So I really really need to whip the office into shape. Ben is planning to move his stuff ‘n’ things downstairs to make room for new baby plus old baby plus a guest room upstairs, but we’re a ways away from making the former dining room into a functional office. Namely we desperately need to figure out how to fit doors to our double wide entry that opens into yet another door, but considering that conundrum is giving me a headache so instead I bought some pretty shelves. Behold.
Nice, yes? They’re solid mahogany so the whippersnappers can’t flip them over whilst riding tricycles through the house. Also, I like that they offer some closed storage down low. But that color is barfaroni and I must decide what color to paint them. To give you an idea of what’s going on with the rest of that wall, I’m planning to add sconces to either side of the painting, toss in some pillows, and get rid of that monstrous coffee table.
I know. I know. I’ve been threatening to get rid of it for two months, but this time I really mean it. IT HAS TO GO THIS WEEKEND OR I MIGHT DIE.
Not that I am feeling melodramatic about the situation or anything. Anyway, if you recall my original plan was to install built in shelves around the sofa and paint them wall color, like so:
But then my buddy Christian suggested I get a pair of vintage brass etageres to avoid constructing a box around my already boxy sofa.
Yes, these would do nicely. The problem is that the office is very tiny and dimensions are tight — I just couldn’t find anything that would fit. Oh, and the other problem is budget — the pair of shelves I purchased cost less than a third of one vintage etagere. Not having to double mortgage your home to buy one shelf = priceless.
So back to the matter at hand: what color should I paint the shelves that I already bought? I confess to having a certain yearning for a corally salmon color, like this:
But then I reminded myself that this is to be a man’s office, and it’s already bad enough that I have a giant painting of a girly lady hanging front and center. (Not that this guilt will stop me from buying some pillows in that delicious color…)
Also, these guys are a little hulking. I think it’s best to choose something darkish that recedes into the wall… And although antique gold is still appealing, perhaps I ought just go with the wall color (Dark Harbor) in a gloss finish, as per the original plan? Karly thinks so.
Other choices might go a little something like this:
On the left is Black Iron (same color as our banister trim), and on the right is City Shadow (cool gray with maybe a hint of purple).
Ok guys. My job here is done. I’m tired of looking at paint colors, so it’s your turn.
What should I do?
[Inspiration images via Maison 21's pinterest]
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Why not pick up some of the color in the wood framing of the sofa in the shelves . . . Think it would look great with the Coral pillows you are planning on adding to the sofa.
Oh, dilemmas. First of all, how cool are those shelves? Lucky you for finding those as they seem to be the perfect size, and I love how they’re rocking the faux bamboo which adds a little something-something to the mod sofa. But, what color to paint?? I might go with the Black Iron in a high gloss so they recede but don’t totally fade into the wall color. Then paint that existing hardware brass/gold or get new shiny brass pulls if you prefer. Sexy. Can’t wait to see them all styled up!
What finish are you thinking? If you did high gloss or semi-gloss, you might see if Sanders could mix up a slightly lighter version of the wall paint, then they would blend in plus shine at the same time. Or you could try high gloss gold paint (like metallic ceiling paint) for a brass-esque finish, though I think there’s a lot of room for disaster in that approach (based on my own experiences). ORRRR you could bring them to an auto-body shop and get a sprayed on brash finish…
I was indeed thinking gloss or semigloss — probably with a wipe on poly finish.
If they were totally open (no enclosed bottom shelf), I might be more tempted to paint them gold/brass/bronze. But that flat door makes me tres nervous…
If I paint them dark, I will definitely do the hardware gold.
Ladybug, I would love dark patinated wood but that would require stripping, staining, finishing… ugh. Not sure I have it in me.
Has anyone ever had furniture professionaly refinished? Is it hideously expensive?
I vote black iron too. Gloss.
I like regular shelves being the same shade of blue, but with the bamboo element, I’m thinking it should pop just a bit.
I’m just getting into professional refinishing and yes, it can be expensive. It’s the kind of thing I do for clients, but not for myself.
I completely agree with the suggestions about going gold or bronze. I actually sort of like how the walls/couch/painting look with the color they are now, but I agree that it’s a little too blah. If you didn’t do gold or brass, maybe a mustardy yellow color? You could choose a deep tone if you don’t want the shelves to pop.
Def black in gloss. they are gorg!
xoxo -e (modern24seven)
Hi Erin, I hate to be the one to point this out, but Alexis looks like she’s being a little squashed by her costars. If you had done built-ins, they would have gone to the floor and grounded the sofa. Now, there are a lot of legs. I don’t know. I think painting them in a gloss version of the wall color is the only way to go, and then, we may still have issues. It looks like left costar is also impeding on the trim a little. Is there another way to orient the room?
Hey DWR, it’s a true story — the left one IS sticking out by a few inches. I couldn’t decide if it ruined the effect or not. Maybe it does?
If they can’t be salvaged, I could put them on the other side of the room, flanking the window and (soon to be) desk.
ps: brownie points for remember her name is Alexis!
Oh lordie…are these a CL score? Then to you I say, SCORE! Love. I’m fond of the Dark Harbor paint idea. It’s somehow a bold move and a safe choice all rolled into one….
I hate when furniture gets all up on the trim, but you know what? You may be able to live with it. Either way, the’re great. Try them in the Dark Harbor gloss and leave them there for a bit. If you move them, I’m willing to bet you’ll want them a different color.
Thanks, Rosie! I got them from Room Service — a score, but not a mega score.
DWR, I feel you. One other possibility is to move our tan leather couch in there. It’s a bit larger in scale overall (higher back, deeper seat), but it’s shorter, thus providing a few more inches of wiggle room away from the trim. You can see it here:
http://design-crisis.com/?p=3304
Of course, that would mean buh bye to Alexis…
I’d try it and see. Damn, I wouldn’t want to cross Alexis though…
with the sofa as light as it is, i think painting the shelves dark might be a mistake- you need compliment the sofa, not make it stick out. i LOVE alexis, but honestly? your tan sofa might look better, and you could paint the shelves in a complimentary, slightly darker tone. i also think deep red shelves could be awesome with the tan sofa, but you know how i likes me some crazy color.
last, don’t hate me, but i think a horizontally hung painting would really visually help the space.
Have to say I find myself nodding to Christian’s (Maison21) suggestions. Maybe post pics of the tan sofa (as if you have time for furniture moving?) so those of us not so talented could have a visual. Alexis is lovely, but adding sconces now that you’ve gone the etagere route would maybe be a little busy up in there. So horizontal art seems a great idea.
As for the double-wide opening, have you thought about a hanging barn door? They now come in everything from barn rustic to minimalist modern. Or you buy the hardware (Johnson is generally regarded as the best) and make/find your own doors. You do have to have enough room on one side of the opening to stack them when open, though.
Hi Erin,
I’d go for a clearer, deeper coral, very glossy and I’d put a glam frame around Alexis – acid lemon, milky turquoise or glossy black. I think the frame and the sconces should definitely be speaking the same language.
Well, at first I was appalled that you wanted to make those babies recede. They’re show stoppas! Great buy. Then I realized that I have zero expertise, so I am going to be basically no help. Honestly, my first instinct is in the coral realm as well, but I understand your demasculinizing concerns. I do like the idea of a glossy, smooth gray similar to the one you’ve chosen. AND I would love to see the tan sofa in there!!! But that could redirect all of my non-advice, so take that for what you will.
Love that salmon but I agree may be too girly. I say wall color….so jealous by the way those shelves are to die for!!!!
Can Alexis and Chester co-habit together? Fabric/leather all complimenting each other?
I’m kind of excited to see what the shelves would look like on the other side of the room! Maybe put 2 nice side tables with the tan leather sofa? I love all of your pieces and can’t wait to see where they all end up
Your house is so cool!
LOVE your blog and your humor; we are kindred spirits. Here is my thought: paint or lacquer (hi glodd) the etageres same color as walls so they LOOK like built in’s and don’t create so many vertical lines along side the sofa which has linear strong arms.
Place objects on the shelves that pop. Turquoise, orange, you get it.
???
KR
Hi gloss not glodd. But if you like glodd better than gloss, go for it
Oh, and I agree, you need something horizontal over the sofa, agree with Christian…whom I met last Fall at an event…Hi Christian!
Hey Katie, jealous that you got to meet Christian in person!
Thanks for commenting. I’m working on a mockup based on feedback… hope to share on Monday!
i have not read any of the other comments..bc i don’t have that kind of time on a saturday.
BUT..i vote the same color as the walls in a high gloss version.
OR..a deep beet red. like the center of a beet. bloody port wine beet red pink. it’s less pink. but it’s in there.
i should keep drinking wine.
The shelves are wonderful, and I’m having crippling option-anxiety over every suggestion EXCEPT that coral-salmon… it might be cute on a sample chip, and it would hypothetically seem to be nice against your walls, but living with it is GROSS. We’ve had about five pieces that we fell in love with that were that color. We tried. It’s just impossible. In a house, it turns into Lovecraft’s COLOUR OUT OF SPACE. And then a month ago, we finally after 10 months completed a short sale (don’t), and of course the kitchen was that hideous unliveable not-color. You’ll regret it.
Ok, call me crazy, but have you considered a medium to deep olive for the shelves? Perhaps it’s my desire to visually pull Alexis across the wall (like the horizontal art suggestions), or thinking that a green would give you the additional color you crave while keeping the space more masculine. Then you could add coral accessories, pillows, etc to pop off both the wall and shelves. Maybe green would make it all too matchy-matchy. Maybe not?
My two cents? I think the tan leather would be beautiful against the wall color, plus a higher-backed sofa would be more visually interesting than Alexis, since she stops kind of where the doors on the shelves do.
And I’d go gloss version of the walls on the shelves. So pretty! And I agree with above posters, love the painting you have but think horizontal would be better!
Happy Easter.
I am sorry to tell you but it is too crowded there.
Maybe a different sofa?
Or two chairs?
Scale is off.
But Jesus loves you anyway!
My vote is for a the same or slightly darker colour as the walls in gloss.
hot.
If you still have a hankering for gold or brass goodies, then put things of that nature ON the shelves – as in bits & pieces not the shelves separate. eh – you know what I mean….suffering from holiday brain & not enough coffee!
psst. Im putting the salmon down to preggo brain.
Erin, what is that wall color? Love. Need.
Hi Eileen, it’s Benjamin Moore Dark Harbor. I had my super paint guy mix it 25% darker.
hi back katie! oxoxo!
My suggestions is 3 months late, so probably not viable anyway, but I wrould give those fabulous shelves a faux tortoise fiinish in high glass. The color in the photos above would be the perfect base color.it would be easy to find instructions on the web. The paint would be layered on in darker colors, a brown similar to the wood on the couch, etc. Tortoise is chic, glamorous and sophisticated. Not a hard faux finish to accomplish. The base color would ultimately be barely visible..