HOME & GARDEN
COMEBACK OF story by KRISTEN BOYETT
color
Interior Designer, Lott’s Furniture / kboyett@lottsfurniture.com / 912-283-6350 photography by JOY SUMNER PHOTOGRAPHY
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here’s been an increase in more colorful interiors for a while. But, this year, with everyone looking forward to a healthier, happier future, it feels official… color is back in a big way! We’ve all found refuge in our homes over the past year which has given many a new perspective and appreciation for homelife. They’re seeking change and are ready to embrace colors that are soothing, vibrant, energetic, and uplifting. As a designer, I’m hearing a lot of requests like: “I just want this room to make me happy!”, “I want something totally different!”, and “I want this room to make a statement!” While there are many ways to refresh your space and many aspects to consider, your color palette takes the lead of the entire design concept! Whether you like a little or a lot, if you’re ready to step up your color game, I’m here to help. If you’re hesitant, here is the most important “rule of the rainbow”: THERE ARE NO RULES! But, there are a few important tips to consider:
• All white everything – the new farmhouse trend is much more modern and colorful. • Gray on gray has transformed into more blue on blue. • Traditional browns, used on leather sofas and chairs especially, are toned down to more camel and honey-toned versions.
Don’t use a color just because it feels current and popular. Certain hues may be everywhere you look, but that will pass in a few years. Trends change, so choose colors that truly speak to you and your aesthetic. Color itself is not a trend. Have confidence in decorating your home with colors that YOU choose!
CREATE YOUR UNIQUE PALETTE.
BALANCE WITH NEUTRALS. White, off-white, cream, beige, gray, taupe…definitely have their place in interior design, even in the most colorful spaces. I believe that neutral bones are the best foundation for any space. Choosing a neutral for the wall color or the largest piece of furniture in the room will provide the best base for adding color and pattern. For example, a blue sofa against soft white walls or a cream sofa against a bold blue wall – the balance and contrast are what make it work!
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OKEFENOKEE LIVING
• Everything from muted pastels to vibrant brights. • Reds, corals, and pinks pair nicely with all shades of blue. • Saturated earth tones (clay, mushroom, and muddy green) feel fresh again when used alongside crisp neutrals and metallics. • Moody, masculine tones like deep teal and blue-gray are bolder than ever and made more relevant with warm wood finishes and black metals. • Oversized pottery style lamps, vintage-inspired rugs, and printed accent chairs and pillows lead the way with major punches of color.
Say goodbye to:
STEER CLEAR OF TEMPORARY TRENDS.
We’re all drawn to certain colors or color combinations. Choose a color palette that is truly unique to your personality. Think of things that bring a smile to your face (places you’ve traveled, personal items and collections, the people and places you love) and pull your color inspiration from there! Incorporating those colors and mixing them with other tones and textures will transform your space with style and meaning.
The new wave of color:
A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY. For livable, long-term color, just a few good pops will do. When refreshing what you already have, thoughtfully sprinkle in color with pillows, artwork, rugs, lamps, and accessories. When starting from scratch or redesigning, consider a pair of accent chairs in a fun, colorful print to go with your neutral sofa. In the dining room, paint the dining chairs around your wood table or use a bold rug. In the bedroom, swap out your matching nightstands for colored bedside chests.
KEEP THE FLOW. When bringing in color, be mindful of how your spaces flow from room to room. Keep things cohesive by staying within a simple palette and varying the tones and shades of a few colors. Don’t jump from one bold palette to another in the next room. The rooms don’t have to be the same, but they should “speak” to each other and feel connected. OL
