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Wednesday 18 April 2012

Colour Palette: Eclectic Living Room

Whenever I'm chatting about decorating with colour, be it with a friend, family member or journalist, I'm always asked, 'How do I start adding colour to my space?' The answer is simple: layering. Start with your neutral canvas (in this case a palette of creamy white and cool grey) and then begin adding in hues in layers. First you might scatter a few vibrant throw pillows onto the couch. Like the result? Great, why not add a similar shade from one of them in a larger statement piece such as a rug. Anchor this bold addition of colour with an accent piece - here this is achieved by the red coffee table upon the mustard yellow rug. Live with the space for a while, adding in and switching out pieces with the seasons, your mood or even trends. Artwork is a sure fire way to bring both colour and personality to a space, and personally I love to change out prints every few months to bring a new angle to a room. Have you added colour in any of these ways before?
// Lifestyle image from Real Living | Styled by Mette Helena Rasmussen | Photography by Tia Borgsmidt

24 comments:

  1. Although I have my black and white moments from time to time, there is nothing as happy and cheerful as colours in interiors! Love your approach on adding colour to interiors - such a playful way to personalise a space!

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  2. Such great advice. I have tried using this in principle, but not sure if my novice interior design skills made it look as nice as what you have above.

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  3. I love colour!!! Layering like this is such a good idea, and its far less risky than buying a major furniture in bright colours. I may need to look into a coloured rug.

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  4. I love hearing about your color process here--so methodological--and so different from my stream-of-consciousness design practices!!

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  5. great colour pointers! love that space too! xx

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  6. Color is sooo challenging for so many people! Scares the hell out of us, but can't live without it. Playing it 'safe' can be dull, but once you take the plunge, you never wanna come back up for air! Love it!

    One of my favorite suggestions is like you said - add a bit at a time, pillows, throws, touches that you can change without a huge influx of cash!

    Kudos! Nice work!

    Elena at www.ideainteriors.blogspot.com

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  7. Love all of those colourful cushions + the red coffee table. The natural light is incredible! xx

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  8. Will I love this image and the colour palette! For my living actually I've chosen neutral base tones with pastels and black and white but these accents are so gorgeous!

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  9. that's a great advice,
    have you thought about writing a book? ;-)

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  10. Great advise! This is why I want a gray couch! I love crazy patterned bold and bright pillows!

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  11. What a fun room! The different textures are a great touch: the rug, the glossy sophistication of the table, the rustic charm of the chair ...... :)

    I love being surrounded by white walls - all the better to make any added colour go "pop"! :D

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  12. Thank you for the advice! I'm really drawn to a colourful look against a neutral background right now. I'm not sure if it will work for our home, though ... Our ceilings are quite high (which is great), so I'm a bit scared of it looking too cold if we paint in a really light colour. I like our colourful walls, but I'd like to try the approach you suggest some time in the future. I love that the decorative scheme is much more flexible like that.

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    1. That's the great thing about colour, you can use it to add personality and decor value to the specific space you are in. Love the sound of your high ceilings!

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  13. This is my method as well! I try to stick to neutral colors for the big pieces (my couch, dining table etc.) in beiges, grays, and glossy whites (I own practically the entire parsons collection from west elm) and then layer in pops of color with pillow, throws, and assorted tchotchkes. Definitely the easiest way to work if you're a little color shy like me!

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    1. Sounds fantastic, Sarah! Love to hear how you've been adding colour in your home. Thanks for sharing!

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  14. LOVE the mix of colors against the white, gorgeous!

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  15. That's how I roll too. I'm a black and white girl so this is what works for me. great room.

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  16. Hmmm, dare I go 'eclectic' ..i think i'm taking a leap and re-designing my living room (hmm, now to convince my hubby) :) Thanks for the inspirational pics!!!

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