We Answer Wednesday - 10 Classic Colour Combinations

"We are looking to update our space.  It's very neutral and we want to add some colour.  We have a medium sized budget and are willing to spend on some quality pieces but we want to make sure we have colours that aren't too trendy.  What would you suggest?"

When it comes to updating your space, accessories is an easy and affordable solution.  A new pop of colour can really transform the look and feel of a space. When it comes to updating your space - don't worry too much about trends, if you love something (a colour, texture, print etc...) than bring it into the room.  The great thing about having a neutral palette to start with is that it will work with anything! Colour can really set the tone and the mood of a space - so take a look at colour and think about how it makes you feel as it will bring that feeling into that room.

We definitely have some classic colour combinations that will never go out of style. Take a look at these combinations and see how they make you feel.

1. BLACK AND WHITE - of course this is top on our list, it is a classic like no other! black and white can be too much contrast for some but you can add to it to soften up the look - in this image we love the addition of the natural elements and textures.  But this combo is so incredibly versatile, it really depends on the pieces you choose.  This can be super glam, it can be country and everything in between! This is really about the pieces you choose.


Photo from Homedit.com


2. TURQUOISE, COBALT AND SKY BLUE - These colours work with all neutrals and any style.  Just because we are working with blues doesn't mean you have to have a coastal look.  We love these fresh blues paired with a glass table with clean modern lines. We also love mixing the various tones of one colour.


Photo from 57sparklegirl.tumblr.com



3. BEIGE, BLUE, GREEN AND GREY - mixing soft neutrals and then adding some pop of colour is a great way to liven up a room! Forget the old rule of not mixing green and blue unless it's in the washing machine - these hues look great together! We also love to see these colours in prints - it really gives the room a designer feel.


Photo from Eye for Design



4. CHARCOAL, CREAM AND BEIGE - you cannot go wrong with neutrals! Some think that beige and grey cannot be mixed together but they absolutely can! This room is full of neutrals but mainly a deep charcoal, white and beige.  To keep it from being boring this room has some great texture (see the decorative twigs, the sisal area rug, marble fireplace surround, mirrors and the matching rattan ottomans). The pattern pillows also add some great visual interest to keep the space from looking boring.


Photo from renoguide.com.au


5. WHITE, BROWN AND GREEN - Green is a very fresh colour and adds instant life to any room. Paired with white and brown it adds a nice pop to a simple palette.  We love how it is versatile with styles. In this image we see a modern eclectic spin but this would work so well with a country decor style.


Photo from Remodelista

6. GREY, BLUE AND WHITE - Colour is great in the kitchen too! Such a fresh and clean combination! Look at this fabulous kitchen with the grey/blue island and soft white/grey cabinets, white stools, white walls and those blue and white pattern stools make this whole kitchen space and eating area look welcoming and chic.  This is a great colour palette for any room and we love how the wood adds warmth and character, too!



Photo from Citrine Living by Tamara Anka

7. WHITE, ORANGE AND  NAVY - this is a fresh combination and it really works with any style.  If you like a nautical vibe try adding some natural elements like sea grass or sisal on the floor, some wicker pieces too.  We alos love this colour combo in a boys' bedroom. But this also works with a classic contemporary look like this image.  This is a very clean look.


Photo from Pottery Barn


8. WARM GREY, WARM WHITE AND BURNT ORANGE - we love this gender neutral palette and it is perfect for every room including nurseries! We have been seeing a lot of orange in home decor but we love it in nurseries.  We are seeing more and more gender neutral rooms for babies, so that mom, dad and baby (and future babies) all feel great in the space.  The burnt orange is a bit softer than a true and pure orange. The warm white and warm grey are still very popular neutrals as well.


Photo from Apartment therapy

9. SILVER AND AQUA - you may think that aqua is on the trendy side and yes there have been years where we have seen a lot of this hue but it never seems to disappear completely, which is why we are including it in our classic combinations.  Blend this soft aqua tone with silvers and grey, this is so soothing and stylish.  This is perfect for a bedroom, we love it in a guest bedroom but it is wonderful in main living spaces too.


Photo from COCOCOZY

10. GRASS GREEN AND YELLOW - this is a fresh colour combination that also has a lot of warmth.  If you are a nature lover, this is a great palette for you as it really combines those lovely spring tones.  If you feel this looks a bit country but you like the colours....think about opting for some gold and glass accents like lamps, coffee and end tables.  Add some more classic pattern as well.  These colours work with any style.


Photo from Brabourne Farm

When it comes to adding colour to your space, you can add a much or as little as you like.  We suggest starting off slow - especially if you are trying a new colour and you aren't a risk taker.  Take a look at these classic combinations and pick the one that really 'speaks' to you and go for it - it only colour!

2017 Colour of the Year: Greenery

So it was just announced  by Pantone that the Colour of the Year for 2017 is Greenery. 

Pantone describes this shade as "greenery is a fresh and zesty yellow-green shade that evokes the first days of spring when nature’s greens revive, restore and renew. Illustrative of flourishing foliage and the lushness of the great outdoors, the fortifying attributes of Greenery signals consumers to take a deep breath, oxygenate and reinvigorate."

 

This colour definitely makes us think of spring and really brings us in tune with nature.

We knew that 2017 trends would definitely have a real connection with nature with the resurgence of wood and wood grain and a real draw towards warmer and natural textures this colour fits right in with that scene.

 This colour is on the bolder side with a lot of energy but you can bring it into your space with ease....

1. Shades of Green - when it comes to decorating with the colour of the year (any year) make that colour fit into your style so that might means finding a shade that is less saturated and one that is softer (or the opposite) and then bringing that into your space.  Don't worry so much about taking the trend literally.


 Photo from HGTV

2. Quantity - at first, be sure to add a small amount just to test the waters and keep it simple with accessories like decor pieces, florals, pillows - things that aren't big budget breakers but will give the room a fresh look.  if you like what you see you can always add more but small changes can give you big results!




 Photo from Home Bunch

3.  Mix it in with your current scheme - you might think that this colour isn't overly versatile but that's not true! It really works well with so many other colours - it pairs beautifully with neutrals like grey, navy, white, chocolate brown and more plus it plays well with other colourful options like yellow, pink, cobalt blue....

 
Photo from adore home

4. Add life to any room - the wonderful part about this colour is that it is true to mother nature and it gives every single space a fresh new burst of life! Try adding a floral arrangement, a bowl of apples (or even limes) or a plant in any room and you won't believe what a change it makes.


Photo from mylusciouslife.com



5. Play with pattern - adding a splash of the trendy colour into a mix of different patterns will really give your space a designer look and feel.  we love this combination of the softer greenery colour paired with white and this denim and navy blue.


 Photo from calicocorners.com

6. Works with any style - some colours don't translate well with certain styles of decor but greenery really works with any style.  If you love a Country look it works with florals and gingham, like a more traditional style? Try adding some greenery in a toile print or in some botanical art.  If you are more modern and streamlined - greenery is a great splash in art or pillows even a great accent chair.  If your style is more vintage or retro - the possibilities are endless!


Photo from Architectural Digest

7. Make it interesting and a little unexpected - this might not for everyone but if you are someone who really likes this colour (or any colour) and you aren't afraid to show it - use it where one might not expect to see it!  Areas like lighting - a colourful pendant in a kitchen can make a big and bold statement. Furniture pieces like a sofa or bar stools.  Wall paper accent walls in a front entry. Paint a piece of furniture that needs a bit of a makeover.


Photo from concepts & Colorways

You can absolutely 'take a risk' with greenery and bring it into your space.  Even just the smallest addition of this beautiful colour will do wonders for your space!

We Answer Wednesday - decorating with the colour of the year

“I’m so excited about this years colour of the year! I love following home décor trends.
What are some great places to add Rose Quartz into my home?”

Great question!

We’re super excited about this years colour of the year! Soft shades of pinks have been in home décor for the past few seasons and it’s a colour that pairs beautifully with so many other colours. We love mixing metals in with this gorgeous shade of Rose! This is a very versatile shade that can be used in so many places in your home. I don’t think theres a room this wouldn’t work in! Here's a few suggestions for the most prominent places to show it off in your décor.

 

A fabulous spot for this colour is in your bedroom! So many people are using soft, serene tones in bedrooms, and this is the perfect colour for implementing this in your home. Adding an art piece with rose tones, or lamps would be a great refresher for your space. Another easy place to add this colour is in throw pillows and blankets. Adding just a few touches to your bedroom will make your space feel transformed and very on-trend!

 

Adding Rose Quartz to your living room is another fabulous idea. The great thing about this too is that the living room is a more common area for you to show off these trendy new additions. (your friends will be jealous at how ‘on trend’ you are this season!!) As in the bedroom, adding a Rose Quartz throw pillow or blanket will be a great addition to your space. Combining this beautiful tone with golds and rose golds is a beautiful pairing. Even with chrome!!

 

 We will be seeing lots of accessories with these soft pink hues, so if lamps and pillows are too big of a commitment for you, try adding various accessories! Candle, candle holders, trays, floral arrangements and vases are great spots for this pop of colour!

Adding Rose Quartz accents to your bathroom is another great spot to be ‘trendy’. Pink towels, art or soaps will give your space a modern refresh!

 

This is a fabulous shade to mix and match your colour palettes. Rose Quartz is such a soft hue, its practically a neutral! Pair with reds, blues, white, grey, beige, metallics, various textures and so much more! Be creative!

Signature style ideas for your home

So you've looking EVERYWHERE for those perfect pieces to finalize the look and feel of your home.  But everything out there just seems so common, but you are not common - what do you do?

http://denydesigns.com/

You go to Deny Design online and you take a look at their amazing line of products. 
Every item helps an artist from somewhere around the globe. 
These pieces are colourful, fun, bright, bold and so special. 

There are so many styles to choose from it's really hard to decide - shower curtains, duvet set, throw pillows and more...
Some really fun animal pillows are great for a playroom, children's bedroom or any space needing some whimsy! 
Then there are some watercolour inspired pieces thtat are soft and romantic.  There is info on all of the artists, too!

I love these pieces and will definitely be adding some of these to my model condo and home projects and certainly in my children's playroom at home
Now which to ones to choose....

Everything is better with a twist of lemon

One of my favourite colours to work with is lemon yellow!  I love this colour for so many reasons - it can do so much in so many ways.  Yellow is the most intense colour on the colour wheel and that means you cant help but notice it.  When I was teaching I used to tell my students "if you didn't do your homework, don't come to class wearing yellow - the teacher will notice you before everyone else!"  When I'm staging homes, I love to use yellow because the buyers can't help but notice the photos of the property - they draw their eyes in because of the use of yellow.

When most people think of yellow they think country...a butter yellow wall with accents in white and blue gingham and a vase of daisies but yellow is so fresh and fabulous and works so many different styles but it's how you use it.

In a modern space you can really highlight architectural features with accent walls and by choosing a bright and bold yellow tone like...

But you can also add colour without transforming your walls.  I love a splash of yellow in my art, pillows, flowers, towels etc....even just one small accent can go a long way!  Just recently I furnished a model condo and we used colours in the blue and grey family but here and there added a few twists of lemon yellow and the impact it makes it just enormous!

So what does yellow 'go' with? Well, the obvious pairing is black but getting more sophisticated and daring by pairing it with any neutral - grey (any shade), navy, cream, white, brown, khaki. 

Personally, I like to use it in moderation. I feel that give the most 'pop'!  Use a layering technique.  Let's say you have a navy or grey sofa, add some colour like green or another shade of blue (a pattern would be great) and then add once piece like a solid lemon yellow pillow or a fabulous art piece above the sofa with some splashes of yellow.

If you want to be seen use some yellow - a little can go a long way!