Cheerful Spaces: The Art of Designing With Color

In honor of the colorful flowers blooming around here, I though I'd delve into the art of designing with color. ...bright color.

For the longest time, I couldn't get this picture out of my head, & I was dead set on this photo being the inspiration for our down stairs powder room (Seriously). I LOVE carrera marble, so I'm almost turned on to any space that has this luxurious stone used in it. And that sink...to-die (more on those later). So, I went to the paint shop, had them mix up just the right color of 'electric purple', got home and decided- "no way". I couldn't do it. When push came to shove, I chickened out. In fear that I wouldn't get as luxurious a look as I saw in the photo. If I didn't have the marble right then & there to do it all in one shot, I wasn't doing it. So for the time being, it's a calming shade of gray. In the future, it'll be wallpaper.

This light (but bright) purple hue gives this space just the right amount of vibrancy; & I love that the wall color ties in perfectly with the flowers on the pillows. It matches, but not it a 'model home' sort of way, especially with the help of those  flanking arm chairs. Violet, tangerine, & lime. I love the mix.                                                                                  (Anne Coyle)

                                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                     (Moises Esquenazi)

Betsey Burnham's office is really more of a black & white space, but by using small amounts of interchangeable accessories like the flowers, books & pillows (which can easliy be moved from room to room to "restyle" your home without spending a dime), she's made a big impact. Not too much, & not too little....just right.

I've always been attracted to pretty much every color of the rainbow, & even when they're all used in one space. To me, it just makes a room feel happy. And this room, says just that. If you're a lover of books & color, then this might be a fun display solution for you.

                                                                                                                                   (Charlotte Moss)

Lime/Lemon. You'd think putting this color on your walls would look more on the juvenile side, but in this room, it's pure fun & flirty.

Turquoise curtain panels laid against bright white walls. What...a...statement. To keep the look from looking 2 dimensional, bring in some other pops of color to balance out the room. The yellow chippendale chairs do exactly that. This dining room really doesn't have a lot in it but WOW, does it pack a punch!   

                                                                                                                                     (Jonathan Adler)

                                                   

                                     (Shine Home)                                               

               Tone on tone green in the bedroom                      (Kelly Wearstler)

                        makes for a dramatic setting.

 This color combo can be used for pretty much any room in the house. This bedroom looks to be in more of a city setting contrasted with bold black & white, but I could easily see this palette on the walls & ceiling of a bedroom on the breezy coast line. This color scheme is screaming to blend in with natures beauty. Throw down a sea grass rug, hang some extra long sheer white panels, fluff up a  white comforter for the bed & you're in business.  

(above photo via: pittsburghpaints.com)

There is not one thing I dislike about this photo. Black, nickel, light teal, orange & zebra! 
The two seperate panels hung together as one is a brilliant touch. The photo wouldn't be the same without the pair.

 

And last but not least...Miles Redd. A true visionary in the interior design world. A man who's not afraid to lacquer anything, or put a bright splash of color where you wouldn't expect it. I've had this photo for what seems like forever; & maybe because I used to just sit & study it. 

It's rare to pull off such a dark color on the floors, walls & curtains. But with such big windows, and those bright white sofas to bounce around all of that sun light; it's not dark or dreary at all. In fact...it's the exact opposite in my opinion. I would love nothing more than to curl up, in a furry throw blanket with a hot cup of coffee & go thru a giant stack of design reads in this luxurious blue room.