Strive for a cool, contemporary look. Sure, some pastel tones, including frosty pink and lilac, do look cutesy and sweet on their own, but introduce them in a sleek, ultramodern space (like the showstopping living room here) and the colors instantly take on a cool, grown-up and seriously chic vibe. Here powder-pink curtains and a lilac geometric sofa add a dash of subtle yet statement-making color to this stark monochromatic scheme — I love how the graphic design of the sofa makes the pinky-purple hue take on an edgier appearance, despite its dreamy color. Thanks to their soft, chalky tone and smooth texture, the rosy accents also help balance the sharp lines, exaggerated angles and glossy surfaces used heavily throughout the room, resulting in a space that oozes modern sophistication, layered with a hint of refined, ladylike style.
Use chalky shades in place of classic neutrals. Tired of classic neutrals such as beige or cream? Choose a base with a hint of barely there color instead — it will be soft and inviting, and will add visual interest and character. Plus, like versatile neutral tones, supersubtle pastels work well with pretty much any hue, so you won’t be limited for choice when selecting furniture and decor to complete your scheme. Pale lemon is an ideal substitute for cream, as you can see here, while powder pink and soft peach are other great alternatives to warm, neutral tones. Tip: Pastels are great go-to colors if you wish to add color and a dash of personality to a compact room. While more vibrant hues do pack a stylish punch, they can look too overwhelming in a tight space and make the area appear smaller. Pale shades add character and a hint of color while keeping things light and airy.
duck egg blue Introduce it as an accent. You might imagine that accent colors must be bold or bright, but this bedroom shows how softer tones can break up a white scheme beautifully. Duck-egg-blue bedspreads and headboards draw the eye to these twin beds, while a mural of pencils contains blue notes too, for a softly coordinated effect that transforms an otherwise white scheme. MAKE IT BRIGHTER
duck egg blue Go half and half. Bathrooms often contain a mix of materials on the lower half of their walls, from tiles to paneling, to help the space function well and stand up to splashes and moisture. The upper half of the wall, though, is the perfect place for some color, and duck egg blue, with its soft, watery tones, is a great fit in a country-style or traditional bathroom. Paint: Summer Shower, Benjamin Moore
duck egg blue Create a classic country feel. Duck egg blue is a much-used shade in country schemes, and it works particularly well in a Shaker-style kitchen. When used on all surfaces, the shade can read as a little cloying, but it’s easy to avoid the effect. Simply follow this pared-back kitchen’s lead and team it with white and wooden flooring for a fresher look. Solid, attractive fittings, such as this Butler sink, help to ground the shade and give it a utilitarian vibe.
duck egg blue Ramp up its rustic edge. Yes, it’s a soft and delicate shade, but duck egg blue can hold its own in a rustic context. This bedroom has salvaged doors as a headboard, painted in a duck egg shade that leans toward gray. The vintage lamp adds another shot of rustic blue, and the whole space is balanced by abundant white and shots of black.
Turquoise dreams and beachy things ideabook It's a Beautiful World! Beautiful interiors with one of our favorite colors! We are always inspired by the Pacific Ocean and all its shades of blue, aqua and turquoise... Raisa Sunset Boats - modern art, contemporary art, original art, art print, wall art Island - modern art, contemporary art, canvas art, art print, wall art, giclee Stormy Lagune - Blue Seascape - contemporary art, canvas art, art print, giclee Paradise Sun - modern art, contemporary art, canvas art, wall art, giclee, print
Given the 12-foot ceilings and equally statuesque windows of this living room, Fine knew the draperies should take center stage. And when she discovered a sublimely supple silk and polyester sheer from Romo, she knew she’d found the star of her show. Photography by Michael J. Lee transitional living room by Leslie Fine Interiors Leslie Fine Interiors Save to Ideabook Email Photo The aqua fabric was so delectable, Fine didn’t want to distract from it by introducing any other colors. “Using layers of the cream and the blue really worked beautifully and really made the blue stand out,” says the designer, who kept pattern to a minimum so her star wouldn’t be upstaged. Echoes of the aqua speckle the carpet and are repeated in the benches and the throw pillows adorning the sofa, which was covered in a child-resistant indoor-outdoor fabric from Holly Hunt. To brighten the space, Fine placed a creamy oversize ottoman in the center of the room, covered with a faux leather from Robert Allen. The piece doubles for both seating and serving. “It’s really stylish,” Fine says, “but you can wipe it with a sponge.” Sofa: Dakota Jackson; painting: Michael Mazur; ottoman: A. Rudin
Darkest blue. Midnight blue is as elegant and mysterious as the starry night sky. Even those who think they don’t like using blue may be drawn to this deep, dark shade. On painted surfaces midnight blue tends to change with the light, making it a more interesting choice than charcoal gray or straight black.
Sunrise or sunset blue. Think for a moment which you prefer: sunrise or sunset over the water? Your answer can give you a clue about the direction to take your blue-based color scheme. For those who love morning light, consider putting soft, pale blue-grays with silver, white and soft pink. If sunset over the ocean is what captivates you, choose a darker, richer blue and pair it with a flash of blazing orange or red.
Rich blues. Deep, rich blues with a bit of warm gray or green in them are sophisticated hues that are easy to work with. Reminiscent of the sea against a rocky shoreline, these colors pair well with other natural shades of gray, brown and sand, although a pop of an equally bold hue (like raspberry or plum) would also be welcome.
lue in nature. From the deep, mysterious blue of arctic ice to the sparkling turquoise waters of the Caribbean, blue is the color we are most used to being around. Seen from outer space, the swirling blue oceans are the most dominant feature on our planet. Think of blue jeans, blue skies, blue flowers and clouds, the vibrant blue on a parrot’s wing or the soft blue of early-morning light over the beach.
Soothing Blue-Green When a touch of gray is added to a hue, you get what's called a tone. Using tones of your favorite hue is a great way to achieve a colorful room that remains calm and soothing — perfect for a bedroom. I was so drawn into this pretty room with its watery blue-greens and warm grays, I barely noticed the fabulous view out the window!
Style Secret: Light, Weathered Woods While exotic hardwoods may jibe with tropical interiors, American coastal style dictates a lighter touch. Picture driftwood: worn smooth and bleached out, with a salt-kissed patina. That's the look you're after. Whitewashed or pickled woods, blond maple and ash, or bamboo — on flooring as well as furniture — feel pitch perfect. Painted planks and beadboard are coastal classics as well. LOVE THAT BLUE, BUT ANY PASTEL WOULD DO!
AFTER: Going for an industrial chic look, she chose a new pendant light and Sherwin-Williams' high-gloss 6076 Turkish Coffee. The new room is much better at inspiring the homeowners to want to do their laundry. BUT USE A LIIGHTER COLOUR.
BEFORE: "This laundry room is a great example of white not making a poorly lit, windowless room light and airy; it just made it gray, dingy and scuff-marked," says Cathy Zaeske.
SWEET PEA COLOURS
The carefully chosen materials palette allows Farley to change her cabinetry and wall colors in the future and still have a great-looking kitchen. White subway tile, marble counters and oak flooring go with just about anything. The custom stains on both the upper and lower ash cabinets match different Benjamin Moore paint colors: The uppers are matched to Purple Haze; the lowers to Amethyst Shadow.
Farley's husband, a painter, chose the blue wall color based on an antique bowl. Mint green floating shelves display everyday dishes for easy access. "I like to keep things out that are pretty and functional," says Farley. Wall paint: Boca Raton Blue, Benjamin Moore; shelf paint: Apple Blossom, Benjamin Moore
Buttery walls painted in Napery by Sherwin-Williams cast a glow on the vintage table and chairs. Blue silk drapes billow at the floor, and country-style shutters have been affixed to the walls near the kitchen's entrance.
In Aztec culture green was considered to be royal, because it was the color of the quetzal bird's plumes favored by the Aztec chieftains. In Hindu culture emerald green is used to align the heart chakra, or energy point, allowing feelings of love to flow freely from a person’s core.
White. White is really one of the most asked-about colors. The perfect white is sought after for cabinets and trim. Undertones in white paint are important and can really shift a palette. My favorite pure white is White Dove OC-17, by Benjamin Moore. This white, shown here in this gorgeous kitchen, is crisp with no undertones. It looks great against any color.
Pink. Not just for little girls' bedrooms, pink can be very sophisticated in the right shade. My favorite pinks are soft and purely pink. Pink looks great paired with white, gray, green and blue. But greyed a bit?
Lavender. I know some loyal lavender lovers. A soft, barely there shade of this color is gorgeous and looks best with a crisp white trim. I love mixing lavender with robin's egg blue or gray. These lavender-kissed walls are perfect in Benjamin Moore's Organdy 1248.
The myth: Neutral palettes come only in beige, gray and cream. The truth: Absolutely not, Williams says. "Colors that are prevalent in nature can also be neutrals, such as greens and blues," she asserts. "This is true especially when they are softer, grayed-out versions of green or blue. We have all seen colors that while considered to be neutral lean to a green or blue hue."
Purple can be used to help create a desirable mood in the garden — from peaceful to romantic to inspiring. In color theory purple traditionally indicates knowledge, self-respect, spirituality, dignity and wealth. In the landscape it promotes feelings of inner calm and self-worth, providing a sense of refuge. It also is considered useful for creative inspiration and insight. If you feel drawn to violet, lavender, plums and deep purples, here are five tips for adding this hue to your yard.
love this colour
Another beautiful, eclectic take on primary colors.
Geometric shapes, bright white, but not quite primary colors. The effect is similar but softer.
A very modern use of primary colors. Bright white sets it all off, so each piece is a little explosion of color.
Soft plum and turquoise. I've shown a soft plum velvet here, but really any plum looks great with turquoise. Try to pair similar weights of color for the best result.
aqua and warm grey
apple green
Mix and match different sorbet shades … Don’t be afraid to bring multiple pastels into your decorating scheme to create an eye-catching and dynamic look. However, be mindful to use them sparingly and balance them with white, neutrals and natural materials to avoid a sweetness overload … or pepper your space with a single sorbet hue. For a more cohesive look, stick with furniture, accents and design features in the same chalky color. This fresh, inviting bedroom shows how to pull off this look like a pro — pops of mint green have been scattered around the room to create a balanced, harmonious feel. Hearty doses of crisp white and warm neutrals have been introduced to add contrast and ensure that the space doesn’t look too pastel-heavy. Tip: Add a few accents in a more saturated version of the same color for another layer of interest and contrast.
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