apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Name: Stacey
Location: Norman, Oklahoma
Type of Home: Single Family Home

Color Inspiration: A picture of a plate that I saw in a magazine. On a white background were painted lime/chartreuse green, vibrant pink and red, gold, and robin egg's blue.

It seems like a neutral color scheme should be easy to pull off - no messing with colors getting too loud or brassy. But, anyone who has tried to do a room with just a handful of neutrals knows that it is easier said than done - it can look ho hum rather than quietly elegant. Local DC designer Darryl Carter is an expert at this look, so we put together this post full of his rooms as a bit of a inspirational guide...

As we near the end of 2008, many folks are looking for ways to trim their budget, but at Apartment Therapy, we've been on the hunt for smart money ideas for life at home all along. This past year we looked at how to collect quality furniture without much money, painless ways to save at home, money saving home improvement tips and good sources for furnishing a first apartment on a budget plus plenty more. In honor of an even thriftier 2009, we've gathered up some of the best posts about budget living from the whole year - jump below for some smart inspiration:

1. Daybed as a Sofa Alternative?

2. How Can I Make This Studio Liveable For Two?

3. Inexpensive Modern Bed?

4. What Color Tile for Our Backsplash?

Jump below for the rest of the list...

1. Best Online Wallpaper Sources

2. Need a Small Cool Fix?: Links to Lots of Readers Homes

3. Best Credenza Displays

4. Top 10: Blankets

Jump below for the rest of the list...