Category Archives: Colour Palette

With lawns filling up with bright green blades of grass and patches of sunny dandelions, it’s clear that June is here! This month may be known for those nasty bugs, but this colour palette highlights fresh, saturated shades!

Sunshine and milder temperatures, make June an ideal time of year to add some charm to your exterior. If you’re not blessed with a green thumb, why not paint your patio door green?

Adding a bold accent to a fairly muted room really adds some cheer, but I tend to shy away from overlapping bold shades. However, there are always exceptions! I am totally in love with this bright and beautiful family room! The coloured silhouettes on this bold yellow wall with stand out end tables are so unique! The white accents keep the room from looking chaotic.

This modern kitchen uses fresh lime countertops with yellow woods to create an airy, happy kitchen! This seems like the perfect backdrop to a glass of OJ and eggs sunny side up!

A more muted shade of yellow looks great for a nursery! This keeps the room calm, without looking dull. As the kids get older brighter bolder shades and pattern add more energy to a bedroom, making a more enjoyable space for sleepovers and playtime. Finally, a painted bed frame looks awesome in a teen room–though I think the style is easily adapted for anyone!

Lastly, I love the spash of sunshine in the bathroom! A sunflower yellow looks unbelievably nice as a backsplash, but a quick easy update can be made by spray painting an antique mirror a glossy daffodil hue!

What do you guys think? Would you colour your interior with shades inspired by a fresh lawn?

It’s May! This month is a big smorgasbord of Mother’s Day (May 12th),  Victoria Day Weekend, Cinco de Mayo, and National Smile Month (UK)! We’re starting to feel the sun on our backs and get an extra spring in our step! Road construction crews and spring clean up are in  full swing. I know our street has started piling up large trash items on the curb, so this month’s palette is inspired by  “upcycling” outdated items! As I was browsing the web for images to add to my ideabook, I kept ouuing and awwing at all the amazing “upcycling” in design. This basically means giving outdated household items a new purpose or new coat of paint. Over the past year or so, many designers have been glamming up outdated or “vintage” items to accent modern decor. This colour palette mixes aged tones, rustic wood, and bold shades of rust to create a chic, eclectic look!

This curb-side inspired palette adapts to  a wide range of style preferences. A great option is to paint your walls neutral hues and accent your room with the wood and rust! The first bedroom plays on a variety of red and orange to add some character to an otherwise grey room. In the second photo, the bed stands out with its gorgeous deep orange comforter. The neutral backdrop adds some depth and interest to the space.The chandeliers in both examples are upcycled! The first is from the Victorian period and the second is a modern spin on candlelit  fixtures.

I’ve always been a huge fan of bold colours in the kitchen, but these warm hues really bring out the wood tones! Both designers used a variety of wood grains with one standout, statement piece. The red base to the island transforms an otherwise “normal” kitchen into a cool, eclectic space. In the second photo, a simple coat of bold orange paint cranks this dining room’s design appeal up a few notches!

Again, the bold rust shades really bring out the beautiful wood grains in the flooring, while the neutral walls and large windows keep the rooms elegant and modern. I definitely saw that fun area rug in the first photo at Ritchie’s in Moncton last summer!

Lastly, this colour palette does amazing things for small spaces. The beiges or greys create an airy feel, while the colour pop give the illusion of a larger space! A coloured office chair, vase, or a solid stripe all make a small space seem less cramped! The grey vintage wall paper makes for a particularly unique design!

Have any of you been browsing the spring clean up curbs for items to upcycle?

Even though some of my friends in Montreal woke up to snow this morning, here in Moncton I feel spring! I’ve been getting by with lighter jackets and left the house in sneakers yesterday! Spring is in the air! The grass is green and the birds are chirping. By incorporating these springtime hues, this month’s colour palette should get rid of your winter blues!

It just so happens that the basement at my house is a cheery shade of green, so I staged it for you all! I’m really not this clean, but I am excited to share a few tips and tricks for brightening up a basement. Painting the walls green might seem like a terrifying task, but bright walls in the basement really enlivens the space without having to add a crazy amount of windows!

A lot of us don’t have time to fuss with keeping plants alive, but framing large artificial leaves adds some freshness to the room. Most of the furniture is quite neutral, but don’t be afraid to mix and match shades of green. I love that dark green chair against the bright wall!

When you’re trying to create a fresh feel, geometric shapes and symmetrical lines are definitely a go-to feature. Initially, we really wanted to go with a larger tv, but this one matched the size of the window and added to the flow of the rec room. I’m glad we choose it! The circles on the wall keep the airy vibe without making the wall look too bare.

This fresh palette sets the right mood for a brisk walk on the treadmill or a bit of yoga after work. The wall accents are all home made by Heather (the girl who took the photo of the bird in the palette!)  She filled photo frames in with patterned scrapbook paper and made a sunburst mirror out of ties she picked up at second-hand shops! The clean geometric lines make their way into the laundry room as well with a floating shelf holding enlarged photos from vacations.

This palette works great in a bedroom! The greys and white tone down the bright hues while keeping the look really crisp and fresh! Once again, framed natural elements add to the vibrant springtime feel of the palette. The framed pictures above the bed are from Superstore (How crazy is that!?) I love the modern take on traditional patterns that the painted white headboard and side tables give!

Lastly, this palette works great in my study space. A large window above the desk allows for lots of natural lighting and helps keep me focused. This space is a bit more cluttered, but I like to keep some of my favorite things on these floating shelves! I find the white keeps the space from looking too chaotic. This desk is made by setting a countertop on top of two short shelves! The plastic storage stack fit perfectly, but the other side is kept open to store larger items.

I hope you guys enjoyed this mini-tour of the basement! I’d love to hear how you guys brighten up your gloomy spaces!

I’m usually not that into birthstones (probably because mine is lime green…) but for some reason, I was loving the blue rooms on pinterest when a light flicked on! I remembered that March’s birthstone is aquamarine. This gem was believed to protect sailors, as well as guarantee a safe voyage. While, light blue can look awesome, deeper shades add a hint of drama.

The psychology of deep blue claims that the shade shows authority, credibility, strength, loyalty, introspection, and concentration. As if those are not enough of reasons to choose blue, it’s also the colour most preferred by men and known for productivity! Some researchers claim that blue can even keep your diet on track because it curbs appetite. It’s no wonder I thought blue looked so great!

Since blue is so well know for productivity, why not add a hint to your home office? I like my workspace to be bright, so I recommend incorporating dark blue into your furniture. The back of a book wall subtly brings in the shade, while repainting a desk brings the colour to the foreground!

In the kitchen I preferred aquamarine because it seemed a lot more calm and bright! The colour is fairly subtle so you could use it as the wall colour or the if you like being unique you could even paint your cabinets, so long as you keep a neutral wall or back splash.

Don’t these bedrooms look fantastic? The navy adds just enough comfort and style when balanced with beautiful shades of mustard.

In the living room, navy makes quite a bold statement. I can imagine Sherlock Holmes sitting with a pipe by the fireplace reading a scholarly journal, but I can also imagine sitting with a friend drinking tea on the mustard sofa!

If you’re looking to add some intensity to your house, navy is an amazing choice!

Where do you think deep blue works best?

Red is dead, blue is through, 
Green’s obscene, brown’s taboo. 
And there is not the slightest excuse for plum or puce 
—or chartreuse. Think pink!
-Funny Face

If you’ve had a chance to browse the latest home decor news stands, you may have left either confused or singing “Think Pink” from Funny Face. Either way, nearly every cover has somehow incorporated a shade of pink!

When I first saw that pink was making a comeback, my mind instantly went to memories of floral pink sofas and pink lace-heart wallpaper (That was definitely in my kitchen at one-point). I was mildly horrified, but once I started checking out how designers were using pink, I warmed up to the idea! I’m not sure that I am quite ready to paint the walls in fusia, but accessorizing could definitely be fun!

These designers cleverly added a few splashes of glam to otherwise neutral palettes, which could be the best route to go. The more intense shades of pink are balanced with neutral furniture, while the muted shades are incorporated in patterned key features.

Grey has always been pink’s best friend. These soft tones pair really well with both modern and natural elements.

All of us know too much blush is rarely a good thing, but these powder rooms have just enough to look unique without looking too much like Barbie’s corvette! Plus, how “Adorable” is a painted pink door!

Can you think pink or will this trend end along with the post-Vday chocolate sales?

P.S. Happy Valentine’s Day! 

  “The seasons remind me that I must keep changing” –Donald Miller

With cold toes and the heat turned up, I can’t keep myself  from browsing travel sites and dreaming of a place where the sun fades the walls and doors lead to the ocean. However, with so many things I love being in the Maritimes, I can’t just take off to South America every time my wool socks aren’t doing the trick! That being said, it’s not quite so crazy to dream of a sun-kissed reno. This palette is inspired by the faded, yet vibrant, shades of the warmer parts of our world.

I couldn’t help being a little envious when I saw these stunning kitchens. First of all, I LOVE exposed beams, but the turquoise is so unexpected! These warm, neutral palettes come to life with splashes of colour in places you might not instinctively think of.

If you’re the type who wants the whole world in your living room, have it! Imagine sitting across the room dreaming of adventures to come!   Lots of full wall murals are available on the internet! You can order one of a map from Home Depot Here! If you’re not quite so adventurous, how about a dark teal wall? This colour takes an exotic twist when paired with detailed patterns, off-whites, and deep brown accents.

As much as I am wanting to reno my entire house in this palette, it makes an amazing bedroom for any age. The colours provide a good balance of both warm and cool colours. Another awesome feature, is that the teal works as either a wall colour or the accent colour. When teal is used as the backdrop, light, airy decor and a splash of coral keeps the room from being overwhelming. On the other hand, if you choose teal as your accent colour, you can be pretty bold! The gradient dresser would add a super stylish and fun touch to a guest room!

What do you think? Should the East Coast dream of Cape Town?

When it comes to decorating your home for Christmas it can be a challenge to make everything flow like rooms tend to on Pinterest. That great magenta wall just doesn’t seem to match the stockings and Christmas tree. Though, eclectic style is beautiful most of the year, this neutral palette allows your seasonal decor to take centre stage.

One HUGE misconception about natural hues is that they are boring or dull. A mix of beiges and browns give you the option to incorporate elements that might make a more colourful palette appear chaotic. Exposed beams, a side table made of a smooth stump, and a curtain rod made from branches all look incredible against these woodsy tones. Another way to jazz up a neutral palette is by adding rectangular frames to the wall. This palette is the perfect for creating unique textured looks.

Would you add texture to a neutral palette?

“I’m so glad I live in a world with Octobers. It would be terrible if we just skipped from September to November, wouldn’t it?” -Anne Shirley.

The month of scarves and pumpkin spice lattes has “fallen” upon us! With temperatures cooling off outside, warm interior hues are a must! October couldn’t be a better month to incorporate this spicy palette! When looking for timeless decor, it’s important to balance bright colours with trend-setting neutrals. This warm palette does just that by incorporating both grey and brown with savory cinnamon, pumpkin, and vanilla.

We think these colours work well together to make an inviting common space. A warm backdrop will make guests feel welcome, while you will love spending down time cozying up with an exotic tea and book!

An alternative space for this palette is the Master bedroom. We are loving the idea of pairing a wooden wall with grey bedding and warm accents. This look artistically combines both modern style and classic comfort. Would you choose a spicy autumn palette for your living space or would you rather keep the cozy colours in the bedroom?

It’s that time again! It’s time to unveil our choice for September’s Colour Palette of the Month!

This month we’ve chosen a palette that blends warm and cool tones and integrates the “yellowing” of the fall leaves. We think that just like the turning colour of the leaves, this dash of mustard next to the browns and greys will make your space pop. Not only does this palette convey all the warm and fuzzy feelings of fall but it is also very modern in its use of mustard and grey. While we think that this palette is perfect for any living room or master bedroom we also think that it would be dramatic as a bathroom colour palette. What do you think? What room would you use the palette for?

The colour palette for August is one that spans two seasons. It may be summer now but fall (and back to school sales) will soon be upon us which means our walls also needed to be dressed appropriately. This colour palette subtly brings in the warm and natural tones of the autumn season while still incorporating some summer colours. The combination of greens, purple, beige, and blue is one that will keep your space looking fresh and warm at the same time. We recommend this palette for living room spaces especially because of the warm natural feel!