COLUMN: Gail Mayhugh

DEAR GAIL: I want to redecorate my overnight guest area. The room has an attached bath with tile in a beige or sort of a dark orange color. I'm very tired of this color since I had it in another home. What colors can I use in the bedroom area? Do I have to choose something that goes with the tile even though it is in an adjoining room? -- Mary R.

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

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

Depending upon the theme and atmosphere 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 feeling in a room. Color is the very first thing we react to when entering a room and the most lasting memory we take with us when leaving.

Start first with how you want the room to feel and the experience 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 its at-home feeling, but sometimes the unexpected is fun and memorable, too.

A few of the colors that will coordinate with the bathroom tile are almond cream, which brings to mind the calm and warmth of sandy beaches; stone-washed taupe, the color of the pyramids that has a soothing timeless appeal; Mediterranean blue of sea and sky, that relaxes the body and spirit; leaf green, the color of nature and renewal; and earthy red, that provides a dose of energy and passion.

A combination of any of these colors will be very attractive with the bathroom tile. Start with an inspirational piece. It could be a piece of art, fabric swatch, area rug, accessory or bedding.

To create an exotic jungle theme use greens, browns and tan. For a more serene and tranquil mood, decorate with cool watery blues and warm beach tans making a surf and sand theme. For a Caribbean feel 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, while silks and satins will provide a more elegant feel. For a crisp and clean appeal, decorate with white and add different colored 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 to work with your tile.

Gail Mayhugh, owner of GMJ Interiors, is a professional interior designer and author of a book on the subject. Questions may be sent by e-mail to: gail@gmjinteriors.com. Or, mail to: 8170 S. Eastern Ave., Box 4-275, Las Vegas, NV 89123. Her Web address is: www.GMJinteriors.com.

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