Cheap Chic Ideas From the House of Color

Filed under: Color, Design, etc, House Tours

Get style inspiration from this colorful Dutch bed and breakfast.

Many people dream of buying an old farmhouse, fixing it up and turning it into a bed and breakfast. Floriene Bosch and her husband actually did it -- sight unseen, no less! More than a decade ago, the Dutch couple was living in the U.S. looking for property back in the Netherlands. A realtor faxed them a listing for a farmhouse in the countryside near the village of Beuningen, and the photos were so charming that the Bosch's bought it from thousands of miles away.

However, despite its charms, the property was in need of some TLC.


Thirteen years later Bosch has completely renovated the farmhouse, outbuildings and surrounding grounds and turned it into Bed of Flowers, a small bed and breakfast. Looking around the perfectly styled retreat, you might guess that Bosch was a stylist-turned-innkeeper, but her knack for decor is merely the result of a personal passion; prior to opening Bed of Flowers, Bosch worked as a nurse.

Bosch's style is like shabby chic with a kick: She loves bright, bold colors and floral patterns. While you may not be as brave as Bosch is, you can steal some style inspiration from her cheerfully decorated home. Here's how:

Collect what you love - and display it. Bosch loves flowers and collects them in many forms, including paintings of flowers (see top photo) and porcelain pieces with floral motifs. Rather than let her china hide in a closed cabinet Bosch has displayed hers on the walls and on open shelves.

Be bold with paint, but not too bold. Bosch isn't afraid to experiment with color: Bright turquoise, pink, yellow and green all figure into her decor. However, Bosch knows to balance her daringly-painted walls with crisp white trim and neutral floors. In the bedrooms Bosch has painted the walls behind the headboards bold colors but left the remaining walls white for a more tranquil effect.

Have fun with upholstery. Many people who embrace the chipped-paint-and-vintage-chandelier aesthetic opt for white upholstery -- on everything. Bosch knows that white isn't the only option, using white for some of her sofas and playing with upholstery on others. An armchair becomes a focal point when covered in a pretty cabbage rose and antique dining chairs pop with acid green upholstery.

Embrace chandeliers. The many vintage chandeliers throughout Bed of Flowers give the casual, feminine furnishings a little bit of glamor. If dripping crystal fixtures seem too serious to you, follow Bosch's lead and place little fake birds on top for fun!

For more Cheap Chic Ideas, don't miss:
Cheap Chic Ideas From Jane Fonda's House
Cheap Chic Ideas From Gwyneth Paltrow's Bedroom
Cheap Chic Ideas From Jimmy Choo's Founder -- Tamara Mellon's House

 

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