Turn An Outfit Into a Room: Soft and Feathery

Viktor's cockatoo-inspired gown may not have pulled out a win on last night's Project Runway, season 9, but it did win on my inspiration list. This gown was soft, flowing and romantic. And while it was adorned with feathers, I thought Viktor did an excellent job of strategically placing them so as not to detract from the design but to enhance it.

Restraint in design is one of the most difficult things to accomplish. Design, whether it be in fashion or interiors, should look effortless and not at all overworked. The gown above accomplished this with the organic draping of material and just the right amount of color and details to keep the design interesting.

The room below uses the same ideas to create a soft, feminine bedroom with just the right amount of visual interest. This is created with a single pop of bold color against soft neutrals. To keep the monochromatic background from becoming boring, a mix of textures rather than patterns was used so as not to fight with such a bold color accent. The resulting bedroom looks effortless and beautiful.

1. "Gourd Table Lamp" by West Elm

2. "Edland Four-Poster Bed Frame" by Ikea, shown with "Georgina Bedding" by Anthropologie

3. "Crinkle Cotton Window Panels" by West Elm

4. Vintage "Sculptural Metal Mirror" from Vintage Modern Design on Etsy

5. "Serpentine 3-Drawer Dresser" by West Elm

6. Vintage "Gold Filigree Vanity Tray" from Claires Faire on Etsy

7. "Glazed Pillow" by West Elm

8. "Antoinette Fainting Sofa" by Urban Outfitters

9. "Turned Pedestal Side Table" by West Elm

Purple is as purple does

Monochromatic rooms are a challenge that many shy away from. To me, this is what makes them so fascinating. They are the rare jewel that, when done successfully, can really shine!

What is a monochromatic room you ask? Well, the definition of "monochromatic" is one color; and so a monochromatic room would be one that is made up entirely of a single color. The problem is, designers usually don't like to limit themselves to a single color... there are just too many good colors and combos out there! This makes finding a true monochromatic room very difficult. However, in the world of interior design there are almost monochromatic rooms… rooms that are made up primarily of one color and accented with just one or two extra colors (usually these are neutrals such as white or black). For our case, these almost rooms is what we’ll be referring to when discussing “monochromatic rooms.“

So, how does one pull off a “monochromatic room?” The key is to play with patterns, textures, shades, and finishes/sheens of the same color. By playing with these different variables of the same color, you keep a monochromatic room from being monotonous. Take a look…

Designer David Kaihoi

Between the stimulation of red and the calmness of blue lies the color purple. Purple is known for its opulence and as a regal color in history and still represents power and wealth in Japan’s culture today. It is viewed as a color of mystic qualities and can be greatly influenced by it the color of its base. Purple is a favorite among the more eccentric personalities and can encourage creativity upon those who view it.

In interior design, shades of purple make for a calming room. When paired with other colors, this color can also be vibrant and uplifting. A chameleon of the color world, purple will be exactly what you want to get out of it.

Designer Amanda Nisbet

A jewel of a color.... amaranthine, amethyst, aubergine, eggplant, grape, lavender, lilac, magenta, mauve, mulberry, orchid, periwinkle, perse, plum, pomegranate, violet, wine, wisteria

Designer Jamie Drake photo from Elle Decor

"But, luckily, he kept his wits and his Purple crayon." -from Harold and the Purple Crayon (1955)

Have a great day!

Ellenor

Its not easy being green.

Monochromatic rooms are a challenge that many shy away from. To me, this is what makes them so fascinating. They are the rare jewel that, when done successfully, can really shine!

What is a monochromatic room you ask? Well, the definition of "monochromatic" is one color; and so a monochromatic room would be one that is made up entirely of a single color. The problem is, designers usually don't like to limit themselves to a single color... there are just too many good colors and combos out there! This makes finding a true monochromatic room very difficult. However, in the world of interior design there are almost monochromatic rooms… rooms that are made up primarily of one color and accented with just one or two extra colors (usually these are neutrals such as white or black). For our case, these almost rooms is what we’ll be referring to when discussing “monochromatic rooms."

So, how does one pull off a “monochromatic room?” The key is to play with patterns, textures, shades, and finishes/sheens of the same color. By playing with these different variables of the same color, you keep a monochromatic room from being monotonous. The kitchen by Miles Redd above is far from boring!

Designer Jonathan Adler, photo from Elle Decor

Designer Meg Braff, photo from House Beautiful

The varying shades of green and their related associations are as wide and deep as the forest. Generally speaking, the color green represents wealth and peace. It is seen as refreshing and soothing, however it is also associated with illness and associated with “institutional” environments. The base color of the shade green greatly influences this association. Greens with a blue base are most popular while greens with a yellow or brown base are neglected.

“Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises." --Pedro Calderon de la Barca [Spanish poet and playwright, 1600-1681]

"Nature’s first green is gold" --Robert Frost

Designers Anthony Baratta and William Diamond

Designer Gideon Mendelson

Green, green, and more green... apple, aloe, avocado, basil, cactus, celery, celadon, clover, emerald, fern, fig, forest, grass, iguana, jade, Kelly green, lime, mint, myrtle, olive, pistachio, Richmond green, rosemary, seaweed, shamrock, teal, tea.

Be green!

Ellenor

Yellow! The happiest color of them all!

Monochromatic rooms are a challenge that many shy away from. To me, this is what makes them so fascinating. They are the rare jewel that, when done successfully, can really shine!

What is a monochromatic room you ask? Well, the definition of "monochromatic" is one color; and so a monochromatic room would be one that is made up entirely of a single color. The problem is, designers usually don't like to limit themselves to a single color... there are just too many good colors and combos out there! This makes finding a true monochromatic room very difficult. However, in the world of interior design there are almost monochromatic rooms… rooms that are made up primarily of one color and accented with just one or two extra colors (usually these are neutrals such as white or black). For our case, these almost rooms is what we’ll be referring to when discussing “monochromatic rooms.“

So, how does one pull off a “monochromatic room?” The key is to play with patterns, textures, shades, and finishes/sheens of the same color. By playing with these different variables of the same color, you keep a monochromatic room from being monotonous. Take a look…

Photo from Decor Pad

Designer David Netto

Nothing shines with optimism, enlightenment, and happiness like the color yellow. These golden shades instill hope and energy, as well as spark creative thoughts and memory. Yellow is also symbolic of happiness and prosperity. It’s hard to find anything negative associated with the color yellow, so it’s interesting that the color yellow was used in tenth century France to paint the doors of traitors and criminals.

The color yellow advances in our eyesight from surrounding colors, so it can be used to make rooms appear larger. Its also interesting that for all the positive associations with the color yellow, this color is one of the least popular in interior design. It is usually used in combination with other colors, or in small and powerful amounts.

Designer Stephen Sills, photo from Elle Decor

Designer Carolyn Barber

What to call a color like yellow? Amber, blonde, banana, butter, canary, champagne, chartreuse, citrine, cream, daffodil, dandelion, gold, goldenrod, honey, lemon, maize, mustard, pineapple, saffron, straw, sunflower, sunshine, yolk

Shine on! xoxo,

Ellenor

Orange you glad to see us?

Monochromatic rooms are a challenge that many shy away from. To me, this is what makes them so fascinating. They are the rare jewel that, when done successfully, can really shine!

What is a monochromatic room you ask? Well, the definition of "monochromatic" is one color; and so a monochromatic room would be one that is made up entirely of a single color. The problem is, designers usually don't like to limit themselves to a single color... there are just too many good colors and combos out there! This makes finding a true monochromatic room very difficult. However, in the world of interior design there are almost monochromatic rooms… rooms that are made up primarily of one color and accented with just one or two extra colors (usually these are neutrals such as white or black). For our case, these almost rooms is what we’ll be referring to when discussing “monochromatic rooms.“

So, how does one pull off a “monochromatic room?” The key is to play with patterns, textures, shades, and finishes/sheens of the same color. By playing with these different variables of the same color, you keep a monochromatic room from being monotonous. Take a look…

Designer Todd Romano

The vibrance of the color orange means that either you love it or hate it. Having a little less intensity of red and a little more of the cheerfulness of yellow, orange can evoke energy, appetite, and socialization in most. It is also symbolic of vitality and endurance.

Because of the associations with the color, orange is more often used in restaurant and office environments. In residential design, the color can be tricky. In small doses, or in small rooms, orange can be the most powerful. It is also very striking when used in combination with other colors such as blue, pink, and yellow.

Designer Sarah Story

"There is no blue without yellow and without orange." -- Vincent Van Gogh

The many shades of orange.... apricot, carrot, coral, copper, ginger, marmalade, marigold, mandarin orange, melon, peach, pumpkin, persimmon, salmon, sunset, tangerine, terra

Until next time!

Ellenor

Seeing Red

Monochromatic rooms are a challenge that many shy away from. To me, this is what makes them so fascinating. They are the rare jewel that, when done successfully, can really shine!

What is a monochromatic room you ask? Well, the definition of "monochromatic" is one color; and so a monochromatic room would be one that is made up entirely of a single color. The problem is, designers usually don't like to limit themselves to a single color... there are just too many good colors and combos out there! This makes finding a true monochromatic room very difficult. However, in the world of interior design there are almost monochromatic rooms… rooms that are made up primarily of one color and accented with just one or two extra colors (usually these are neutrals such as white or black). For our case, these almost rooms is what we’ll be referring to when discussing “monochromatic rooms.“

So, how does one pull off a “monochromatic room?” The key is to play with patterns, textures, shades, and finishes/sheens of the same color. By playing with these different variables of the same color, you keep a monochromatic room from being monotonous.

Designer Miles Redd, photo from Elle Decor

Red has the widest range of symbolism across the world. Depending on the person and culture that is viewing it, red can symbolize joy, life, energy, and passion, and many others all the way to the opposite end of the spectrum, rage. This wide range of association with the color red could be because it is the most psychologically stimulating color.

In interiors, red is bold and will draw attention to itself no matter how it is used. So the amount of red used and the placement of this color will matter greatly on how others will perceive your room. In some cases, this bold color can draw one’s attention to something you want to feature in the room… or draw attention away from something you want to disguise in the room.

Designer Martha Angus, photo from Elle Decor

Designer Jonathan Adler

A red by any other name... Beet, Blood, brick, burgundy, cardinal, carmine, cerise, cherry, claret, crimson, flaming, flushed, garnet, geranium, mahogany, magenta, maroon, Pompeian red, raspberry, rose, rouge, rouge sang, ruby, russet, rust, scarlet, Venetian red, vermilion, wine

Now its your turn to paint the town red! Enjoy!

Ellenor