Set guest suite’s tone, feel through color

DEAR GAIL: I want to redecorate my overnight guest room and bath; the bathroom floor tile is a beige but with a lot of orange in it. I'm really tired of the color, but I don't want to replace the floor as the room is fairly large. What colors can I use in the bedroom that will still work with the bath? Do I have to choose something that goes with the tile since it is in an adjoining room? Any suggestion would be great. - Rose M.

DEAR ROSE: I know the dark beige color you are talking about and it does have orange tones in it, but that does not mean that you have to decorate the bedroom with orange.

Since the bathroom is attached to the bedroom, I would suggest that you pull the colors from the bedroom into the bath to give the room the appearance of a suite. The color scheme in the bathroom needs to work with the tile, but you do not have to use the orange tile color into the bedroom. You want the colors to flow and coordinate with the surrounding items in each room.

Depending upon the theme and mood that you want to create for your guests, you can take them to a special place or create a specific mood. Color is all about setting a mood and the feelings in a room. Color is the very first thing that we react to when entering a room and also the most lasting memory that we take with us when leaving.

So, first start with how you want the room to feel and the experience that you want your guests to have. Will this be a relaxing, tranquil retreat or a rejuvenating, exciting experience? We enjoy staying at a bed and breakfast for it's at-home feeling, but sometimes the unexpected is fun and memorable, too.

Just a few colors that will coordinate with the bathroom tile are sand dollar, which brings to mind the calm and warmth of sandy beaches; stone-washed taupe, which has a soothing timeless appeal; Mediterranean blue, which brings in the color of the sea and sky relaxing your body and spirit, leaf green, the color of nature and renewal, and an earthy red, which will give a dose of energy and passion.

A combination of any of these colors will be very attractive with the bathroom tile.

Start with an inspiration piece. It could be a piece of art, fabric swatch, area rug, accessory piece or bedding.

For an exotic jungle theme, use greens, browns and tan. Want a more serene and tranquil mood? Decorate with cool watery blues and warm beach tans for a surf and sand theme. How about a Caribbean touch, with more excitement and flair? Decorate with fiery reds, yellows and blues.

You also can decorate in neutral tones. Lots of textures will create an inviting and casual retreat. Silks and satins will give a more elegant feel. For a crisp and clean appeal, decorate with white and then add different color accents to coordinate with the season.

You are almost unlimited on your color selections. Just be careful with some of the rose-toned pinks. They will need some peach undertones in them to work with your tile.

To diffuse the bathroom tile, use a large area rug. I prefer to use decorative rugs versus a typical bath mat rug. It allows you to bring more color and pattern into the room. Since it will be in a guest suite, you may only need to have it dry cleaned once or twice a year.

Don't let the bathroom tile bring you down or hold you back in creating a wonderful guest suite that will make you happy and your guests enjoy.

Gail Mayhugh, owner of GMJ Interiors, is a professional interior designer and author of a book on the subject. Questions may be sent by email to: gail@gmjinteriors.com. Or, mail to: 7380 S. Eastern Ave., No. 124-272, Las Vegas, NV 89123. Her Web address is: www.GMJinteriors.com.