“I have a cape cod contemporary two story on the water with large windows facing east. We have a beautiful whitewashed cedar ceiling. The floor has stark white 10″ floor tiles that are very hard to keep clean. I’d like to replace it with porcelain floor planking that looks like wood. I’m stuck trying to decide on the color for the floor. There are so many options. By the way, the doors are all whitewashed with a bright white wood trim. My style is classic with a bit of contemporary thrown in. We are planning on a redo of the fireplace as well as well as the kitchen.

Here is a summary of my decorating challenges:

1. What color floor planking (porcelain) to put on the floor.
2. What color to paint the new wood around our new fireplace.
3. The kitchen cabinets are white washed.  I’m selecting white painted ones.  What color granite – light or dark for more or less of a contrast?
4. The wood doors are all white washed too.  As is the railing going up the stairs.  Do I paint the railing white or?
5. Do I paint the walls a lighter or darker color?

Whitewashed Cedar Ceiling

Here’s what Vastu senior designer Sarita Peresada had to offer:Thank you for submitting your design dilemma, I am happy to make some suggestions for your home.  First, concerning the wood grain floor time, I would definitely go with something in the mid-range tones, not too dark, but not too light either.  You really need some contrast between your floors and walls, trim, and moldings.  Currently everything is very similar in tone and a bit washed-out.  I like the tile below from Daltile:

Timber Glen(TM) RUSTIC in 'Heath'

As for the wood mantel around the fireplace –  if you are keeping the existing mantel, I don’t think that it is necessary to paint it.  However, if you are removing it and adding a new mantel, it can be painted to match the trim or you can go for a real focal point and paint it an accent color that ties into your existing décor.  I think that the wall color should be considered in this decision, too.  Before you make any of the wall color and mantel decisions I would suggest taking some time to determine what overall look and feel you are going for in the space.  Why are you considering changing the wall color?  Why are you changing the mantel and what is the new mantel design?  Do you like the open, airy feel that your home currently has?  Darker colors on the walls and floors will detract from the open, airy feel.  Have you looked through any design magazines or websites for inspiration photos?   Are you planning to replace any of the furnishings in the space?

Upholstery selections should be made before paint colors, it’s much easier this way!  Once you determine the look and feel that you are after and what furnishings you will keep or add, you will easily be able to choose paint colors based on your preferences.  It is especially easy if you start with an inspiration piece (artwork, rug, fabric, etc.) and pull your colors from that piece.

Lastly, in the kitchen, I would go with a mid-range color on the granite.  Not too dark, like black, but not white-white, either.  If you are going to change the floors to the wood grain tile in the kitchen, then something like Crema Bordeaux would like nice with the white cabinetry.

Borelli Granite in 'Crema Bordeaux'

I hope that my recommendations have been helpful to you, at least as a good starting point!  If you need more help with color selection after you have discovered your objectives for the space, please don’t hesitate to ask!

This “Mixer” rug is 5′ x 7.5′, is made of grey and black Indian Wool with Viscose Accents and was hand-tufted in India.

It was originally $1650, but can be yours today for only $750!

The Sea Shells rug that is. The possibilities are endless with this floor covering which can be made of either hand-tufted or hand-knotted wool.

You choose the color you want, the shape that best fits your space and the dimensions. Create something truly unique with the Sea Shells rug.

1. Color – Introducing color on a wall, drapery, pillow, side chair or rug among neutral colors will really warm things up.

2. Texture – Mix various upholstery textures, incorporate a shag rug, or consider textured wallpaper to add interest and soften hard edges.

3. Personalize with accessories – You don’t want to clutter your room, but don’t be afraid to include personal items around your house. A few family photos and/or items you’ve collected from your travels displayed on a shelf will make your home for inviting.

‘W’ is for Wassily

The Wassily chair is a Knoll classic. Created by Marcel Breuer in 1925, the Wassily chair’s tubular steel frame and leather belting make for a very sculptural design.

‘X’ is for X3

The X3 chair, designed by Marco Maran, is another popular Knoll chair. Maran, inspired by Harry Bertoia’s work with wire, created a chair that is stackable and ideal for cafe, residential and educational spaces.

‘Y’ is for Yeti

The Yeti rug is available in any size and a number of standard colors. This floor covering can also be custom colored. Hand-crafted of New Zealand wool, the Yeti rug is a gorgeous shag rug that would work well in any space, especially a bedroom.

‘Z’ is for Zono

Choose from hundreds of fabrics and leathers to personalize the Zono bed for your bedroom. Made with a premium-grade, certified sustainable alder hardwood frame, the Zono bed is built to look great and last for a very long time.

‘A’ is for Astro

The Astro chair by Steven Anthony is a comfortable lounge chair who’s interesting base is a nod to mid-century modern design. Choose from hundreds of upholstery fabrics and over a dozen finishes to create a chair all your own.

‘B’ is for Brno

This iconic piece design by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe is great as a dining chair or as a side chair. The Brno flat bar chair can be upholstered in fabric or leather, and the frame is available in your choice of chrome or stainless steel.

‘C’ is for Cuddle

The possibilities are endless with the Cuddle Rug. Customize this shag in any size and any color. The Cuddle Rug is made-to-order, handwoven of 100% wool.

We’re very excited to be able to offer our customers a new line of organic wool rugs!  The rugs are constructed of New Zealand wool yarns and made here in the U.S.  The great thing about wool is it’s flame resistant, hypo-allergenic, sustainable, and a soil repellent.  The other fantastic thing about this collection is that you can order a rug in the exact size that you need.  Buyers can choose from natural wool colored rugs…

… or select one of the rug styles pictured below which are available in dozens of different colors.

…rethink what’s under your feet.  A new area rug is a great way to introduce a new color or texture into your design.  There are so many different floor covering styles to choose from! You can go with a shag, a loop, or maybe even a fun pattern.

“I think I may have done things a little backwards, but I the Lake Placid rug I purchased from you guys was the first thing I got for my living room because I loved the pattern.  Now I’m totally stuck on what color sofa would look best. HELP!”

Jamie says…

I can understand your challenge with selecting a sofa color since the background of the rug is already a neutral.  I’d suggest that you go with a sofa that’s darker than the background color of the rug, like a medium brown or go lighter with a cream colored sofa.  Whether you go darker or lighter, I’d recommend you try and find some throw pillows for the sofa that incorporate colors from the rug to visually tie things together.  I pulled two options that include a sofa color and a pillow fabric to give you an example of colors that would work (pictured below).  Best of luck with your sofa search!

What do you think?

“I’m in search of a new rug for my family room.  My family uses the room a lot – we watch TV in there, the kids play on the floor, the dogs run through there…  I want something nice, but also durable.  What materials should I look for?  Synthetics?  I don’t want to fall in love with something, buy it and find that the rug needs to be professionally cleaned all the time. Thanks in advance!”

Jason says….

You’re spot on regarding synthetic materials.  Rugs that are made up of synthetic fibers are very easy to care for, just like synthetic fabrics for upholstery are easier to clean than some natural materials.  Another good choice would be a wool rug.  Wool, an oily fiber that is naturally stain resistant, would certainly work in a family room that gets lots of traffic.  Good luck!

What do you think?