by Pamela Bayer/Special to The Plain Dealer
Thursday February 26, 2009, 8:00 AM

ASK PAMELA

Pamela Bayer

"Ask Pamela" with Hudson interior designer Pamela Bayer is an exclusive design feature of Cleveland.com/insideout.

Dear Pamela: Designers seem to focus on large well lit (natural light) rooms. I have a kitchen which is in a condo and the only natural light is through a pass through on the wall above the sink.

That is also the dining room wall which is open and light does come through a sliding glass door but is very indirect as the kitchen is in the middle of the downstairs layout. The other side of the kitchen is the living room which receives light from two front adjoining windows and the area leading to the kitchen from the living room is open other than a half wall which is part of the kitchen and the other side is the living room. My problem has been picking colors for the walls.

I like a dramatic look but now everything is neutral except the counter tops are a deep green. The floor is a pattern that has green, mauve, beige patten blocks which are scattered on the floor. Any suggestions? I would also be willing to pay to have someone give me advice on what to do with it.
-- Patricia

Dear Patricia: The fact that most of your kitchen decor is neutral will work well with dramatic paint colors on your walls. Building from your deep green, mauve, and beige palette, I suggest tones of light sage, such as Benjamin Moore's Guilford Green (HC-116) or shades of light brown, like Benjamin Moore's Putnam Ivory (HC-39). These hues will add warmth and richness to your space while keeping it light and airy.

The Benjamin Moore Web site has some handy online tools to help you explore and visualize how their colors would look in your home. Go to the site and click on Color Help. Once you narrow down the possibilities, nothing is of course more telling than experimenting with the paint on your walls. For that purpose, manufacturers sell small samples.

Cover a generous portion of the wall to imagine how your kitchen would look. If you try to judge from just a paint fan deck or brushstroke or two, you might end up regretting your choice after the room is done. Take notice of how the colors appear with your natural daytime light, as well as in the evening.

It's also very possible that light sage and light brown could coexist nicely throughout your space. You know how it is. Once you paint one room, suddenly other rooms need attention. The good news is that fresh paint can really transform your entire home for a relatively reasonable cost.

Don't be afraid to mix it up a bit. I have clients who successfully used three different shades of the same base color across kitchens, living rooms, and dining rooms. Picking an accent wall or two for the deepest color in your set can create additional drama.

Your good idea about an onsite consultation would give you a qualified assessment and a well-trained set of eyes. Some interior designers like me offer the first visit on a complimentary basis.

Hope that helps get you started!

Pamela