Name: Brenda & Dave B.
Location: Chicago, IL
Why I use color:
"Color makes a space inviting and joyous. Painting a wall is the easiest and cheapest way to add a great amount of color to your space. Plus, its so simple to change. In one day, you can give your room a whole new feeling. Each time weve moved, we paint one wall a rich or bright color. Weve had eggplant purple, apple green, and now ORANGE! We also always paint one entire wall in chalkboard paint. I would have never guessed how cool a dark grey wall can look. I love to use color in our accessories like table settings or pillows. It gives me the ability to change the colors of the room quickly to go along with the season or my mood."
Color Tips:
"1. Have no fear. Grab a bunch of paint chips, throw them in a bag, shake it up and pick out 2 colors. If used well, any 2 colors can be made into a great combo that will be fresh and interesting. Remember, the key is how its used. I grabbed a weird green out of the bag and I found it a wonderful challenge to make it work with the orange. Thats how those pillows were chosen.
2. Mix bright colors with neutrals. I try to buy all our furniture in neutrals. It makes it easier to switch out the colorful accessories. Since weve moved so much, it also has made it easier to have total freedom in choosing the wall color.
3. Mix antiques with modern. The painting on the wall is a 300 year old antique from Thailand. On the wall opposite the couch is an antique armoire, very ornate in comparison to the rest of the room. I guess this isnt a color tip, per se, but somehow I think it fits. It would be the same concept as using an ornate pattern with a modern stripe, like the pillows on the couch."
Color Resources:
"Paul Smith. He has an AMAZING design sense and uses color in the most interesting way. Check out his new fabric, its both traditional and hip.
Donna Hay. She is a chef with the most beautiful cookbooks. The photography is fresh and inspiring."
goregous, gorgeous, gorgeous, goregous GOREGOUS!
i've never wanted a dining room so badly in my entire life
and the mix of orange and lime green is so fresh!
at once your room reminds me of the very best times in autumn, and the most beautiful tiger lillies of summer
truly inspiring!
i like it, but then again i have a dining room very similar...but im currently looking for a table, where did you find that one?
A great choice of color against the brick.
Love that hanging light (not entirely sure about whether the lone version holds its own against other stuff, scale-wise, tho), and love the combo of those white chairs and colored wall.
A horizontal mirror on the dining room wall could be cool.
norton--
Crate & Barrel's Big Sur table has similar lines and color but a slightly more weathered, primitive appearance.
This is so Beautiful! Love the mix of colors.
I must say, the photography and staging of this room is part of what makes it look so great. I worry that a lot of the vibrancy of other entries is lost due to poor lighting, angles, etc.
The interplay of the orange, wood tone, and pale blue work really well--and make the dining area versatile for different types of table-top accessorizing. I especially love the pale blue chairs (and have been seriously considering using that exact color for slipcovers--for my dark-hued dining chairs).
NICE! When are you having us over for dinna!
Excellent dining room.
I, too, would like to know where to find that table. Crate & Barrel's Big Sur table doesn't really do it for me.
very nice! can you tell me more about your green and ivory floral pillows on the couch? i've been looking for something in this shade for about a month now. thanks!
Thanks for all the nice comments. To answer a few questions.
The table is from DWR, from about 2 years ago. We are renting this apt, and the light came with the place. We got lucky, it's cool, but i agree with the not-quite-right proportions. I made the pillows. I find fabric all over, but that particular fabric is from a place called Off The Bolt, in Chicago.
LOVE the wall, HATE the pillows (sorry!)
LOVE LOVE the Thai art, and triple love that you change that wall at will.
Really nice - thanks for showing us your place!
Creative, vibrant, warm and inviting. I love the room!
Brenda... fantastic! The color is absolutely wonderful. I love the contrast with the white and also the red brick wall
Peace,
Annie
http://www.interiorsearch.blogspot.com/
Photos 2,3& 4 are very well staged as if for a magazine. :-) The blue sofa is a wonderful compliment. Very attractive!
Thanks for sharing!
Cooking Cajun
Yet another example of why simple but thoughtful use of color changes our experience of a room. Oh joy joy, I love this room. May I move in?
I've been looking for photos with orange walls and WOW I just love the use of vibrant purple with the orange. I just put lava orange on three bedroom walls and am preparing to rag roll burgandy/red over it for my faux finish and a little depth. I believe you just helped me with the rest of the color pallet. VIBRANT PURPLE / ORANGE-RED / GOLDEN YELLOW. Fantastic job.