Let's Talk About Accent Walls

So I had this plan, see, to paint a dark accent wall in Ike's room, see. But then I got to thinking: is that a really dorky idea? I mean, I'm not indicting all accent walls, mostly because I already have one:

That would be the long wall spanning the kitchen to dining area. PS, I really need to reshoot this room because all the stuff piled on the chesterfield is making me stabby.

The other side of the wall. Don't worry, those sconces and their damned infernal cords are gone, baby gone.

So I feel like an accent wall can work well if you have something of architectural interest to highlight.

Anna of Door 16 just painted her fireplace wall black, and I think it looks smashing. Karly has a black fireplace wall, too, and it's the bee's knees. But those lovely folks have cool stuff in their rooms. What about an accent wall in a regular old box shaped bedroom, with regular old 8' ceilings, and regular old windows.

Nate Berkus seems to think it's ok.

But sometimes I can tell it's definitely not ok. Sometimes it looks like Trading Spaces got all up in the room and was like, hmmmmm... I like blue AND I like red... I just can't decide... I know! Let's use them BOTH!!!!

And the result is nothing short of vomity drivel. Although that is one hilariously spectacular photoshop job.

So, I ask you savvy readers, when is an accent wall ok? Is it ever ok? Tell me all your thoughts while I continue to repaint 18 different samples all over Ike's walls. Patchwork is in, right?

In Living Color

From where I stand, things are about 2872% better than they were last week -- give or take a percentage point. I would hate to be accused of hyperbole. I attribute this meteoric rise in not crappiness to three things: #1. None of us are sick. Hoomutherbleepinray!

#2. Wine. Lots of it.

#3. A clean house. We scrubbed everything down and flipped our flatweave leather rug over. Best decision EVER. I'm never buying a single sided rug again -- well, at least not until Ike learns to stop rubbing his yogurt face all over everything. So, maybe after he goes off to college?

To celebrate my new glitter encrusted sparkly rainbow unicorn outlook, I'm going to lift the angry ban on color and post some rooms guaranteed to tickle your pleasure center. If you're at work, try not to have a When Harry Met Sally moment when you peruse these...

Miles Redd

Via MFAMB. Does anyone know where I can find the more pictures of this house? I am total lust with that coffee table.

Molly Luetkemeyer of M Designs (psst, check out her blog here)

Nate Berkus

Elle France

That was some powerful stuff. I hope you did a good job hiding your nasty face from prying eyes.

Redesigned Ditties: Heart Of Glass

Once I had a love and you know it was brass

Soon turned out, had a heart of glass

You know I love gold bling, but now I find

It's not enough

I need more shine

Once I had a love and it was divine

Soon found out I lusted after light

It seemed like the real thing cuz brass is so bright

It's not enough

I need more shine

In between "what I find is pleasing" and "I'm feeling fine"

Love is so confusing

There's no need, I find

To choose between the two

Glass is just so good, it's changed my point of view

Lost inside this illumination and I love the light

It's the thing I'm wanting, it just feels so right

I could even live with chrome, yeah...

Yeah, riding high on love's true vintage light

Ooh ooh ooh whoa

Once I had a love and you know it was brass

Soon turned out, had a heart of glass

You know I love gold bling, but now I find

It's not enough

I need more shine

Ooh ooh whoa

Ooh ooh whoa

Ooh ooh whooooooooa