Everything in this room could have been collected over a century: panelled olive walls, a deep-buttoned green headboard, a leather bench, framed etchings and a candle-style chandelier under original cornicing.
The idea behind it
Heritage rooms live or die on wall treatment. The olive panelling with picture-frame moulding gives every other antique something to sit against.
Texture does the colour work — tartan wool, aged leather, velvet and dark polished wood all within one mossy palette.
What you will need
Olive green panelled walls, picture-frame moulding painted in one deep heritage tone
Tufted green velvet headboard, tall, wide and deep-buttoned
Tartan wool throw, a muted plaid folded across white bedding
Brass candle chandelier, hung centrally under the cornicing
Steal the look
Step 1
Panel the walls with moulding and paint everything one olive tone
Step 2
Invest in a tall tufted headboard as the room’s anchor
Step 3
Dress the bed in crisp white with a tartan or paisley throw
Step 4
Hang framed etchings and antique prints in columns
Step 5
Light with a chandelier plus pleated-shade table lamps
Perfect for
- Period homes with tall ceilings and cornicing
- Collectors of antiques and framed prints
- Anyone who finds deep colour restful
- Bay-window owners — the armchair spot is ready
Avoid if
- Low modern ceilings would crowd the chandelier
- You prefer bright minimal palettes
- Panelling and moulding exceed the budget
Estimated budget
Budget
Heritage paint, tartan throw and thrifted framed prints
$400 to $1,000
Mid-range
Wall moulding, tufted headboard and a brass chandelier
$3,000 to $6,500
Luxury
Full panelling, antique furniture and a Persian rug
$14,000+
Colour palette5 tones
Olive Green
Wall
#5B5C42
Mahogany
Wood
#5C3A28
Brass
Metal
#A9812F
Ivory
Linen
#EFE9DA
Tartan Brown
Accent
#7E5A3A
Paint the panelling and the walls the same deep olive — contrast trims are what make period rooms look like sets.
PaletteOlive, mahogany, brass, ivory, tartan brown
— Mara Ellison
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