An Evolved Autumn Palette
(second swatch from left) and
sheer underdressing in
bittersweet (swatch on left);
patterned pillow fabric
Can you build a room's design and color scheme around one favorite chair, even a burgundy chair spotted with polka dots? You bet! In fact, the easiest way to develop a color scheme is to start with a favorite piece of furniture, a rug, or a fabric.
This palette uses the burgundy from the chair as a launching pad for other autumnal hues -- colors that blend with burgundy, yet distinguish it as the main accent color.
The remainder of the palette is derived from the polka dots on the chair, which are maple, gold, and olive. These colors appear on the walls, blinds, draperies, pillow, and artwork. The sisal rug stays within the gold tones of the palette, with a dark olive border as its accent.
Walls: This scheme uses two paint colors. Three of the walls are painted with a lighter gold hue that was chosen for the window walls they typically appear darker than other walls. The fourth accent wall, is painted with a deeper maple color.
Ceiling: Cool, pale olive at the ceiling makes the room feel taller and more expansive. Crown moldings, painted ivory, give the space additional depth and definition, and soften the abrupt intersection of the ceiling and walls.
Fabrics: Generally, fabrics can be brighter than walls, but should stay within a room's color family. This room includes a double window treatment: A silk outer curtain in topaz (second swatch from left) repeats the maple hue on the accent wall. A sheer undercurtain is in bittersweet, a paler version of topaz that allows the outer curtain to make the stronger statement.
Pattern: Using a patterned fabric, the decorative pillow encompasses all the colors in the palette, plus adds royal blue.
