It's pretty easy to get stuck in a rut when choosing colors for your home and wardrobe. Some people have stylists to select colors for them, or designers who limit the options. Even as a designer, I fall into the same color combinations over and over again.
As much as some people cringe at vintage decor and recall the stuffy homes of their fashionably challenged grandparents, I find that I'm constantly drawn to the vintage aesthetic. There's so much inspiration to be found from vintage decor, so I thought it would be fun to apply some color theory to the images I've been gazing upon recently.
1. R E F R E S H I N G L Y R E D
Such a funky and feminine grouping of colors in this space! It could be a bit much and too gaudy for my taste, but I think the large presence of light grey and splashes of black give it much needed balance. I would love to try this scheme in my own wardrobe.
2. M E L L O W E D O U T
I love the restrained shade of blue used in this bathroom. It seems more warm and cozy than blues usually do. Paired with a rusty orange and buttery yellow, it's the perfect color scheme to cuddle up in. I think I would most love these colors used in a bedroom or a two-dimensional design project.
3. W A R M A N D P O L I S H E D
Sometimes I can get a little too carried away with warm colors. This space is full of them, with the only cool hue found in house plants. I don't usually count houseplants as part of a color scheme, but I really think it helps balance out this room. Add in the large presence of neutrals, and the room seems just cool enough to be cool.
4. S U N N Y A N D C L E A N
This room has such a great amount of yellow. Because the yellow is found in the color of the wood paneling, it doesn't seem too overbearing. When applying this color scheme to a design project, I would probably use a natural image, like a paper texture or wood images instead of a flat splash of color. Throw in some cooler colors, and it works quite nicely!
5. A U N A T U R A L E
Pulling colors from desert landscapes, I think this scheme is fresh, without sacrificing warmth. I love the pop of orange-red with a minimalistic style. This is a scheme I probably wouldn't use in my own home- it's a bit too retrained. But I think this would work great in part of a design project.
6. C O Z Y B O H E M I A N
So much bright color! I want to crawl inside and stay for a while. Pink is naturally a very calming color, but this bright and reddish hue has a lot more energy. I think the bright, warm colors in combination with the natural hues of the wooden elements work together to create a very funky and energetic vibe. I'd love to incorporate more of these colors in my own home.
I am over the moon for these ads! They're fab! The color combos are so invigorating and fun!
Posted by: megan | May 27, 2011 at 02:19 PM
These images are just gorgeous! So inspiring. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Hannah Clare | May 27, 2011 at 02:54 PM
I love the cozy bohemian room. I'm usually not a fan of pink ever but I'm really starting to like it in interiors.
Posted by: Cheryl | May 27, 2011 at 03:16 PM
These images are gorgeous! The first one is my favorite, by far. At least for right now. I think because it's summer, haha:) Love it!
Posted by: Renee Blankenship | May 27, 2011 at 04:13 PM
wow how gorgeous all of these are. I think the pink would be too much for me to deal with but the set up is cool. I love the little things on the cabinets on the 2nd one.
Posted by: Victoria or Justice Pirate | May 27, 2011 at 04:35 PM
ooh, love nrs. 2 and 6, such pretty colors and amazing style! how cool it would be to live with such a kitchen/living room (/bath?)!
Posted by: yaga | May 27, 2011 at 05:32 PM
Oh my goodness, I have completely fallen for the first one! I literally cannot get enough of brick and wallpaper!
x
www.lostinthehaze.com
Posted by: Jo - Lost in the Haze | May 27, 2011 at 05:40 PM
Great images. If you've not seen the book 'Choosing Colours' by Kevin McCloud, I think you'd like it. It has photos of interiors along with swatches / palettes - and is just a really, really good book. :-)
Posted by: Julie Kirk | May 27, 2011 at 05:40 PM
I am obsessed with vintage decor!
LOVE THESE PHOTOS!
Posted by: Ruth | May 27, 2011 at 07:50 PM
This is exactly the kind of post I needed to see (planning to redecorate my bedroom). Pretty, pretty, pretty!
Posted by: Sam | May 28, 2011 at 01:02 AM
so much character and detail...what happened? i miss these and the beautiful homes that were built back then.
Posted by: giselaa&zoe | May 28, 2011 at 02:25 AM
I LOVE all these images. If my house could look like any of them, I'd be a happy girl.
Posted by: Courteney | May 28, 2011 at 06:29 PM
gah! i don't think i need to tell you how much i love these photos.
Posted by: marissa (stylebook) | May 30, 2011 at 07:20 AM