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8 Fresh Color Combinations for Interiors
Living Etc.

pbboard020409.jpgThe new issue of Living Etc. (March 09) has a feature on decorating in two colors - they say that color in 2009 is "all about contrast" and that using "striking tonal combos" creates immediate impact. We made up color swatches similar to the ones they feature - jump below to check them out and tell us your favorite...

colorthumbs020409.jpg

 
 
dovevitamin020409.jpgDove + Vitamin C


jadecoral020409.jpg Jade + Coral

acidstorm020409.jpgAcid + Storm

bubblegumeaudenil020409.jpgBubble Gum + Eau de Nil

cloverputty020409.jpgClover + Putty

maglime020409.jpgMagenta + Lime

indigocoffee020409.jpgIndigo + Coffee

violetplaster020409.jpgViolet + Plaster

Which combinations do you like? Are there any you would you try at home?

Check out the full article in the March 2009 issue of Living Etc.

Top photo: Linen Pinboard from Pottery Barn

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inspiration, painting, fixing & repair, color, Living Etc.

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Comments (29)

I have a very similar combo to #1 (Dove/Vitamin C) in my house. The living room is done in two shades similar to Dove and the kitchen - which is open to the living area - is similar to Vitamin C. The combo is dramatic, allowing warm colors in the kitchen and the cooler neutral gray in the living area. I love it more everyday and its been at least a year.

posted by sunwing on February 4th 2009 at 1:36pm
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indigo and coffee struck me as a combo i'd use at home.
dove and vitamin c would brighten up my office.

posted by Krisha on February 4th 2009 at 1:37pm
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I like... none of them. Too bad! Though I could go for a paler jade (more aqua), with a little red. Maybe it's their presentation, in equal amounts and intensities, that goes against my grain. It's hard for me to see past that.

posted by Joan A. on February 4th 2009 at 1:42pm
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I just redid my "den" loft in what's here called "Jade Coral." The walls are aquamarine-ish, the floor and sofa are neutral, and there are touches of red throughout. I love it!

posted by visualingual on February 4th 2009 at 1:46pm
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I was thinking of doing something like number 8 -- violet and plaster -- in our attic. Hope it works out...

posted by mollywtx on February 4th 2009 at 1:48pm
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We're redesigning our office here at work, and I've put forth this kind of idea, a greige overall paint color, and then allowing each team member to have a bright pop of color on one wall in their office - if we were going with these combos in that sort of idea, I love the coffee and indigo.

posted by Blue_roses on February 4th 2009 at 1:48pm
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Hmmm... I like Jade & Coral... although it looks more like Turquoise and Brick to me.

posted by sparkle on February 4th 2009 at 1:51pm
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I love Violet Plaster, so girly and dreamy!

posted by Ina on February 4th 2009 at 1:54pm
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Look through this flickr stream a couple of pages of nature and you will see some of those combos only better- really beautiful
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wendine/sets/72157600194516643/

posted by LoriSF on February 4th 2009 at 2:04pm
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I'm currently redoing my living room and I love the jade/coral combination, although I'm leaning more towards an orange than red in my take on this pair. My furniture is primarily neutral shades of beige to tan, but I'm including large pops of these two colors as well, including a jade accent wall and 8'X10' dark orange rug. This is the most dramatic I've ever been with color and I'm lovin it!

posted by angie19130 on February 4th 2009 at 2:08pm
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I like violet and plaster. My bedroom was done in those shades about five years ago.

posted by Aldyth on February 4th 2009 at 2:12pm
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Toss up between Dove Vitamin C and Dove Plaster. Actually, I'd go for Vitamin C Plaster.

posted by rockypondgirl on February 4th 2009 at 2:20pm
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i am doing jade coral in my house right now. i love it!

they are all really nice. =]

posted by serrakat on February 4th 2009 at 2:33pm
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cool calendar in the photo. anyone know where from?
re: colors - how is a color or color combo "in"? are solid color decisions ever OUT? are we supposed to repaint every year?

posted by coloraddict on February 4th 2009 at 2:36pm
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i pretty much had the first combo in my old townhouse.

posted by terka27 on February 4th 2009 at 2:39pm
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I would use acid and storm if I lived in an ultra-modern loft. But that won't be happening any time soon...

posted by atron on February 4th 2009 at 2:43pm
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we've been looking at doing something similar to acid/storm in our kitchen. storm on the cabinets, acid (well, really we bought more of a sunflowery yellow) on the walls.

posted by gretchenalexis on February 4th 2009 at 2:46pm
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I had Vitamin C and Storm as my living room wall at my last place. I loved it. Now in my little studio, I have a jade and plaster look mostly I guess with some bubble gum and clover thrown in.

I can see clover and putty actually being really lovely and fresh and acid and storm are really cool. violet and plaster is very feminine and peaceful.

posted by sleeping spot on February 4th 2009 at 3:34pm
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My bedroom is jade & coral -- red furniture and bedding, jade/aqua accents but with butter-yellow walls and carpet

posted by chickdavis on February 4th 2009 at 3:39pm
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I love the acid storm combination.

Very fun and clean, like the dove vitamin.

posted by dn on February 4th 2009 at 4:59pm
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None of them appeal to me at all. But I am happy making my own combinations, so no worries...

posted by SherryBinNH on February 4th 2009 at 5:05pm
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Dove Vitamin C is the colors I want to use for a nursery for either a boy or a girl. It would be so much fun.

posted by Signe on February 4th 2009 at 5:22pm
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Ick, they seem too bright for me. I like dove and vitamin C aand clove and putty. What happened to the good old days of black and turquoise

posted by jen of the north on February 4th 2009 at 6:28pm
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Definitely love the acid storm -- in fact, I did a post on my recent obsession with yellow/grey just last week:

http://odietamoblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/color-trend-yellow-and-gray.html

posted by averillh1 on February 4th 2009 at 6:28pm
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I like violet and plaster best.

posted by incrediblejoy on February 4th 2009 at 7:16pm
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I'm working on redecorating in Dove Vitamin C. I also like the acid storm.

posted by short giraffe on February 4th 2009 at 9:29pm
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My kitchen table is a red like "coral" and I just spotted the turquoise chandelier in the DIY lighting post and thought how great it would look in combination. Guess I'm not ahead of the curve, but at least I'm on it.

posted by aums on February 5th 2009 at 12:26am
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clover and putty are very serene...something..and def. magenta and lime..hotsy!!

posted by keeks on February 5th 2009 at 8:59am
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i'm definitely wearing some clover and putty right now, though i'm not sure i could see it in my home.

posted by honeyfresh on February 5th 2009 at 3:56pm
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