OK, so I have to admit I’m a little bummed that today is the first official day of fall as color trends often turn drab and somber during this time of year. But the sizzling summer hues brought such optimism and vibrancy to the palette, and if you’re anything like me, you’re not ready for them to go anywhere anytime soon. Here are 5 of my trendy tips for punching up your color, keeping your interiors happy and bright, while helping you forget that the days are getting shorter and cooler.
1. Hot Hues…finding the “Right Bright” and color combinations will help you easily incorporate multiple brilliant colors into a space. Use this no fail palette as a jumping off point. Pick a single color or create a scheme by pairing two, three, or more of these colors together. Blend in neutrals for balance…white, gray, black, taupe, brown, tan, cream, beige and so on.
2. Put it on a Plate…take it from the picnic table and bring it to the dinner table. These upbeat patterns matched with the intense hues will bring a bit of surprise inside. Find the design that fits your style and let the color lead your decorating direction.
3. Stir Up Some Color in the Kitchen…a perfect place for accents, the kitchen is a room typically grounded in neutrals on most of the large surfaces like cabinets, countertops, floors, and appliances. Cookware with flair can be switched out depending on your favorite “color de jour.” A fun way to keep the room fresh and renewed.
4. Pillows with Panache…make a statement in the living room, bedroom, or any room with loads of plush pillows. Mix pattern, color, and texture by finding a great multi-colored inspiration piece and pulling the other colors out for a miss-match look that works.
5. The Keys to Success…use colors with similar value and intensity. If one accent color is bright, make all the accent colors bright. Also, watch your color proportion. Don’t try to give every color the same amount of attention. This can make the space appear too random. Consider, even with accents, to lean more toward one main accent with splashes of the others. And remember be bold, break the rules, and have fun!
A few beautifully bright interiors for extra inspiration……
I keep seeing the first picture from Coastal Living – great inspiration choice. Tip #5 makes a great point.
Ann Porter [KitchAnn]´s last blog ..Showerheads are filled with nasty bacteria
Great tips Kiki! I think you are so right about using more than one super bright color at a time. Especially as a way to celebrate Fall…it’s amazing how these colors look so great not just next to neutrals but to earthy drab colors as well. A big pot of end-of-the Summer super bright Zinnias surrounded by the first turned Autumn leaves is proving it right now on my patio.
Live In Full Color´s last blog ..Orange Feels Left Out From Sunday’s Emmy Awards
That’s such a good idea to brighten up the outside with bright flowers and fall leaves in a pot.
I have a faded tan house with a tired old porch in front that I can’t afford to paint, but I can afford the silk flowers, fall foliage and a plastic pot spray painted in my choice of colors from the 15 or so cans of spray paint I have in the laundry room cabinets. If I dig deep enough in my boxes in the storage building, I know I have some fall foliage too.
My daughter keeps pretty pots of silk plants & flowers, changing with the seasons on her front entry, she weights it down with bricks, so the wind from the bay in Houston doesn’t carry them away.
I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of it before. I just had to see it here, where I look for ideas for it to occur to me.
Ann, I always love how Cottage Living has a fresh, airy feel to their photos and the colors in the room jumped off the page. I’m so glad you found it inspirational! Thanks for the kudos on tip #5, I like to save the best for last!
Julie, You are so right about bringing brights outside for fall as well! You always have such great tidbits to add.
Jean, I’m so happy to hear that you look to us for ideas. I am a spray paint junkie too, so I appreciate that someone else has the same addiction. Like I try to explain to my husband, spray paint comes in handy, and yes I need that many cans around!
Thanks ladies for stopping by and thanks for your comments!
Kiki
Kiki Titterud´s last blog ..The ‘Perfect Blue’ at House Beautiful Color Institute