New House
3. Start with art. Artwork is often a good starting point for a room’s color scheme. Here, the blue-gray painting really sets the mood for this snug, seaside living room.Designer Rebecca Leivars wanted to give a subtle nod to the cottage’s location, focusing on stormy grays and blues. “I wanted an emphasis on lazy, rainy days — sitting there with a hot chocolate or a nice glass of wine in hand while the wind’s howling outside,” she says. The palette builds out from the painting, but not too literally: Blue is central to the artwork, but it’s picked up in only one pillow. Instead, what dominates are the neutrals — a soothing wash of pale biscuity walls and several shades of gray. The spikes of golden yellows add warmth, but so, perhaps surprisingly, does the blue. Certain blues’ warming powers are one of the reasons they can be such a good partner for cool grays.
6. Neutral lovers, rejoice! Kelly-Moore has a nice pick for you: Bahia Grass, a fantastic light and neutral alternative for those tired of white, beige and gray. This soft sage has just a touch of yellow, which gives it a nudge to the warmer side, great for those living in cool climates who want a fresh new color in their home.Help! What Color Should I Paint My Front Door?
3. Realize That Mishmash Is the New Matchy-Matchy In my experience, too many of us get caught up in the matchy-matchy trap when it comes to design. Maybe it’s the influence of family homes of times past, where grandma’s pillows matched the drapes and the couch and the china. But whatever the reason, one thing I love about this awesome age of design we’re in right now is that matching is no longer the only way. Although it’s true that in some spaces, matching can create a beautifully curated look, I encourage you to think outside the box when it comes to adding color.
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