What would you do with this wallpaper border?

**AmyMCGS** · 08-30-2004, 06:14 PM

I found this border today for my new laundry room and I really love it. The walls in that room- as in the rest of the house-- will be painted cream when we move in. The washer and dryer will also be cream colored.

In a small laundry room (long and narrow, just big enough to contain the washer/dryer/ utility sink), what would you do with this?

I think I want to put this up at chair-rail height, but then I can't decide between:

painting the bottom half of the room a solid hunter green (this is my favorite option so far)
painting the bottom half a solid dark red
leaving the walls all cream colored
sponge painting (or maybe rag-rolling) the bottom half a mixture of red, green, and a little bit of gold

My concern is that painting a dark color might make the room seem smaller. It has overhead lighting and no windows.

Those are the only options I've thought of so far.... any ideas? TIA!

Edited to add: I'd love to use that wallpaper they have out that looks like old barn wood for the bottom half of the room, but budget-wise, I need to stick to paint!

**Guest1** · 08-30-2004, 06:45 PM

My vote is for #1 or #4....

I love hunter green - my bedroom in VA was painted all hunter with cream crown mold & base trim....

Eh - what do I know though!! Wait until some of the gals with a real eye for this stuff happen along! They'll get you straight!!

**Guest1** · 08-30-2004, 06:46 PM

Originally posted by karlisangel
...what adorable paper...

I meant to imply that as well!

**Daphne** · 08-30-2004, 06:59 PM

I think painting the bottom the green and the lighter color up top would look great! The border is so nice - I can't wait until I have a house I can do this in.

**simplemom** · 08-30-2004, 07:10 PM

I agree with everyone--I would like green hunter at the bottom.

Btw, your wallpaper border is beautiful!

**niceday** · 08-30-2004, 07:23 PM

I think everyone is in agreement that hunter green would look really great and I love the wall paper border its so nice. linda

**pip** · 08-30-2004, 07:57 PM

Hunter green on the bottom half. That border is really nice.

**dz_blonde_girl** · 08-30-2004, 10:09 PM

OK, I have to be difficult, lol. How much wall space are we talking this Hunter Green about. I'm afraid it might be too dark. Do you have something in that green (I really do love that color, btw) that you could tape up under the border to get a feel for it first?

I think I'd stick with the cream. With the light colored appliances and all, that dark color will pull your eyes away from everything else, including that great border. Hang some plants for color.

**captclearance** · 08-30-2004, 10:38 PM

I am no expert, but I think dark at the bottom makes a room bigger and dark at the top makes a room smaller..... Is this right ladies ????????? Maybe not..... Anyway I LOVE the paper !!!!
I think the green at the bottom would be great.... If you are on a budget (and who isn't) consider a faux finish on the bottom, you can buy kits that will make it look like old barn board wood, and it's done with paint and special tools...... Whatever you do, I'm sure it will be beautiful !!!!!!! Have a great time decorating your new home Amy !!!!!!!!!!

**AmyMCGS** · 08-30-2004, 11:50 PM

Originally posted by dz_blonde_girl
OK, I have to be difficult, lol. How much wall space are we talking this Hunter Green about. I'm afraid it might be too dark. Do you have something in that green (I really do love that color, btw) that you could tape up under the border to get a feel for it first?

I was thinking about four feet up from the floor, roughly. Although now that I think about it, that would make it disappear behind the washer and dryer. Maybe just above the appliances? Hmmm.... I'll have to think about that.

I might try taping something up here to look at the colors, good idea. I'd like to do it in the actual laundry room, but I guess I'll have to wait until I have walls instead of just studs.

**AmyMCGS** · 08-30-2004, 11:53 PM

Originally posted by captclearance
If you are on a budget (and who isn't) consider a faux finish on the bottom, you can buy kits that will make it look like old barn board wood, and it's done with paint and special tools......

I would love to play with that stuff-- you're talking to an art major, after all!

But, for the time crunch (we'll only have a few days to paint and move in, and I'd like to get this room done before the appliances arrive) I'll probably hold off on anything too time-consuming for now.

Thanks, all, for your input! (more welcomed if you're just now reading this thread)

I am definitely leaning towards green on the bottom, and you all just confirmed that idea for me with a majority vote, LOL!

**Englishlady** · 08-31-2004, 04:32 AM

Amy, I really love the Border very cute! (what I wouldn't give to have a designated laundry room- my Washer is in the Kitchen and my Tumble dryer is in the Conservatory!)

I too love Hunter green, so much so that I used it in quite a big space, it didn't take long before I realised that it wasn't working!

The room seemed dark and enclosed (even with a big window) and so I had to redecorate, which means having to paint at least 4, yes four coats of paint to cover the dark colour! ( two white and two of a lighter choice).
Think about the placing of the border from a visual perspective: Is there the chance that putting it ohalf way up, you would then obscure the pretty border when you put laundry and stuff on top of the appliances?
Putting it at about waist height will "draw in the room" and make it seem even narower.
I personally would put the border at head level (of the tallest person in the house!)
This draws the eye upwards and makes the whole room space seem bigger (plus you get an unrestricted view of the nice border!)
Also I would be inclined to leave the room cream and maybe buy some wicker baskets (like in the border) and paint them in Hunter green (or line them in a Hunter green fabric) accents peices in dark colours are more versatile and removable....less expensive to change when you want a different look....... If there is anywhere to put a curtain, then I would take my cue from the border and make it in a Red or Green Gingham (or one colour for the whole curtain and a tie back/or valance/swag in the other colour.)
Whatever you choose to do, have fun with it and enjoy!

**Darlene** · 08-31-2004, 09:16 AM

All I can say besides the border is very pretty and I'd put it high enough where I could see it (above the applinces) is~ I want a laundry room!

**mommy2three** · 08-31-2004, 09:43 AM

WOW!! i LOVE that border!!! VERY pretty!!!!

**Jayne** · 08-31-2004, 10:32 AM

The border is gorgeous Amy!!!!!!!....but I have to agree with Karen, I would also leave the walls cream...we are now painting over a BIG mistake we made with a dark gold color, it made the room so dark and depressing....but this is my opinion