apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


Northwest #6: Yojmac's Outdoorsy, Relaxing Colors


10-7-nw6.jpg
fallcolors3.jpgName: yojmac
Location: Richmond, CA
Type of Home: Apartment
What inspired you to use color? When I moved to a new apartment a few months ago, a few things inspired me to experiment with color. I wasn’t loving the beige carpets after years of hardwood floors, the landlords allowed painting, and I had lots of pent up ideas from tuning in to AT! This place is near the beach and woods, so I wanted to enhance that outdoorsy, relaxing feel...

 
 

...At the same time, I have eclectic taste and have collected a lot of colorful, but not necessarily related pieces. I tried to find wall colors that could help unify the look while letting my art and other favorite pieces stand out. Specific inspiration came from collecting ideas from magazines and websites, but also looking closely at my own belongings to figure out what resonated the most for me, and building on those.

Color Tip: Visualize! I use powerpoint to drop images of furniture, fabric, accessories and wall colors into virtual ‘rooms’. It’s a simple way to collect and rule out ideas. But the most effective way to visualize is to just sit in a room and imagine your new idea in context. My second tip though is to experiment. My least planned combinations are often my favorite.

Colors Used: Blue Echo, Benjamin Moore Aura Oat Straw, Benjamin Moore Aura Beau Geste, Pratt & Lambert

Tags

Fall Colors Contest 2008 - Northwest

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Comments (39)

the colours you've used in your dining area and bedroom are lovely

posted by kiwi on October 7th 2008 at 5:00pm
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I agree with Kiwi, the colors in the dining area and bedroom are fantastic!

posted by girlonthem00n on October 7th 2008 at 5:11pm
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Where is that awesome table from???

posted by What A Lush on October 7th 2008 at 5:13pm
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Are you asking about the "awesome" George Nelson bench used as coffee table? It's been around since 1946 ;-)

posted by nashdp on October 7th 2008 at 5:31pm
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Is that a basenji trotting in the door?

posted by Pixie on October 7th 2008 at 5:42pm
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This is my absolute favorite so far! I love the blue and beige together. The combination definitely evokes the beach. And, I love the bird duvet.

Great work!

posted by prettybirdpress on October 7th 2008 at 5:53pm
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awesome! i like how you worked around the carpet and all the negatives to make such a nice place. can you put instructions on how you made the nifty office bulletin board? love it!

posted by Joan in SB on October 7th 2008 at 5:57pm
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Absolutely gorgeous! Love the clean lines, airiness, tranquility mixed with splashes of color and fun.

posted by snowowl on October 7th 2008 at 7:39pm
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Love this place, it`s so relaxed and soft. I have that Nelson bench for weeks in my head for our living room and this pic in another great shot of its classic beauty...

posted by nicolezh on October 7th 2008 at 9:03pm
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Stellar! What a beautiful place.

posted by graefix on October 7th 2008 at 9:12pm
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Really lovely. Those blue greens in the bedroom and dining area are my favorites.

posted by no accounting for taste on October 7th 2008 at 10:31pm
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absolutely beautiful! The colors are soothing and the space is well designed.

posted by Tabitha (From Single to Married) on October 8th 2008 at 1:47am
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You have a really relaxing and inviting place! Do you mind me asking what color of blue you used in the bedroom? I think it would be perfect in my bathroom!

posted by atlantadesigner on October 8th 2008 at 2:40am
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Although they are neutral in color, I love the shape of those armless side chairs (I'm looking for some in the exact shape)! I'm guessing that they are from craigslist or some other vintage source by the shape of the legs. If not, where did they come from?

The blue color in the dining area is a nice touch also! I really wish my place was "finished" so I could enter this contest...oh well.

posted by cinema on October 8th 2008 at 4:06am
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You've only been here a few months?
Wow! Great job!
I love this apartment.

posted by rhianna on October 8th 2008 at 4:54am
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Very nice color choices! You have a lovely home!

posted by suzy8track on October 8th 2008 at 4:54am
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How beautiful! The clean, simple lines are elegant, and your color choices are inspired. It's an airy, relaxed space that's an inspiration for anyone looking to take a bland apartment and inject real style without a major redo. Stunning!

posted by msmcdon on October 8th 2008 at 5:05am
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phenomenal! as a dog owner i appreciate white slipcovers everywhere, washable and bleachable for pet-friendly cohabitation. backdrop of that super-gorgeous blue and neutral beige makes it all come together in crisp and classically modern look.

posted by Astrid Vladi on October 8th 2008 at 5:20am
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very pretty and charming. my bedroom is the same blue as your kitchen and I find it so calming and, yet rich.

posted by scmorgan81 on October 8th 2008 at 6:02am
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What a great place! So cozy. Love the contrast of the walls and all the white furniture. And I LOVE the bedspread. And such a great dresser. Where did you get it? It looks like something you could get at a flea market in NYC! :)

posted by drose on October 8th 2008 at 6:04am
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I love that the dog matches the living room - or is it vice versa? Also, that shade of blue on the walls is fantastic.

posted by Jezebella on October 8th 2008 at 6:08am
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The colors, design and thoughtfulness around this apartment are all so warm and inviting! Every detail put together creates a space that I could lounge in all day long...!

posted by shalinip21 on October 8th 2008 at 6:51am
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This looks great, especially the dining area. Is that the "blue echo" color? I tried a similar color for my bedroom, but it was a little brighter than intended.

posted by brittanykate on October 8th 2008 at 7:07am
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My absolute favorite!! The colors are so beautiful and the mix of artwork and little collections make this place so personal! Truly feels like a warm and friendly home. And LOVE the pup!

posted by jwls on October 8th 2008 at 7:08am
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Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!! I don't know if this is the most colorful, but I love, love, love your decor and the colors you chose. It all looks so peaceful and calming. Your bdrm comforter/duvet is fabulous. Mind sharing where you got it?

posted by lily_rose on October 8th 2008 at 8:32am
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You have some photos on your wall made by and Etsy artist!

posted by squareharbor7238 on October 8th 2008 at 8:44am
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I want to move in! The colors are both soothing and warm, and the eclectic mix of modern and classic pieces is fresh and inviting. Beige wall-to-wall was never so well flattered.

posted by decoratorgirl on October 8th 2008 at 9:58am
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The photo with the blue walls, antique bureau and the pink flowers is just delicious. What a beautiful composition of colors and tones.

posted by lovebugs on October 8th 2008 at 11:02am
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I love, love, love the bedspread. Where did you get it????

posted by TheMeg on October 8th 2008 at 11:42am
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Wow!! I am so delighted to hear the positive responses – thank you! I was really nervous about entering, so you have made my month. To answer a few questions that you’ve raised:

- How to make the bulletin board. I wrapped batting and fabric around a 2x4 piece of plywood, stapled it all down in back, and screwed on a wire in back for hanging. Easiest DIY ever.
- The dog is indeed ½ basenji – nice catch. But she’s jumbo sized, as her other half is pit bull. And yes, I absolutely decorate to complement her lovely coloring and anticipate her muddy paws!
- The bedroom paint is Benjamin Moore’s Aura, in Blue Echo.
- The armless chairs and couch are from Room & Board’s Jasper collection.
- The duvet cover is Dwell’s Chinoiserie pattern. Thanks to DesignPublic.com for the fabulous outlet pricing on that find.
- And Etsy it is. Another good observation! Several pieces in my office, living and dining rooms came from different etsy artists over the past couple years.

Thanks again all!

- yojmac

posted by yojmac on October 8th 2008 at 3:16pm
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This is lovely.

posted by theseboots on October 8th 2008 at 4:43pm
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Particularly lovely apartment. Excellent sense of context. Bravo.

posted by EAM on October 9th 2008 at 2:03am
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Beautiful dog, beautiful, serene place. I too covet those armless chairs.

posted by Pixie on October 9th 2008 at 7:24am
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my favorite so far!

posted by mansi on October 9th 2008 at 9:15am
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as someone who favors neutrals myself, i love this entry in the colors contest. love the key use of the blue, surrounded by neutrals, great textures, beautiful lines. perfect!

posted by formosagirl on October 9th 2008 at 1:44pm
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Love Love Love it.
Restful colors that are easy on the eye

Welcoming furniture for friends and pets alike

Quiet, contemplative art that doesn't overwhelm
=
dreamy, cozy home

posted by mlleglle on October 10th 2008 at 4:06am
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While I think the colors are relaxing, I would have like to see color on your furniture. Not my favorite, but very nice.

posted by kitimus prime on October 16th 2008 at 5:24pm
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Yojmac, great looking place and congrats on making it to the next round. I wish I could say the same, but I'm out:( and I am a professional too! However, I just wanted to point out that we eerily have similar taste. I have the Chinoiserie shams as well (though skimped on the duvet for save $$$) and the same IKEA fabric on my bulletin boards in my home office!

posted by megashad on October 21st 2008 at 3:02pm
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veddy nice!

posted by Yokie on October 21st 2008 at 4:56pm
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