Name: Shalini
Location: Chicago
Type: 2 bedroom condo, owned
Why I use color: I use color because I'm not afraid of it. Shades of beige may work for people, but I need to live in a space that reflects a vibrant mood and style. I find inspiration from clean lines and strong visual patterns — anything from gift wrap to bedding to packaging design. I bought my first condo this summer and I've put a lot of work transforming a space that was painted entirely in 2 shades — beige or pewter.
The pictures are of the master bedroom and the guest bath. I finally at the stage of hanging artwork/photos, but as you can see, the use of color alone eliminates the feeling that your walls are bare without lots of art.
It was hard to get a full shot of the bedroom, but you can see that I kept the graphic pattern to 1 wall to keep the design from overpowering the room. The rest of the room picks up the same background color to tie it all together.
2 good color tips:
1. Don't just rely on magazines or design shows for inspiration. Find things that appeal to you in everyday life and translate that to a room — nature, fashion, architecture, packaging. Whatever sparks your creativity.
2. Don't be afraid of using bold or bright colors. The worst case is that you can repaint it if you don't like it. Don't paint your entire room hot pink if that's not your style. But you can paint one accent wall and keep the rest of your colors more neutral. You can then add little touches the pick up your accent color without feeling overwhelmed by your color.
2 good color resources:
1. It really depends on your style, but look at the design in shops and restaurants that you love. I can't afford most high end design stores, but I can walk around and pick up some great idea starters that I can personalize for my taste and budget.
2. Check out open houses. It may sound weird, but checking out other peoples homes can open you up to ideas you may never thought of or may be a good deterrent of what not to do. Like using a sand texture and dark grey paint all over a sunny bright space like the previous owners of my place did.
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
I love the wallpaper in the first pic.
I like the wallpaper... I like the bedspread and pillow cases... Just not together.
The blue and green are nice though.
Could you please oh please tell me where you found that lovely wallpaper??? Nicole
Insta-Finalist! I love both rooms! I haven't been a fan of wallpaper until this contest and this one is beautiful. And I really love mixing it with that fun green bedspread. The accent pillow is cute, I like that it has a pattern on it instead of being plain, but that it's not matchy matchy with the bedspread. All the furniture is beautiful. I love the dark brown walls in the bathroom, so luxurious feeling and aqua accents lighten it up but are still very classy. Now I want to see the rest of the place!
I really like your choice of colors. Currently, I am decorating my living room in shades of blue and green.
But would have to agree with Devyn, there is a lot of pattern going on..in the Bed spread/pillow covers....(Adding a plain coloured pillow would neutralize the pattern effect.)
Deepti
oh my gosh, this is my favorite entry!! our living room are similar shades of blue and green and i fell in love with your wallpaper. i'm so sad i live in a rental!
does anybody know how difficult it is to take wallpaper off and repaint? i wonder if it's worth it...
I love that stand-out blue vase in the bathroom. It is gorgeous. Could you tell us where you purchased such a find? I'm very blue obsessed right now and I love that shade of blue.
I think the blue vase is the best part of the entry; where did you find it? Really a lovely shade.
I love the bathroom, but I have to say that, since it's the exact same color scheme of my own. I think my brown is slightly more reddish, but otherwise, it's exact, down to the white sink and shower. I love it, and it usually gets quite the "ahhhh..." response when people walk in for the first time.
I love the bedspread and the bathroom.
I have an off-topic question; is it the moderator or the entrants who choose the tags for the entries? Just curious.
I find the bedroom very calming. Very nice.
Hate the wallpaper -- to each his own right -- love ALL the rest!!! Nice one.
That bathroom is perfect. Inspiration for a small half bath that I want to transform!! Thank you!
To Nicola,
I think it's a little bit of both. I forgot to name my entry and AT went ahead and added one, which was perfectly fine. They seemed to pull it from what I wrote. I'm sure I wasn't the only one who didn't send in a caption.
Oh that bathroom is lovely. How do you like having a pedestal sink?
she's not afraid of putting different colors, patterns together . Even if there is no unifying color band between the two it is very striking. Love the pastel like hues used.Quite similar in certain eastern textiles.
The bedroom furniture looks too matchy-matchy. Aren't we done with the days when we bought whole matching bedrooms 'suites'?
The brown in the bathroom is inspired.
Wallpaper - love it! Please let us know where you got it from.
I love the wallpaper and the bedding but not together. I also like that this entry is modern yet feminine at the same time.
I'd like to see this bedroom with a different bedspread (or this bedspread in another room). The bathroom, however, is very inviting. What other colors are you using in your home?
i love the mix of patterns in the BR, and the skillful play with the same intensity of hue in different color ways. i'm squinting at the teeny single bed pillow which seems like its the key to everything, including the guest bathroom. kaCHING!!!!! instafinalist.
you have a wonderful subtle eye, thank you for this beauty.
I like the bedroom. It seems very well put together in terms of color, but not 'warm' enough to be called 'cozy'.
The bathroom however is a beautiful, strong cocoa that adds a dramatic look to what looks like a small space.
Overall, the color combinations are very trendy, although you get points for the wallpaper.
I admit I just adore wallpaper, and your color and choice of pattern is fantastic. Love the colors too!
Georgeous! I love the cute wallpaper. Very modern and hip! Can you please tell me the color and brand of the blue paint that you used?
Good luck in the competition!