Creative inspirations

Learn how color and pattern can bring separate spaces together in unity.

Apropriately enough, the decor for this bedroom started with a sheet. Rich yellow-and-red floral-print sheets and matching bed ensembles emboldened the home-owner to use vibrant colors and patterns in this guestroom. "I always begin a color scheme by using a fabric or print as my inspiration," says the owner.

The result is a bold palette where touches of yellow abound, and yet one look at the walls leaves little doubt that it is red that reigns. The rich paint color helps to tie the room's separate spaces together.

It was important to the home-owner that the two single beds be arranged so that guests can have their own areas, but she still wanted to maintaina cohesive look. Each bed is positioned to take advantage of window views-one at an angle and the other flush with the wall. Bedside tables, lamps, and artwork lend personality, while red walls, patterned bedding, and a kilim rug pull the pieces together. Touches of cream and black mingle with the red. "I love to use small touches of black," says the owner. "I think it helps ground a room."

As a finishing touch, the owner crafted window treatments from the very same sheets that started it all. Follow her lead, and design a room by starting with something that you love. For example, in the bath, draw your color inspiration from a towel. Fill your kitchen with a hue inspired from a favorite china pattern, or paint your living room to match a favorite piece of artwork.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Oct 2003
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