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Nice. I love a brown palette!

this is really not my style, but the colors are very nice.

definitely a beautiful and complex use of neutrals.

this is really nice, but the second pic is a waste -- why not show the rest of the room? very skilful use of different tones within a narrow color band. i particularly like the yellowy jar with the yellowy chaise longue creating their own space but still in congruence with the main sofa.

not at all my taste but inspiring anyway!

Aha! Proof that gray and beige function as colors if they're used mindfully!

the room... i love it!
and the second pic has almost a tranquil feel to it (as does the room)...great photography!

loving the neutral colors. i'm usually averse to print rugs but i think one with a little bit of color along the borders (like a simple floral print) could work in the living room. but that's just me. :)

Rasil - if you look at the mirrors behind the sofa, you can see the rest of the room. It's a great photo.

It's a warm and calm room - love it.

I agree that I would prefer to see more of the room, instead of the close-up, although I think the point made there is probably that of attention to detail in texture -- not just color.

I think that there will several people who find this to not be colorful enough, since the hues are not jarring, but I think it's beautifully done.

This is absolutely beautiful. Restful and reflects how I would like my room to look.

Very nice and professional looking. However, not really what I think of for the mandate of the colours contest. Neutrals are not really bold or daring. I tend to look to these entries for inspiration of how to use more challenging colours.

Very classy look - I did something similar with my place too. Good job - love it!

This is beautiful but not clear how it is appropriate for this contest which said it wanted to see the bold use of color. The colors appear to all be neutrals.

I think it's a very nice use of _neutrals_, but I don't think it should win the colors contest because it's not colorful. (Curtis, while I certainly agree that a lot of the entries have been jarring, I don't agree that those who vote against this entry, like me, are looking for jarring entries. Color does not have to be jarring, just a palette doesn't have to be neutral to be calming or tasteful.)

Looks comfortable and soothing - seems to fulfil the owner's intention, which is the most important thing. I am personally more inspired by styles that use colour in a brighter and more playful way.

what a beautiful room. very pier 1 imports. i love all the earth tones. i'm not sure this is the right contest for this entry though. i wish there just a little more color variance.

I agree with Jenny. What I would like to see from this contest is proof that color does not have to be jarring nor does it have to be neutral to be considered tasteful. I think that color when used correctly can be very calming, exciting, nostelgic, whimsical and romantic. I think that we need to stray away from thinking of color as just the bold primary red, blues and yellows from our childhood. We need to explore that vast arrays of colors to choose from, how to choose wisely and how to use them. It can be done.

Lovely use of browns. Once again, though I feel the first photo really made me want to see more, but the below the fold photo disappointed. I wish it had given me more of the space.

If you read the comments closely, you'll see the owner refers to the couch as "blue."

It *looks* grey/off white in the photo, though.

I had been wondering how an achromatic room ends up in a "colour contest" but if the couch (and probably the pillow) is blue, then it is a beautiful example of restrained colour use.

I find this room rather safe and all to familiar. How many times does this particular color scheme show up in the design rags? A few shots of really bold color would have given some life to this space. Perhaps rich red pillows picking up from the poster reflected in the mirror, or painting the mirror frames (what are they made of?) in a deeper blue in the tone of the sofa, a slate or cadet blue.

Really? A beautiful room? Did someone actually say 'very Peir 1 Import' as if that were a compliment? Come on people... you're gushing over something that is just OK. Good enough is not good enough. Inspire me. Surprise me. Challenge me even, but please, don't put me to sleep.

This is really nice. quite lovely.

Although I'm not a great fan of the color brown, I like the way you've combined the right colors/textures together to get this look. I see through the mirrored wall that you painted an accent wall brown and would love to have seen the way that side of the room looks (looks like thats your dining area?) Anyway, a lovely space which to me seems relaxing and comfortable.

Too dark, and too many neutrals. I'd like to see one or two colors pushed a little further.

This looks like they walked into a furniture store ordered a whole vignette, and threw in a few accessories from a discount department store. Entering it into a decor contest, silly. Entering it into a color contest, absurd. Nice fake coconuts.

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to say thank you for all your comments good and bad. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. Everyone also has their own style and color preferences. I wanted to add that upon reading peoples comments that the couch and the pillow on the chaise are a light blue color, but it doesn't come out that way in the picture, I don't know if it's because of the lighting from the sunlight streaming through the window that is maybe throwing it off or my camera. But if you saw it in person the blue color is more blue looking and not grey as it looks in the picture. Plus, the chaise lounge is not yellowy, but more of a camel color (the sunlight is really lightening it up in the picture). And in response to Kim's comments, I bought all my items at separate places and some are vintage accessories, as I stated in my description, you can use old accessories with your new look. The wood coconuts are vintage 1980's and were bought from Macy's. The paper vase by Flute behind the couch is also vintage mid 1980's. The silk pillows I bought new from the Great Indoors. Old looks are new again. Styles come, go and come back again. Everyone is entitled to there own style and that is what designing is all about.

I think this is an elegant look. I agree with Wende that this proves grey and beige function as colors.

It seems when people enter a "mild" room, posters complain there isn't enough color, and when people enter a "bright" room people complain it is garish. Oh well. I thought the point was to choose a color pallette and we would comment on how it is put together. These neutrals are a color pallette, a theme, and I think quite wonderful.

I also like to see bright, bright color. My interest here is to see how people put together what the select as a main color scheme. This is wonderful. My only personal comment would be that it could use a nice area rug. I think it would ground it. And, if you look deeply into the mirror, you'll see the rest of the room.

I think Helene has very good taste and has put together a wonderful place to call home.

That said, I want to address this "....Living room colors I believe should be more elegant, as should your master bedroom, dining room and kitchen. Fun colors are more bright and flashy, if your more into a carefree look to your home..." Ok, most of us live in small SMALL apartments. After these rooms, what the hell is left? I think you home is your own castle and you should use the colors you want. Period.

I am totally in love with this decor! What is up with all the negative comments. The use of color is extrodinary! Gives me a feeling of calm, tranquil and coziness. Excellent placement of furniture, color and style. Love it! She should definitely win or be offered a job with the company!

This is a perfectly lovely room, but where's the color?!
I think this is a great space, but can hardly be considered as an innovative use of color.

Once we start to intrepret "neutrals" as color, then why not white or black?

Beautiful design, wrong contest!

Neutrals ARE colors.

This may not be the strongest contender per the rules, but NEUTRALS ARE COLORS.

ps, kate, newsflash... white and black? Also colors.

I think that this room is lovely. After reading Helene's description and looking more closely at the photo, you can tell that there is "color" in addition to the neutral COLORS as well. Beautiful and tasteful.

Now this is what I call elegant, modern and exquisite. The feeling I get when I see this setting is serenity. The colors are used in moderation throughout the room. Colors are distributed superbly enhancing one another and in doing so keeping the room in a well balanced setting. Sort of a zen like feel and at the same time not quite. I adore the curtains. Great job! Hope you win so you can add more to the room.

Helene, I like this alot. You've done an awesome job! Many AT readers have a more mod taste and won't enjoy your home but I'll tell you it's a great work!

I love this room. The color palette is amazing. I hope you win.

I love the selection of sophisticated furniture and accessories.

sexy pillows! meow!

THank you for the neutrals! Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Nice monochromatic feel. Seems a bit unpersonal or catalog-esque though, as if it all came from one store (which isn't neccessarily bad.

I LIKE THE CUBE OTTOMANS? WHERE COULD I GET THEM