Name: Catherine
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Type: Studio apartment, rented
Why I use color: As an undergraduate student, on a very limited budget, color is an integral part of defining and emphasizing my space. The use of color can create a visual illusion of height and width, especially when working with a studio apartment. Using repetitive elements and colors in thrift store finds and inexpensive, often painted, accessories unifies the entire room without sacrificing style.
2 good color tips:
1. Think outside normal color theory. Colors with warmer hues (red, orange, yellow) create an illusion of large size and advancement while cool colors (blue, green, violet) create an illusion of small size and receding walls. If you love warm hues in your small space, use them, simply dull the intensity and increase light value for a polished, not overwhelming, feeling.
2. Colors and textures can transform ordinary furniture and accessories into something individual and spectacular. Lines and shapes of pieces are most important, paint and upholstery can always be changed.
2 good color resources:
1. Favorite pieces of art can provide great color resources. Study the lines, patterns, and colors you find ascetically appealing to discover a palette.
2. Vintage fabric and furniture. Browse thrift store and flea markets for unexpected color combinations.
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Gorgeous pink. And I'm totally jealous of the rich woodwork in your place!
Your rug is great! I like the pink also. I bet your cat is very happy there.
Thanks,
I love the pink mixed with the dark wood...and I'm not just saying that 'cause we live in the same city. Good to see Mpls represented!!!
just like the big lebowski, the rug pulls it all together! go minnesota!
Is that a plastic Asian mat I see used as a rug? I love the colors on it. I use one as a rug on my porch.
I love pink and dark brown together too! Nice job.
Where is that rug from?
Wow, you have the same recliner my grandma had! I've never seen another one like it anywhere; where did you find it?
I love that rug!! Where'd you get that? The pink and browns look nice and I like that accent teal with the bookcase.
I love it! You really brought out the warmth of the wood. The white of the pillows are a great accent to the pinks and teals. I like the art wall too, I wish I could see more of that. I also think it's great that you do this on a budget. Sometimes I think this contest in unfair because it caters too much to really rich people. It says you're an undergraduate, are you studying design?
Wow, this is kind of remarkable for an undergraduate rented space. I love the retro furniture and this is a uniquely non-annoying pink. Very, very well done!
Thanks for all the kind comments. Yes tinsd, the rug is a plastic mat I found at a small Laotian grocery store on Nicollet. The recliner is a vintage vibrating chair I received from a neighbor. Rudy, I am a design student.
Go, Minne-SOOO-ta!!! And what a great representation! Catherine, you've done us proud! Reminds me of my old Uptown apartment...which FYI - I also painted pink! :) (Must be something in the water!) Great way to add some personality to a really small space on a really tight budget. Most excellent!!
This is beautiful! You have a great eye and a lot of talent. I love how you paired the pink with the dark wood. And then you threw in that funky green/teal bookcase! It's perfect. The pictures on the wall, the retro furniture, the creative use of color. If you were going for "young artist in 1930's Paris," you got it!
What a gorgeous, unusual pink! I love it.
I love the juxtoposition of those two heads together - the Masai one and the other one. Very clever.
I like pink, but this is a really bad use of the color. What were u thinking, Pepto Bismal, or Salmon?
what are the paint colors (they, and your apartment are lovely)?