Name: Danny & Carlos
Location: Chicago
Type: 2 bedroom condo, owned
Why we use color: “Live! Life’s a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!” Auntie Mame, 1958.
When we first moved in to our condo (first time living together in a place we owned) we lived with the original beige colors for about a year. EVERY room was beige; the walls, the carpeting, the closets, even the electrical sockets and outlets were painted beige! Then, funny as it seems, we watched the late 50’s comedy Auntie Mame and took inspiration of how she would dramatically change the décor throughout the movie.
We decided to throw caution to the wind and try strong, bold colors. We wanted different color combinations that we felt complemented each other in each room and we just wanted to be able to wake up and see our house with colors that we both enjoyed living in. No matter what happens throughout the day, it’s nice to walk in and, sigh a breath of relief and be in a place that you love.
2 good color tips:
1. Don’t EVER think of painting as a permanent or all-or-nothing job. If you don’t like a color, it CAN be painted over! If painting one large wall with a particular color is daunting, try dividing it up with different colors, zig zags, dots, stencils, you don’t have to paint the whole wall!
2. Don’t start second guessing yourself! There are thousands of shades based on that favorite Avocado Green of yours. If you like that exact Green, use it! You’re the one that is going to be seeing it (and loving it) every day!
2 good color resources:
1. Your life! If you see a color you love somewhere, anywhere, go for it! You don’t have to be an artist or photojournalist to scope out the perfect combination of colors or shades, just listen to that little voice that says “Hmm, that really is a nice shade of blue on that bumper sticker.”
2. Magazines, catalogues, books. I have a small binder where I keep the torn out pages from magazines and catalogues (Architectural Digest, CB2, Crate and Barrel, Ikea, Chiasso, Design Within Reach, etc.) of decorated homes or locations that I really like and try to take inspiration. Sort of a Dream book. It’s nice to go back every once in a while and say “Why did I ever like that?” or “Hmm, that’s something I’d like to try.”
I've always loved your apartment: the color, the wit, the warmth, the humor.
The Auntie Mame thing is just the best.
That's my all-time favorite quote!
And it's a perfect inspiration to lead a really colorful life. The bedroom needs a colorful rug to balance all the activity on the wall. This would make the colored squares seem less out of place, you're almost there, though.
This is an instant finalist for me. I saw your house tour as well and was blown away by your home. I love the colors in the living room, and I really don't even like red walls. Those orange airport seats are so great. I think the bedroom is really fun and unique and I like the two different shades of blue.
I've seen the tour of your home and quite enjoyed it. You use nice color and have interesting pieces throughout (nameley the airport seating). however, I'm not even inclined to look twice based on these photographs. I had to vote "no way" as this alone is what we're basing our opinions on in this contest.
mkay, i'll be the brave one who explains my no-way. i love the quote and the answers to the contest questions and you seem like the kind of people i'd want living next door; but your personality doesn't translate into the space for me with the colors you've used. imho, that green and that red don't work, too christmas card. i'm feeling like the hues or tonality of the colors and the furniture when combined together are entirely off; they aren't bad separately, but don't work together. you have great furniture pieces but they are lost against the wall colors. the bedroom colors are better, but again i like all the elements separately and not together. i'm sorry i can't explain more verbosely. the rooms look stifled to me, if that makes any sense. you have really fantastic pieces that need to be complemented by your colors, not overpowered or drowned out. the kitchen colors do not coordinate with the living room, too much going on to combine all together. anyone else who voted no-way agree/disagree?
You guys are really creative... I love the objects and the feel of the space. Unfortunately the color is not my favorite part of this otherwise magnificent space.
I am deeply, deeply in love with your red wall. I think I need it, very badly. Uh-oh.