#4 Pillows & Accents
Now comes our opportunity for color. What we are doing is layering the room and color is very important so the room does not look washed out. I personally feel like your big pieces work best if they are neutral aka the largest piece in your family room, the couch. Chairs have a bit more flexibility with color, but it’s a benefit to have a solid couch in neutral.
You have the opportunity to introduce your color in your pillows, vases, books, and all those lovely objects I reference in yesterday’s post. I would recommend going with your favorite color. Lighter colors will always create some air in your space, like this light blue and coral above.
Creating color and texture with pillows is a good idea because they are relatively inexpensive. In fact, once you’ve collected a bunch of down inserts you can simply buy the covers that are sold everywhere. Pick your favorite color and introduce it in several places throughout the room.
If you’ve chosen neutral colors in your case pieces, you will not be constricted to a certain color when the fun accessorizing begins. This is the fun part so play. Shop vintage, flea markets, Target, upscale for those few specialty items – say, an urn or lantern or great candlesticks. Chose a bowl, a painting for the wall, flowers, a cool end table, and/or an item from natural. My kids bring in those greenish brown pods we find under Magnolia trees and I have them collected in a wood box on my foyer table. Get creative!
Again, this is another time to let your personality shine. If you love a soft velvet then buy pillows in this fabric. You will want to put 2 of each kind of pillow on each couch. Then a coordinating pillow on any upholstered chairs in the space. I always like to have a least one green item to add a dash of freshness. I love a cute topiary, moss ball, green antique book, bundle of dried hydrangeas, etc. A second rule that I’d recommend is books. Nothing gives personality like a few glossy design books. Make sure they are large, thick and stack them 3 or 4 on top of each other. I heart books so I want them wherever the eye can see in my home!
If you decide in 2 or 3 years that you really hate dried flowers, vintage tea cups, old shoe forms, then find another room for them. Put them in the guestroom or basement common area. These items can be transfer elsewere and you will not have broken the bank buying them and therefore no heartache when moved. Tastes and trends change and accents are inexpensive ways to experiments with trends and color.
Tomorrow #5 – Lighting
Love your home…it is beautiful and thanks for the great tips on the Annie SLoan dark wax. What are your homes mail living area paint colors and where did you get your drapery?
Regards,
Christina, VA
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