"Choosing hues of blue for a sweeping view in an open floor plan. I have chosen three complimentary hues of blue. Lighter in the entry which spills to the upper staircase and hallways, darker in the kitchen, back to the lighter in the dining area, and that 3rd hue of blue to bring the family room in. Wide open floor plans can easily be broken up with the same colors, different hues, without being to choppy. She wants a "sweeping" look in her home."
I just cut and pasted an update on my facebook (skiptomyroom), right into my blog. Is that weird? Words worth repeating even if they are my words. I have been reading and hearing request for choosing paint colors. I received an email loaded with pictures of this stunning home. I could see the stunning elements in this home. Perhaps a designer's eye? Beautiful open floor plan, exposed beams, and the entire home trimmed in this beautiful wood. I tried to be extra gentle and nice when I commented and gave my thoughts to this gal and sadly used words like "drab" "cluttered" and "do you really want to hang onto that rug?" This homeowner is on teacher's budget. She admitted that she did not like her furniture and really thought she needed to just start over with painting and new furniture. Only making for a depressing "not going to happen" feeling due to all that was going on, or not going on. As I looked over the pictures, I saw that she had lovely old furniture pieces. Turns out family hand-me-downs. A clutter of precious things which could easily be contained and stored and displayed rather than just placed in available spots.
Being extra sensitive to her budget I hit the pavement. Spent an afternoon choosing paint colors that will accent and enhance the wood tones, bringing a boring and drab look to an updated soothing and cozy look. Sweeping views with hues of Blue. Open up her spaces and yet still defining each room, wide open to the next. Looking at her beautiful styled sofa and rendering a look that would cost very little in accessories. Choosing fabrics that she could choose to make panels in the living spaces to bring it all together and build in the colors of the wood tones and the blues we chose.
Here are some of the samples chosen:
These blues are not turquoise although they appear that way in this light. You can choose a print for your windows that ties all your elements together. She has both light wood tones and darker tones, which this fabric connects both.
Hello inexpensive Target pillow which works with all the print options.
This fabric has hues from the "tired" sofa, which is really very nice, mixed tones of browns and brings in the blue that will go on the walls. I think that Target pillow would be great with this window panel.
Stripes give height to a room. With this open floor plan, a stripe gives more depth and height to a room if placed in the right space above the window frame. Again the blues are picked up and the wood tones brought in.
Hello beautiful fabric. The colors are a much softer then the bolder ones above. This would be my first choice, but it's up to this lovely lady to fall in love with her own choice.
Now hear, here, hear is the secret to this room. Using all these fabrics can really pull a room together. You can get coupons for 40% off fabrics. Buy all you need for your windows in one cut of the fabric. Sew/Hem the edges and you have instant inexpensive window panels. Make up a few pillows. Using two prints. No fancy sewing. The fabric is your design source. Cost effective, beautiful and easy. All you have to know how to do is sew straight lines. Just like driving a car.
More exciting on this teacher's budget is that I don't cost as much when emailing and conversing through email. She has actually saved a lot of money in designer fees. Knowing what questions to ask, seeing the pictures of every square inch of her home, making her feel comfortable to send the pictures. and she is well on her way to a new look in her home. (Meaning, she did not have to tidy up or feel self conscience about her home). Getting to work to find the elements in a cost effective way and hopefully I can talk her into before and after pictures.
Happy Designing,
Elizabeth Traub
p.s. if you are not following me on facebook, you can just click on the icon to the right and start watching and seeing how design unfold daily in my world.
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