Filed under: Color, Design, etc
Notes and snippets for people who love decorating with color. Today, a challenge: Can we design a room around the colors in a fabric?Last time I wrote a Color Diary post, I was inspired by a photograph. This time, inspiration comes in the form of a fabric. After talking with interior designers recently for a different article, I noticed that many of them begin their design with a single piece. Sometimes they work from a paint color, other times from a sofa but quite often a fabric is the center of the design from which all other decisions are made. That idea appeals to me because when I find something I truly love, I notice that other things that I place around it seem to complement or frame it. Finding that one must-have item can lead to inspiration for an entire room.
The inspiration for my design. Photo: Marimekko
My room needs to have a soft feeling but also include hard angles, classic patterns, a handmade element and incorporate black, white, blue and red. Let's see if I can pull it off.
First, I wanted a very solid base. In looking at the Marimekko fabric, there appears to be small striped patterns as well as an overall striped pattern. I chose the STOCKHOLM RAND Rug, $179 to $299 at IKEA, which has small stripes that join together to create a larger striped pattern.
I also wanted to bring in chevron stripes, so I decided to do so with pillows. I would have loved to use this pillow from Madeline Weinrib, but it's way out of my budget. Instead, I'm going with a pair of Chevron pillows, $25 each, from Etsy seller milkandcookiesCanada.
For the main attraction, I went with the Jackson Sofa in china blue linen, $1,900 to $5,400, from Williams-Sonoma because I felt that it fit well in both traditional and modern decor. Plus, the soft back cushions give it a more imperfect, lived-in look than a tight-back or ultra-modern sofa. The light blue is neutral enough to use for a large piece while still bringing color into the room. I also like the idea of linen fabric because it has a nice weave, similar to the hatch pattern in the inspiration fabric.
I love the tall, armless look of the Cayenne Chair in red, $169, Home Decorators Collection -- a pair of these will add the perfect red pop on either side of the room.
As an accent, I chose this Hayworth Cube Side Table, $170 at Pier 1 Imports, because the antique silver finish has a traditional feeling but the cube shape is very modern. It reminds me of the larger grid patterns from the fabric.
As a central feature, I chose the Chloe Round Wood Coffee Table because the softness of the top contrasts nicely with all of the angular furniture -- perfect! Available for $150 at Target.
The unassuming look of the Holtkoetter Bernie Series Floor Lamp in antique brass, $491, Amazon, makes for the perfect reading lamp in the room. It's long, thin shade and pipe-like neck are reminiscent of the tall, thin columns in the inspiration fabric.
As for accessories, I wanted to keep it simple. Since I saved on pillows, I splurged on this Grid Vase (OK, maybe more than a splurge) for $500 at Unica Home, so I paired it with an inexpensive grid bowl for $19 from Amazon. Then, I topped it all off with a great print of a black-and-white Jackson Pollock painting, $28 unframed from Art.com, to bring in a more organic, hand-drawn feel.
Do you have a fabric that you'd like us to design a room around? Leave us a comment and a link, and we might just give you some free design advice.