This is particularly true when it comes to paint color. You don’t want to paint your entire house the same color – that could be boring. But you can’t haphazardly paint rooms without a greater vision – that could be unruly! I’m reminded of one of my favorite quotes (not sure by whom, but passed on by my good friend):

Action without vision is a nightmare. Vision without acton is a dream.

Well, Mochi Home is here to help nail down your vision (and avoid the nightmare). It’s up to you to take action and make your home gorgeous!

Case in point: this lovely Craftsman style bungalow, complete with beautiful hardwood floors and architectural detail. It’s hard to see, but the kitchen is painted yellow and the living area is tan. The adjoining dining room is a dark maroon. The owners are looking to lighten up the dining area (good call!), while still coordinating with the exiting paint colors in the other rooms.

The Vision

It’s always helpful to lay out your color palettes and understand how colors work together. Check out our Mochi Matrix (well, it’s just a color palette chart!) All three ideas work with the existing yellow and tan. I kept it light and soft with muted shades of blue, green and sun-bleached terra cotta. I like them all!

Idea 1

Blue is a beautiful contrast to the warm wood details.

Idea 2

Yellow/tan and muted green make for a friendly and fresh take on earth tones.

Idea 3

I’m surprisingly into this color, which I call sun-bleach terra cotta. It retains the warmth of the wood detailing and is very earthy.

The Full Palette

Well, I like all three options! As a final idea, to keep more continuity between spaces, you could paint the dining area the same shade of tan as the living area, reducing your paint palette to two colors. Don’t forget – trim, ceiling and those wooden details are all colors too and should be considered a part of your overall palette.

Take this house. It’s fresh and new, with good bones. But, this living room is a little small. You can’t just throw furniture in here and expect it come together. This space needs a little a thought, so that’s what we’ll give it.

I have three different strategies for designing this room. All of them do have one thing in common – and that’s reorienting the furniture to not block the entrance area.

Monochromatic Chic

A small space can always benefit from a monochromatic treatment. It streamlines the whole room. Open up the space by creating a conversation circle and add a few inches by mounting the TV to the wall. Curtains soften the edges and few pops of color keep it vibrant.

The Bold and the Beautiful

Another strategy for small spaces is to go bold – which can be surprising. A deep rich color on one wall quickly draws you into the room and away from the size (or awkwardness on some cases) of the space. I’m always a sucker for purple, as it’s both warm and cool at the same time. A graphic rug draws your eye down (again, away from the size of the room) and some spare furniture keeps the air flowing. The Fatboy bean bag chair is also super fun for kids.

On the Diagonal

The last strategy is to literally think outside the box…and on the diagonal. Most people are afraid of orienting the furniture like this, but in a small space, it might be your best option. Tuck the TV in the corner to open up some floor space and throw down an area rug at an angle. This small room is pretty dynamic. Curtains and a high bookshelf soften the space and a pretty purplish-red keeps the room warm.

Actually, with so many options, I’m not sure which is my favorite!

Here are the details of the rooms:

Monochromatic

• White loveseat
• Amos swivel chair
• Shag Rug
• Cotton canvas window panel
• Ascend Bookshelf
• Origins Print
• Wall clock
• Kartell Tip top side table
• Chunky tassel throw

Bold

• Benjamin Moore Elderberry Wine
• Tillary Couch
• Fatboy chair
• Coral rug
• UM Project chair
• Panel system
• Parsons media tower
• Chandelier wall decal

Diagonal

• Benjamin Moore Parisian Red
• Chloe chair
• Leaf Rug
• WoollyPocket
• Hudson Side table
• Glass jug lamp
• Samar Oval Basket

Raisin Torte

An instant, easy update is to paint an accent wall behind the bed-seen here in Benjamin Moore Raisin Torte. It’s a great compliment to the mauve bench and moves your eye away from the choppy window wall. This room is so spacious, it needs a nice area rug to tie it together and I like to create a conversation area by adding another armchair. A leaning floor mirror is the ideal coverup for the breaker box (and it’s great for getting dressed in the morning too!)

 Curtain Call

Fabric covered walls are one of my favorite tricks. They accomplish three things really well: 1) hide flaws; 2) create a sense of depth with the illusion that something is behind the curtain; and 3) soften (and quiet) a space.  They are also a great non-permanent solution which can even be achieved with a bolt of fabric and a staple gun.

In this room, the soft curtain is a neutral backdrop for a bold jewel tone accent wall in Benjamin Moore Summer Nights. Some neutral chairs and lighting don’t compete with the bright wall, but a little pop of yellow in the Flor rug keeps the color in balance.

Retro Wallpaper

Lastly, a cute retro wallpaper makes a great accent and the small pattern hides the irregularities of the wall. It’s matched up with Benjamin Moore paint in Saddle Brown. Notice that the ceiling is also painted, making the room more cozy. A few simple accessories like a white shag rug and glass lamps compliment the retro furniture, but still keep a modern vibe.

Sources

Raisin Torte

• Loft leaning mirror
• Wall Art
• Plant
• Bamboo shag
• Chevron pillow
• Globe light

Curtain Call

• Abaca ottoman
• Asanto sand curtain
• Subway scroll
• Nelson Wall sconce
• Duvet
• Flor: Rake me Over in Oyster and Sunny

Retro Wallpaper

The Floor Plan

So I buckled down and worked out a better floor plan. While I lost some floor space, I gained better working/desk nooks, made the bed more accessible and opened up the bookshelves. This room works hard as both a cozy guest area and a daily working space for two people.

With a new useful floor plan chalked out and ready, I needed to do some decorating to tie the whole thing together. It seemed to me that I just needed one simple focal point – which should be the bed.

The Headboard Focal Point

New layout, very little decor.

I was on a budget, on a mission and working with a limited amount of space. It seemed like the best solution was to create my own headboard using fabric. Here’s how I did it:

• Find some fabric that you love. I like something with a pattern or color because this fabric will become a piece of art on the wall.
• Look for home decor fabric. Fabric for decorating comes in a full 60″ width (clothing bolts are only 45″ wide). Note: Queen sized mattresses are also 60″ wide, which makes this project super easy.

I actually used the "wrong" side of the fabric for the slightly more faded color.

• Use the full width of the fabric. I kept the look casual and didn’t even bother cutting or sewing the sides. You can still see the selvage edge of the fabric (but I think it adds character)
• Cut to the desired length, leaving about 4-5 inches extra as a header and footer.
• Now for the simple sewing. Fold and sew the header. I made a 2 inch header. You can fold it twice to make sure the raw edge is covered. Do the same for the bottom (but smaller). If you don’t have a sewing machine, just use the iron-on tape to fold the fabric over.
• Attach fasteners. I used 3M Command picture hanging strips. You must actually sew the strip onto the header of the fabric. The adhesive will not stick to fabric. I sewed 4 strips onto the fabric and then stuck four strips on the wall.

• Voila! Hang your fabric flush against the wall (without causing any wall damage).
• Note: In the past, I have also used a staple gun or small nails to achieve the same effect. 3M strips are better for the wall and probably less dangerous in case something should fall.

Check out how some simple fabric makes such a bold statement! It really helps to ground the bed…and the entire room.

Awesome new headboard focal point!

I find the selvage edge charming (and I'm lazy), but you can fold it under for a more refined look.

Bonus Tips and Tricks

I also made some quick matching pillows for the ensemble (the two smaller pillows). For one, I made a simple sham, which is basically like sewing a square. For the smaller pillow, I did a quick no-sew job using a pillow from my living room. I turned the pillow to show the nice linen backside, and then literally pinned a “stripe” down the middle. Done!

Other great low-budget decorating for this room include the white duvet. I used an old duvet with a red stripe and turned it over. It’s always a good idea to raid your closet for sheets, towels, scarves and other items that can be turned, tied or folded into something new and fresh!

And lastly, who can resist the rainbow spectrum book bookshelf?

This reader is in the process of updating her kitchen from a more traditional oak to something more modern. As part of a DIY renovation, she has already painted the lower cabinets black and swapped out the hardware for something more modern. Shown here is the kitchen before any of the paint.

Current Kitchen

One easy option is to simply paint the upper cabinets black to match the lower. The walls are painted a nice shade of “paper bag” called Gobi Desert from Behr. Then add some interest with a tiled backsplash from Modwalls in Metropol. In the kitchen, the best decor accessories are often functional. Wine bottles can make pretty wall art with this mounted rack and wooden bowls become kitchen sculpture with open shelves. And of course, a few plants and a retro clock finish it off.

Option 1

For a fresher look, how about some white cabinets? There’s no rule saying that upper cabinets and lower cabinets have to match. Here, some extra-tall white cabinets with glass doors are functional and a focal point. I kept it fresh with a white backsplash and a fun graphic wall clock. And of course, try using your prettiest pots and tea towels as wall accessories you can use.

Option 2

Lastly for something a little different, here’s a kitchen wallpaper scheme in a classic stripe from Farrow and Ball. Because there is so little wall space, it’s easy to add wallpaper. Plus, it’s not too overwhelming and not too expensive. Again, the cabinets are black, but a frosted glass door keeps it modern. I also added a roman shade from the Shade Store to lighten up the room. Lastly, a few accessories like this rustic wall clock and gorgeous espresso maker make this kitchen feel like home.

Option 3

Now it’s your turn to weigh in!