Colours?

[1forsorrow]

Hi

I'm looking for some advice. I am hopefully moving in a few months time. I am late 60s so this is probably my last move. We are downsizing as just the two of us and we don't need two bathrooms and a downstairs loo and 4 reception rooms so looking for somewhere small but I don't want a cosy cottage look so can some of you younger ladies give me some advice.

I'm thinking of going for a neutral sofa and carpet and then jazzing it up with curtains, cushions and maybe a feature wall. I'm thinking of this as we went for a strong colour in this house and I'm sick of it but buying two new sofas plus carpet just seemed too much. If we do it with neutrals plus strong colours on the accessories I can change the emphasis more easily.

The other complication is my husband is disabled so he needs an electric riser chair. I really don't want one that looks like it's from an old people's home (too close to home) but I've seen some nice G plan ones. Do you think it looks better to go for a contrast or matching.

Do you think that is a plan? I'm thinking of a sort of oatmeal colour and maybe red accessories.

As I am expecting this to be my final home I will be going for good quality stuff and expecting it to last.

Please save me from a little old lady look. Thanks for your time.

You could try looking for colour schemes on Pinterest? I’m doing this with kitchens at the moment, but Pinterest is fab and you can create your own collection to review and help make a decision.

Thanks I'll have a look. I just know I'm going to dither because I dread the idea of people saying it's nice but going out and saying, "old lady house."

Sage and greens are really on trend and would complement oatmeal furniture and carpets nicely. You could paint the walls sage and add a couple of richer green cushions to add vibrancy.

Mixing completing neutrals could also work, I think “strong” feature walls are a bit dated now. You will be able to find colour palettes inspiration online.

I suppose it depends on what kind of house you have too, furniture will look very different in a period house with coving and high ceilings than it would in a mid-century house with low ceilings for example.

Sage sounds nice. I'll have a look around.

I didn't realise about a feature wall, that is the sort of info I need. Keeping me up to date.
Thank you.

Had a look at some things on line and I'm really liking the sage.

I think the grey trend is finally waining now, but I do think cool colours are more fashionable than warm ones. But all cool looks too cold for me.

For example, you could use oatmeal but pair it with white walls and lots of green leafy house plants?

I think colours that look too strong are also a bit dated (ie red, sorry), the look now seems to have more muted colours, such as the sage or pale pinks. Or indeed both together in a very modern style house. I think greens are probably the new grey, so would be a safe bet for a good while.

But like pp says it depends on your house style. There seems to be two contrasting camps: older character houses in strong jewel colours and very modern with lots of glass and white walls with a gazillion house plants

images.app.goo.gl/gYMXStmsSdPA84ED9

This is a lovely modern way to use oatmeal. Notice that even the accent colour of blue is cool toned though

images.app.goo.gl/RXjXkUpcUWEEKqDTA

Sage green and pink: modern twist on classic. Probably needs a big room though. And depends on how brave you feel!

(And also how frequently you seen yourself decorating!)

Oh and (sorry, last post I promise!) If you haven't got Pinterest, it's worth signing up. You can type in a string of words and pull up hundreds of related photos. Eg sage green living room will give you hundreds of options and ideas about what you can do. Save any you like and keep searching. After a while you'll see a pattern forming

MaJoady thank you so much, just the sort of guidance I need. I am really liking the jade. Had a look last night and I was thinking of white walls with sage.

The plants are no problem, my husband is obsessed with plants and we have monster house plants that he has had for nearly 40 years, don't know how many times they must have been repotted.

I'll have a look through your links now.

Oh I do quite like that pink and sage. Originally I quite fancied pink and grey but I did think that grey might have had it's day.

I've just got to

1. motivate husband to get the move going
2. sell house
3. find new house

Then I can start properly planning.

I will sign up for pinterest. I'm also going to be looking at kitchens. I want to future proof it, thinking what will I need in ten years when I'm late 70s or 15 years when I'm in my 80s. So thinking of drawers instead of cupboards, pull out larder cupboard and is a dishwasher a good idea? I've never wanted one, when the children where young standing in the kitchen listening to radio 4 with my hands in hot soapy water was therapeutic but perhaps it is worth thinking about.

I just want to get going.

A dishwasher is great. I'm on my own (with a dog) and can manage perfectly well without one, but it keeps the kitchen so tidy! I put pots and pans in, everything.

I'm a fan of houseplants too and I think the softer colours like sage already mentioned, or just plain off-white walls look lovely if you've lots of plants. Nice and calming.

PS about drawers in the kitchen. Because of funny angles in my small kitchen I could only get one drawer, under the sink. It's fantastic and makes life much easier.

If it’s only you and your dh, you could definitely get away with just a slimline dishwasher. I’m almost 50, so looking to future proof my kitchen also, as it’s better last me another 20 years! On my list is an eye level oven And a hot water tap (one dc has a joint condition and cannot loft heavy kettles also - however will she make me my cups of tea!).

FWIW, I’m considering a sage green kitchen with quartz countertops and handles less shaker cabinets.

imip I've been thinking about a hot water tap, I've got a bit of arthritis in my right hand/wrist and I suppose it will get worse. Currently responsible for elderly aunt with advanced dementia (she's in a home now but it has been a nightmare) and I keep thinking will I end up scalding myself if I start getting confused. Maybe I'm over thinking everything and considering every possible downside.

I'd quite like to do the bathroom as a wet room with a shower with just one glass wall, does that make sense? We stayed in a hotel with an en suite like that and I really liked it. DH is resistant, but then he is resistant to most of my ideas.

Yes, a friend has the tap and when drunk I’ve washed my hands In it! You can have a little lock on it to help.

We have a walk in shower. Planning ahead, perhaps you could get a seat tiles in it?

look at Pinterest for shower ideas

Enjoy getting lost in Pinterest! I've got so many boards set up for different rooms. I love it!

And definitely consider a dishwasher, even if it's just a slimline one. It's so useful and will be more so as you get older.

thank you all so much. I'm getting excited. I suppose it is odd in a way as I am planning for my deteriorating abilities but I really want it to be nice and not have people coming and thinking, "Poor old dear."

House is hopefully going on the market in time for Easter, just planning a few jobs to have it looking its best. Hope the market picks up, it seems really slow round here.