DIY Home Decor
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Yes, You Can Use Outdoor Pillows Inside Your Home!
Have you ever purchased a new throw pillow for your living room, only to spill a glass of soda or wine on it a week later? Here’s a solution! Outdoor pillow fabric is made from a cotton polyester blend that is both stain and sun resistant. Some styles even come in luxurious silks and wools. Not only will it last a lot longer if you are raising young kids, but now you can get that puppy you always wanted.
There’s nothing more annoying than damaging a brand new pillow, except perhaps watching your older pillows’ vibrancy fade away from sunlight exposure. Outdoor pillows fade more slowly (some don’t at all!), and it will protect the integrity of your décor when a couch or chair is opened against large, south-facing windows.
Decorating With Outdoor Fabric
The protective polyester comes in a great number of styles, colors, and various textures. In fact, it is easier to find well-decorated, textured fabric with outdoor-woven covers. Comfortable lawn chair cushions make great body-sized floor pillows in the TV den or basement or perhaps just a comfortable place to relax with a book.
If you are unable to match your indoors with the outside, consider bringing the outside in! Bamboo ceiling slats or tiles look smashing paired with wicker furniture and a bold color. If you are one of those people with a spring and summer furniture set, you can seasonally decorate by swapping out the bases and keeping the cushions to match the ceiling and walls.
Make Your Own!
As it turns out, making outdoor pillows is pretty easy. You can find the weather-resistant inserts you need for the cushion for as cheap as $10. Next, purchase a waterproof fabric. You will have a variety of options and outdoor canvas comes in several styles and is easily purchased online.
If canvas sounds too rough, you can also use outdoor tablecloth. There are other fabric options which work just as well, but they are a tad more expensive. You can use solution-dyed acrylic, or 100% spun poly fabric. Solid dyed acrylic averages $30 /yard, while stripes and woven are between $40-50 /yard. Spun polyester is much cheaper, ranging between $10-20 /yard. The big drawback to spun poly is it will fade in sunlight.
You can read through the process step-by-step here. The project guide recommends also using a shower curtain liner to prevent mold growth in the insert. Besides that, all you need a sewing machine!
Vintage Decor on a Budget
Vintage decor and antique-inspired style doesn’t have to be costly. There are a number of smart ways to incorporate this kind of décor into your home while keeping money in your wallet. Let’s consider some of the best ways to add retro and antique iconography into the interior of your home.
Know Where to Look for Your Vintage Decor Finds
While visiting vintage and antique stores is certainly a delightful adventure, interesting and unique vintage decor isn’t exclusive to these locations. Surprisingly, many current retailers offer items with vintage appearances or iconography – and your guests won’t be able to tell the difference. If you really want to incorporate vintage or antique authenticity into your home, you’ll have to hit local (or regional) flea markets, rummage sales, and other buying opportunities. For the collector of vintage items, these venues are treasure troves.
While some finds may seem worn out or useless, there are ways to repurpose them or turn them into new works of art. One word of advice, however: don’t go overboard collecting junk if you don’t have a plan for what to do with it!
Vintage Style without the Hunt
If the prospect of waiting until yard sale season is already wearing you out, it’s time to consider investing in alternative ways to incorporate vintage iconography into the home. Throw pillows offer a unique, thoughtful means of showing off your penchant for vintage style. Consider, for example, a stylized pop art image of original early 20th century seltzer bottles. Blending a trendy art style with old-school antique charm is a great way to start.
Similarly, consider incorporating vintage bus scrolls into your home interior. Originally designed for the sole purpose of showing destinations in subways, buses and trams in the 1950s, bus scroll posters and canvases are great decorative accent items suitable for a variety of spaces. The vintage bus scrolls are even available as stylish graphic throw pillows.
Source: http://www.tramscrolls.com.au/
Expert Advice: Home Redecorating Tips
For those with little experience and no training in interior design, making a foray into home redecorating can seem overwhelming. Fortunately, there are plenty of experts out there who are happy to help! As you prepare to redecorate a room, consider the following tips to ensure that the end results of your redecorating are both stylish and functional.
Pick Your Artwork First
Before considering colors, furniture, or accessories, think about what artwork you want in the room. By choosing a piece of art that you love to be the centerpiece of the room, you’re sure to love the rest of the room as well. A striking piece of art will influence the color scheme and design aesthetic of the room, so start with the art, and then begin to develop a plan for everything else.
Consider Color Theory as for Your Home Redecorating Palette
Once you’ve selected artwork for a room, begin to select a few colors to focus on. Edith Wharton recommended sticking to a simple color palette because it will ultimately create a more peaceful, relaxing environment. Too many different colors will make any room feel hectic and cluttered.
Another important aspect of color theory to consider is whether you want bright colors or muted tones. Warmer colors such as reds and oranges are often more effective in a busy space, such as a kitchen. On the other hand, cooler greens and blues will feel more soothing for a bedroom. In addition, it is useful to consider the psychological aspect of color as different colors evoke different moods and emotions.
Don’t Forget the Finishing Touches
A common rookie mistake in home decorating is to fail to include finishing touches, such as unique accessories. This is your chance to make a statement about something that you love, so don’t be afraid to select unusual, memorable pieces. If you are quite limited with space or simply would like to combine accessorizing with functionality, incorporating accent throw pillows is a smart solution. Fortunately, the vast selection of themes and styles allows anyone to find a favorite throw pillow. Love your desserts? Add some fun and colorful cupcakes to your room décor! Do you appreciate vintage items? Decorate your space with vintage inspired accent pillows! When it comes to accent pieces, your imagination is your limit.
Kingfisher Bird Pillow
Seltzer Black and White Vintage
Vintage Postage Stamp
Moving in Together? A Stylistic Guide to Survival
It’s a New Year, which for many of us means exciting changes. If you are changing your living situation and wondering about creating a harmonious living space when moving in together with another person, read on. Whether you are planning to have a roommate or that special somebody has finally voiced a desire to cohabitate, it is likely that the other member of the partnership will be bringing furniture with them. Instead of getting into a fight or throwing everything on the curb and starting over, here is a handy guide to making the material parts of your life fit together.
Moving in together means Mixing and Matching
When couples move in together, the process can definitely create obstacles. For example, when one person has a more classic furniture style and the other has largely modern pieces and accents, issues can arise. The first piece of advice is to simply lay everything out and see how it looks together. As with this example from Apartment Therapy, you may find that your styles can merge better than you imagined. Of course, it also helps to keep an open mind about what should stay and what should go in order to share the space and make sure that every party is satisfied.
Source: www.myhomerocks.com
Objects Make Harmony
When mixing and matching modern and vintage, found objects as accents can do wonders to make a seemingly mismatched room work together beautifully. Another idea is to blend multiple styles of antiques and other décor so that your home feels like its items have been collected over a period of time (rather than matched at random).
Find Colors in Common
When it comes to mixing and matching different styles, one of the main points of coordination is color. Even if different people do not necessarily agree on accent colors, neutrals like white can add a sense of harmony and togetherness to pull the whole feel of the room together.
Accessorize
As always, accessories are key. Objects like artwork, tableware, small decorative pieces and throw pillows can really make the whole room come together. When choosing your color scheme while having different stylistic preferences, consider off-white objects that are well designed. For a throw pillow, for example, the rustic Cacao Bean Throw Pillow, is an excellent choice that is simple yet original.
You don’t have to be a cacao bean merchant to appreciate the rustic charm of this large 24×24 inch square throw pillow. Made from a soft and sturdy broad weave fabric, this fun throw pillow will add comfort, charm and conversation to your home
Neutral Doesn’t Have To Be Boring
Neutral color schemes are a growing trend in many households. Although neutral furnishings may seem boring, believe it or not, that is a thing of the past. Let’s talk a little bit about how to decorate with neutral tones without leaving your space feeling drab.
Interesting Shapes
When the color palette of a room is comprised entirely of neutrals, then the shapes of your room decorations and furniture pieces are far more noticeable than ever before. Consider, for instance, spicing up a room with an interestingly shaped mirror or an elegant coffee table.
Warm and Comforting Textures
You don’t have to feel every item in the room to know that including texture adds an overall feeling of comfort and warmth. Woven items or rough wall textures like brick definitely change the feel of the room. Texture can mean smooth or soft, too – like leather or suede furniture pieces.
Mongolian Sheepskin Pillows are great for incorporating natural materials and soft textures that add interest to a room.
Adding heavy textured pillows like this earthy handmade Secret Garden Natural Pillow adds warms to a living space.
Layers and Colors
One important thing to note about decorating with neutral tones is to do away with tan. Neutrals don’t necessarily mean an entirely beige room – and, in fact, that can make a space feel dull and flat. Crisp black and white or rich, chocolate browns are also neutrals that can give a room a sense of energy or relaxation, depending on how you structure them. Consider, too, how light comes into play. Light creates more layers and shapes in a room depending upon how it is distributed, so use multiple lamps or lighting fixtures and see where you end up.
Neutral Throw Pillows
Organic and natural shapes can do wonders to add texture to a room, and what simpler way to incorporate these shapes than with a throw pillow? Plant and animal themed pillows fit into the neutral space of a room without overwhelming it with color and add a touch of nature in a room.
The rich detail of the French tapestry adds texture to a neutral interior.
The pale blue garlic flower with its sculptural shape offers a delicate touch to a neutral space.
The dog lovers looking to create a neutral home decor will appreciate this Leonardo da Vinci sketch style dog pillow.
Created in the style of a Leonardo da Vinci sketch, this pillow is a great accent for a cat lover’s neutral home.
Decorating with Throw Pillows: DOs and DON’Ts
If you don’t want to paint an entire wall or commit to a trend that is going to soon die, it’s a great idea to use throw pillows to encompass fresh concepts on a budget. However, many people struggle with finding pillows that coordinate with one another. This interior decorating dilemma creates a pillow nightmare! (Pun intended). But don’t panic! By following certain guidelines, you can successfully transform the look and feel of your home by decorating with throw pillows only.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Decorating with Throw Pillows
People commonly (and correctly!) complain about the matching throw pillows that came with their sofa looking rather dull and unexciting. Don’t let those drab little guys ruin your living space! Here are some suggestions to help you use pillows to decorate with taste and purpose .
- Don’t: Purchase a random patterned pillow because it is cute. It is important that you coordinate the colors throughout your rooms, and if you are going to use a patterned cushion, make sure it picks up at least one color that is already in your space.
- Do: Look to see if there is a color in your room you want to pull together. If you have accents throughout your room in similar hues, incorporate a solid bold pillow to pull everything together. For example, if you have caramel tones throughout your house, find some striking orange pillows. Always search for complementary colors.
- Don’t: Mix random textures that are too different in styles. For example, textures that are better suited for a formal setting (damask, satin,velvet, etc.) might not coordinate well with less refined, rougher textures often used for earthy, casual interiors (tweed,canvas,leather,corduroy, etc.)
- Do: Break the rules and be creative! When done with taste and purpose, combining different styles, textures, colors and patterns can bring amazing results. This approach works especially well when you are going for an eclectic interior, full of personality.
Finally, it’s a great idea to take a fan deck of paint colors and select chips that match furniture already in your space. When you go out shopping for throw pillows, you can easily reference the chip to determine which option will best match your decor.
Bold Caravan Cotton Pillows in a range of solid colors are great for tying in decor accents
Hand woven raw silk pillows in a range of muted solid colors.
Halloween: Last Minute Decorating Ideas
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Paint Your Pumpkin!
No time to carve? No problem! Pick up some painting supplies and get creative with your friends and family. Unlike carving, even the youngest kids can enjoy this fun Halloween activity!
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Treats for The Party
If you are throwing a Halloween party but feel there is not enough time to decorate your home, don’t worry – treat your guests to some tasty, Halloween-inspired desserts such as these fun and festive cupcakes. Try serving your friends cupcakes in a jar – a funky Halloween version of the traditional cupcake – plus, very convenient for a stand-up type of party!
Source: www.hgtv.com
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Halloween Themed Stickers
If you have no time to invest in decorating your interior for Halloween, consider spooking up the exterior of your house or apartment with black window stickers. The scary and mysterious silhouettes on the windows will get you and your neighbors in the Halloween mood. Add some orange lights to frame the windows for the full effect.
Source: www.trendhunter.com;crazydomestic.com
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Balloons
One fast and hassle-free option is to use orange balloons with scary Halloween drawings or stickers on them, which can be bought or quickly made at home.
Source:http://todaysmama.com
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Decorative Halloween Candles
Spelling Halloween-related words on a set of candles colored in yellow, orange, rust and brown is a great addition to the atmosphere. Candles of various shapes, colors and sizes are easily available from your nearest supermarket. To save money, try wrapping the candles you already have at home with colored tissue paper that can be found in your local dollar store. Next, attach vinyl or paper letters to spell words like “October”, “Happy Halloween” and “Boo!”
Source: www.bhg.com
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Halloween Throw Pillows
One of the easiest ways to decorate your home for holidays in a comfortable and functional fashion is to throw in some decorative pillows. At Pillow Décor, we got you covered for your Murder Mystery Halloween party! Add a splash of blood red to your living room with this shockingly sophisticated Bullet Point Pillow.
Zen Interiors
Zen Interiors: Shifting to a More Balanced Life – Starting with Your Home!
A Zen inspired interior conjures up an image of a harmonious and peaceful space, one that invites relaxation and unwinding from a busy day. Clean and airy rooms with soft light, natural finishings, textures and decorations come to mind. Today, few would argue that life can get rather hectic at times, so it is no surprise that versatile variations of Zen home interiors are so popular.
As with any decorating style, while there is always room for creative self-expression, following certain techniques will help you achieve the desired Zen look.
Simplicity
Zen is often associated with minimalist style. Minimalism strives to only show the essential qualities of things without excessive decorations and overwhelming color combinations. The preference is given to simple natural materials, basic geometric forms and toned-down colors.
Try to keep your design free of clutter and only introduce one or two accent pieces that fit with the overall concept. These steps will help create a sense of peace and calmness expected of a Zen inspired space.
Accent on Nature
When it comes to choosing interior finishings, using natural materials such as wood, bamboo, stone and natural fabrics is a great way to bring nature into your home. Use earthy colors like soft hues of green, pink and grey, beige and white.
Placing plants inside a room is not only visually calming but will bring more oxygen into your home. Soft textures of upholstery fabrics, rugs and throw pillows will effectively add to the relaxed atmosphere.
Try experimenting with natural scents to engage your senses. They may come in the forms of essential oils, candles, sprays or incenses. Different scents are suited for different purposes and many have healing, calming or invigorating qualities
Asymmetry
Nature is fascinating in the way it constantly evolves. Zen inspired interiors use asymmetry as a symbol of the process of life. It is believed to help nurture one’s imagination and creativity, whereas uniformity of design is considered a sign of stagnation. Thus, placing your furniture and décor pieces asymmetrically will create a sense of movement and change.
Source: minimalistinteriordesign.com
When your decorating process is over, don’t forget the fundamental requirement for achieving your Zen – living fully and authentically in the present moment and joyfully accepting each day with gratitude. Decorated in Zen style, your home can be your daily inspiration to live a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Zen Pillows
Mongolian Sheepskin Pillows in Snow White and Champagne are great for incorporating natural materials and soft textures.
Tuscany Linen pillows and bolsters in Earthy colors. Natural fabrics and textures will bring you closer to nature no matter where you live.
A Buddha pillow can serve as a great accent piece in your Zen inspired home. They will add a touch of calm and color.
The Sandra Forzani Catus Flower Pillow will add a sense of serenity. The pillow is great for both indoors and outdoors.
Updating Your Boring Bedroom
Don’t Let Your Bedroom Décor Put You To Sleep: How To Transform Your Boring Bedroom
Your bedroom should be a tranquil place where you can relax at the end of a stressful day. Still, the décor does not have to be dull in order for it to be calming and comfortable. Let’s look at a few different ways to transform your bedroom space into one that you can enjoy with a few simple steps.
Mix and Match
Colors, patterns, you name it. If your room is too dull for words, then it’s time to spice it up. Many people are afraid of mixing multiple patterns, but lots of patterns in a room can actually be quite harmonious! The trick, of course, is to keep the hues similar between individual patterns.
Bright colors can be great as accents if your room is mostly white or neutral. They don’t have to overwhelm a room, either – if you keep the walls and bedding white, then any colorful touch will pop on its own, whether it’s a rug, bookshelf, or throw pillow.
Find Fabrics You Love
One great way to jump start the redecorating process is to inspire yourself with fabric patterns that you love, and work from there. If you revolve your new room around a theme, it will feel like a space you can come home to and relax in.
Accessories
Accessories don’t have to overwhelm a room. The right combination of furniture and accessories can even be the only things you use to do your décor overhaul – don’t forget that accessories can totally change the whole look and feel of a space. Consider graphic pillow accents with additions like these Alhambra Handprint Indigo throw pillows to round out your room and add an individual flair to your entire space, even if you prefer to keep the majority of the space swathed in neutral colors or tones.
Alhambra Handprint Indigo Throw Pillow
What’s Your Decorating Style?
Contemporary, modern, traditional or eclectic? Do you know what your decorating style is. Get a grip on your personal decorating style before you go shopping!
Many people struggle to find their personal decorating style, which makes décor shopping overwhelming and frustrating. You want everything to be seamlessly integrated, comfortable yet on trend, and hopefully unique to you and your lifestyle… a difficult task if you don’t know what you’re looking for. As a first step to pinpointing your unique style, let’s uncover some of the main décor and design genres.
Different Home Decorating Styles
Contemporary: This décor style is sophisticated but comfortable, featuring clean lines mixed with smooth, round surfaces. Contemporary color palettes generally focus on neutral tones like beige, white, and tan, often with accents of bold color. Décor elements include light woods, metallic or reflective accents in chrome, steel or glass, and natural, textured fabrics. This style promotes ease, simplicity, and functionality. One of our favorite contemporary pillows is the Contemporary Dark Taupe Leaf throw.
Contemporary Dark Taupe Leaf Throw Pillow
Modern: This décor style is for individuals who love both luxury and comfort. It mixes ornate patterns with furniture that is typically modeled after 18th century English, British Colonial revival, 19th Century neoclassical and French country. Think symmetrical arrangements, rich color schemes and bronze or gold accents. Traditional homes often include peach, red, tan, and green tones, a variety of trim, tassels and fringe, and heavier, luxurious textiles such as velvet and chenille. The Waverly Groovy Grille Licorice throw looks great in any modern room; pair it with a dramatic accent pillow to make your sofa pop.
Waverly Groovy Grille Licorice 22×22 Throw Pillow
Traditional: This décor style is for individuals who love both luxury and comfort. It mixes ornate patterns with furniture that is typically modeled after 18th century English, British Colonial revival, 19th Century neoclassical and French country. Think symmetrical arrangements, rich color schemes and bronze or gold accents. Traditional homes often include peach, red, tan, and green tones, a variety of trim, tassels and fringe, and heavier, luxurious textiles such as velvet and chenille. Traditional lovers should check out our Traditional Floral decorative pillow in wine.
Traditional Floral in Wine 18×18 Decorative Pillow
Eclectic: Don’t be afraid to mix styles if it suits your aesthetic. Just remember that eclectic décor is not cluttered; rather it is a purposeful, mixing of styles with the goal of producing a cohesive, unified design scheme. To avoid design chaos, pay attention to scale, play up contrasts (pairing the ornate with simple and clean, or bold patterns with solids), balance the mix of different styles so that they appear to be evenly represented, mix your accessories (but don’t use too many) and use color to tie everything together. Done right, this style can produce a look that is entirely unique. We love the following pillows for their aesthetically pleasing audacity!
How to Find Your Own Decorating Style
While keeping these styles in mind, it’s time to walk around your house and look at its contents with a critical eye. Make a list that includes things you love and things you wish you could replace. Spend some time purging things that you don’t love and that don’t have any sentimental value. What are the elements that unite your home and which items do you love? Is there a theme in furniture, textiles, colors, or accessories?
Go-to Stores? Where do you shop and what are you drawn to in those stores? This will tell you a lot about your style. Do you prefer stores with a singular, strong design aesthetic like Restoration Hardware or West Elm, or do you find yourself seeking stores with an eclectic mix of items and styles?
How do you dress your walls? Art is very personal – can you tell your design style from your art choices? Oil paintings suggest a preference for the traditional, while a tendency towards landscape watercolors might indicate contemporary leanings. Or perhaps you would prefer to fill you walls with sophisticated black and white photos?
How do you dress yourself? Look at your wardrobe and see the themes. Do you love color and pretty, feminine silhouettes, or do you tend toward neutrals and classics? This will help you determine your overall style, which likely translates to your favored home décor genre.
What do you like to do? If you have strong interests and hobbies, incorporate them into your design through art, wall hangings, photographs, throw pillows, books, and accessories. Your home should be an expression of you and your life, or the lives of those you love.
Where do you like to go? Where do you go when you travel and where do you like to stay? Incorporate items you have brought back from your travels or use what you have seen or where you have stayed as inspiration for your own home. Travel is easily incorporated through art, textiles, accessories and color.
Imagine your dream home. Room by room, envision what your dream home would look like and look for a common thread. Start a file or pinboard of designs you like and don’t hesitate to use your friends’ homes as a source of inspiration. Whether your inspiration comes from design, colors, shapes, materials, or just an overall vibe—this will help you pinpoint your personal style. Match your style with one of the genres and start searching for similar items to enhance your home. Remember that your style is an expression of what makes you happy, what inspires you, where you live, how you live, where you’ve been and where you want to go. Have fun!
DIY Chic Halloween Pumpkin Decorating
Check out these great DIY pumpkin decorating ideas!
Looking forward to the spookiest time of year? We are! We’ve combed the Internet to compile a list of our favorite chic DIY Halloween decorations using pumpkins. It’s proof that you can do more than just carve pumpkins to celebrate the season. If you’ve got pumpkin decorating ideas that you’d like to share, leave a comment…we’d love to see what you’ve come up with.
Pumpkin Cooler
What an ingenious way to use a pumpkin! Thanks to the creative folks at Martha Stewart for this ‘cool’ idea.
Pumpkin Cooler
Source: Martha Stewart, marthastewart.com
Pumpkin Planters
Add drama to your entrance way without carving a single pumpkin. We love the dramatic effect that this simple idea creates. We owe this one to Good Housekeeping.
Pumpkin Planters
Source: Good Housekeeping, goodhousekeeping.com
Pumpkin Décor
For decidedly sophisticated Halloween décor, this lacy pumpkin idea from Better Homes and Gardens, is the prettiest and most feminine we’ve seen.
Lacey Pumpkin Design
Source: Better Homes and Gardens, bhg.com
Pumpkin Lantern
Twinkling pumpkin lanterns would make a beautiful and fun centerpiece for any Halloween party you plan to throw. According to House and Home, it’s easy to achieve with a power drill.
Pumpkin Latterns
Source: House and Home, houseandhome.com
Patterned Pumpkins
The sky’s the limit with this idea from Country Living. Muted and striped or bright and polka-dotted, these patterned pumpkins can be painted to fit any décor.
Patterned Pumkins
Source: Country Living, countryliving.com
Metallic Pumpkins
Gilded pumpkins are always an eye-catcher, and they’re easy to create. According to Real Simple, a can of metallic spray paint is pretty much all you need.
Metallic Pumpkins
Source: Real Simple, realsimple.com
Chalkboard Pumpkins
The ultimate pumpkin decoration for those who don’t want to commit! This chalkboard pumpkin, courtesy of Real Simple, let’s you change your design whenever you please.
Chalkboard Pumpkins
Source: Real Simple, realsimple.com
Understanding the Language of Color: What do colors say to you?
Upon entering a room, our eyes take in its color, proportion, balance and light as well as its overall mood. Though we may not always be able to quantify our experience, we invariably develop a strong emotional reaction. We may feel it is cold or warm, inviting or intimidating, cozy or grandiose. Regardless of how well we may be able to express our pleasure or displeasure with any given room or space, we can always identify whether or not we like its color.
Color is the most immediate experience, one that is emotional and visceral. Colors have the power to soothe or stimulate, relax or excite, please or displease. Color can also be evocative, conjuring up memories of childhood, happy or sad experiences, remembrances of travels and places. Colors can be the most effective way to establish the mood and overall feeling of your space and may be introduced in many forms. Paint is most obvious and dramatic way to bring color to a room. But there other more subtle ways. Textiles in the form of curtains, rugs and pillows are an effective and versatile means to add color and manipulate the look and mood of your space.
Given the array of color choices it is a seemingly daunting prospect to choose just one. But it becomes simple once you discern the mood particular colors create and the feelings it evokes. If you want a serene bedroom for example, choose soothing and calming colors. If you want to create a vibrant room, turn up the volume color wise. For the more permanent and widespread color installations, such as paint on your walls, you have to be willing to commit.Generally it is a good idea to create canvases upon which we can introduce further color. An easy and rewarding way to introduce accent colors throughout the room is to add pillows. You may not want to have a predominantly pink room but would be happy and quite uplifted to place a hot pink throw pillow on your couch or bed for that hit of pink that satisfies without overwhelming. You may wish to warm up your room for winter with luscious color and inviting textures. While it certainly is not practical to repaint your room to suit the seasons, it is certainly possible to affect the main color by bringing in accent colors that warm it up or cool it down.Decorative pillows can instantly bring texture and color to your space. For example, a cool ocean blue room will feel airy and light in the summer accented by linen pillows in shades of blues, greens and grays. The same room can take on a much more atmospheric and dramatic feel by adding cut velvet pillows in deep purple, dramatic charcoal and moody black. Once you begin to play and experiment with color, it becomes addictive, as it is an intoxicating and sensual experience. Our moods are so easily affected by the colors that surround us that it is quite possibly the most rewarding element of design to manipulate.The language of color
Color is a key part of our lives. Its powerful impact on our mood and sense of well being is hard to quantify and sometimes even hard to discern but it nonetheless shapes our daily experience. Imagine a gray rainy day and contrast it with a bright sunny day. Imagine the introspective mood of the grey day and contrast it with the exuberant feeling one has when the sun peaks from behind the clouds. Imagine the color of rain and the color of sunshine. It may be hard to define, but unquestionably it can be experienced.
Once we start to think about color and how it affects us, exciting possibilities reveal themselves.
At home we can change the color of our surroundings and the atmosphere of our rooms by simply painting, or adding colorful pillows and throws, or placing a vibrantly colored vase on mantel or table. It is easy and infinitely rewarding. How then, does one choose a color? Well, each color has its message and evokes a certain mood. Once you learn about the basic colors and corresponding moods, you can then apply them to achieving your design goals.
RED
Temperature: Hot
Message: Boldness, Vitality, Strength, Power, Seduction, Excitement
In nature: Attention! Red in nature either signifies danger or attraction. The amazonian red frog is poisonous and its red color keeps enemies at bay. Red spots on many birds are a means of attraction and are proudly displayed during mating season.
At home: Stimulation! Red is a bold and dominant color. Our eyes are drawn to it and will register the color immediately and intensely. For some, it can be overwhelming, for others it provides just the right amount of stimulation and excitement. Whether it is used to warm up a space, make a dramatic first impression, or add liveliness as an accent color, red is always unforgettable.
YELLOW
Temperature: Warm
Message: Joy, Playfulness, Freedom, Light, Hope, Nurturing
In nature: Light! Yellow is the color we associate with sunlight. Sunlight expands the visual field making spaces seem larger and more voluminous. Yellow flowers are vibrant and lively and command attention because they offer such a high contrast to the predominant color in nature which is green.
At home: Nurturing warmth. Yellow is a luminous and nurturing color. It is almost impossible not to be cheered up by the golden light that is cast in most yellow rooms. Yellow is the color that most closely emulates the joyful mood of a lovely summer day. Yellow pillows are a classic way to introduce color and light to any room.
ORANGE
Temperature: Warm
Message: Creativity, Vibrancy, Abundance, Exuberance
In nature: Liveliness! Orange flowers always convey exuberance. Even if present in small quantities, orange flowers, because of their attention grabbing hue, give the impression of abundant richness. Orange sunsets are inspiring and breathtaking. The experience of observing a sunset is enriching and satisfying.
At home: Orange is the mixture of red and yellow, both very warm colors. Whenever it is used in the home, orange and its many tonal variations (peach, apricot, persimmon, terra cotta, etc) will cast a glow. It is this warm glow that lends a subtle vitality to objects under its radiant influence. A terra cotta floor, despite its humble origin gives the impression of earthy abundance. A bright orange pillow catches the eye, while a peach room gives everyone perfect complexion. Bringing orange into a room has the same effect as lighting candles. Its magical glow instantly elevates the mood.
BLUE
Temperature: Cool
Message: Permanence, Constancy, Restfulness
In Nature: Blue is the color of the sky and the ocean which are vast and though constantly changing, are always present and offer us the promise of a new day. The vastness of the sky and the powerful presence of the ocean remind us of how vast and mysterious the universe is and evoke a feeling of wonder an depth.
At home: Blue is a wonderous color because it has infinite tones ranging from peaceful powdery blues to vibrant teal and dramatic nautical blues. A blue room conveys tranquility, harmony and serenity. Lighter shades bring forth a tranquil atmosphere while darker ones transmit a sense of history and tradition. Blue pillows may reinforce an overall blue color scheme or introduce a blue, tranquil note.
GREEN
Temperature: Cool
Message: Harmony, Life, Contemplation
In nature: Green is the predominant color in nature. Of all the colors, it has the widest range of variations. Green is the background color to nature’s bounty. It highlights the other colors and makes them come to life.
At home: Green is a widely versatile color due to its enormous range of tones. Some shades of green are energizing and lively. Some are restful and create an ideal background to hold many other colors. Some greens are associated with a sickly complexion and create instant displeasure. Some greens are considered young and modern, while others are traditional and harmonizing.
Similarly, green pillows may add a playful touch or an elegant note.
PURPLE
Temperature: Cool and Warm
Message: Passion, Royalty, Magic
In nature: Purple flowers are always eye catching and lend a magical touch to the garden. Purple is a complex color that offers the depth of blue and the passion of red all in one.
At home: Purple is a very vivid and sensuous color. It commands special attention. Therefore, it is not for everyone and must be used sparingly as it can easily overwhelm the space. Interestingly though, lighter shades of this color such as mauve and lavender may be used widely and act as a neutral background. In small doses, such as in pillows and accessories, purple can create a very sophisticated, luxurious look.
PINK
Temperature: Warm
Message: Gentle, Delicate, Innocent, Soft
In nature: Pink flowers hold a special fascination as they present a delicate and ephemeral beauty. Hot pink flowers by contrast offer a bold statement, and convey real verve.
At home: Pink is a gentle color that tempers the hot passion of red with the purity of white. It is considered a sweet color and therefore must be used in measured amounts as not to become too cloying. Pink pillows on a bed compose a delicate haven. Hot pink pillows make a bold statement on a sofa, chair or bed.
BROWN
Temperature: Neutral
Message: Shelter
In nature: Brown is the color of earth and wood. It is the base on which everything grows. Brown represents roots, shelter and solidity.
At home: Brown exists in almost every home in the form of wood furniture and flooring. But it can also be used as a wall color for a dramatic sheltering effect. Brown pillows and accessories seldom fail to provide a sophisticated finish to any space.
WHITE
Temperature: Cool
Message: Purity
In nature: White conjures up images of fluffy clouds and pristine snow. Snow covered fields appear clean and untouched. A white landscape appears large and uninterrupted.
At home: White can have many applications at home. A white kitchen is always pleasing and never out of style. Large expanses of white walls create a gallery feel. And crisp white linens and towels look smart and sophisticated. White pillows are the perfect metaphor for the fluffy white clouds and lend a dreamy feel to the space.
BLACK
Temperature: Cool
Message: Sophistication
In nature: Black is the night sky. It is mysterious and formal. Black represents the vastness of space and its unknown quantities. Black is also the color of many stones like onyx and slate.
At home: Black is a very suitable for any formal event. In the home, black coveys the same formality and seriousness. Hits of black in room instantly dress it up. A black lamp shade makes even the most humble lamp base appear more sophisticated. Black on pillows provide just the right amount of black to ground a color scheme.
BEIGE
Temperature: neutral
Message: Neutrality
In nature: Beige is the color of sand and various stones. Like brown, beige provides a background against which other colors and textures can be highlighted.
At home: Beige has been maligned in the past as being a bit too bland. However, beige is the ideal color to accentuate different textures and patterns. For example, a collection of beige pillow in different patterns looks interesting and inviting.
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