By Mi-Ling Stone Poole –

DEAR MI-LING: I would like to know how to integrate gold into a design scheme. I have a wonderful curtain fabric that is gold with lighter gold peacocks with turquoise and royal blue tail feathers. My room is small, and I would like it to look larger.

Any suggestions as to wall paint color? It’s hard to get started. Thanks.

Sheryl

DEAR SHERYL: Your drapes sound beautiful. You could pull out a number of colors and create an elegant space in your new room or keep things neutral and allow the drapes to take center stage.

However, before you get started on your project consider the function of the space and then build a room around the purpose.

My suggestion is to pull out the vibrant colors of your fabric by layering the room with pillows, rugs and accessories.

If you want the room to exude a stately elegance with a hint of royalty, stay within the blue family or go for the gold. Ralph Lauren has a metallic gold paint that I used in my dining room to add richness and elegance to the space. Metallic paint is a bit pricey at just under $50 per gallon, but it’s well-worth the price. A toned-down turquoise is also an option.

Color is very personal, and when you walk into the room, you should feel at ease and be inspired by the design you’ve created. Select colors that you love, and you’ll find yourself enjoying the room every time you enter.

To start the process, take your fabric to the paint store and begin looking at your options.

When hanging your drapes, take the panel up above your window and a few inches below the ceiling. This will give the room a taller appearance, thus creating a perception of more space. Another trick that creates the appearance of more space is to paint the ceiling a couple of shades lighter than your walls. You also can trick the eye when laying a wood floor vertically instead of horizontally.

What’s your current design dilemma?