The inspiration picture is a close-up shot of fallen leaves, which was actually taken with an iphone by artist and textile designer Karina Manarin. I was attracted to it by the delicate muted pastel colors, which I should actually be calling by their name: tones. Unlike pastel colors (colors where white has been added), tones are colors that have been added grey to it. So instead of looking just pretty and candy like, those colors look more grown-up and sophisticated. For a refresher on color theory check out the post I had written on it.

The transposition of this inspiration picture to an interior is done by layering multiple colors with the same toned down quality to it. The key as Maria Killam, a color consultant, stylist and blogger writes it, is to keep “the dirty colors with dirty colors and the clean colors with clean colors” which is a great way to sum up things. In this interior styled for Expressen.se, there are no less than seven colors used together, yet the result is still very soothing and relaxing. This is because all the colors blend well together instead of competing against each other. In this shoot the use of distressed furniture adds more interest to the color scheme because each color is not only layered with the others but layered on it’s own with all the nuances the distressing brings.

Does this combination inspire you or do you prefer something more graphic like the pictures I showed last week? You can see more of this photo shoot here. Have a great week!

Here are my favorites: Jennasuemaps offers the perfect map, both colorful and minimalistic with streets outlined in white on a colorful background of your choosing. She a huge selection of cities available, but should you not find yours she will be happy to create it for you. Choose your city, your color and the size of your print and you’re ready to get a great addition to your home.

Christopher Estes, the designer behind MapHazardly offers city blueprints maps, perfect for the cool engineer or architect out there. I love all the cartographic details like the gridlines, arrows, scale, orientation and city information included.

Austrian graphic designer Nina Wilsmann offers quirky and beautifully illustrated maps in her shop VianinaPoster. Small illustrations of a city’s landmark monuments and buildings are used to create the overall city map. The colors used are truly happy and I can imagine adults and children alike spending time exploring them to discover their hidden secrets.

I hope you loved this little map shopping guide. Let me know if I should do more like those. I wish you a beautiful and restful weekend. What are your plans. We have some family visiting and hope the weather will be nicer.

While India and Morocco’s decor is similar, there are differences to distinguish the two. Morocco tends to pull a Mediterranean flair, since it sits on….well, the Mediterranean. In other words, blues. Shades and hues of blues woven in with neutrals, woods, and pops of orange and yellow- as seen in the majority of their tiles. Ornate details, wood carvings and textiles like the Moroccan wedding blanket, are all extra details to bring a Moroccan touch to your home.

Now, let’s take a look at how Maryam Montague, owner of Peacock Pavilions, created this charming boutique hotel in Marrakesh.

Did you enjoy the eye candy? The Pavilions are quite stunning and I hope to be able to visit one day! You can pick and choose elements from the photos to incorporate into your own home and small and subtle changes can still give you an exotic Moroccan edge! Now head over to NoMad Luxuries and enjoy a Moroccan recipe and how to style your tabletop for an exotic feast!

 Thanks for stopping by!

Yana

I am back with a new color inspiration collage as I hadn’t done one in a while and realized that they seem to be popular and get pined quite a lot to Pinterest. Today’s inspiration comes in the form of a sculpture titled “Let her have her glory” by Debra Baxter made of celestite, glass and quartz crystal. Apart from the very nature of the elements used, the color contrast between the varying shades of dark grey and the lime/neon yellow is absolutely striking. This effect is mimicked in this living room where all the static elements such as the sofa, the coffee table, the walls and floor, and the large art canvas come in varying shades ranging from medium grey to charcoal and black.

The neon yellow is simply introduced in the decor with the accessories making the entire color scheme easy to update and to change depending on the mood or season: a small coffee table, cushions and a throw on the couch, the lamp with matching shade, a rug, glasses, a candle and some leaves in a vase. I love the freshness the lime brings the charcoal, but I’d love the same color scheme with neon pink or a beautiful royal blue instead of the yellow.

What’s your take on it? Have a lovely day!

Living room image source: Picsdecor

If you love her eclectic style but don’t need any fabric I have great news for you: Erin also offers through her website and her Etsy shop a great selection of accessories such as cushions, tea towels, bags or stretched cloth wall art. They come either with abstract patterns or with the cutest drawn animals making them perfect  for nurseries and children’s rooms. Every piece is hand screened upon order in her studio in Maine with your choice of nineteen colors available.

If you had the option which print/cushion would you choose? I love the coffee ring fabric and my heart can’t decide between the squirrel and owl cushion. Have a lovely weekend!

This week were trekking over to colorful and bustling India. I’ve had a strange infatuation with this exotic culture; there’s something about the colors and organized chaos that gets me every time. I have yet to make my way over to the land of Bollywood movies, curry to make you sweat and beautiful design, but it’s on the top of my list! Let’s take a peek at how to bring some of these design elements home, shall we?

I brought together overly saturated colors with mother of pearl details, brass accessories and unexpected color pairings; all of which can be paired with neutrals to create harmony. And don’t be afraid to layer hues of the same color. Seeing a global pattern yet?

To tame bold colors, add intricate, heavy wood pieces to anchor a room down. By layering patterns like embroidered pillows, sari-colored textiles and bone-inlay, you add interest and depth to a room. Sigh…would love to get my hands on some bone-inlay!

Lattice entertain you with some inspiration! (did you see what I did there? Huh?) Let’s take a look at some ideas, by color…

{Neutrals: If you’re not ready to take the color plunge, this is the way to go. Incorporate soft peachy hues and add a lattice for a geometric touch. The intricate detail of the lattice with give your room an immediate global vibe. Spice it up with embroidered throw pillows!}

{Pink: Mania! Pink, pink and more pink! I’m loving the ombre pink wall in this photo, but to make things a bit less feminine, incorporate oranges and reds.}

{Pink…again.Not enough pink for you yet? While this room might not be for everyone, I love the layering of bright and bold shades of fuchsia and how the pop of teal breaks up the room}

{Purples: Now for the soothing pastels- I love the lavender in both of these spaces. The bedroom is a bit more neutral and serves as a perfect place to recharge and unwind; while the living room is a bit brighter with warm woods and pops of coral . Don’t be afraid to mix Indian textiles to an otherwise neutral room for an instant dash of luxury!}

{Teal: I adore the combination of teal/mint with buttery pinks. It’s the perfect way to keep colors in balance and balance warm and cool tones}

{Green/Coral: Here’s a similar color combo to our last Wanderlust in Mexico. Green and fuschia with touches of salmon and orange create a fabulous contrast. I love how these colors play off one another!}

{Green: This bedroom has modern day elements in neutrals with a statement, colored headboard that once was a doorway. The geometric rug adds pattern and the neutrals create a luxurious and relaxing space}

{Wood: Not a color, I know…but nevertheless, I love how rich and deep wood elements immediately create a global touch and neutralizes the abundance of color. When in doubt, add a wood piece!}

Feel free to hop on over to NoMad Luxuries’ Facebook page to check out all of the Wanderlust Wednesday photos. Have a great rest of the week- see you next Wednesday!

I have always been partial to neutral shades, and end up with lots of beige and charcoal in my home. No matter how hard I try, I do tend to sway towards the safer colors.  I’m sure I’m not alone! But how lovely do this sunny shade of yellow and a cheerful salmony shade of pink look against a neutral backdrop?

What do you think of these spring inspired colors? Would love to know what colors you usually steer towards in your own decorating.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Holly

* Image credits: Interiors by Mark Burstyn Photography and Toby Scott for Est Magazine; Pepper Trail Wallpaper by Fabrics and Papers; Top left to right: Merci Paris cushions by Jillian Leiboff; bedding by Anthropologie; palette by Nomura Maya; cushion by Anthropologie;

You can see all the pieces on Madeline Weinrib’s website here. This is a brilliant example, as was my report on Chairloom, that shows how much a fabric can transform furniture; Even when the mentioned furniture has such a strong identity like the Jacobson Swan chair or the Le Corbusier armchair.

Have a wonderful day!

To decorate the castle Gerard Tremolet drew his inspiration from the 18th century, admitting that the design is historically inaccurate, and his love of bold color combinations. In an video interview for the French website interieurs.fr he encourages people to be more daring using color and letting their personalities appear even if this implies making mistakes. The pictures below demonstrate this perfectly: The style of the castle is certainly not everyone’s taste but it’s definitely not lacking personality.

Gerard Tremolet above, in the staircase of the Chateau D’ailly. I love the dark red walls in the dining area with it’s wonderful collection of antic baskets and the very ornate gilded mirror. The combination of the red damask wall fabric, the antic venetian mirror and turquoise console, and the striped velvet fabric on the Regence chair shows that even complex color combinations can work together.

Color explosion in the games room below with a tonic combination of yellow, turquoise, hot pink and lime. The guest bedroom’s oriental mood is a reference to Algiers the town Tremolet was born in. The room below covered in yellow and red toile de Jouy is probably my favorite: classic pattern with unexpected color combination.

To view more pictures and to read the full article head over to Elle Decor. And if you are in need of a weekend break why don’t you contact the Chateau d’Ailly to make a reservation? Have a lovely week!

But first, let me say Thank You to Corinne for having me here, and I hope you like this color story.

MissoniHome is one if the must see brands at the Salone. There are hundreds but no one has such an unique proposal as they do. I am not sure I’d decorate all my home in such a colorful way but I certainly do like many single pieces.

The iconic Italian fashion house’s home collection has been overwhelming again this year. Their stand always makes you feel like being in a kind of wonderland.

Talking about Missoni home is talking about Rosita Missoni. Her personal vision of the home atmosphere and furnishings has colored the brand which has evolved from fabrics to furnishings. Rosita is a true color genius (she founded the brand in 1953!) and still head of design.

So, what are your thoughts about the famous zig-zagging label? And have you already spotted a favourite piece? Would love to hear your comments!

Wishing you all a lovely weekend. Warmly, Gudy