Color Inspiration: I knew I had to use a wall color that would show up the beautiful moldings in my pre-war apartment, and having just moved from a dark, sunless studio, I wanted to make the room as bright and cheerful as possible. The wall color was trial and error — I was trying to find something that would go with the green in the rug!
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Color Inspiration continued: The hot pinks and fuschias come from a box top from Martine's Chocolates in Manhattan. It had been lying around while I was painting, and I noticed how beautiful it looked against the blue. Then I just started seeing hot pink wherever I looked, and gathering things and putting them around the room.
Colors Used: The wall color is Benjamin Moore Barely Teal.
Color Tip: If you have to think about whether something looks good, it probably isn't right for you. You'll know you've hit the right color combination when you look at it and just feel settled and happy inside. Thinking and planning can help you find colors that match, but only feeling, trial and error, and accident can help you find the colors that make you feel at home.
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And a very well put colour tip, too :)
I love this! I live in Astoria as well and while I always enjoy seeing gorgeous apartments, it's encouraging to be reminded that beautiful, well put-together homes are not limited to certain neighborhoods.
Albeit a beautiful apartment, I don't see any colour jumping out given the title of this contest...Just a suggestion..if you paint the walls the colour of green that is in your picture....not only would it "brighten" up the room, it would add some vibrancy to the apartment, because as it is, I personally don't see the "brightness".
I like it, the room has a cheerful feeling to me. A room doesn't need to have screaming saturated color all over in order to be a suitable entry.
There are so many people who would have used hot pink on the wall to play up the moldings - I'm so glad you used this elegant blue.
Absolutely beautiful! Although part of my vote was for your good taste in choosing the apartment!
Lovely room. Where's the chair from? It's great!
where's the RUG from?
Yay, comments! Thanks for all your comments-- positive and constructive.
The chair is from Room and Board. We saved FOREVER to be able to afford it.
The rug is from CB2.
Jennifer, I love the room. I have the same CB2 rug and have been looking for wall art for ages that would complement it. Where did you get that piece in your first picture? It's great!
Absolutely LOVELY. I love the blue, I love the green and raspberry accents . . . love love love! I disagree with the poster above . . . your room is quite bright and lovely. I can't imagine the warm feeling you get walking in. Beautiful job!
lovely, lovely, lovely!!!
I love love love that wall color. I'm also a huge fan of the chair and the way the rug and wall decor match perfectly, without being "matchy matchy." Bravo!
This apartment makes me feel settled and happy inside. Very pretty!
@Chijenna -- Thanks! The piece in the first picture is just some fabric stapled onto some canvas stretchers. The fabric was something like 10$/yard at Mood, and the canvas stretchers maybe cost $10 total, for four interlocking wood bars. God, I love my staple gun.
Myshkin, that is exactly how this room makes me feel. The moment I saw it I thought what a comfortable non-pretentious space. Using the green suggested would give the room a whole other feeling and if you ever feel like that, you can change it, but I would sit in here reading for hours....
I love the chair... very elegant colour pallet. I've the same slanting desk in mahogany from Crate & Barrel. The detail in your apartment is exceptional - very lucky to find a rental with such period details.
I've been trying to find a way to keep my sewing machine "out" and I love that I see yours peeking out from under the leaning desk. Do you use that surface as sewing surface, and if so, does it work ok? I only sew about once every month or so, but I'll do it a lot less if I keep my sewing machine in my storage unit in the laundry room (where it currently is). Thanks!
That chair is fabulous in the blue! Love the color advice, "If you have to think about whether something looks good, it probably isn't right for you..."
Kelly
http://tearinguphouses.blogspot.com
@ Jenicra-- The desk works very well as a sewing station, but only because I do very small projects, like throw pillows, hemming, etc.
I vote for Jennifer's room - beautiful color and excellent composition.
Yeah, the other apartment is really sweet, but come on... one painted wall?! Isn't this contest about color you guys? Love the bricks, but she didn't paint them. Hardly fair - so says I.
I love the colors - so fresh! Thanks for the advice, and I liked reading about how you came to choose your color palette. Best of luck!!