Name: Alice
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Type: Duplex, owned ( I own half, A friend owns the other half)
Why I use color:
Because white is safe. It's the default for most living spaces.
White always remind me of renting, and since I've moved a lot, I've had my share of boring walls. I would usually paint a wall or two in my rentals, so I could easily paint it back to white when I moved out, but now that I'm an owner, I plan to paint them all.
My house is a 3 bedroom with a loft, and the living room walls are 20 feet high. That's a LOT of white! I was completely overwhelmed at first and since the inside of the kitchen cabinets had only been primed - I started with them. I couldn't bear to purchase white paint, so I bought 5 or 6 different colors - and randomly painted each cabinet interior. Even though you can't see it when the doors or shut, it makes me really happy to know that there is color inside. The rest of the house has just fallen in line with that mentality. I also purchase colorful towels, curtains and sheets. Pretty much the only white showing in my house is on the ceilings, and even those will probably get painted at some point!
2 Good color tips:
1. Have no fear. It's amazing how many people say to me "Oh I could never get away with that, but somehow it works for you!" I think most people are just too conservative with color. What's the worst thing that could happen? You can always change it back. Just stick to colors that make you happy. I like warm reds and purples, so I base my home around that palette, and just add in accents of blues and greens.
2. More is Better. The more choices you have, the easier it is to realize what is working and what isn't. It's easier to take away than it is to add. So go large!
2 Good color resources:
1. Look at colors that appear together in nature. Especially in vacation destinations like Hawaii - the colors are so vibrant it's hard to believe they are real. A sunset, the light playing on the ocean, or a flower can offer up a palette to steal from. If you can't get to Hawaii for inspiration, try a flower shop or even the produce aisle of a high end grocery store.
2. Start with Art. I am very particular about buying prints for my home, and when I find one I really like, I will color a whole room based on the colors in the print. Magazines like Juxtapoz carry amazing artists whose palettes are very unusual. I pull a lot of my colors from Shag and Glenn Barr prints. Any art history book will do as well; I am currently designing a bathroom around the colors in Botticelli's Venus Rising From the Sea.
I think you did a great job with the blue/brown combonation. Are those Anthropologie drapes? If so, I'm jealous! So pretty!
I love it! But what I would love to see is the color of the cabinets and that high cab panel change from dark brown to something else. I'm thinking a crazy moroccan stencil in white (that'll be your only eventual white). Followed by a top coat of an antiquing glaze in pearl or very light, translucent brown or like a translucent stainless steel color (all available through artist acrylics).
Making the cabs lighter will make that brown couch not get lost
The bold colors look good together. I like how you let the cabinets in the kitchen be the color in that room, accented with orange and blue. Only thing I think doesn't go is the leopard print. But, it is good use of color : )
I think the leopard print kind of does go with the colors. The print helps make the rest of the room feel like a throw back to the 80's. Unless of course you're sick of that trend.
Totally creative space. I think the brown sofa being "lost" is a function of the photo, maybe not. Considering the variety of color, I think you did a great job. Alice in Wonderland must be a happy person.
I actually like what you attempted to do here. You committed to the colors and it's pulled off pretty well. I like that you tried to work around the kitchen area .. and I do like your choice of colors.
The brown sofa is doable .. perhaps you could add more colors in the form of pillows so it doesn't look like a big brown thing in the room. The coffee table seems out of place. It's a bit light.
All in all, this is not my taste, but it's bold and exciting .. which says more than a lot of entries here getting the InstaFinalist votes. Good job.
Hey All - thanks for the comments!
The curtains are from Z Gallerie. I tried to buy more for my bedroom because I love them so much, but sadly they don't sell them anymore.
The couch is actually a deep purple, and for the record, I hate the color of that coffee table! It was a 30 dollar Craig's List purchase. I've been meaning to refinish it, but just haven't gotten around to it yet. I'll up it's priority!
Alice (very happy in wonderland)
I like the fact that when she was painting the color placement evolved. The orange backsplash was just a test but really suited the space once the blue went in. The suprising fact is that the colors really complement the Shag print which was framed and hung AFTER the completion of the painting. It was not part of the original design process and was going to be placed else where in the house. Serendipity.
Kelly - painting bud