The vivid colour palette in our feature photograph certainly catches your eye. The berry-pink upholstery is a bold choice and is surprisingly lovely against the rich, golden walls. Although this particular colour palette isn't for everyone, it certainly has its place in the design world.
I rather like this room. The unexpected splashes of bright colour are refreshing and say a lot about the homeowners. This room says 'I know what I like and I'm not afraid to show it, and I don't particularly care what others might think.'
While the room in our feature photograph may not be your taste, there are lessons to be learned from its makeup. Firstly, work with what you have. If you have a great piece of furniture to use as an inspirational piece, then you're well on your way to a great space.
This decor reminds me of my antique turquoise brocade sofa and chair that we had for decades in our former home. The set was definitely unique and spoke to our design style. It was a lovely, solid antique with an unexpected vintage fabric colour that was a little daring. I liked that it was different from the rest of the modern-day furniture in the marketplace. We still have an accent chair from the set that we brought to our new condo. If you have a unique piece that's just a little 'out there,' consider incorporating it into your decor then seek out interesting colours that will work with your new, daring palette.
How to find the right colours
If you can't find a photograph of a daring colour palette and you need a little help, consider using a piece of fabric or wallpaper as your inspiration. Whatever it may be that catches your eye -- be it a blouse, bedding, upholstery or what have you -- a pattern that you personally find attractive may have the right colour palette for your decor.
As an example, say you happen upon a pattern of bright-red poppies on a white background with lime green centres and purple swirls in the fabric. These three colours, along with a white background, could be your new colour scheme for a vibrant kitchen, dining room or family room.
Depending on which colour you use as your main colour, your options are unlimited on how the room can look. If you want to play it safe with your daring colour palette, use the pattern colour percentages as your guide.
Our sample fabric has big, red poppies, so this could be your main colour, whether you use it in a focal wall or on reupholstered furniture or even an area rug. A white background would also be a big percentage of the pattern, so white walls on the remainder of the room and a white accent chair and accessories are good options. The small bit of lime green in the centre of the poppies will play a great role in accent pieces such as toss cushions and ceramics. The purple would work well with the lime green accents in accessories and touches in window coverings.
Are you seeing the overall picture here? You know the original pattern is eye-catching, so using that as your guide both in palette and percentages of colour in the original pattern will make for a successful outcome.
Using the same example, you could go softer for a master bedroom by using purple as your main colour and accenting it with crisp, white linens and window coverings and adding punches of poppy red and lime green in smaller accessories.
A third option would be to go for a youthful look for a teen's room or family room by using lime green as the main colour and purple, red and white as secondary colours.
Basically, you could decorate your entire house, a different scheme in every room, from the same original fabric swatch. The overall house would be coordinated but each room would have a different vibe.
If you like the colours in your inspirational fabric but find them too bold, use softer shades of each colour (in the same hues) to create a watercolour palette for your home.
Choose colour from what catches your eye and you're sure to have a great outcome. Email me if you get stuck.
Connieoliver2014@gmail.com
