
thumbs up
Name: Kelly
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Type of Home: single family colonial
Color Inspiration: As a wife, mom of three boys, and a color fanatic, I desperately wanted just one fancy-schmancy room in the house where I could work and create surrounded by my favorite colors: lavender, aqua and brown. My re-designed home office became that room. I love the cool, refreshing effect that lavender and aqua create. The chocolate brown adds a contemporary elegance and it anchors all of the colors, including the splashes of 'funky' orange that I added for extra energy and fun — I didn't want my office to be too serious.
Give Kelly a THUMBS UP if you think this room belongs in the finals!
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Color Inspiration continued: I've always been amazed by the power of color and its ability to completely transform a space (and your mood). I've been very productive in my new, colorful office. Maybe even too productive...my husband has to drag me up to bed almost every night!
Colors Used: Rhapsody Lilac by Sherwin-Williams SW6828
Aquatint by Sherwin-Williams SW6936
Brevity Brown by Sherwin-Williams SW6068
Color Tip: Before selecting colors, take all of the color 'rules' you've ever heard about and throw them out the window. Now, choose the colors you really want. It doesn't matter if your mother "doesn't like it," or your friend would "never use those colors together." Color is personal. The hues you select should reflect your interests, personality, taste and experiences. If your color selections are meaningful to you, then you will love how your space turns out.
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i'm glad you have a girl cave to retreat too. and your diplomas are on display. great job!
view Lady J's profile
Cute looks like a nice stationary store. I can see how a mom with three boys would need these colors.
view LoriSF's profile
LOVE this.
view bandanamom's profile
I would spend all my time in here. Love the color combination!
view cliokitty's profile
Love it! I seriously question the sanity of anyone who lives in an all-beige house. WHY??? With some many amazing color combinations to choose from?
view rexrayfan's profile
I really like this combo! Nice work!
view CallieC's profile
Love This! the colors are great and I like the addition of the writing on the wall.
view Simply Sarah's profile
I like the color combination very much, and also the fact that your ceiling is not white. Nice.
view arroyo's profile
Very very pretty! Love it!
view sugarpie's profile
Okay, here's someone who not only knows how to choose colors, but knows how to mix them harmoniously. Great job!
view Lisa (Montreal)'s profile
P.S. Too bad Domino's gone. They would have pounced on this one.
view Lisa (Montreal)'s profile
I really like this. I've always liked the combination of lilac and aqua, although I would have never thought of adding brown to the mix. The rug is a really nice touch too.
view AgentDarkApple's profile
Kudos! Awesome and inspiring. I'm working on trying to set up my own new home office in our 2nd bedroom and you're giving me some good ideas, thank you.
view Nephthys's profile
love! where are the little mirrors from?! seriously, these images stopped me in my track!!!
view PaintChip's profile
sorry to be negative, but I am sooo over aqua blue / chocolate teal & every variation thereof, in a few years this palette will be as ubiquitous & despised as the mauve seafoam aqua blue Myrtle Beach condo decor of the 1980's
view cmelton13's profile
Personally I think this color combination is fabulous! The lilac really modernizes it. And the ceiling is great. I never think of that as a another blank canvas. Thanks for the inspiration!
view cptnrin's profile
ok, so at first I was sort of onboard with this. Pretty, girly, not my style, but I can appreciate it. Then I saw the "word art" on the wall. A good design ruined by the cheesiest of cheesy wall art.
view lauren84's profile
Thanks everyone for the great comments, so far! I'm glad this space has been inspiring! As I stated, I have all boys...so yes, this was intended to be a very girly space.
PaintChip, I found the mirrors at Homegoods -- one of my go-to stores for affordable accessories.
I'll also say that I used my favorite colors for my office, so I will love this color combo until 2080 and beyond. This is not a color trend for me -- it's just what I like. The 'word art' is one thing I love best in the office and my kids really think it's cool...it makes them feel special.
Thanks again, AT Community!
Kelly
view Kelly@Color Sizzle's profile
oh i agree. the word art turned me off a bit (just a bit). :)
but the pieces are exquisite esp. the lamp, vase, mirrors and the hanging jewels.
great job!
view lawrencevon's profile
Not my decorating style, but the color combo is fabulous and the aqua ceiling a brilliant idea. Congrats on your very own space!
view wigglebutt's profile
Lovely color combo. I cant get enough of chocolate brown and jewel tones.
view Trumystique's profile
Really like this color combination! Nicely done!
view suzy8track's profile
Love the colors!
view ScrapperMom5's profile
I am a mother of three boys (who are grown men now) and a grandmother of 4 boys. This room looks wonderful to me. It definitely has a "family" feel to it.
view bunnyval's profile
The colors are warm and inviting...
view bruberk's profile
Love everything - the colors, rug, memo boards, etc!! Great quote! Such a warm and inviting office - it's wonderful.
view Design Dazzle's profile
I LOOOOOVE it, where are the curtains from?!??
Jen Ramos
www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com
view jenniferramos's profile
LOVE your home office Kelly and LOVE the colour combination esp. the aqua ceiling. Definitely an inspiring room. Enjoy it! You've got the thumbs up from me :)
view lenablonsky's profile
Beautiful! I love the pops of Aqua, especially on the ceiling!
view yiyehtov's profile
LOVE IT!!!! Two big thumbs-up from me!!
Kelly @ DesignTies
view DesignTies's profile
Eee, I, too, recoiled at the sight of the word art.
I think that if you want to express something like this, stencil your sentiment in your own words -- either directly on to the wall or on a plaque.
Instead of having that certain hokeyness that comes with premade vinyl sentimentality, it would have a lovely sincerity, and it would be as unique and special as your family.
view akay's profile
Kelly, you did it!! I love this room and all of the personal touches and details. Thumbs up!
view shopgirlNY's profile
Beautiful! The room is so warm and inviting.
view groupie's profile
Hmm, I see why this room is put together well, but it kind of feels like one of those rooms they do on HGTV where it is done well but lacks originality. I don't know...there is just something a little ho hum about this. I think the chocolate/lilac combo is something I have seen before. Or maybe it is just chocolate paint color in general. Also, i am not a fan of the word art either.
Does anyone know what I am talking about? Not to be a hater...the room is cute. But there is something about it that feels too design generic. Is that the phrase I'm looking for?
view lolocuddles's profile
I could so easily be creative in this room! Well done!
Monika
http://www.splendidwillow.com
view Splendid1's profile
I never would have thought this color combo would work, but I LOVE IT!! Good job, Kelley
view jcgarri1's profile
I have physically been to Kelly's office. It is like a slice of heaven. It is absolutely beautiful. I want to clone it and bring it back to my house! The colors and the word art may not suit everyone's taste, but her use of these elements are simply outstanding.
Terri Holley
CEO, Creative Blog Solutions
http://creativeblogsolutions.com
view tholley's profile
Wow! This room is awesome. Great job!
view nicholsonporter's profile
OMG, this room makes me smile! Nice and bright, even if it was a rainy day. Love it Kelly!
view Jenell42's profile
Kelly, can you come to my home office and hook me up? This is beautiful!
view elleatat's profile
Kelly - I've always struggled with putting color on walls. You've done it beautifully. I've always loved the Tiffany blue and chocolate combinations, but your aqua, chocolate & lilac are brilliant. It's very serene. Definitely what I'd need in a home office. That is surely a place I'd love to bring my bills, a cup of coffee, and my follow-up calls to. Cheers! You'll be getting a call from me when I need a decorator and if you're for hire when I reinstate my Maryland real estate license, you'll be my first point of contact for staging and decorating!
view kristihunt1's profile
This room is great, I love the colors and each detail is purposeful. Great job! Yvona
view yvonasmith1's profile
Not just because my favorite colors can be found in this room :)
view csmoura's profile
I find it too femenine, but it is beautiful!! good taste!
view emal's profile
Here's my THUMBS UP! again! If we're comparing to the Apple Green Asian room I have to say I like your's MUCH better. I'm not just saying that because you decorated the competing room, it's because the Green room is too simple. It's nice, it's just not my cup of tea. Looks a little on the Target budget for me (even though that's my budget LOL) I expected more from this contest.
view kristihunt1's profile
I wasn't so sure... mostly because of the "word art" then I noticed the ceiling. It was like a secret weapon in this image. I was tempted to run to the store and get paint. Love this room!!!
view dzgn804's profile
Gorgeous! I tried to give you a thumbs up; but, apparently, voting has ended.
- The curvy, cursive writing is warm like the family photos while providing a nice contrast from the crisp, sharp lines of the frames. For me, family comes first; so, balance is key (not just a destination). Your beautifully placed "handwriting on the wall" speaks volumes!
- Your use of all three colors anchored with white is unique & clever... usually the anchor is chocolate with lilac or blue/aqua accents. Love the peaceful effect of aqua on the celing ... like ocean life or the sky ... was this your plan?
view lifeabundant's profile
Thanks for the inspiration! I will definitely revisit your photos with my teen ...
She wants to redecorate her room (currently deep lavender floral linens) by replacing linens & accessories. Her fav colors are grape/mulberry/eggplant purple, chocolate & deep blue. She thinks her white furniture needs to be painted brown. But, I'm steering her clear of that notion ... her furniture is solid wood with laminate veneer and we just moved (to a home that has deep walnut/cherry woodwork & ceiling beams).
view lifeabundant's profile
Thank you so much for the wonderful comments and for voting for my home office -- those who voted for me ;). This was a fun experience and I hope that my design inspired you to carve out a colorful niche of your own in your home.
I would do everything the same exact way over again, and that's really how you measure the success of a space. If you're happy with it, despite what others think, it turned out perfect!
Kelly
view Kelly@Color Sizzle's profile