Some Very Big Flowers
I admit this Marimekko print in my new futon cover is a little wild, but it makes me feel happy just to look at it. Unfortunately it screams at my husband and he wants to shut the door.
Last year when my friend bought a condo, I was able to buy her Ikea futon for $100. It took up residence in my son’s old room upstairs with its neutral boring cover.
My friend actually told me about a company in Lithuania that makes replacement covers for Ikea furniture. Unfortunately there is not a big selection of fabrics for the Allerum futon on their website.
I had wanted a bright print to jazz up that otherwise dull room. I have always liked Marimekko prints, which reflect the best in Danish design. So with a little persuasion I ordered the red floral print with its very large red flowers.
The trouble is the yellow walls are just too pale for all that color. So I had this thought last night as I was going to sleep of painting the walls navy blue to match the blue in the print.
My husband is ready to pitch the new cover in the trash and eat the cost of it. But I’m not so ready to give up. I think with the right paint combination it could be an exciting room.
The decorator who suggested the paint colors we ended up using is coming over for a consultation on Thursday. My bet is that he will love the print and have just the right suggestion for how to make it feel comfortable in the room.
Jake is checking it out as a potential new place to stretch out.
How do you feel about all those big red flowers?
posted by Barbara at 10:33 PM
14 Comments:
I love Marimekko and that is one of my favorite prints! I'd find a way to make it work. :)
Those are some big flowers. :) I like the colors. There's blue in there? Looks like white, shades of red, and black from here.
Maybe a tamer throw pillow that coordinates and still calms it a bit for the husband's sake?
I LOVE the boldness! But I'm sure that's no surprise ;-)
That is a very cool print. I love the size and shape of the flowers and the colors, but the overall effect is a little too wild for me as well. But it is, nevertheless, a great print.
So here's what I'd do - and I realize it is total heresy to do this to a designer print, but I do weird things to fabrics sometimes - I would dye the whole thing a medium pale pink, maybe with the slighest touch of orange, maybe not. The only part that would really change color would be the white background and it would make the overall effect a lot more subdued while still retaining all of those great flower shapes and reds and hot pinks and navy. I would LOVE that print without the white. But if your husband hates pink period, you're kind of out of luck I guess.
I would absolutely go for not too dark navy walls, but with plenty of white trim in there to keep it crisp.
Or paint the walls one of the pinks in the fabric for a totally pink room! :D
I think your decorator will have the real answer though.
Great fabric! I used to have a wall hanging with a similar print, but in blue.
Judy K.
I like the idea of navy walls and white trim - those flowers would keep me awake though. I am more the cabbage rose type. Can't wait to see what you come up with.
Jamy -- I'm working on making it work.
LA -- The dark color is navy blue, not black.
LiLu -- This is so YOU!
Cyndy -- Thanks for the suggestions. I might try to sell it on eBay if I really got desperate. I'm not sure I'm into dying that much fabric. Hopefully Tim the decorator will have the perfect solution.
Judy -- I think blue was one of the options. I didn't pick it because most flowers are not blue, but it might have been less jarring.
Pauline -- The good news is when the lights are off you don't see the red flowers, so sleep might not be so elusive. I'm usually with you on the color scheme, but there is something about those big red flowers that really appeals to me.
Even though green is complimentary to red, I would still say "blue." Listen. If that print lifts your spirits, how can it be wrong? I think you've just laid claim to the space as "yours." See it all the way through.Happiness can be so elusive. Don't abandon your flowers.
Cube -- Another country has been heard from. My son suggested we sell the colorful futon on Craig's list and replace it with the twin bed from the Foggy Bottom apartment he is vacating next week. That way he will have something comfortable to sleep on when he comes home. So I may be losing the battle of the futon. My husband hates the way it looks. My son hates the way it sleeps. We'll see what Tim the decorator has to say tomorrow. (Although in the end he doesn't have to see it or sleep on it...)
I love it and I think a navy blue wall would be a fabulous backdrop for it.
Terry -- As much as I thought navy blue walls were the answer, Tim the decorator actually recommended one of two approaches:
Citrus green walls with the big red flowers OR
Another print with the pale yellow walls left as they are
Even I was starting to fear I might get tired of the big red flowers. I'm hoping I can return the cover if I decide to go with the other print.
I love the flowers. You can always alternate - I do the same with my Marimekko duvet cover. Conservative in the winter and bright in the summer.
Personally, I love it's bright cheeriness of it, but I can also see your husband's point. I think painting the walls neon green would really make the print "pop"! One concession you could make is to buy a really navy "throw" for the back of it and your hubby could cover up as much as he wanted when he was in the room. I bet you would have really great dreams while sleeping on that print!
Hey Barbara, I know this might be a bit of an odd question but would you sell your beige cover if you still have it by any chance? I'd love to get a brand new one but they're a bit out of my price range at the moment!
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