Tuesday, April 12, 2011

A Pleasing Palette

I've been looking for a little something to shake up my dining room for a while. With our open floorplan home, it's the first room you see as you enter and it's also visible from our family room/living room. The walls are a grayish-blue, and the chairs and rug are very neutral. Recently, I've also added rusty orange velvet curtains. However, I keep thinking it needs (or wants) something else. Well, the other day, I just happened to buy some lavender mums and stuck them in my fish vase, and voila . . . thunderbolt.
Mr. Fish eating lavender mums. Not the best photo of the walls and curtains.
That's it. Lavender with the blue and orange would be so lovely.

Then I went for some inspiration. First, Katie Ridder. I've always loved this room featured in Elle Decor.

And, of course, the Frank Babb Randolph-designed home in the April Veranda knocked my socks off. Wonder if I could steal that painting? The homeowner is the artist, he could make another one in no time.
Photo via Full House
Palmer Weiss has a similar color scheme going on but with a more vivid blue and less orange, but inspiring nonetheless.

Lulu de Kwiatkowski's kid's room has the same colors going on . . . pale blue and neutral with pops of orange and lavender in the art.
Then, for some reason, I kept finding things on eBay that had the same color palette.
Who doesn't love a little Oushak and in lavender, no less. Although, it looks kind of mauve here.
A Peter Max print. Very groovy.
Love vintage Vera scarves. She used such great colors and graphics.

Now, where was I hoping to inject this little bit of lavender (besides the mums), you ask? Well, there's always the option of lamps. A little 1st Dibs dreaming here . . .
1950's Murano Lamps
Or maybe these . . . they're a few thousand cheaper. No need to blow the budget, even if I'm dreaming.
More 1950's Murano Lamps
Another option would be on the seat cushions of my side chairs. They're the same neutral fabric as the host and hostess chairs, and I've often thought of changing them but could never decide on a fabric. 
Blahville
I've thrown a million swatches on these chairs. This one has sat here for a while. 
Don't judge. I know everyone is "over" Chiang Mai Dragon, and that it was considered trendy for the longest time. Well, I still like it. I don't care if that makes me boring. And, it does look nice with the walls and the curtains, but alas it has no lavender. Does anyone know of a fabric that could pull it all together . . . a little blue, a little orange, a little lavender? This is a tall order, I know.

Oh, and I have some plans for the curtains too - they're a little plain Jane right now. I've been thinking a little Greek Key trim would dress them up nicely. Maybe in the pale blue?
Greek Key trim from M&J Trimming
So am I crazy for liking this color combination? It's okay, I may change my mind tomorrow . . .

10 comments:

Ashley said...

First, I love that this post is label "ADD". And that Ebay rug? I'd go for it. Love the idea of adding the Greek key trim to your curtains. Perhaps a very abstract, watercolor-esque print for the chairs (sorry, I know that's no help without a specific pattern).

Danika Herrick said...

I love that combo! Currently sprinkling it all over my house. It feels so summery.
PS, I have the same lamps in your first picture, love them! Oh, and blue ikat dibs are yours if you want.

Aimee@ the Functional Space said...

Love that combination! It's very fresh. The greek key ribbon on the orange curtains is going to be Gorg-eous!!

Bri@Meyouandawiener said...

Guuuuuurl I saw an awesome lavender murano-ish lamp on craigslist! I need to find you the link and sent it your way.

Kim@Chattafabulous said...

Carry on with it - sounds beautiful! And your girl Bri is on it - it's gonna happen!

designchic said...

Great color scheme...love the Greek key braid and those Murano lamps...stunning!!

Kim said...

I would never have thought of that color scheme, but I really like it!! And I love that fish vase filled w/the mums like that.

Lori @ Lori May Interiors said...

Love the ideas! Wouldn't it be great if you could cover the chair seats with that beautiful Vera scarf!

Anonymous said...

I think you should go for the sample you have on the chairs. Then maybe you could add a couple of lavender pillows in the hostess chairs. I don't think the lavender has to be in any other fabric or piece in the room. It looks really good as an accent or pop of color.

nelya said...

I think this color combination is sublime. I am totally hung up on lavender right now. A friend of mine painted her entry ceiling the palest lilac/lavender and it is phenomenal. I love your idea of reupholstering the side chairs with a fabric that marries this palette.