Color Me- BOLD

So I'm staring a new series here on The Ragged Wren, called "COLOR ME".  The plan is to bring you helpful ways to incorporate color into your house, with paint, and decor. You should see these color me posts, a couple times a month. Now I know that some of you are scared of color, and that's ok. Others prefer the more neutral palette, and that's ok too. For everyone though, there will be inspiration, which you can apply to everything in you home, from bathrooms, to kitchens. 

Keep in mind that most of the homes I will be showcasing on here are model homes, done by my gals over at Dy Lynne Decor. I know your home may not look anything like these perfectly presented homes, and you may not be able to afford half the stuff in it (heck I can't), but you can pick up tips and tricks, to pulling in a little bit of color, or a whole lot!! 

Keep an eye for these posts, I'm sure to get to a palette that you will be wild about. 

Not sure what your looking for quite yet? "Pin" these photos, and start your own color inspiration board on Pinterest. Be sure you check out my Pinterest boards as well, for all sort of ideas.  

Now onto some color!!!

Color Me Bold

Bold, can include a lot of different color palettes, but this week I'm looking at mixing oranges and blue together. Now for all my family and friends back in Colorado, don't get to excited here...we aren't talking Broncos, and no horse heads will make an appearance.

Design by- Dy Lynne Decor 

In this room, you will notice that while there are lots of pops of color, they all flow well, and create a cohesive look.  When going for a bold color palette like this, there are a couple of things to remember...
1. Start with a neutral base paint. Here a soft tan color was used, like "Alchemy" by Sherwin Williams. You don't want your walls to be the center of attention, you want them to flow with the rest of your space. 
2. Scatter around the colors. You'll notice in this room, you don't see just one color in any large area. Using a bold fabric color on individual chairs, and not on the large couch, brings in the deeper blue, without it being overpowering. Bringing in blue and orange pillows throughout the space (including on the fireplace), also helps break up the color, and carries it around the room, giving it a comfortable look. Notice that no space in the room is completely filled with color, but all the areas have a bit of one or both of the colors, even the fireplace.
3. Change up the tones of the color. When shopping for decor and furniture, look at all ranges of blues and oranges, you shouldn't be buying just one tone. Using only one tone, will make the room seem harsh with color. In this room, you will see that the large armoire piece that is against the wall, is substantially lighter than the chairs. If this piece were dark, the room would feel weighted to that side. The rug is also a brighter and bolder shade of blue than anything else in the room. Notice that the art above the fireplace, carries in a very soft, warm shade of blue and orange. Even the neutral part of this palette, is in a range, a creamy colored sofa, white upholstered ottoman, and tan walls. The rock also helps carry on some darker parts of the neutral palette.
4. Mix in patterns and textures. Iv'e said this before, and you'll probably hear me say it a hundred more times, but its is so important! This is what really make any space fell warm and cohesive, even with cool colors. Having different textures throughout this room, like in the rock, grass cloth rug, nubby linen blue chairs, antiqued blue armoire, embroidered pillows, and wool blanket, all make this room feel softer, no matter their color. Having different types of patterns, will give you an eclectic look, like something that was found over time, and pieced together. They don't all have to match any specific style, unless your going for a super themed type of room. 

Here is another space that brings in this same concept, but using more of a coral-orange, and a navy. This space is in more of the warmer fall tones. 

Design By- Dy Lynne Decor

Maybe you already have the base for a room like this? 

Adding in some easily changeable items, like rugs, pillows, and table decor, make it a quick change space. Decorate with the seasons, or as you sway between color palettes. It's easy to do, if your bigger pieces stay in a simple, neutral palette. 

If you are addicted to decorating like me, this is the perfect solution! 

All the colors shown here are Sherwin Williams colors.

Need more inspiration?

Check out these other Blue & Orange decorated rooms...

Better Homes and Gardens

Tracery Interiors

Angie Hranowski

Palmer Weiss

Jessica Kelly Design

Girls Room Makeover...Finally!

So after much longer than I would like to admit, I finally finished my daughters bedroom makeover. Normally I'm an instant gratification kinda gal. I'll go to great ends to find it, decorate it, and finish it. But not so with this one.... It had to be just right, and with the complete lack of time, it was near impossible. 

It's always so easy to make decisions in other peoples homes, but as it turns out, it's been super hard to get my house "just so". 

Now, when I started redecorating, I wanted a light, eclectic, nature inspired room. Though it all got clouded somehow, with my love of birds. If you don't know already, I have a strange healthy love for anything birds. My craft room, houses my collection, and I know my husband is happy the room has a door....but it has seemed to trickle into other areas of my house. 

I'm working on it :)

 So now,  I'm finally ready to show you her "big girl" room. 

So for the bed, we went with an Ikea, adjustable bed (Minnen). I've told you before how much I despise toddler beds, they are so hard to decorate around. I feel like I'm living in some sort of doll house on steroids...weird. So the adjustable part of this was my compromise. The bed grows into three lengths, and the mattress  comes in three pieces. So you push it out, and add the piece of mattress...until you get to a regular twin size bed. The bed is simple, yet still girly, and in white metal.

 For the bedding, I purchased the quilt at Stienmart. They have some really cute, girly quilts. They didn't have a twin of this one, so I just cut some off, and stitched the edges. I made sure to leave enough so when the bed is made into a twin it still fits. Ahhh, who am I kidding, I'll be redecorating her whole room by then....it's a sickness. 

The quilt is reversible, so using the extra piece I cut off, I made her two little throw pillows, from the reverse side, to go with her pink sham. 

Be sure to check out the super simple,  Grassy Nightstand Makeover, if you missed it. 

 One of my favorite things in the room, is this adorable cloud pillow! Could it be any cuter, look at those eyelashes!! She was on my Holiday Gift Guide, if you missed it.  

Check out her little cloud and star friends, and all of Viola Studio's other amazing creatures, on her Etsy Shop (she even has stuff for boys).

 Above her bed, I was hesitant to put any artwork, my daughter has a habit of messing with everything (what toddler doesn't). I knew I wanted to paint something, but this is what really took me the longest to decide on.  I went with a bird theme, so of course, the verse had to have something to do with birds...I know you are all rolling your eyes right now :) 

Psalms 91:4 says, "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge". I thought that was so beautiful, how God draws us near and protects us. That is just what I want for my children. 

 The fun little kitchen we got her for Christmas, ended up in her room (so not part of the plan, but I'm rolling with the punches). I used the art I originally created for above her crib, over the kitchen. For this, I just used an un-primed canvas, painted a base color, and used an brighter version for the stenciled pattern. I then put it inside of an embroidery hoop (3 sizes), and hand painted the butterflies on afterwards. 

Not a painter? Add a three dimensional butterfly to the art piece instead. 

The kids favorite spot in the room, of course, is the giant bean bag chair. It was left over from a bit of a room makeover,of the oldest child. This thing is so big, me and both the little kids sit here to read books at night. It's the perfect corner filler. Above it, hang a water color bird I painted years ago, and a sweet feather print from Satchel and Sage on Etsy.

This garden trellis piece, I have had for years! Since before I was married....My husband never understood why I carted around this old, crusty metal piece, each time we moved. But it always finds a home! 

A colorful strand of wool-ball garland, is keeping it company now. 

On the dresser, a collection of old books, and vintage jewelry boxes, are on display.

This beautiful porcelain lamp is, of course, from Target. I originally bought it to act as a nightlight, and even with a 25 watt bulb, its' still to much bright. It's such a fun, unexpected design for a lamp, that I couldn't get rid of it. It puts off a neat glow at night, casting shapes all over the wall. 

 This little house, serves absolutely no purpose, except for being unbelievably cute (I think originally made to be a pincushion). From Pink Prairies on Etsy. 

The flower box was a find at Target, but originally in a dull grey color, it did nothing for the space. A quick brush of blue, gave it the pop it needed.

 The grouping of tissue paper pom-poms was easy to make. I used 5 colors, and mixed in some lace lanterns. Hanging them with fishing line from the ceiling. Check out a tutorial via Martha Stewart, cause no body does it better that Martha Stewart!

So there it is! 

I finally walk in the room, and it feels complete...not always clean, but complete.

It's a hodgepodge of my favorite things, and it's still girly. 

Hope you love it!

Check out the grassy nightstand tutorial, here.

Check out the before, of her semi-completed nursery, here.

Make sure and swing by some of my favorite Etsy shops, to get some goodies of your own!

Viola Studio

Pink Prairies 

Satchel and Sage