Saturday, August 6

Old color habits die hard

I first painted my dining room red back in 1991.

Yes, you read that right. 1991. 20 years ago. I was on the cutting edge of home decor back then. People thought I was crazy to think of putting such a dark color on my dining room walls, but I knew it would work.

And it did work. It worked in that house, and in my next house, and in my next house, and finally in this house. The red has changed a bit over the years, of course. Here it was Ralph Lauren's Balmoral Red:

I loved the subtle striping on these walls. I achieved that look by painting the whole wall in the flat color, taping off stripes with painter's tape (using a level to make sure they were straight), and painting over every other stripe with high-gloss in the same color.

In this house I used Sherwin-Williams Roycroft Copper Red. It's a deep brick red with brown tones.

I've especially loved decorating for Christmas with my red dining rooms.

But the time has come. After 20 years of having a red dining room, I'm ready to change. My color inspiration came from my dining room rug. It's the Floral Kirman rug from the original Karastan collection, and I love it just as much today as when I bought it years ago.

After 20 years, it's time for a change. Can you guess what color I chose?

30 comments:

  1. Your red has always been stunning in every one of your homes. I think the change is to blue. Just a guess, but it would be gorgeous with your rug. Can't wait to see the change. Hugs, Marty

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  2. I bet it will be blue too!

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  3. I'm guessing a deep blue. And if so, we are painting our family room a deep blue, too :) and I'm painting over the red in my entryway.

    Happy painting!

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  4. I'm guessing blue as well. After 10 years I'm over my red dining room too.....

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  5. I'm thinking a gold color? But it could be black, like Melanie did to hers!! Very bold!

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  6. I loved the red in your dining room. My sister's was red too until last week. I can't wait to go see it. She did a tan. I am thinking maybe you did a beige or tan or off white. Can't wait to see it.
    My dining room was dark blue for years when we built this house and I loved it.

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  7. With all the beautiful wainscoting I sure hope you went with a blue!

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  8. I am guessing . . . light blue.

    Fondly,
    Glenda

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  9. I'm guessing blue!

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  10. I am guessing that Royal Blue color? I don't know. But one thing I do know...it will be wonderful whatever color you choose...because you have "the touch" Richella...and you know how to put a lovely room together!

    Linda @ Truthful Tidbits

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  11. I can't wait to see what you change to. My dining room is a red as well and I think I am over it and ready for a change. My guess is blue...that would be beautiful.

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  12. I stopped to study the rug, hoping the new color would be pictured below! So many choices... green??? Whatever you do will be gorgeous. I had two red rooms in two other houses, too. Blessings!

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  13. Hmmmm....I'm going to go against the flow and say maybe a light golden/honey shade? Or blue? LOL! I just have to tell you how much I love seeing someone else who decorates with a more traditional flair. Sometimes I feel lost in a sea of neutral/white here in blogland and I just love the style of your gorgeous home!
    Vanessa
    P.S. See you tomorrow at our place! :-)

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  14. Grace... I'm thinking you are wanting a ligher color...I LOVE the rich color of your room, but I understand after 20 years, you are ready for a big change! I went to a light gold...love it. I think you are going cream?? Great with your furniture.....Can't wait to see.

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  15. I'm going to say blue, too, but French Blue, inspired by your trip to Paris. Whatever color you choose will be wonderful, Richella, just like you! XO Erin

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  16. I think you will do Rattan by Benjamin Moore or something just a bit warmer. I can't wait to see. I've had a red dining room since 2001. Everyone in our family still likes it,so I guess we'll keep it for a while. Have fun!!!
    Blessings,
    Haven

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  17. I bet it's blue. :) I can't believe it's been 20 years since the red dining room became so popular. I remember back in about 94 or 95 when I saw a red dining room for the first time. I thought it was so edgy and new back then. ;)

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  18. My gut is saying blue, but I am leaning toward the honey gold. Can't wait to see what you do!

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  19. The red was beautiful. I'm the first person that is always up for a change, so understand going with a different feeling. I'm thinking blue. I agree with Picket Fence a warm gold would be lovely too. I love all your color. To be honest one more grey room is just one more predictable grey room.

    Kathy

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  20. I love a red dining room, but I can see why you'd want a change after 20 years. I think you are going with the teal blue in the rug.

    I love this rug, btw. The colors in it are my favorites for decorating. It looks a lot like the one in my living room.

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  21. You certainly have lots of friends thinking blue. Me too

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  22. I have a red room in my house. I just love the richness of the color. I wonder which color you chose?? Blue? Carla

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  23. I'm going to say turquoise? I love the red stripes! So cool!

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  24. I love that rug! There are so many pretty colors to choose from! I'm thinking a blue or tannish brownish gold...ish. :)

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  25. My first thought was blue too! LOL I've used the reds in my kitchen and love the look!

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  26. Maybe a nice shade of blue or taupe? Can't wait to see what you do with the dining room! :-)

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  27. I'm going to go ahead and guess that teal blue??? it will look great, I am sure..you just have the gift of pulling together a great room! I LOVE that rug, too!
    Suzanne

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  28. I guess maybe I am a little biased, but I love red walls. The stripes are fabulous! I can't wait to see what color is next. If I had to guess, I would say blue.

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  29. That aqua-ish blue. Can't wait to see!

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