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[Hopein24]

Like to pick your brain if I could. My living room is done in antler lamps, faux antler chandelier, bears, moose, elk pictures, etc. Several years ago I painted the upper walls above the chair rail a hunter green and installed cedar tongue and groove wainscoting from the chair rail down, left it the natural wood color. This room sits on the north side of the house and gets very little light, always seems dim/dark. I want to paint just the upper walls a lighter color to make it lighter in the room. I have lots of wood in this room such as a floor to ceiling walnut cabinet, a gas fireplace with a beautiful wood surround, hearth and mantle. The floor is wood also, a light Japanese cherry. I love the ocean blue colors, but what else do you think would lighten up the room and go with my cabin/ wood decor? I also love the cranberry or wine colors, but am afraid that would be too dark.

[Sooner]

I wouldn't go with blue--on the north side.  I would suggest a very much lighter green, maybe a little on the blue side, but very light.

Another route would be a light gold/yellow, very muted.  Or a light beige/almond color.

Whatever you think about, be sure to either paint big swatches or get them if you can and see it in all hours of the day because the light changes affect how the colors look.

[beach-mom]

@Hopein24 - I would go with what @Sooner @recommended. I too think a color like blue just wouldn't go with your room. I think a light earth-toned color would really look nice and would lighten things up for you.

[GingerHead]

I think it depends on the wood tone. Is it orangey, rustic brown, etc?

I personally love white (tons of different whites out there), a warm creamy white would be lovely or as was said above very light neutral colors against wood. It just makes it pop and really lightens and modernizes/refreshes the look.

When I need inspiration for a paint color I'll just google image the heck out of it. Like the pictures below, I just googled paint colors for natural wood trim, etc and that way you can kinda get an idea of what you might like.....

Good luck!

[qualitygal]

Definitely beautiful sounding, of the woods.  I was always moved by those designs, for like a log cabin home or lodge.  I think the wood, looks wonderful and rich, with that dark green, accented by gold.  It's rich looking, outdoorsy, lodge like.  Just something that always took my breath away.

[qualitygal]

@GingerHead   Your quote on not having your pet any longer and being a life diminished.  So true.  We can't do another dog now and I still grieve for my last baby that passed last Oct.  I miss her SO much.  We just can't do another now. Dean Koontz quote.

[Imaoldhippie]

A very light green such as celery.  Blue is to ocean looking, the green would compliment your woodsy colors and decor.

@Hopein24 

[Sooner]

One thing from experience:  Brighter and bluer white will sometimes point up any imperfections or wear in woodwork next to them.  Softer whites with warmer tones are less stark in contrast to surroundings.  

[faeriemoon]

I think I'd lean toward a lighter green/grey shade.

I like many of these.

[GingerHead]

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@qualitygal wrote:

@GingerHead   Your quote on not having your pet any longer and being a life diminished.  So true.  We can't do another dog now and I still grieve for my last baby that passed last Oct.  I miss her SO much.  We just can't do another now. Dean Koontz quote.

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Hey @qualitygal,

      First off, I'm so so sorry to hear about the recent loss of your sweet love.   It is so hard.

    We lost our first love after 17 years and it was the hardest thing my husband and I had ever been through because our dogs are  our children (no human kids for us).

    It was so hard we hesitated to get another one but true to the quote you quoted ..only for a short time because we realized how life just wasn't the same without one.

    Fast forward....we now have our second love and he's 10 years old and we couldn't love him more.

    Really the best thing we did to heal from our loss was to get another dog. So I hope, when you're ready, that ya'll can get another cutie to love.