Fun with Colors!
There are so many questions on colors and color palettes here in the Design Dilemmas. Many Houzzers are reluctant to use much color either because they are afraid that they aren't good at mixing them, or that a colorful room is not restful or will be chaotic.
I recently read an article that had a couple of really pretty rooms made pretty because of the skillful use of color.
This bedroom is a relaxing study in a monochromatic palette of blues and beiges. The colors are light and pastel, and the pattern on the curtains, upholstery, bedskirt and pillows very muted. However, it is really brought to life by the beautiful landscape painting above the headboard. The dark greens and browns of the trees and ground contrast with the light blue sky with cumulus clouds. The bright gold frame really draws your eye in. Just place your hand over the painting--see how the room is diminished without it! This room also shows that artwork does not need to repeat the colors of the room, in fact it's much more interesting when it does not.
This room is painted in a very deep teal blue, which is repeated on the Windsor chairs. The large club chairs and ottomans are also blue, albeit a lighter version. A room with this much blue, especially a darkish blue, could easily become drab and gloomy. But whoever designed it added blue's complement--orange--to bring the room to life. The pillows, side table, curtain fabric and rug all combine to add spice to this room without overwhelming it.
So even if you want a monochromatic palette, a neutral palette, there's something exciting about adding a touch of a brighter color in accessories like pillows, rugs and artwork. The most dramatic effect can be gotten by using complements, colors opposite each other on the color wheel, like red and green, blue and orange, and yellow and violet.
Happy decorating and remember, be fearless with color!
Comments (22)
6 months agolast modified: 6 months agoOur living / dining room is all earth tones except we added touches of teal and peacock blue. You can see a corner of the cognac dining chair. The rail is to divide off the sunken living room.
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC thanked tracefloyd- PRO6 months ago
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Rectangular living room
Comments (14)Often we find when we move into a new home the furnishings we had purchased for the previous don't work for the new. If you are wanting to make this a duo functioning room with TV and fireplace as a focus than you may have to rethink the blue sofa. You can keep a petite style to the furnishings, no oversized anything. My first thought is to push the TV into the corner with all the wiring. Then add a small scale sectional that is really just a long sofa with a chaise at the window side, and long so that it stretches in front of the fireplace. This allows you to have both views, one when TV is the motive and one when relaxing in front of the fire is. On the side of the fireplace closer to the dining set I would place a smaller "pull-up" chair that hugs the fireplace but is angled towards the sofa. You can add cubes or a small upholstered cocktail ottoman on the TV side of the sofa. Then add a narrow rug that ties the grouping together. Match the curtains on the patio door to the curtains on the window and add some fun art above the fireplace. Accents can always come after you have your arrangement planned. Have fun!...See MoreUpcycling colour advice
Comments (57)I though the Louis fireplace was the one you were removing. Ok so if you are just selling it I wouldn't do much more to it. It just needs warming up/livening up. I saw you had a plant but it's rather tall thin and spiky - not very tactile. This room is rather 'yang' ... cold colours, straight lines, sparsely decorated and feels like it needs more life. Best way to do this is colour, texture, pattern. Plants are actually alive so a few more, even small ones that are softer, rounder leaves etc. If you are changing the curtains I would go for a pattern that's more fluid with a number of colours in it. Same with the cushions. I found the pictures in your ideas book of other blue rooms quite cool too (and the gold clashes with the blue/white) although if you notice they have some older pieces of furniture which tend to have a warmer lived in feel, your cabinet as it is adds a lot to this. They also have softer plants (orchids, hydrangeas) look at their yellow rounded cushion. All those details make a difference. I big thing to consider is climate/geography. Navy and white are cold so if you live in a warm climate they may feel refreshing, on the UK I would feel cold in a navy and white room. We react to colours and they can change our experience of a room by 5-6C just by looking at them. (scientifically proven) Also people tend to think of blues, greens as cold and reds, yellows, oranges as warm whereas most colours have warm and cold versions. If you look at your flooring (cold) compared to your bi-fold doors (warm) you will see that not all browns are the same. tomato red for example has yellow in it so is warmer whereas dark cherry red has blue in it to is a cooler version of red. Once you paint the doors the room will feel even colder. Also the texture of the laminate floor is 'cold' as it is shiny and artificial looking. A big colourful rug (texture) would warm it up. With regards to wall colours ... I'd suggest not starting with the wall colour. Buy a gorgeous painting or rug or even a cushion and then be inspired by the colours in that for sofas etc and finally choose the wall colour after than. You mention black leather, again, a cold colour, heavy colour and shiny ... all very yang. If you want this then the setting you put it in will make a big difference ... personally I would step away from the black, just explore. What about a blue velvet sofa, since you like blue and do something different to the walls. Have a look at this article. It isn't my style, still too cold but can you see where she has added texture (fur, rugs, fabric curves), pattern, details (plants rounder), more personal loved items and being an older home with cornices etc it doesn't feel so cold and sharp. https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/houzz-tour-a-family-home-in-hamburg-with-a-touch-of-scandi-style-stsetivw-vs~48800571?utm_source=Houzz Cold is not just about temperature. E.g. older style furniture, esp make of wood tends to be warmer ... softer shapes and more substance (life lived), things like elaborate cornicing, whereas newer modern style furniture, often painted or white/straight lines etc feels cooler/fresher/lighter (younger) ... some of both in a room really makes it feel balanced. Think of it as a family (or any group) ... parents bring experience, wisdom and safety, children bring laughter, fun and lightness ... a good combination. Note: once you choose navy for your walls then it's hard to warm it up as cream will clash and I know you don't like it anyway. What about a different blue? More of a teal, this has a touch of yellow so you can add mustards, burnt orange, warm turquoise etc. Phew, that's lots from me ... most of all, put yourself in the room and it helps to look for inspiration out in the world rather than just other people's rooms. For me the cabinet with all your things in it & books is the best part of the room. I trust that all helps ......See MoreSplash back and wall color help!
Comments (26)Personally I wouldn't go with a yellow splash back. Not because it wouldn't go but more that you already have enough of that accent colour around the room, over do it and it can look forced. There is a fine line between getting the balance right were it looks classy and going over board to the point it looks naff. Personally I would either go for a splash back that is colour matched to the walls or a smoked mirror. You are limited in some ways because it appears there wasn't any forward planning with regards to splash backs. Any splash backs would need to be confined to the width of the extractor because your curved wall units won't open otherwise. They would have to be packed off the wall if you wanted to go full width splash back. I would recommend a durable matt paint in the kitchen. Good quality ones will withstand washing without polishing up and showing tell tell marks where they've been washed. Little Greenes Intelligent Matt is perfect for this and is our choice of paint when not using any further splash backs above the granite upstands. I understand a colour matched glass splash back or smoked mirror may seem like the safe option and boring to some, but there is no point in being brave just for the sake of it. You've got plenty of other points of interest in the room with regards to colour without having to push it too far. Let the kitchen itself be a subtle canvas to show off other items rather than fight with them for attention would be my advice....See MorePlease help! - Advice needed on Hallway
Comments (22)have you considered a wallpaper... I know I often mention wallpapers but they are amazingly resillient if you get a good one. I have a paper in my own hall that has been up for 9 years and has outlived the paint by a long chalk. Wipeable, and strong, and there are so many that have a little bit of opalescence or metallics that will bounce a bit more light about. Doesn't have to be a pattern, could be a texture to keep in your colour palette. I agree with those who have suggested white for the woodwork , a slight off white that is. Unless your house is brand new or has been replastered perfectly brilliant whites will show off all the lumps and bumps. so stick to a milky/creamy whites for warmth or a grey white if you want a cool scheme. striped runners will make the hall seem longer if you want to give that impression and a large mirror in the narrowest part is helpful for illusionary width. ( also helpful for that last minute check theres no toothpaste round your mouth on the way out the door) don't put anthing like coat hooks along the narrow part or it'll be like navigating through the wardrobe to Narnia. but a high shelf might be useful...See More
6 months agoMy 40-year old oak kitchen cabinets had seen better days, so I finally decided to paint them. I chose an unconventional bright olive green and am so glad I did. I also have
smatterings of this color throughout the LR, DR, and entry.
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC thanked melindas1977- PRO6 months ago
Well, YOU are certainly fearless, Melinda! I love that color! Reminds me of the kitchen in the home that Ed Ollie renovated in North Carolina.
- PRO6 months ago
6 months agolast modified: 6 months agoLove the softness of the first bedroom photo. So warm and cozy.
10yrs ago we did a full remodel on a home my parents built in the mid 80s. I color drenched the majority of the rooms. I found this comforting, and plan to do it on our next house. Currently, we live at the beach, so not the right place or time for this treatment.
One of our guest rooms. F&B Blue Gray.
Ignore the rug, as I was looking for a replacement when we decided to move. Most of the art in the room has gold frames. The wall to the right, off camera, featured a collection of white handkerchiefs that belonged to my grandmothers and threadwork by my great grandmother - between glass in gold frames.
English kitchen was drenched in F&B French Gray. Even the cabinetry. Ceiling off white since it had beams.
Laundry room. The wall color was an off white, but for whatever reason always leaned to a strange color in photos. Cabinets are F&B Oval Room Blue.
(Going to hit submit so I don't loose my post.)Diana Bier Interiors, LLC thanked Allison0704- 6 months ago
Thank you, @DLM2000-GW They were made by the workroom that did all the drapes, sheers, etc Handsewn rings. Here is an old photo, but I can take more if needed. They are currently hanging in a guest room closet.
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC thanked Allison0704 
6 months ago@Diana Bier, Thank you for posting those photos that show how a punch of color can bring a room to life. Alison’s rooms are to die for, but I’ll show a far more modest use of color. I wanted a quiet, serene MBR, a mix of BM Beach Glass and beige/ivory tones. But I absolutely insisted on hanging my favorite picture opposite the bed, where I can see it every morning when I wake up, and where I saw it every morning for 22 years in our previous home. The jolt of orange and chartreuse never fails to delight me— and I like to think of it as my very own Picasso. 😉
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC thanked Caroline O- PRO6 months ago
Allison0704