Name: Andrea
Location: Dallas, TX
Type: studio/1 Bedroom/owned
Why I use color: Why do I use color? One word: cubicle. I have to come home to a whimsical, fun space! I don't worry too much about what goes together or if it looks like something out of a design magazine. I've made a lot of mistakes when choosing furniture and paint colors. But, that's part of the fun for me. You can always repaint — it's not the end of the world. Many people are surprised at the colors I've chosen. Even if they don't like it, they certainly don't think it's boring. And they always say that it is totally me. I take that as a compliment! I am like a teenager trapped in the body of a 32-year-old and color is a great way to express my personality.
2 Good color tips:
1. Just pick colors that you like! Look at your clothes and shoes for hints. What colors do you tend to choose? Those are probably your favorite colors. And maybe that's a good place to start.
2. Don't be afraid! So many people are so scared to do something "wrong" that they do nothing at all. BORING! Think of something you love and select colors that remind you of it.
2 Good color resources:
1. Music videos and movies have always been a big inspiration for me. When I saw Down with Love, I hated it! But I loved the main character's apartment. I immediately started thinking about ways to incorporate pink into my home.
2. Art is another good resource. Is there a painting you love? I bought a poster a long time ago of a Paul Klee painting and that's where I came up with the color palette for my condo. You can always make it your own from there.
Oh come on! 125 'instafinalist' for Barbie's Dream House? Someone is stuffing the ballot box. This is fun and very kitschy but it's not good design.
But it is very skillful use of colour, which befits a colour contest and not, say, a masculine minimalism contest.
...and that's my problem with this space. It IS a very skillful use of color almost as an intellectual excercise but it is not a design of a place to live in, except for the aforementioned Barbie.
if i told you the panels were from ikea would you lose all respect for me?
and YES, the stencils are blik! i almost got the space invaders set.
Nice. I'm in FW - it's refreshing to see something like this in Dallas. :) I like the shapes on that second wall. The size of them is great - fills the space nicely. People keep saying "why are people so afraid of color" but I've noticed a lot of people seem to be afraid of size as well. A lot of artwork and stenciling, etc. seems to small for a space. Here the colors and size and composition works really nicely.
And you're in DALLAS?! I may need to rethink my anti-Dallas stance. :p
I love the different colored stencils on the wall.
Are those blik decals? If so, you are the first I know to actually own them -- please share your thoughts, opinions!
This dallas cow boy is really not afraid of color. i can really love him
i usually HATE pink in the rooms, but the way you have used it here is lovely! i think your rooms are beautiful! are those stencils on the walls that you purchased or are they your own creation?! i love love love them! :D
this is very sexy in a playful way. I dig it.
yes! love the stencilling and the considered use of the tutti frutti look, very very nice.
Niiiiiicccceee...from another Dallas entry (Plano). Wonder if you're also in a Post property. Anyway, nice use of some ikea and the rest your delightful own ideas & application!!! Stools are great use of color, too.
Very well planned. An intelligent entry. No green! I love , love love this studio!
Congrats.
PS-love the panels!
I love, love, love the feature wall in the second picture with the blik decals. This is a brilliant use of color and scale. Overall your space is bold and playful without coming across as jeuvenile. Well done!
What I especially love about the decals is the thought into placing them and the cropping of that last one off the wall. Very cool way to do that. It makes them feel living and breathing and interacting to me, and not like something you unwrapped from a cellophane package and slapped on without thought. Very cool.
Loving the curtains. Can you tell us about them?
This is one of the nicest entries. Why? Every color is rich and textured. A full pallette is used but with enough restraint to be centered and, I might say, neat as a pin.
I love the window panels, the various colored seats, the rug, but what made me smile and see how truly sweet this place is, is that your sport shoes and the pillow on the chair on the left are blue and tan and make for a marvelous finish to the photo. No dog, no cat, just shoes. Very nice. I see that comfort and style happily co-exist here.
this place makes me smile...
this is beyond wonderful!
and yes, please give us more info on the window panels!
I've come back to this entry again and again. The colors are bright but balanced so they are not overwhelming. Excellent.
Not really my style- but very nice colours- and yes- those decals are awesome. Are they blik as everyone is guessing?
How is this not a design of a place to live in? I would love to live here!
And no, Andrea, no respect is lost knowing the panels are from Ikea. They're still awesome! I might have to actually make a trip to Ikea now...
i just bought these panels from ikea (different pattern) and i can't wait to use them. it's such a great system because you can change/add panels or change your mind and use curtains.
I am with jim on this. It really seems like some kind of vote rigging. This thing looks like a box of sugary bonbons and that tiny coffee table looks bizarre.
I'm telling you it's the 1976 Barbie's Dreamhouse:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/VINTAGE-BARBIE-DREAMHOUSE-DREAM-DOLL-HOUSE-FURNITURE_W0QQitemZ190044841498QQihZ009QQcategoryZ15967QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Your living room is well done and a fun play with color. The second picture was a let down. The bar stools are cool, but the rest of the room missed the mark.
Wow! I've never seen so many colors - pink, red, purple, and orange! And they all compliment each other. Lovely colors and I love the stencils as well as panels on the window.
I love it! The colors are delicious and I'd love to live here. The beautiful wood floors look great with all the pink and orange.
f jim. and the tiny coffee table guy. this place rocks!
Warm colors, low budget, I love it.
Nice
It does look like MY dream house!!! Love it!!!
WAY TO GO ANDREA!!
You can decorate for me anytime!!!!
I like your happy place! fun fun chica!
Great Colors!
So creative!!!!!
There seems to be a reoccurring theme here. Could it be...PINK maybe! Nice related color scheme adds some welcome POP from the neutral woodtones and whites.
It's fABULOUS!
Brilliant! It's warm and inviting, and I want to copy the look! Well done!
What a great solution to spending most of your time in cubicle land. I love the way the patterns seem to compliment the zany fun of the color, too.
In the profound words of Aerosmith, "Pink it´s like red but not quite."
I love, love, love, LOVE your use of color (or colour). I also enjoy your stencils. Makes me think of super bouncy balls. Perhaps you could fill a square glass "bowl" with some and set it on your bar. Hours of entertainment!
Very Nice.
Very nice! Impressive,..can't believe we're related! When can you come color us in NJ?!
Way cool , nice pad i might say , very creative , I give it 4 thumbs up! that includes my toes :P
very clever and refreshing
Andrea has a great innate sense of style.
Love the second wall colors and design.
Way to go Andrea! You ROCK! Your style, color and taste! Not only do I hope you win, but I hope you get the chance to be on a show like Do It Yourselt or HGTV! I think there are many people that could use your help in the decorating and usage of space!!! :)