ditto :: a living room with great color balance
Monday, March 19, 2012 by {darlene}

I have been so encouraged, and so interested {!}, by all of the great comments you left on the introductory post to my new series: How to Overcome Decorating Paralysis. So…. we are not alone, right?! Thank you to everyone for sharing your thoughts… I will certainly be thinking of YOU as I write this series.

Ah, but today is Monday, and that means Ditto!! So, no paralysis, just for today. Can we do it?

This week I am featuring another talented designer in the blogosphere, Bryn Alexandra, and a beautiful living room makeover she did for a client.

{images and design via Bryn Alexandra}

DITTO :: {WHAT I WOULD STEAL FROM THIS SPACE}:

1.  PALE WALLS AND VIBRANT FURNITURE.

Contrast. It truly is a key in {my personal love of} good design. And the contrast does not need to be too dramatic. In this space, Bryn uses delightfully pale backdrops of fair blue walls and white brick and trim, and contrasts this with deep chocolate curtains and vibrant furniture colors. Ditto!

2.  PAINTED BOOKSHELVES WITH A COLORFUL BACK.

I love painted furniture that has a sophisticated feel, and these bookshelves fit the bill. A rich navy back makes for a gorgeous statement, and adds drama.

3.  PUNCH COLOR: PISTACHIO GREEN.

Bryn offers us a great example of how to use a punch color with class. Her pistachio green touches throughout the space range from chairs, to the pillows, to art, to a vase, and even a fun colored stool. Then, she has carefully spread this color around the room and tied all corners of the room together. I love her generous and fun use of this color in this space.

4.  FRAMED PLATES AS ART.

Bryn took two beautiful plates that were hand-painted, and had them framed in shadow boxes. They hang as stunning art above the fireplace! This is a great idea for inexpensive, hand-crafted art. Do you have any plates you would love to feature in this way? Ditto.

5.  CANOPY STRIPES.

See that stunning canopy stripe rug that Bryn used as a graphic jolt of pattern in this space? I really like canopy stripes. I do. And, you will see lots of them in my own room designs. I use them in rugs, in pillows, on chairs, etc. I love their boldness and crispness. So, obviously: Ditto.

6.  REPEATING COLORS.

One of the things I find most ditto-worthy about this space is Bryn’s use of color. She has actually introduced several colors that are introduced and re-introduced throughout the space. Navy is used on the back of the shelves…but also on the walls of the attached dining room… and on the repeating quatrefoil sofa pillows…. and on the canopy stripe rug. Pistachio Green is spread throughout. Chocolate is on the curtains… and also on the chevron pillows that sit on the green chairs…and in her choice of framing for the art. The color repetition is just enough to keep our eye moving around the space, and just enough to keep the whole color scheme full of energy.

~~~

SO much goodness. I hope you will stop by Bryn’s blog to read more about this great space.

Love anything I did not mention? or…

WHAT WOULD YOU DITTO {STEAL} FROM THIS SPACE, 1-6? SOMETHING ELSE?

I LOVE HEARING YOUR THOUGHTS!

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Labeled: ditto

5 Comments

  • Enjoying this series of yours! Following you since you did Edie’s beautiful home 🙂 I would ditto your thoughts on the repeating colors, but particularly that navy in the adjoining dining room and how it’s so different than the lighter colored room but flows fabulously. I would add my own ditto regarding the combination of more modern pieces (coffee table, media console) with what look to be antiques – the entry table/cabinet with the marble top and the glass display cabinet in the d.r.

    Reply

  • The canopy rug works here, very well. Esp like how the navy paint background on the shelf ties into the navy dining room, nice transition. Also like the repeating use of rounded plates above the mantle and then again on the dining room wall. The branches on top of the bookshelf are the surprise element in this space for me — the rust/orange in the leaf ties into the flower arrangement on the coffee table (and to the second plate on the wall) and branches appear to be alive!

    Reply

  • Love so much that is going on in this room, especially the canopy stripes, I have a green and white striped rug for my summer look in my family room and love love it!! I also really like the over all color scheme and use of patterns. Lovely room, Kathysue

    Reply

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