Do you love color but hate big commitment? This is a common theme for many homeowners, which can result in houses full of beige rooms. It doesn't have to be all or nothing!
Instead of using bold paint colors or upholstery, focus on infusing your space with pops of color with accessories, artwork, bedding, lighting, and window treatments. With a neutral backdrop you can play with color and easily change the feel of your space with your mood or the seasons. Try rotating different accessories to change it up.
Artwork is a great way to infuse a space with color and life without painting the walls. You can always move your collection from room to room as the mood strikes you.
Standard drapery panels are your friend. They are inexpensive and can drastically change the look of a room. Try using one pair for spring and summer and a darker, richer hue for fall and winter.
Use your books for color and pattern. Remove book jackets to see what color is underneath -- usually the solid color of hardback books are more appealing than their paper jackets.
All your examples are good Jennifer. I'd suggest these strategies as a test drive, to see how much one really likes the color. But then they should dive in. A gallon of paint can change alot, without spending alot of change.
Now, if the color someone chooses turns out to be too bright when it's the whole room, (I have seen more than one Screaming Yellow Zonkers living room, where you need to put on your shades quick) A small can of ivory, deep brown, or its opposite on the color wheel, mixed into a can of glaze can be 'shmeared' on with a grout sponge to tone it down, without losing the color.
These ideas are great. We love the use of unusual colors. We too are a design firm in the beautiful Bay Area and specialize in kitchen and bath design. I am attaching a couple of photos of one of our favorite recent projects in Palo Alto. The homeowner selected a bright orange speed-cook oven as the starting point for her kitchen renovation. The other bright colors mirror the colors in her contemporary art collection. These same photos can be seen on our brand new blog, which just went live on Tuesday. PaloAltoHomeRemodelers.com Lanny Danenberg, Danenberg Design
I know that designers will say that neutral walls are a big no, but I love change and use the principals you described in my own home. It's fun to be able to change accessories and get a new look. I'm currently having a great time transforming my great room. I'm still looking for the perfect accessories, but it's a lot of fun adding pops of color.
