So Wendek posted about autumn colors and it got me thinking. I don't know if I'm asking for guidance or if I'm sorta venting. I'm in the process of redecorating our bathroom and the overall look is nothing like I had envisioned. I tried to use light colors to make it "cheery" and I'm working against myself because I'm in love with the colors of autumn. It's my most favorite season and if I could have it year round I would. Fine, I'll deal with the bathroom mishap and move on. The next room to be done is the kitchen. I wanted open shelving, buttercream yellow walls, white beadboard, I guess it would be a farmhouse look? But, here I go again going against my inner self who is in love with the autumn colors. How can I use autumn colors (especially paint on walls) and not feel like we are living in a dark dungeon? Our livingroom & kitchen faces the east/south east so we get the morning sun. Is there such a thing as a shabby farmhouse style done in autumn colors w/o leaning towards the rustic style? Rustic style is 1 that I do not like (no offense to anyone) I feel really discouraged sometimes with this decorating. TIA

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mountainbeach,

Have you thought about sage green walls? Sage is a colour that can be transformed by whatever companion colour you put with it. In summer it looks cool and breezy with blue, in fall it blends with pumpkin and brown and in winter it looks warm and cozy with burgundy or wine. Kitchens can be changed easily with a few accessories such as platters on stands, canisters and dish towels. You don't need to spend a fortune as long as you keep the background neutral, and in my opinion white and green are very neutral.

If you can get a copy of Lowe's fall creative kitchen magazine, they have a coll kitchen re-do with fall colors and some blue blended in.


here is a link I found that shows 1 picture:

http://lowescreativeideas.com/...binet-crown-moulding

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mmtsh,

What about a muted warm orange color? I'll see if I can find an example of that

Here is one website and one pic

http://images.google.com/imgre...%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1

Trying again, not sure if it will let me upload the photo

My doctors office painted their rooms a sort of mango yellow that seems to change in the light. Sometimes it's orangey. Other times it's yellow but always bright, not dungeony

Along with wall colors you could change out your accessories and dishes to go with the autumn theme colors. So while still having lighter walls the other items like cushions, pictures cabinet pulls could be autumn.

(I agree, I'm not a fan of rustic which seems to be the style designers think of when doing fall colors )

Golden yellow hues and pumpkin oranges are reminiscent of Autumn and are far from room darkening. In fact, when dealing w/ a deeply saturated wall color, it's often wise to go a lighter value or a dusty version depending on the light conditions of the space. Viewing a sample board for a few days/nights is recommended. Both color families are rich, warm and inviting. As often advised, pulling a color from an inspirational print is a wise starting point. Factor in the coloration of built ins, flooring, trim and furnishings when deciding on the best wall color. BTW, Mother Nature provides perfect inspiration. Look at pics or real Autumn leaves for color cues.


Optionally, greens are neutral and span the seasons. Typically, yellow-greens are found in Fall prints. Accents of other colors from Autumn hued oranges to muted purples can act as accents when teamed with this family of greens.

Before commiting to a kitchen color, take into account your public space scheme. There should be a degree of continuity of color to pull everything together otherwise you might risk a haphazard crayon box look.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Froo Froo,

quote:

Originally posted by mountainbeach:
Is there such a thing as a shabby farmhouse style done in autumn colors w/o leaning towards the rustic style? Rustic style is 1 that I do not like (no offense to anyone) I feel really discouraged sometimes with this decorating. TIA

IMO you might use mid-tone neutral brown, gold, or sage green tones combined with (for example) cream bead board. I wouldn't use stark white with autumn colors or extremely deep or bright colors for paint. Add brighter or darker fall colors in accessories. You may need to increase your lighting if even mid-tone neutrals seem dark in your house. Depends on how much natural light you have.

Shabby style often does lean toward rustic so you have to draw your own line there.

Have a look at Nancy's Daily Dish blog and scroll to the bottom to find her many fall links. While her style is not shabby and the blog is mostly about tablescapes you might find some inspiration with colors. She does use a few rustic accessories but combined with luxurious things it elevates them to a different place IMO.

quote:

How can I use autumn colors (especially paint on walls) and not feel like we are living in a dark dungeon?

Oh there are so many gorgeous yummy colors that would be "fall" like and also bright and happy.

A coral-y orange. Find something you love like maybe a piece of fruit or a candle or a piece of fabric and have the paint store mix up a small batch for you to try out.

Fall colors encompass much more than dark dungeon colors. I'd isolate what exact fall colors you like best.

A hay color on the walls is very versatile. Slightly darker than the buttercream you mentioned, but still yellow-based and light enough to not be dungeon-like.

It moves through the seasons, and blends with many "styles." The other features in the room will determine what flavor it takes. The paint color leans more neutral.

Hay works well with whites, ivories, and soft camel in the warmer seasons, as a backdrop for the reds and greens that are frequently found in the winter seasons, and the warmer shades of persimmon, oregano green, and chocolate of fall.

Why, oh why, mountainbeach, are you fighting against what you love? Don't do that! I just does not make sense. At all. Your home should be first and foremost about what you love and enjoy.

My advice on color is that there are many places to put color in a room besides the walls. Try thinking of the paint as the VERY LAST choice that you will make for the room.

The wall color should be a back drop for what is going on in the fittings and furnishings. Try thinking through how you could make the kitchen say "fall" to you without using the walls.

Think about the cabinets, counter tops, interior of the cabinets, table, chairs, accessories, appliances etc.

Then choose a wall color that will support the idea of fall, and that will contrast nicely with your other choices.

That is the professional approach I would use.

And I'll add that one year I lived in New England and during the fall I decided to make a quilt based on all the fall color in the leaves. I actually gathered leaves and then went to the fabric store and matched fabrics to the colors I found in the leaves. Whew! There are a LOT more colors in the fall than the oranges, browns, golds etc that seem traditional. Lots of vibrant colors like hot pinks, searing reds, bright bright yellows etc. It was such an interesting study of color and reality.

quote:

BTW, Mother Nature provides perfect inspiration. Look at pics or real Autumn leaves for color cues.

My advice exactly, cocok. What better reference is there? Also, any hue value of an inspirational color can be used once matched. No reason for a dark space as Fall colors are warm or have warm undertones and there are muted, dustier hues vs. vibrant to consider.

All good suggestions. Before I read the other replies, my suggestion was going to be along the lines of a couple of them - neutral walls and the colors you love in the accessories. Autumn colors are also my favorite, but my walls are shades of tans, lt. browns, vanilla white, and sage green (except the burgandy sitting room, which I love but wouldn't do again in a next house). For my next house, I'm thinking grays, off-whites, maybe sage green, with accents of all the darker colors I love. I do know that whenever I've tried to "go against myself" as you said, such as light blue walls, it hasn't lasted. (I also think in terms of holiday decorating, and the backdrop has to work with both autumn and Christmas decorating for me, or else it doesn't make me happy.)