Lively.          Bold.          Daring.          Surprising.          Exciting.          Dazzling.

Color is such a powerful tool when decorating your home.  Of course, it can soothe and be restful and calm.  It can also be tempestuous and jolting and resplendent.  Today is all about exploring the exuberance of color, so allow me to take you on a journey of discovery – the discovery of the joy (or sometimes misery!) of color.

LIVELY

The citrus colors and overscale damask design in the pillows is a wonderful complement to the colorful art collection.  I love the repetition of pattern in different colors; that’s a designer tool you can use in your home.

 Though this room is pretty minimalist in its decor, the use of color blocking on the walls and major funiture pieces gives it a lively presence.

Who says your use of vivid colors has to be confined to the indoors?  Take your love of vivid colors outdoors for all to enjoy.  Your garden can be lively and fun and is the perfect place for a riot of color to be contained in such striking containers. 

BOLD

This raspberry wall dominates the room and the use of teal tables plays well against the strong color.   To translate this look into your home, don’t be afraid to think of non-traditional color combos.

Enjoy a splash of color outside with something as simple as painted door frames.  Purple and green are always pleasant teammates and they works here by keeping the strength of both colors similar (and what a great use of an outdoor rug). 

Here’s a colorful room that will wake you right up in the mornings!  Bold, bright and adventurous, this room isn’t for the faint hearted.  The whimsy of the vintage Coke sign is proof that the room doesn’t want to be taken too seriously. 

DARING

Deep plum walls are topped by a cinnamon colored ceiling but sparked by bright cobalt chairs.  Filled with rich jewel tones, try this look on a smaller scale by painting one accent wall and using the other colors in small doses as accents.

 Red in the dining room isn’t all that daring (I like the 2 chair styles paired at the table), but as you look through to the adjoining room (which you should always consider when choosing colors) you can see the minty green walls and orange chairs and gold/orange drapes.  I wonder what the rest of the house looks like?

This room is the definition of daring!  Saturated orange on the walls (and ceiling!), orange furniture and all set off with that bright lime green – Wow.  I love color, but this might be a bit much for me. 

SURPRISING

Colorful doesn’t always have to mean strong, primary colors.  It can also be something lighter, more fun and creative like the mixed fruity colors on the chairs above.  The mismatched striped pillows reinforce the colorful scheme.  Take a cue from this room and break away from the idea that you have to stick to only 2-3 colors in a room.  This variety works because the chairs are all the same style consequently the volume of each color is the same; the colors are also all of the same intensity which makes a perfect blend.

 

The owner of the small room above didn’t take the safe, neutral route to “make it feel bigger and airy” but instead filled the room with vibrant color.  I’m guessing the palette was drawn from the large art work in the room and then carried to this other end of the room to back the bookcase wall.  This is a surprising but perfect way to color coordinate a room.  It’s bold and inventive and better than facing a wall of all white display cubes. 

 

EXCITING

Carry your excitement about color to the outside of your home and share it with your neighbors!  Every house on the block doesn’t have to be beige, tan, gray or cream.  Express yourself boldly.  An orange house too much for you?  Tone it down and try orange shutters, a colorful front door or an orange floor on your porch.

This is not your quiet, welcoming entry.  This is an energetic, exciting room designed to impress.  The use of the strong cobalt in a gloss finish on the walls is unexpected.  Throw in the red lacquer doors and accents and that busy floor…whew!  You’d definitely need a strong personality not to be overwhelmed by this space. 

DAZZLING

From the moment someone walks in the door it’s very clear this is a home of distinction.  This color declares itself and shines against the crisp white trim.  Make your entry dazzle your guests and you’ll be thrilled with the ooh’s and aahhs.

Although this room is dominated by that very energetic painting, it does dazzle us with the unexpected use of the hot pink.  The use of the pink doesn’t make the room feel feminine, just bright and cheerful.   

OVER THE TOP

After showing you all the dramatic, daring and delightful ways you can use color, lots of color, I want to show you that it is possible to get carried away.  Here’s the “what were they thinking?” section.

 

Are You Timid?

Or can you embrace your inner color maniac?  I admit, I’m a color junkie – I read about it, gather magazine pictures of bold rooms, use it in every room in my home, even wear lots of color.  I find color inspiration everywhere from the pages of books to the backyard (especially this time of year).  Occasionally I’m drawn to one of those carefully netural rooms when it’s done particularly well, but mostly, I love a good colorful room. 

What’s your take?  Colorful or Neutral?  A splash of color or a dash of neutral?  What can we do to help you be more comfortable and embrace color in your homes?  Weigh in and let us know how you feel about color.