apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

It would be gloomy if you used the colors in the same proportions as the painting does. But if you emphasize the cream, orange, and red and use the black and brown as accents, it wouldn't be gloomy.

I think I'd pick a different Caravaggio painting, myself; one that includes some greens and blues as well.

Those colors remind me of Aubusson rugs, and Aubussons are traditionally the rug of the cheerful Rococo, with delicate furniture, gilding, and lots of mirrors. (Brocade Home, anyone?)

These colors shout upscale hunting lodge to me. Can't you see riding in after a foxhunt, handing your horse to a groom, and coming into the lodge for a drink and brunch next to the fire?

Not sure what the problem is but when I click the named links for the color palette they seem to be completely different colors than what is shown in this post.

FYI: There's a nifty tool online called the Color Palette Generator (http://www.degraeve.com/color-palette/) that will break down the colors of a linked image into a simple palette of dull and vibrant colors. Here's what it came up with for the Caravaggio painting...

http://tinyurl.com/2ec8g6

... not much different than your results, but maybe it would've saved you some time :)

Nice palette. Similar to my place. ;->

A palette can be more than just paint though. For example dark(ish) wood floors, red and gold fabrics - a goldish window treatment and the reds and golds found in the vegetal dyes in high end Chobi rugs from Afghanistan (designers love them, one reason the prices have gone through the roof) would give a similar palette.

I was going to threaten to try the palette on a dollhouse project, then I realized it's approximately the color scheme of Marva and Brian's living room.

So this is where the palette for my apartment came from! Caravaggio has long been one of my favorites but I did not realize how deeply he has influenced my life. Lucky for me the influence was the color palette of his paintings and not the subject matter.

this is a fantastic inspiration for my bride-to-be and myself! we recently purchased a house, and have some items we're figuring out how to pair other elements with our "standout" items (andré from r&b, two eames lcw chairs & an eames side table in black). rather than using a romantic palette, we'll be taking our inspiration from mark rothko whose palettes already cover the primary colors that we have.

I too think the palette may come off too gloomy if not careful. There seemed to be a prevelence of a bit whiter cream on the table cloth that I would use to assist in preventing this. I see you have one cream color but it is too low on the brightness factor (in my opinion) to help stave off the darkness of everything else. I think you need both creams.

Love it! Would use it sparingly on trim, pillows, rugs, etc. against a cream/white background.

When working with a master like Carravaggio I dont think you have to worry so much about the harmony of the different colors. He has already proven that those colors work well together. All you need to focus on is the ratio of the colors. In the case of the painting the darkness overwhelms, and the bright white of the tablecloth forms the focal point - the drama. You could easily reverse this and have the brighter reds and creams be the main color and accent with the richer, darker browns. I would definitely throw in a little metallic gold somewhere - a satin pillow, a neat lamp, a nice mirror...just to add to the richness. Good luck, and send us photos!

Good call, Wende.

I don't find the colors gloomy, but it might be a bit much to do an entire apartment in them. Perhaps just one room? Applying the palette to furnishings and so on as well as wall treatments.

It screams "autumn" to me; would you have to repaint and recover furnishings for spring? Other than that practical aspect I really like those colors together. I could see it working in a country cottage.

My house is essentially this without the green. It's very dynamic and airy, as the cream is on most walls, the orange is on one solid wall, and the red is used as an accent throughout (kitchen cabinets, dining room table legs) and brown trim and floor ties it all together.

I thought autumn too. I think these colors would create a very cozy setting for the cooler months and would look especially good in a room with a fireplace. But they could be too heavy for the summer. I love Caravaggio and this palette, and if it were up to me I'd paint/decorate the living room in it but perhaps do something else with the other rooms, or use a lot of that cream in them.

My bf proposed using a Mucha print as a colour palette...and seeing how this one was put together, it's starting to look like a great idea.

They look like coffee shop colors to me. Not far from the Starbucks look, actually.

awesome!
glad to see someone taking a chance and trying to do something unexpected.
those colors are very sophisticated, you can incorporate them in the room in so many ways.
lots of people assume that dark palettes are gloomy but, if done correctly, they can make a room, nay, a house feel very intimate and cozy...
BTW, that orange is divine!
good luck!

Reminds me of Sherwin-Williams' Arts and Crafts palette:

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/paint_colors/paint_color_palette/color_themes/arts/int_arts.jsp

a house in that palette would totally depress me :-(

I'm planning on a room in that palette, or close to it, although as one commenter suggested, using the cream as a base with the reds/golds/others worked in throughout. It's basically stolen from a Unicorn tapestry that's made it's way to me over time.

Those are great colors and can be used in both a modern/contemporary setting as well as for a more classical look... it all depends on how you use them.

Here is an idea that I used at my Mom's place (worked out well).

Take the darkest color you have, almost black if you can, and use that color for the ceilings! Yes, CEILINGS.

It's stunning and has huge impact. Don't use it anywhere else. Make sure to use the lightest color for the walls and other light colors for trim and accent walls to create depth and keep the room bright overall.

Remember that this will have an effect on the light levels if you have extra low ceilings or lamps that reflect the light off the ceiling, but if your room is large (or has high ceilings) try it.

After all, it's only paint and you can undo it in a couple of days.

You would probably like this book if you have not already run across it: Living Colors: The Definitive Guide to Color Palettes through the Ages
by Margaret Walch, Augustine Hope
I also must comment on the gloomy/dark comments. Caravaggio is known his beatufil darks and for unusual light sources.
Also this was painted before electric lights were invented. We need to consider the effects of electricity and Hollywood on our modern sensibility.