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.
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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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Comments (49)
i'm glad you have a girl cave to retreat too. and your diplomas are on display. great job!
Cute looks like a nice stationary store. I can see how a mom with three boys would need these colors.
LOVE this.
I would spend all my time in here. Love the color combination!
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?
I really like this combo! Nice work!
Love This! the colors are great and I like the addition of the writing on the wall.
I like the color combination very much, and also the fact that your ceiling is not white. Nice.
Very very pretty! Love it!
Okay, here's someone who not only knows how to choose colors, but knows how to mix them harmoniously. Great job!
P.S. Too bad Domino's gone. They would have pounced on this one.
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.
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.
love! where are the little mirrors from?! seriously, these images stopped me in my track!!!
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
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!
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.
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
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!
Not my decorating style, but the color combo is fabulous and the aqua ceiling a brilliant idea. Congrats on your very own space!
Lovely color combo. I cant get enough of chocolate brown and jewel tones.
Really like this color combination! Nicely done!
Love the colors!
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.
The colors are warm and inviting...
Love everything - the colors, rug, memo boards, etc!! Great quote! Such a warm and inviting office - it's wonderful.
I LOOOOOVE it, where are the curtains from?!??
Jen Ramos
www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com
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 :)
Beautiful! I love the pops of Aqua, especially on the ceiling!
LOVE IT!!!! Two big thumbs-up from me!!
Kelly @ DesignTies
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.
Kelly, you did it!! I love this room and all of the personal touches and details. Thumbs up!
Beautiful! The room is so warm and inviting.
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?
I could so easily be creative in this room! Well done!
Monika
http://www.splendidwillow.com
I never would have thought this color combo would work, but I LOVE IT!! Good job, Kelley
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
Wow! This room is awesome. Great job!
OMG, this room makes me smile! Nice and bright, even if it was a rainy day. Love it Kelly!
Kelly, can you come to my home office and hook me up? This is beautiful!
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!
This room is great, I love the colors and each detail is purposeful. Great job! Yvona
Not just because my favorite colors can be found in this room :)
I find it too femenine, but it is beautiful!! good taste!
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.
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!!!
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?
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).
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