HELP! I need design advice for my home office

Question

Okay, so i have a really boring cluttered home office and i really need help. It has white walls (blech) and a lot of black and dark cherry wood furniture. I really would like to keep with the cherry wood.

Unfortunately i have a bland, uncomfortable futon (blue "mattress" with black "supports") that i can't get rid of. I also cannot get rid of the large map of town and the large high school class pictures displayed on the wall. (though i would appreciate some help on how to display them, right now its pretty much one, then below, another...)

Anyone have any ideas for wall color ( i REALLY need help with that) and what i can do about the futon and what i should do about the wall displays and etc?

Right now my home office is very cold, bland and unattractive-looking. I really want to soften it up while keeping the pieces i already have (2 end tables, 2 desks, a book shelf, all in dark cherry wood. Also the futon, though it seriously needs help).

Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!

Answer 1

you said it feels "cold", it may be because of the lighting.  Are you using fluorescent lights?  If so, you can try getting a more yellowish looking fluorescent lights to cut down some coldness of it.  

OK, so how about paint the wall to creamy eggshell yellow like this one here: http://www.homeportfolio.com/catalog/Pro...

or even lighter, for the molding on the wall, paint it white.  You can keep all your cherry wood furniture but get rid of the futon or move it to the guest room or garage.  Then get a simple but romantic looking pendant for general lighting.  Decorate the room with some fresh flowers.  A leather sofa will be good too.  For the map...frame it with the color similar to your wood furniture.  Hang it on one side of the book shelf, and the class pic on the other side.  This should give you a simple English country house look.  Hope this helps!

Answer 2

get a dark brown futon COVER for the futon, paint the walls crimson, get some vanilla votives and candles and put them in brushed metal, tall holders. Have fun!!!!