You are currently browsing the tag archive for the ‘paint’ tag.
I’m on a quest for the perfect paint color for our dining room. It will be redecorated after the kitchen renovation and I’m planning a neutral scheme, enlivened with plenty of pattern. The big challenge is finding the perfect taupe. I want to go with darker walls for a bit more drama, and have decided charcoal will be too gray but don’t want to veer too much toward brown. I’ve found some good sources of inspiration though.
Via LiveBreathDecor.
Via This is Glamorous.
If anyone can recommend the perfect shade for me, I will be indebted to them!
When we remodel the kitchen, we will have some structural work done that will require repainting the dining room. I’m planning on using this to try a new look. Here’s how it looks now.
We had the shelves put in just over a year ago and they’ve made an enormous difference to the room. Other than that, not much has changed since this post. But now it’s time for something new (apart from the table, which obviously desperately needs to be swapped out). The current wall color is Iced Marble by Benjamin Moore. I love it, but it’s been there for almost five years and I feel it’s a little drab now. So, I’m thinking of going several shades darker to Millstone Gray. As you can see, it’s a deep gray with a greeny-blue tinge.
Or else Kitty Gray, which is just a little darker and bluer (and, frankly, looks identical on my screen!)
Dark gray has been a hot color for ages, but I still think it looks fresh against crisp white moldings (of which there’s plenty in our dining room – and, if we paint the ceiling a brighter white, it should work well). Take a look at these examples.
Via the Girl in the Brick House.
Via Manolo for the Home. Although the walls here are almost black, rather than gray, this photo is particularly great inspiration because we have this Nelson Saucer bubble lamp in our dining room.
What do you think? Should we take the plunge?
Although I’m a fan of black walls, I always felt that black was for cozy, moody rooms. To take a bright, airy room with lots of windows and paint it black would surely be a waste of all that natural light, right? How wrong could I be? Take a look at this striking bedroom from Ab Chao.
And here’s what it looked like before.
Incredible, right? Of course, it’s not just the paint color: the bright pillows, undressed windows, re-arranged furniture all make a difference too. But what amazes me is how bright it still feels, even with black walls. The black walls actually frame the windows, drawing attention to the view and making the space seem even lighter. Just goes to show that black decor can be energizing as well as enigmatic…
I think teal might just be my color obsession for January. Fresh, but not in your face, it’s just the tonic we need for this time of year. Sort of the color equivalent of a detox!
I recently came across this stunning loft apartment, the Paris Home of artist Claire Basler, featured in March 2010′s Elle Decoration. (Found on the charming blog of furniture design firm Pacha Design). The colors in this space are so subtle but the teal wall is really exceptional. A great foil for the sculptural lighting and floral arrangements.
Then I remembered the winning entry from last year’s Apartment Therapy Room for Color contest. Here teal is moody, enigmatic and not a little whimsical.
And, just to prove that teal can work for more traditional designs too, this living room from Canadian House and Home has been doing the rounds (I spotted it on Delight by Design and Little Green Notebook) and it’s easy to see why. Teal walls knock the formality out of this classical space, bringing it firmly into the 21st Century.
Of course, if you don’t fancy the commitment of a teal wall, how about this gem of a wing back chair seen in Lonny Magazine? C’mon, if this doesn’t seal the teal (sorry, couldn’t resist), nothing will…
Welcome to the sumptuous, colorful, sophisticated world of photographer William Waldron’s portfolio. Of course, you wouldn’t expect anything less from a megastar of the photography world: Waldron has photographed the homes of many a celebrity and has graced the pages of the likes of Elle Decor numerous times. But, if only because we can all do with a glimpse at how the rich and famous live, I thought it worth another peek at his work!
You’ll recognize many of the shots in this post, I’m sure. But even if they’re new to you, hopefully you’ll enjoy the way he seems to make every space look so glamorous and other-wordly. This dining area’s glossy green walls and dappled light give an underwater feel.
Pink never looked so grown-up.
And the all-white rooms in his portfolio are positively shimmering with metallic and reflective surfaces.
All of which is, of course, helped by sky-high ceilings and over-size windows.
Waldron is definitely a photographer to check out if you feel like a glimpsing dose of the good life!
I know black walls have been a design trend for at least a year. But it still takes courage and conviction to decorate with black. I still can’t get over the fact I chose two black-framed mirrors for our house – I thought I was being so bold!
But I’ve come to realize that there are some lower-commitment ways to decorate with black. If you love the drama of black but don’t want a moody look, check out some of these ideas.
Glossy black wood door and window frames, with lots of white and a bit of glass, keep the space light.
Just a few pieces of black furniture, like this coffee table and bookshelf, allow you to dabble in black decor, without going the whole way.
Even an entire wall in black wallpaper looks light when it is punctuated with an open doorway.
A black armoire sets a classic tone for a white room decorated with black accents.
Just a single piece of black and white fabric injects drama into this muted bedroom.
Black walls are an easier option when you have lots of windows. I also like the cozy effect for an office. I like to think it would aid concentration!
I love black in kitchens against all that marble and chrome.
In bathrooms, it looks so decadent – even when you only use a tiny bit of black.
Talk about making a statement. Black doors and a simple black table make this otherwise all-white entryway fabulous. I love lilac accents (in this case the flowers) too.
A dramatic black and white canvas breathes life into a space.
This room demonstrates solid commitment to black – but the soft textures (drapes, velvet sofa) make it more inviting.
This really pretty pendant looks great against the more austere black wall and stone fireplace.
Or reverse the look with a modern black pendant against a pretty backdrop of traditional white walls and fixtures.
I love the graphic appeal of a striped rug and lots of black picture frames.
If you don’t like the idea of painting a wall black, who could resist the luxe appeal of black wood?
With paneling it’s even more effective.
Or pick out an architectural feature – in this case the staircase – in black.
Or how about switching things up and painting the wainscoting black and the upper walls white? It has the effect of grounding an almost white space.
Have you tried decorating with black? Do you still love it?
Credits:
1 & 2 – Decorpad, 3 – Apartment Therapy, 4 – source unknown, 5 – Apartment Therapy, 6 – Peacock Feathers, 7 & 8 – Pink Wallpaper, 9 – Simplified Bee, 10 – Peacock Feathers, 11 – This is Glamorous, 12 & 13 – Graham Atkins Hughes via Desire to Inspire, 14 – The City Sage, 15 – Apartment Therapy, 16 – The Rug Company, 17 – Door Sixteen, 18 – A Life More Fabulous.
When it comes to colors, my design aesthetic is lying somewhere, bruised and battered, in the no man’s land between cool neutrals and wild brights. Trying to accommodate both tastes is rather exhausting. But I’ve found some solace in the portfolio of photographer James Merrell, whose work shows brights being introduced into otherwise neutral spaces in some very surprising ways.
Take these mostly white (or black and white) spaces, for instance. A single yellow end-wall, or a bold-patterned chaise make them exciting, but there are still plenty of neutral areas to give your eyes a rest.
Taking your color directly from nature, or in this case a photographic wallpaper, instantly makes the look more restful and organic.
Ah, the power of purple. That lavender chair! That lilac dresser!
What an impact a single piece of art makes. Even more impactful is the use of a patterned wallpaper, in a single color, used on walls and ceiling in an otherwise simple room.
Even color-phobes can handle introducing color with their wardrobe. And, better still, this look requires everything else to be completely white! I like the picture wall too – we’ve all seen jewellery used as decor before, but here I like the way it’s intertwined with the art.
Last but definitely not least, who said moldings and wainscoting had to be all-white? The bright green here makes the neutral furniture pop and it can be changed back to snowy white with the flick of a paintbrush.
So, for others in my situation, I hope this gives you a few ideas and the courage to try more brights. And for the color aficionados among you, please do share your tips and tricks! How do you introduce color into your home?
All photos from Judith Miller Inc. Check out Merrell’s portfolio for more images – don’t worry, there are some lovely all-white rooms in there too!
I’m a bit of a coward when it comes to using dark colors in my home. Let’s face it, splashing navy blue or chocolate brown all over your walls is not for the faint-hearted. There’s always the risk that you’ll deaden the room, making it seem small and gloomy. But, done right, dark walls can look incredible. They can create a cozy cocoon-like space, make a dramatic statement, or convey calm and elegance. Here are a few spaces where it’s been done right.
I’m not exactly sure how to describe the color in this first picture. Sludge, maybe? It’s very effective on the panelled walls, giving what could be a rather traditional room a twist. It works well with the white bedlinen, which keeps the space feeling light and airy. Via Canadian House and Home.
I love the midnight blue walls in this living room. This particular blue still has a lot of life to it and looks great against the pale sofa and chair. This room works because there are little flashes of white dotted around (the wall sconce, the vase, the lamp). Via Homes and Gardens.
Dark walls make a fabulous backdrop for a wall of art. The purple here just pulls this eclectic collection together. I love it with the yellow too. I’m not usually a fan of paint effects but, because the color is so unusual, the mottled walls here look pretty amazing. Especially against the slightly battered desk and retro radio. This is one cool room. Via Glimpse of Style
Black walls! Who knew they could be so fresh? In Britain, years ago, there was a kids’ book that was very popular called ‘The Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 and a Half’. The eponymous Mole was a rather unfortunate, nerdy teenage boy. At one point, in an effort to cover up the childish wallpaper in his bedroom, he painted the walls black. Trouble is, he didn’t quite cover the pattern – you could still see the yellow bells on Noddy’s hat (Noddy was a fictional character from a British children’s book). Poor kid. Point is, since then I’ve never been able to think of black walls as sophisticated or desirable! But this picture proves me wrong. It works brilliantly with lots of white furniture, symmetry and a bit of pattern. Via Homes and Gardens.
The deep gray of these dining room walls is stunning. It works well because the many reflective surfaces keep the space lively. It also helps that there are plenty of windows so the amount of wall space that’s covered is actually very small. Via Gorgeous Shiny Things
Speaking of reflective surfaces, I love this glossy peacock blue. It balances the bright orange well – and look how it reflects the lamp. This is one way to ensure your dark walls aren’t at all gloomy. Via House Beautiful.
I’ve been hording this image from Domino for ages. It’s a great example of how dark walls can be the perfect background for unusually-shaped furniture (the bed, the stools, the mirror).
Ok, this one’s a little more controversial. Dark brown in a kid’s room? Well, it’s practical at least. But I have to say I like this. It works because the wall is a quirky shape as a result of the sloping roof. And it’s lightened up considerably by the white letters. It helps that the room is pretty spartan too. Wonder whether it’s like that every day… Via Australian decor mag, InsideOut.
Right then, does that give you the confidence to try some more moody colors? Or did you crack the secret of dark walls long ago? Share your pics if so.
Oh, orange you tricky color, you.
You have me all confused.
I like your zesty brightness,
But you’re the boldest hue I’ve used.
I’m tempted by your playfulness,
You always make me smile.
But once I’ve put you on my walls,
Will your cheeky looks just rile?
I felt my heart strings tug,
when I saw you on these doors.
Then I saw you on this graphic rug,
And now I want you on my floors.
These orange rooms have caught my eye,
Now I can see your beauty.
And these stunning window treatments
Just have me feeling fruity.
With white, you make mouths water,
With blue, you simply pop,
But it’s with hot pink or purple
That you make my poor heart stop.
Oh orange, what memories you bring.
You inspire some blissful thoughts:
Of fireflies on summer nights,
Mai Tais, Tandoor ovens, bitter orange tortes.
But you demand commitment,
Once you go orange, you don’t go back.
I wonder, will I stay the course,
Or will my resolve soon crack?
Is this just a seasonal thing,
Inspired by sunny days?
Perhaps this is a summer fling?
In winter I’ll want my bluey-grays.
I’d like you in my toddler’s room
To give his walls a boost.
But will you make him race around,
like a cup of orange juice?
If I woke to find you in my room,
You’d quench my morning thirst.
But what if I’m hungover?
Will you make it worse?
I’d like to put you in my kitchen.
They say orange causes appetite.
But I’m afraid I’d eat too much,
And make my jeans too tight.
Orange brings out my true style:
Be it rustic, mod or mid-century.
But if I get it badly wrong,
They’ll think it’s 1970.
The blogs are full of great ideas
On how to make it work.
But this constant indecision
Is driving me beserk.
You made me write this poem.
See, I’ve really lost my cool.
But if this dreadful love turns sour,
Will you make me look a fool?
It’s clear I have an orange crush.
It’s crazy how I feel.
I think I know why this has happened:
Let’s face it, you have zest appeal.
Happy Monday! 
Photo credits:
1 – Tim Evan-Cook; 2 – Unknown; 3 & 4 – LivingEtc; 5 & 6 – Las Alamandas Hotel in Mexico; 7 – Habitat Hanalei; 8 – Daniel Farmer; 9 – via Apartment Therapy; 10 – Brugge Bed and Breakfast; 11 & 12 – LivingEtc; 13 – Tchochkes; 14 – Polly Wreford; 15 – my husband took this one!
To some, a home is just four walls and a roof. To others, it’s a showcase for a lifetime’s achievements. To a few, it’s a canvas for artistic expression. To me, it’s a refuge and a source of comfort. It’s also a lab for design experiments, some of which go well, many of which don’t.
That’s the real reason I started this blog: to record the changes in our home, capture the things that inspire those changes; and document the disasters so I never repeat them!
To some people, I suppose our home looks finished. Or maybe it looks like we’ve barely started. But to me, it’s a work in progress. So here are the first photos of our home – finished or otherwise.
We live in a San Francisco Edwardian. There are three stories, including the basement garage. The living room is at the front and is open to the hallway via a double-width arch. We’re lucky to have tons of natural light, with windows on two sides – although that does make it chilly on winter evenings. The sofas are from IKEA (when we moved to the US seven years ago, we had to furnish an entire apartment in a weekend so most of our basic items are from IKEA – and still going strong, I might add). The ottoman is from Pottery Barn and has been absolutely invaluable – there’s nothing better than kicking back in front of a movie with this as a footrest. Good for extra seating too when we entertain. The shades are raw silk from the Shade Store (excellent for reasonably-priced custom shades). The mirror and lamp are from Pier 1 and the apothecary chest is from Gingko, a little store in Soma that makes items to order for a great price – mostly from reclaimed wood. I also have a beautiful Louis chair (out of shot) covered in cream velvet, with silver gilt arms. It’s rather ornate but balances out the two boxy IKEA sofas. The challenge here is keeping the effect modern while indulging my preference for vintage, gilt and shiny things. Seems I’m constantly teetering between the two.
Ok, this shot is taken from the sofa under the bay window, looking through to the hallway and then dining room. Here’s the Louis chair. The painting is by Chris Hankey. We asked for contributions to an art gallery for our wedding gifts, and this was one of the pieces we eventually purchased. If there’s one thing in our home that helps me relax, it’s this.
The dining room wall color was a major change for us – it’s quite a cool blue/green/gray. It’s Iced Marble by Benjamin Moore and seems to change color depending on what you put next to it. But it looks great as a backdrop to the wave painting. The table is (of course) IKEA, but the chairs are from a, now closed, store on Fillmore Street. I loved the leather but couldn’t justify buying six of them so two are in a charcoal fabric instead. The sideboard, just seen, is from Gingko again. I had trouble deciding what to do with the front door, which is glass. I didn’t want to block out the light completely, but also didn’t want passersby peering in while we ate our dinner in the evening. The laser-cut paper screen by Tord Boontje seemed to be a good solution – and, somehow, we’ve managed to prevent our toddler from tearing it to shreds.
Just off the dining room is a tiny sitting area, which we use as a playroom. I’ve already shared my excitement about the West Elm zigzag rug in an earlier post: I’m loving how it contrasts with the more somber dining room.
This is the master bedroom. It’s above the living room so we get the same great light. But we had to invest in extremely well-lined drapes and shades to keep the warmth in in winter. The bed is IKEA again, as are the lamps. I feel like we should replace the lamps with something more visible against the light-colored drapes. But the light they give is so warm it’s perfect for a bedroom so I can’t bear to part with them. The pomegranate painting was another wedding gift and was the inspiration for the colors in this room.
Ok, I’m no stylist. But I like to see this little collection of things on our dresser in the mornings. The photos are of my father as a child, the handheld silver mirror (lying flat) was an 18th birthday present, the mother-of-pearl inlaid mirror is from Wisteria and was a source of much soul-searching (should we really spend the money?) but it was the best price I’d found for this type of mirror and I absolutely love it. The domino box is also from Wisteria and was a present from my sister (with some strong hints…). The large paper flower was made by my two-year-old at his daycare and is, quite frankly, the best thing about this collection (in my humble, doting-parent, opinion!)
Last but not least, the guest room. The photograph isn’t great, but the room itself is really relaxing to be in. The wall color is Morning Dew by Benjamin Moore – a really pale, creamy green. The drapes are white linen and from the Shade Store again. The bedside tables were an absolute find for $140 each in a local antiques store (Past Perfect on Union Street – same place I got the Louis chair). Somehow they work with the IKEA bed and lamps. The rug is from South Africa, a gift from my parents.
In another post, I’ll try to show some pics of the nursery, office and kitchen. The latter is definitely a work in progress – we’re contemplating a renovation.
So, that’s our home. I hope it provides some ideas – even if only what not to do!
Recent comments