Monday, August 27

The Bold, The Bright and The Beautiful.

It finally feels like summer here in San Francisco - we're late starters, when the fog rolls away around late August. Maybe that's why I've been really fond of bright bursts of color lately, especially pinks, corals, yellows and oranges against a palette of crisp, clean white. These colors feel really summery to me and kind of spicy at the same time. Like sunburned cheeks, striped beach umbrellas and salsa & chips on a very hot day. I found some inspiration for using these colors leafing through the photos in Emily Chalmer's book, Style on a Budget. I've had this book on my shelves for a while now; it first came out in 2003, but the ideas are still fresh and upbeat. I'm dying to paint my entry wall this amazing hot pink! You'll have to wait to see if I get the courage, but I think I'm gearing up. It'll make it seem like summer here all year long, no matter how thick the fog.


In the meantime, here's some fun color to brighten your Monday blues. Man-oh-man, I hate Mondays. But, I think this will cheer me up. I love Emily's stylish use of the mod, retro wallpaper contradicted with the traditional Asian silk pillows. I never would have dreamed of that combination, but I think it looks really great. I saw some metallic lanterns like this one at Cost Plus World Market - inexpensive and easy to spray paint in a bright glossy color. A few of them painted different bright colors would look festive on your garden patio or balcony. Let's make dining al fresco last!


I fold my tablecloths, dish cloths and aprons and display them on my kitchen rack for color. I also stack my books to show off their colorful graphic spines. Little splashes of brightness can come from kitchen accessories tucked here and there in unexpected places, and prints and accessories grouped in a range of bright colors look pulled together and not too knick-knacky.

Rich, orange tones with pinks warm a room up too. I love these slouchy velvet pillows against the tailored neutral brown sofa. My pink lamp really adds a dusky glow to my dining room, which makes it pretty inviting (and good on the complexion). And these soft pink quilts look great against the stark contrast of the steel bed frame made from pipes, and the black metal wardrobes. Bright colors don't have to be girly - they can look pretty sophisticated and cosmopolitan. And improve your mood on those don't-wanna-get-out-of-bed Mondays.

16 comments:

swell.life said...

thanks for the eye candy today! i especially love your stacks of linens and books. gorgeous!

Jan Halvarson said...

pretty shades of pink!

steven mcvay said...

hello from london, had to comment on this post as i met emily chalmers a few weeks ago in her shop caravan, she was sooo nice, i told her how blog land loves her and her books, i did a post about my visit and encounter on my blog,take a peek,...oh and your blog makes my eyes go all goggly. xx

Anonymous said...

yes! pretty colors. I love Emily Chalmers' book "flea-market style" - I'm sure you have it already Victoria.

lookwhaticando said...

WOW!!! I love that bed and the pink quilt. The colors are gorgeous and the prints are amazing. So very Bomo which is my exact style. xoxo thanks for sharing...I am going to get some of her books. xo

Anonymous said...

Love this post, the pics are so pretty and the colors match the weather here.
I don't know about summer in SF though, I think we just go right into Fall, a warm Fall but it feels like the season's changing to me. (I'm ready for my kids to go back to school) :)

Anonymous said...

I love the pics of your own home. It looks like such an inspirational place. Can I move in?

Jordan Cappella said...

I Love the pink wall! what a happy feeling it would create when people enter your apartment.

Anonymous said...

That pink is beautiful! Do you happen to know the maker/color name?

Anonymous said...

I have a hot pink entry-way, do you want me to send you a pic? I think the color needs to be deeper, tho, and am planning a re-do soon.

It is really fun and not scary at all once you do it!

Christie said...

loving all the colors. I love wearing bright colors, especially on foggy days in SF. Sometimes I seem to be the only one walking around the city in colors. We are having beautful, sunny weather and it looks like it will be like this for the week atleast!

Carlene said...

Oh, I just love your place, and all those colors are just great. I wish you could come over and redo my place, it's very beige and dull right now.

annechovie said...

I think it would be amazing if you painted your entry hall that hot pink! I did a raspberry pink strie' glaze on my walls a few years ago and never regretted it! The warmth and cheer it gave were not disappointing.

all*over*print said...

I'm a textile designer and a colorist,love your blog!

Diana @ So Fash'on said...

yes! lovely looks! love bright colors!

modest-goddess said...

Style on a Budget is one of my favorite decorating books. I bought it from a used book store after repeatedly borrowing it from the library. I love the modern/feminine/flea market look. Its so much more fun than a room that is 100% one style