Committing to one color, such as Diana Vreeland and her beloved red (image 2 and honored in image 9), comes more easily if you have a steadfast favorite. However, even if you don't like the idea of using so much of one color, seeing it in practice does help emphasize the power of thoughtful color and mixed textures and patterns.
That mixture is the key to a good-looking monochromatic room. In the first image, the slick lacquered walls are complemented by a cozier velvet couch and a supple leather chair in a very close blue. Similarly, the white room in image 3 pairs a shiny, bright white coffee table with a nubby, slightly more ivory rug. In the very red image 5, the patterns and texture vary between the rug, pillows, and upholstery.
MORE RED, WHITE, AND BLUE ROOMS ON APARTMENT THERAPY:
• Ode to Diana Vreeland: Alex's Red on Red on Red Living Room
• "A White Kitchen is Timeless"
• A Natural Choice: Beautiful Blue Bathrooms
Images: 1. Thomas Loof for Architectural Digest via Casa Diseno 2. Diana Vreeland's "Garden in Hell" 3. via Hue Amour 4. Martha Stewart 5. via Hue Amour 6. Cildo Meireles' Red Shift room at Tate Modern 7. Light Locations 8. Marie Claire Maison 9. Rachel Grad for Apartment Therapy 10. Living Etc.
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Number 8, WOW. I want a cave house.
All red is a little difficult to look at but all white is nice.
There are only a few of those I'd call "masterful." The blues are too dark for me, and the reds too bright. The white looks clean and comforting, but boring.
Love number 3! The white bathroom is kind of nice too, very crisp and clean. The blues and reds...not so much.
The white bedroom looks so restful and peaceful, the blue bedroom even more so.
Love the white bedroom.....clinical white layered with cream white and beige always classy.
My favourite is number one - those lacquered navy walls are amazing.
I like five and nine more than I EVER thought I'd like an all-red room. I'm really shocked by how much I like them.
I like the all white bedroom but its almost shabby chic.
The first one is my favorite too - Next apartment is going to have to have a navy lacquered living room...
Number 6 looks like someone masked out the walls in Photoshop and then ramped up the red filter on everything else. Those paintings may be interesting but not so much when they blend in with the furnishings.
2 gives me HIVES.
I want that blue one! dear me.... I could happily live in that living room :D
I love the 5th picture. It looks so luxurious.