The magic of fabric!

Whether it is a neutral scheme like the first,or the neutral scheme like the last, or bold colors in between offset by natural linen ground, the colors and textures, fabric scale and content all contribute to an amazing collection! The first all neutral scheme says a calm and sophisticated romantic bedroom or formal living room.  The second linen, chartreuse, turquoise scheme speaks coastal family room!  The classic blue and white floral with blue chenilles makes for a bright casual living room.  Now the cool warm neutral floral combined with the slight shimmering gold, ivory plaid in cottons and linens are offset by the cool cotton woven fisherman's knit that would make an amazing sofa paired with the silk cotton chenille stripe that marries all the colors in the floral.  This would make a great room anywhere!  Which one do you identify with?

A Natural Inspiration

Here is a photo I took the other day at around 2:30 in the afternoon after a soft rain.  Look at the color inspiration here!!  This is a color scheme begging to be translated into a room or an entire home!  The assorted browns are obvious.  Flooring, larger pieces of furniture offer the sleekness and richness of brown.  Greens are window treatments and wall color.  Greys are stainless steel accents such as tables or more literally actual stone in a fireplace!  Deep purple and orange are wonderful accent colors that could be showcased in art, florals, pillows and accessories.  This could be a subtle or bold scheme depending on the saturation of color used.  For a spa like quiet feel add gray hues to soften each color. 
The lesson here is not to be afraid of color, IF you know what you are doing with it.  A purpose is required of course.  It is all in the way color is combined, how intense and knowing when and where to punch it up.  Texture can not be ignored with this inspiration either!  Look at the smooth bark, the chunky stone, the wavy ivy ground cover, whispy grass and lacey branches.  There is a balance among the massive variety so perfectly provided in nature.  Don't be overwhelmed, just look outside for your inspirations.  It is all there before you.  Translation is the key and sometimes requires an expert eye to make the transition from the natural environment to your home environment.