While none of the rooms may be my own particular style, it's fun and inspiring to see what a difference accessories can make in a bland room. The basic beige and white elements of the room remained the same, but the editors at Country Living gave each room a totally different kick with affordable and easily changeable details: lampshades, accent rugs, pillows, art, throws, and frames. It's a great lesson to keep in mind for those forced to embrace white walls or those restless decorators among us who like to shake things up every few months (or weeks).
To see what went into each room, including a cost break down and product list, check out the full article on Country Living.
Images: James Merrell for Country Living
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I love beige as a backdrop for colored accents!
Our living room is a good example-
http://styleandcentsability.wordpress.com/2010/04/12/before-and-after-living-roomkitchen/
"color month may be a little depressing for those banned from painting"
(sigh...)
Indeed. One hopes that someday the landlords will realize that some paint won't destroy a house.
This is perfect. While I'm not banned from painting my rental, my bf has some strange aversion to colour (i.e. beige walls, white couch, brown carpet, wood furniture), so I've resigned myself to colourful accessories.
I'm being patient, I figure the longer we're together the more colour I'll be able to sneak in.
Notice how the basics in the room - sofa, tables, sisal rug - are all white and neutrals - making it appear that the beige walls were an intentional choice.
When folks try to ignore the beige walls & carpets - That's where the trouble begins.
Designers will hate me but . . . I hate #2 and #3. The only way I could live with #1 is to change the lamps; get rid of half the throw pillows; eliminate 2 pieces of the wall art; and clean some of the stuff off the coffee table. I'd probably change out loud striped rug too. Now you all know why I won't let a designer in my house! Too much frou-frou.
@bepsf - maybe that is my problem. i hate our all beige house! but it is a rental and we can't paint it. maybe if i look at it from the 'intentional' perspective it could work out. the other problem we have is we have three young boys...a white couch probably won't happen anytime soon.
When I moved into one of the many apartments I wasn't allowed to paint, I asked my landlord if I could give him an additional deposit. I called it the paint deposit. We agreed on the price together. Also we agreed I would repaint the apartment back to cream before I moved out. We would then inspect it together and if all was well, he would refund my paint deposit in addition to my regular deposit. (Make sure this is all in writing and signed.) The day after I gave him notice, he showed the apartment, called me immediately and said "Whatever you do, don't repaint the apartment. She loves it!" He said he had never rented a place so fast. I didn't have to repaint, was refunded my regular deposit, plus my painting deposit, that I then moved forward to my next place. I asked all future landlords to do the same thing and usually had great success!
I like number one and two, the second one has so many awesome colors! :)
Some of the most striking rooms I have seen had white walls, neutral carpet, white and wood toned furniture, and one or two very intense colors in small doses -- like vivid turquoise silk pillows and red-orange flowers, for example. Whe it's the only color, if you go really bold, it looks fantastic.
I painted my bedroom a pale aqua sea glass kind of color, and used the same vivid turquoise as an accent, and it totally loses impact. (I still like it, but it's not the same effect at all.)
This was a fun demonstration. Could AT post more like it?