apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


#46 - Kelly and John Love Color: The Beginning of Something Great...

Name: Kelly & John
Location: San Jose
Type: Rented Loft

Why I use color:

"The use of expressive colors is felt to be one of the basic elements of the modern mentality, an historical necessity, beyond choice." -Henri Matisse

Growing up, the first time my parents let me choose the color of my bedroom I chose bright pink , sponge painted over with magenta. Fast-forward to college, with my tastes matured and keen to the current trends, I painted one wall of my apartment chocolate brown to create a calm, grounded space for study. Now I am engaged and have found someone that loves color as much as I do. . .

 
 
10-27-kelly2.jpg

. . .In fact, our first unofficial date consisted of a walk through Crate and Barrel so he could show me the things that he wished to have in his apartment. With all of the styles and hues he picked out, I decided this boy had good taste. John and I use color because it directly affects our mood. We are aware that certain colors create and reflect certain emotions. With all that we have to deal with in the outside world, we want our apartment to be an oasis, a place to relax and unwind, colors that make us happy or calm help us do that.

2 good color tips:

1. Use a color you love and makes you happy, not just what the current trend is. Referring to the above paragraph, one would think that I would have gotten sick of a room painted completely pink. On the contrary, because I loved the color so much, I would look forward to spending time in my room which allowed my mind to relax and wander.

2. Do pay attention to the color wheel. Despite your knowledge through day to day interactions with color, there is a science that can make putting colors together while decorating a lot easier. Learning what correct color combinations are can be the difference from your living space looking primary to professional.

2 good color resources:

1. Color in Motion

2. Domino Black Book

Tags

Fall Colors 2006 - Northwest

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Comments (22)

Simply no. I do not see an innovative use of color here. In fact, I really don't like any of it. Perhaps wrong angles? Everything looks out of place. Nothing has a home..

posted by Waylon on 2006-10-27 15:14:12

Kelly & John

It would have been great to see more of your main living space (from pic 2). The french doors and the balcony are awesome. Is the floor concrete?

I have the same midcentury chair in my living room as yours (with the blue/green cushions). Very Larsen Jeul-esq. I picked mine up in upstate NY for under $50. You can check out my version when they post my entry under NY entries.

The chair and ottoman seem to be the beginning of something funky.

posted by A. Michelle (in DC) on 2006-10-27 17:37:49

Kelly - I love your colors, your home has great potential.

Note to jsh: What a crack up, huh! Thanks to Kelly's mom for those great pieces.

posted by jc on 2006-10-27 18:06:15

quit playin'

posted by sigh on 2006-10-27 19:15:33

I am now realizing part of the problem with a lot of the photos is they are taken at night. Better to wait 'til daylight. You'll get much better results.

Also what this entry is making me realize is it seems like several entries are really about "watch how I shop for colorful objects" rather than see how this space has been manipulated to show off its wonderful color scheme.

posted by charlene on 2006-10-27 22:04:10

Kell & John,
Lots of luck -- hope you win!!! And as for that green ottoman! Gads, 652 --- all over again.

posted by kjb on 2006-10-27 23:27:14

get out of town. is this another joke posting?

posted by mmm on 2006-10-27 09:43:02

I love that door mat - where did you get it if I may ask?

posted by DJ on 2006-10-27 09:56:28

the doormat is from crate and barrel...

posted by meredith on 2006-10-27 10:03:01

I love that pumpkin - where did you get it if I may ask?

posted by mmm on 2006-10-27 10:35:15

lOve the color. & I'd lOve to see what you'd do with free range of CB2... !!

posted by LB on 2006-10-27 10:45:24

Great taste guys!

posted by monica on 2006-10-27 10:51:28

I like the artwork leaning up against the window, and your green ottoman/table. Colorful and eclectic.

By the way... what does "mmm" stand for:
Meaningless miserable messages ???
My mean muse ??
My missed maturity ?? ...
Enough with the sarcastic remarks, pumpkinhead! Tres uncool!

posted by Ahhhh on 2006-10-27 10:56:08

I see that there's some potential here, and I like the chair and cassock combo paired with the shaggy rug, but I feel it is my duty to suggest that the front door photo is a wasted photo! Although these may be colors that inspire you and your sense of decor, I think we'd rather see that in action than in what just seems like a product shot.

Looks like you live in a nice, wide-open space; have fun with it!

posted by catherine on 2006-10-27 11:08:53

I agree with Catherine in that I would have liked to see another picture of your living space instead of the front door. I feel like I just got teased in what might have been viewing and being inspired by what looks like a great space. Thanks for sharing and good luck!

posted by cielo on 2006-10-27 11:34:18

Are you kidding?? How did that hassock survive all these years??? I remember it from an address that starts with 652!!!!! What a great piece.

posted by jsh on 2006-10-27 13:22:38

I would like to see some color on the walls, or even a picture on a wall.

you clearly have a lot of friends, and that's what's most important in a home.

posted by jennie (2) on 2006-10-28 06:12:36

The picture shows you REALLY need to win! Those items would be gone in a flash.

ngw

posted by nancy wahlstrom on 2006-10-28 12:27:54

Wish I had the gumption to use that much color in my place! Adorable!

posted by ps on 2006-10-28 19:58:38

Too much mismatch stuff, cluttered and doesn't make sense to me.

posted by SM on 2006-10-30 11:08:07

You guys have a great space to live in and it looks like it desperately needs filling! Good luck! I love the doormat, very inviting for this colour junkie!

posted by Jane (from Aus!) on 2006-10-30 12:34:22


like your color choices, but you need bigger furniture to show it off.

good luck!

posted by tr on 2006-11-02 09:29:05

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