Double Parlor Home Library The Victorian House

The Color Palette Inspiration

You’ve seen the built-ins starting to take shape, but what I’m really looking forward to is painting the front parlor and getting everything back in place. I came across the top two floral images below on Pinterest the other day, and they’ve stayed with me. This is the direction the color palette is heading, I think.

Palette Inspiration #makingitlovely
Images: 1234

You’ve seen that bottom image below here, and I’ve been thinking of picking up a few blue and white porcelain jars or vases like this since using a similar one in the design of this room.

I haven’t really made a conscious effort to keeping things to a palette yet (although it’s been kicking around in my mind), as I’ve been enjoying the process of collecting and taking my time. Happily, everything does work pretty well with the above inspiration, and here’s how the furniture and accessories between the two parlors are looking so far.

Double Parlor Furniture #makingitlovely

  1. Black Beauty Paint, Benjamin Moore
    You can see the second parlor from every other main room on the first floor, and the black walls give fantastic contrast to the surrounding spaces

  2. Pink Ikat Polka Dot Pillows, Jayson Home (Warehouse Sale)
    I picked up two of these pale peachy pink pillows.

  3. Gold Suzani Pillow, Jayson Home
    Expensive, but huge and luxe and worth it.

  4. Twin Beacons Brass Lamp, Anthropologie
    I waited and waited, and was able to finally grab it on clearance. It’s a heavy, substantial lamp that looks vaguely insect-like, and I love it.

  5. Winifred Sofa, Anthropologie
    The most expensive piece of furniture we’ve ever bought (even with it being on sale when we got it), but it’s perfect. It’s also the most comfortable we’ve ever had.

  6. Dog Rose Botanical Poster, The Evolution Store
    I cashed in some credits on Fab to get mine a couple of years ago, and now I think I like it even more in this house than I did in the old one!

  7. Built-in Bookshelves, Krieger + Associates
    Those are fantastic. I hope mine will be, too.

  8. Antique Striped Sofa, Chairish
    I was looking for a smaller striped settee, but this sofa was so perfect that I went for it.

  9. Tufted Pink Ottomans, Target
    I like the dash of hot pink these bring.

  10. Pale Pink Table Lamp, Robert Abbey
    I used to have two of these, but alas, one of the kids broke one shortly after we moved here.

Of course there are a few outliers that will probably show up in the two spaces too, like my Emily Rickard painting and the crazy floral Blythe chair.

Black Walls and Colorful Accents #makingitlovely

Our carpenter did a lot of work installing components yesterday, and the bookshelves in the front parlor are up on both sides of the window now. He’ll be taking next week off and returning the week after to finish up some of the details, but the bulk of the project is in place! I’ve been trying to stay mindful of the sightlines in this house, and the wall of shelving looks good in context and in relation to the other rooms. The house is an oak-stravaganza (shall I never use that word again?), and I’m good with that.

Now, what color should I go with for the walls in there?

Sources & Paint ColorsNeed design help? Let's work together.

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  • Mary Lawson
    April 17, 2014 at 1:19 pm

    Very nice!

  • angie
    April 17, 2014 at 1:25 pm

    Paint it pink! A soft, peachy pink would be lovely with all you have going on in the 2 rooms.

    • Making it Lovely
      April 17, 2014 at 4:09 pm

      I think that color will be showing up in the house, I just haven’t decided it it’s going to be on the library walls yet or elsewhere.

  • amy
    April 17, 2014 at 1:46 pm

    i think a light coral-y pink from that top left photo of the peonies would be gorgeous given the furnishings and the context next to the black-walled parlor. and given all the colors you’ll likely have from the book spines on the shelves, something pale on the walls would be beautiful without being overwhelming.

  • Stephanie
    April 17, 2014 at 1:49 pm

    I love the idea of pink. I’ve been on a West Elm binge lately and have been eyeing some of their pillows that have various gold metallic patterns printed on them. I think some may be on sale now. You might want to check them out if you haven’t already.

  • erin
    April 17, 2014 at 2:00 pm

    I think a green would be beautiful in there with the wood and the stripes. Of course the pink suggestions are great too. No matter what you choose, I can’t wait to see it! :)

    • Psymonetta
      April 18, 2014 at 11:17 am

      I agree – something between a bottle green and a jadeite would look lovely.

  • Rita
    April 17, 2014 at 2:03 pm

    I like the idea of a darker colour especially with that type of wood. It also reminds me if old libraries which gives me such a great feeling :)

  • Han @ Brooklyn DIY Designs
    April 17, 2014 at 3:38 pm

    i like the idea of a blushing pink
    but i also like blue to offset the warmth of all the wood.
    I have been collecting blue and white chinese jars for my living room also, ebay is a good place.

  • The Modern Gal
    April 17, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    I’ve got similarly toned wood all over my own home. I used Benjamin Moore’s Marina Gray for my home office/lady cave, and I love it. It’s a multi-dimensional gray that’s both cool and vibrant at the same time and really pops against the wood trim. I think it would look great on your moodboard!

  • v.j. kohout
    April 17, 2014 at 5:33 pm

    Deep leaf green, just like the leaves of the peonies in the top photo. Then you can go to town with pink touches. It would be like gentlemen’s smoking room of the by-gone era. Without the smoking, of course and ladies are invited.

  • Emilia Jane
    April 17, 2014 at 6:39 pm

    That couch is EVERYTHING!!!!

  • Tina Slocum
    April 17, 2014 at 8:51 pm

    These rooms are going to look so amazing together!

  • Haley J.
    April 17, 2014 at 11:40 pm

    Based on your floral inspiration photo of the pale lavender flowers on black, I think Benjamin Moore’s Organza would look amazing in that parlor– it would be light and play off both the oak and the black parlor beautifully.

  • Nitya
    April 18, 2014 at 7:40 am

    Hi Nicole,
    I have an south facing oak floor kitchen, stairway and banister dividing my kitchen and family room and Sedate gray by SW goes well with the oak. Good luck, cannot wait to see it all come together. Nitya

  • Andrew
    April 18, 2014 at 9:02 am

    So… I stand by my last idea: Peacock blue on the bookcases, and a subtle grey on the walls.

    Or, I would also suggest Farrow and Ball’s Pink Ground on the walls, and high gloss Mole’s Breath (deep grey) on the built ins. Then beautiful chunky brass hardware from Nanz.

    I know you don’t want to paint them, but I think you will be happier if you do.

  • Joanna @ thenestbook
    April 18, 2014 at 10:20 am

    I can’t wait to see those shelves filled with books! How are you ever going to wait another week?!

    Also, I am with Haley. I think a color like BM’s Organza would be divine.

  • Paige @ Lux Per Diem
    April 18, 2014 at 1:24 pm

    That teal color on the sofa and I have been having a moment. I just painted my dining room a similar color. I love the bookcase photo you posted, and I know you’re worried about yours right now, but hold off judgement until you get to style them! I think they’ll be better than what you’re expecting.

  • Looking for a Round Table for the Library | Making it Lovely
    April 23, 2014 at 12:54 pm

    […] I tried it out in place here and while the size is great, the style isn’t the best fit with the rest of our furniture for the space. Something dark, to tie in with the black walls of the adjacent room, and something with a bit more […]

  • Marcee ... ILLINOIS
    April 27, 2014 at 2:55 pm

    Have you made a decision re material for window cushion? Would love to see your choice(s) and colors. A nice, heavier pre-washed linen could work. Or possibly in a similar fabric/color as sofa …. dark t-blue. A gorgeous piece of furniture. Totally enjoying each and every possibility Nicole. Hangin on for more!