"I think it looks a little dull." Oh DO you, DH?? Do you REALLY! ffs

[SagaNorensLeatherTrousers]

Goddamnit.

So, DH and I have just bought a fixer-upper mid-terrace that needs a lot of TLC.

Since Day 1, DH has said he's stepping back when it comes to decorating. Ha bloody ha! They always say that, don't they?

So I have put a lot, and I mean A LOT of thought into colour schemes. Something warm, inviting, will not box in our tiny lounge, incorporates his style, my style, furniture we can't yet afford to replace, the dark wooden floors I really, really want (and persuaded him to save up for instead of the 1970's cheapo carpet he had in mind ), etc. etc.

I've spent hours on Pinterest, Houzz, and home decor blogs trying to get inspiration and insight into what we could paint our walls to turn it into the living room from which dreams are made.

I finally narrowed it down to some lovely, wispy grey Dulux colours and picked up the strips today to excitedly show DH.

His verdict? Dull.

Dull. Dull. Dull.

So, 'What did you have in mind, then?' I ask through gritted teeth. He doesn't "really know."

I explain going bold will shrink the room. Going neutral (beige, cream, taupe) is not us.

He agrees.

I show him Pinterest boards with my inspiration rooms pinned on. Bold pops of colour, floor pillows, walls with grey that look lush and fill me with glee.

Oh Christ I can't even be bothered to finish this rant. Basically he's back-peddled but the word DULL is ringing in my ears.

Back to the drawing board. Has anyone looked at grey paints lately and seen something with a blueish hue to it? I'm thinking if I can find a jazzed up grey it might conjure up a little enthusiasm on DH's behalf.

You and your family will make it all those things. CHoose colours and furnishings you love and that mean something to you and forget trends. Get the basics done really well so that you don't need to worry about wear and tear and then enjoy it

Designers Guild do a lovely bright apple green. We have it in the upstairs sitting room with a cream carpet. Our hall & landings are all Slate III by the Paint Library. We have had that colour since 2002, reprinting every 3 years or so.

We have dark furniture and wood floors and went for an autumn gold colour. Excuse the mess in the pic, was way too lazy to get up and tidy

It's a big room and the colour is lovely and warm and accentuates the dark furniture nicely. Lots of colours look good with it so you can have fun accessorising too

What about some Navy blue. Search it on Pinterest. White wood dark floor white shutters...

I do love the smoky/navy blues but I do worry it will box us in. I need to Pinterest small lounges with dark walls and see if I can get my nerve up.

Love the gold colour above. I'm now rethinking all of my choices as I would love to evoke a warm, sunset hue a la Margot.

Navy looks amazing inthe right room. I had a very dark living room in my last house f and b Brinjal it had a real Moroccan feel and was a lovely contrast to the rest of the house ESP at night with candles and the fire lit.

Ooh I have an idea!! What about I take photos of the room today before we move our stuff in this weekend. You can all see the dimensions, the light, the window, the feature wall, and then whoever wants to can give me ideas for paint!!!! PLEASE??

I am begging you all.

Brinjal is gorgeous.

You are foolish for asking him,
personally the only taste my dh has had was marrying me !
So do what you planned he will like the result most men lack vision when it comes to decorating ,unless of I course they agree with you.

Dh didn't 'mind' what colour to paint our kitchen/diner.

We ended up with so many testers ('I'm not having a battleship grey kitchen' says the person who didn't mind) I ended up on first name terms and on the Christmas card list of the local paint shop.

And the paint he dubbed as battleship grey WASN'T EVEN GREY. I was starting to doubt my own sanity at one point.

When our decorator came to paint the room he was scratching his head at how on earth to cover up the 20 testers all over the walls

Actually I think he's right. It is dull unless I can find the right shade for the space. This thread has opened my eyes!

I don't think grey is dull - I have some grey rooms and the grey is merely a backdrop. Not everything in a room should be shouting.

I like grey but it does seem to be very popular atm.

Bonsoir it is a bit like putting outfits together ;)

I love grey clothes but would never put it on my walls as it would spark off my depression.

DP won a recent paint argument re how dark the greyish green in the kitchen should be. We now have one unused end of the kitchen which is so dark and depressing we use it to punish DS with.

I put up bright pictures and added a brighter lightbulb to no avail. DP won't back down, the darker green looks great, so what if nobody ever uses half our kitchen as its about as inviting as a train tunnel.

Boo hoo. I will only ever sanction cheerful colours from now on.

Saga you've made my day - I've never been a guru before .

MorrisZapp - you're right. You know when you look out of the window on an awful day and think "Look at that miserable grey sky, how depressing," why surround yourself with it in the house?!

noddy - yes, like any aesthetic or creative endeavour.

Digressing, but I went to the Dries Van Noten exhibition in Paris last Friday and adored it. Highly recommend!

Margot when thinking about all this last night I had EXACTLY the same thought about miserable grey weather. Then we took the dog for a walk and there was the most beautiful sunset which made me realise I really want to go totally warm.

LaurieFairyCake

Could you point me in the direction of some photos of rooms decorated in warm pewter? I'm also having problems with DH thinking it will be too dark for our living room.

Thanks

Saga I nearly posted a picture last night of the living room looking all inviting, warm and softly lit, complete with sleeping (golden!) dog but I realised it would totally out me.

Why don't you upload some photos as you suggested, on a new thread, and see what people come up with?

Yes I think I will! We're headed there now to measure up for the flooring and stuff so I will take photos. I'd love to see your lounge. Would you be up for emailing me privately if I PM you my email? If not, no worries. I can imagine what it looks like!

I think uploading the pictures on a new thread is a good idea.

here is a room in the F&B Dutch Pink I mentioned earlier. It's not a true pink at all, and a very inviting warm colour.

Yes, no problem. I'll have to tidy up first so might not get it to you today! It'd be funny if I actually know you and it still outed me.