Continuing the theme of vibrant, happy colour, we thought we would share some of our favourite ways to arrange vignettes or set up rooms using colour as the main ingredient. It’s a simple and easy way tounify items for a successful display. Colour is a great starting point and one way to apply it is to create an analogous (using colours that are beside each other on the colour wheel) scheme. We created this desk vignette using greens and blues.
On a larger scale, an analogous colour scheme can also be a great way to add visual punch to any room. We love these examples found in our favourite design magazines.
{Top image from Elle Decor. Image on the left from House Beautiful and the right from Marie Claire Maison.}
If you’re not feeling too analogous, why not try a contrasting colour combination? We will always love aqua and red together. The results are always fantastic with minimal effort! So we switched up our desk vignette and added a bit of whimsy with the sock monkey softie. We are always on the lookout for vintage books with pretty covers, (as designers, we think it’s okay to judge a book by it’s cover) they are not only nice to look at, they’re can be inexpensive and switched up easily.
We also love these examples of contrasting colour schemes.
{ All images from LivingEtc. }
Another option would be to take the analogous treatment a step further, and really wow with a monochromatic scheme. Here are two examples of blue, one extreme and one subtle, that result in high impact decor.
{ Both images from LivingEtc. }
In the dead of winter, it’s nice to see a pop of colour here and there. It’s so amazing at how seeing a bit of colour somewhere can instantly change your mood. Even just putting out a vase of fresh flowers will brighten someone’s day! And by adding some colour to your surroundings, even in the smallest of spaces, is a great way to usher in spring!
32 Comments
Would never have thought chartreuse and turquoise (second pic) would make such an impact. I’ll have to keep that in mind next time I decorate.
Ooo I LOVE the bedroom picture! I’m beginning to see how great white walls can be — it gives so much room to play with colors!
this is such a fantastic, practical, useful-for-today kind of post. love it! and thanks too!
Love the arrangement of those plates. Great inspiration!
Love them! Inspiring.
Does anyone know where the yellow floor lamp is from? I love it!
I love all the pics – such a breath of fresh air!
I love the red & white fabric (leaf type print) on the chair in the 3rd to last pic. Who makes it & where can i get it? Thanks!!
The photo with the giant cluster of plates on the wall is wonderful. My mom and I have pondered if that look is too “Victoria” magazine, circa 1991, but it’s fun to see them used in a fresh way with a modern color palette!
The blue-and-green top image makes me so happy. Those are my favorite colors right now, and I love seeing them work together so perfectly.
I’m with Erin, where does one buy orla kiely fabric in the usa?
I love the orla kiely chair. all of the images are great. Color makes me happy!
Elizabeth: the yellow lamp is the Jean-Louis Domecq signal lamp. If you do a search, you might be able to find a retailer near you. To see all the colours you can go here:
http://www.espacio.co.uk/cgi-bin/products/products_lighting.asp?ProductName=Signal
Erin and Emily: if you go to the the Orla Kiely site, they have store locations listed. I’m not sure where you to are at so that’s your best bet!
so perfect! the contrasts are simply beautiful.
These are beautiful! Where is that red storage/bookshelf on the tripod from?
I just adore that red coffee table next to the Orla Kiely chair. Anyone know where it’s from? Cheers!
Laura: these images didn’t come with credits online so we don’t know exactly where it’s from. But if we find out we’ll let you know!
Alright! We’ve found the credits:
The red table can be found here: http://www.aram.co.uk/product_detail.asp?id=458
And the red storage boxes on the tripod stand are listed as being from http://www.heals.co.uk/. The image is from last March so they might not carry it anymore.
I know that the Orla Kiely store in London sells fabric by the meter, and I want to say it’s about 30 pounds per meter. I think it is only the laminated fabric though–or at least it was in October :) She also had the furniture at the London store as well.
Oh man… I can’t think of a time when a little punch of red isn’t just perfect
Oh my, you are making my heart sing with all the colors. I am obsessed with all things turquoise, and when you add a bit of chartreuse…watch out. It just makes me happy. Great, great post!
I LOVE this post! I’ve seen this plate thing before, but I love how they are kinda overlapping on this photo. I really want to do this in my kitchen!
I love the last picture. Anyone know how to do a layered plate arrangement like that?
Kelly, it sure isn’t sensible for fine china, but I’ve seen stylists put “plate topography” together with sturdy twine loops secured on the back of the plate with hot glue, then mounted on nails/screws of different lengths.
Totally love the inky entryway. Makes me crave July’s chicory bouquets! Great post, ladies.
this is a beautiful collection of images ladies!
lovely post. thank you.
do you know who designed the yellow floor lamp next to the orla chair in the 5th photo down? I had a link to the maker of the lamp on my computer, then it crashed, and I can’t remember the name of the designer.
I love this post, especially, the bedroom from House Beautiful. May I ask what issue has that wonderful bedroom? I would love to order a back issue to use that bedroom as a reference for mine.
These are beautiful, sadly you can’t buy Orla Kiely fabric, trust me I’ve looked! You can only get the wallpaper these days.
brilliant! my favorite combos of red and turquoise! Your posts here and on your site just brighten my day! thank you.
Claudia: the lamp is the Jean-Louis Domecq signal lamp and we posted a link in one of the replies above. They’re available at a few places.
Andria: sadly the images in their gallery don’t reference the issue. All we know is it’s called a modern bedroom.
We’re glad everyone enjoys the colour!
Wow, this post is so awesome. I really need to step up my game. Time for some self-evaluation on how to present stuff like this. Nice work. I’m inspired!
whoa, super beautiful. thank you for this post!
This post is fantastic: informative + inspirational. Thank you!
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