Bold room color is the decorating equivalent to strong coffee. Some like espresso. Others don’t.
Earlier this week I attended the launch of a new home décor product line. As I stood before one of the room vignettes admiring an intense color I hadn’t seen for many years, the rep muttered “I like it too but the department stores are ordering neutrals.” Most people say they love strong color but a statement like that makes me wonder how many of us really want to live with it. If we did, stores would be snapping it up, not playing it safe with taupes and grays.
So, how vivid do you go?
Political strategist Mary Matalin told designers R. Edward Bouchard and Marion E. Yeck of The Mill Company that she wanted a strong coral in her 45 x 18-foot Washington, D.C. living room [top]. She happily wound up with a lipstick hue, even on the ceiling where a vivid Schumacher patterned wallpaper lends a jewelry box effect. Imagine standing in this room on a frigid winter night – when I’d find it warm and cozy, despite the size. After lunch on a humid mid-summer’s day, I’d probably want to keep the shades down tight and take advantage of the fainting couch. Either way, this is such a happy room color it would always pull me out of a bad mood.
As a yellow bedroom person, I really like this sunflower color scheme. But I know from working in my own house that yellows like these scream French’s mustard! – not mimosa covered hillsides — to many people. They try to be polite but the comments inevitably begin with the immortal: “it’s not my taste but…” For me, the red windowpane print on the bed fabric and touches of red in the botanical prints helps keep the yellow under control. Diamond Baratta, designers known for fierce color combinations and bold prints, know how to tame the sunshine.
Blue is not usually an appetizing color. Think blue food (blueberries excluded). My living room is Gustavian blue (not everyone’s choice) and I confess to more than one piece of blue furniture. Just not as saturated as this denim dining room by Mallory Lawson, the respected Washington, D.C. designer who clearly found success with mood indigo.
I LOVE the indigo room – minus those strange purple chairs.