Feature walls

[CiderwithBuda]

I know some people think they are naff or out dated. Just wanted some view points.

We have a large living room - Edwardian house - picture rails and a large curved bay window. All decorated - paint, curtains, sofa etc three years ago. I went far too matchy on it all though and really need to introduce some colour. The walls are currently a sort of coffee colour, curtains simila with cream and black flowers, roman blinds are neutral with black trim and sofas are cream and black. I have tried colour with cushions and lampshades - currently red - but it's not enough. So I think the cheapest way to change will be to add colour on the walls.

Thinking of a greeny/aqua shade and changing lampshades and cushions too.

I saw a lovely room on Pinterest that had one wall painted a dark real colour and I wondered about painting just the chimney breast that colour.

Also wondered about if we do the whole room would it look too dark. If we go the lighter green would it just be too much. Should we do above the picture rails too?

My head is spinning!

I think leave above the picture rails and just do the teal on the chimney breast, I think that'll look nice.

I'm currently doing up mine and am having wallpaper across one wall with the chimney breasts in a teal with the other 3 walls in white.

We have feature alcoves... The walls where the chimney breast recede. The chimney breast itself is the same colour as the walls. Adds interest and depth without being too "out there" and as we have bookshelves in front of it you just see bits, looks lovely.

That sounds nice juneybean. I would love wallpaper but it wouldn't work - it's hard to describe but the corners of the chimney breasts and other corners are sort of curved with inserts.

That sounds good too Boysclothes - except our alcoves have windows in them. It's an awkward room in some ways!

We have paper just on our chimney I like it though my fireplace takes up half of it.
My friend has just her alcoves papered and thats lovely too.
Add a couple of cushions in the same colour.

I'd add lots of different colours with pictures, rugs and cushions, personally. Though I'm a fan of having everything neutral and introducing colour with other stuff mostly the toddlers toys strewn across the house sigh

Teal on the chimney breast will make it leap into the room making it feel smaller. What about a really colourful picture on the chimney breast? Not sure I like red as a contrast colour. Or teal for that matter. I would look at pops of jewel colours. I actually think your problem is the introduction of black because other single colours do not really go with it. To get over this I would maybe look at jewel coloured cushions, a bright painting and maybe bright accessories, eg a tray, vase, lamp. I would also look on Houzz. You may find lounge ideas there for a black/beige scheme. Personally I would keep it neutral with the black!

If I figure out how to out a photo up I will.

It's a big room so am not too worried about making that wall jump out.

Floor is carpeted so no rugs as don't like rugs on carpet.

There isn't a lot of black. I did have black cushions but got rid of them.

There is a big mirror over the mantelpiece but I could look for a nice picture.

Have a couple of other pictures ready to go up either side of the main window. They are of flowers and have some purple and green in so could add lime green and purple cushions maybe. Problem with that is then when we are sitting on the sofa we can't see the colours!