BoomerGirl Diary

Dear Mi-Ling: I just bought a new home and want to spruce it up. My boyfriend and I have all black contemporary leather furniture. We have a couch, loveseat and two movie reclining chairs. Our entertainment center is also black.

The walls are a taupe-gray color and we hung framed movie posters on the walls.

I want to add color with pillows, drapes, and so on, and maybe other chairs. I'm having trouble deciding what color to use. I was originally thinking a bright red, but can't seem to find enough things that are the same shade. Then I thought a light green or blue, but I'm just not sure!

I'm tired of it looking so bland and want to brighten it up! Do you have any suggestions?

— Brandy

Dear Brandy: One of the challenges to overcome when utilizing a contemporary design is adding warmth to the space. After all, your mood is directly affected by the colors you display in your home.

Sleek furnishings can sometimes feel sterile and lack warmth, but with a few touches of color you can transform your room into an inviting living space for you and your boyfriend.

With all of the black leather, you need to incorporate a few more textures into the space. Consider suede pillows with a burst of orange, green, gold or raspberry.

Look for a rug to place under your coffee table. You can find leather and suede rugs with beautiful color combinations. Or opt for the texture of a sheepskin rug or a leather shag rug in muted tones.

When selecting your colors, find inspiration in your movie posters. Pull some of the colors out of those prints and repeat them throughout the room.

To add interest to your design, start a collection of movie memorabilia. You can find old ticket stubs, movie reviews and celebrity photos that will bring your room to life.

Add sophistication to your windows with sleek velvet panels in the color of your choice.

After all your hard work, find a soft throw for your sofa, pop some popcorn and watch your favorite movie.

Now go out and create your own unique comfort zone!