensions than the front part.

[TheHiphopopotamus]

I love the trend for the navy blue walls but I don't think I could cope in winter, I'd feel like I was living in a cave, even though our rooms are quite big.

Do you have Instagram? If so, search the #darkinteriors and #styleitdark tags for some inspiration maybe? Some great house to have a nosey look at.

[thenewaveragebear1983]

I'm not on Instagram, unfortunately. I've tried Pinterest but all I seem to find is a million 'hacks' using idea shelving units!
I assume there's such a thing as a 'warm' blue, as with whites? Perhaps a warm but dark blue?

[DorcasthePuffin]

Well, I think you should go with your instinct and do it inky blue - something like F&B stiffkey blue, or Inchyra Blue if you like it a bit greener? Yes to lots of mustard accents - have you seen that Habitat double-headed floor lamp in yellow? That would look good. Big starburst mirror on the wall, a nice mid century sideboard.

[OhTheRoses]

Give it a few weeks. I was all for covering up a conservatory/famoly area painted mustard until we were in for a month. Eventually went for a colour called "haybale". Soft straw colour. It works.

This is my 5th renovation. Sort out the really "ugh" bits but live in it through four seasons to experience the light and what really needs doing/changing.

In our present house I thought the top priority was the drawing room but with our stuff in, it worked 200% better. Don't be too hasty.

[DorcasthePuffin]

If you go on the Farrow and Ball website, you can go into the blues and scroll down to see 'customer inspiration' - photos from customers showing their handiwork. Things like this: inspiration.farrow-ball.com/itemdetails.aspx?id=3931

Or go onto PInterest and search for 'Farrow and Ball blue'. I'm suggesting F&B because I think you'll get more of the mid century look you're after.

Finally, suggest you search 'Abigail Aherne' on Pinterest. Loads of images of dark rooms.

I think it's very sensible advice to paint the room white first - just a bit of a heartsink. I painted my rooms white when we moved in, but I can't tell you the joy it gave me when I repainted our front room olive green.

[Bluntness100]

We have brown leather sofas upstairs, cream carpet and I just painted the room a pale eau de nil, which is like a pale duck egg and the blue and brown works.

Navy walls are lovely, my friend just did her bedroom in them, but be careful, it is dark and if you do it and regret it, it's a bugger to paint over. Maybe one feature wall in that colour, the rest something brighter?

[HeddaGarbled]

If you want a dark blue, best to put it on just one wall IMO and then do the rest in a lighter colour. Probably not white as that would be a bit stark but a warmer neutral. Dark brown leather is going to look hideous with dark blue but could look good with mustard and/or copper.

[thenewaveragebear1983]

Thanks all for your advice, I will look at those recommendations.

[FlouncingInAWinterWonderland]

Link to a pinterest pin with indigo walls, brown sofa and grey accessories