This book, Monochrome, has been huge inspiration. Here are a few more amazing rooms that might inspire you too!
Paula Rice Jackson compiled some of the most elegant, subtle and sophisticated rooms expertly done in one color. But your room doesn't have to be high end to look amazing...
Another Saladino special: classic and opulent, but the honey tones and raw wood give the room a casual and comfortable feel
Cheery yellow and burlap make for a sweet library for anyone looking for a good read
Saladino designed these pieces. You'll see versions of them in most of his interiors
You probably thought we were done with this little pillow, but no! Let’s tackle this monochromatic thing from the other direction and focus on the sage green background of our little bolster.
Funny enough, I’m finishing up a green bedroom where this pillow would fit beautifully (that wasn’t planned- I swear!). Wish I could show you the finished photos, but we’re still waiting for the custom duvet. You’ll be the first to know when it’s all ready. ‘Til then, here’s the plan:
I chose a tall curvy headboard to create a focul point for this oddly shaped room. Placed in front of busy built-ins the piece will also help the room feel more spacious and tidy
Dark mossy green will to cover the headboard to set off the walls and lighter fabrics
This fabric inspired the color scheme and style for this room. This will be the duvet (you'll see the sample of this in some of the photos)
Fresh lemon green paint for the walls and built-ins will bring out all of the green hues in the duvet fabric
Pale blue gray on the ceiling to expand the space and soften the edges. TIP: the lower ceiling over the bay window gets the wall color to- say it with me- keep the focus on the headboard!
This piece may be neutral but it's not plain. The creamy colors keeps the room light and airy while the architectural details mimick the nooks and crannies of the room and relate to the rug
Soft roman shades to dress up the bay window without distracting from the headboard
Recognize this rug? I included it in yesterday's saffron monochromatic scheme. It looks fantastic in this room too!
Here’s a sneak peek at the progress…
Bad photos (sorry!), but you’ll notice that most of the accessories are green or white. The headboard fills a tight awkward space make the room feel more spacious. The fabric draped over the pillows is for the duvet. Can’t wait to get it back from the seamstress!
Grouping 'like' objects and playing with variations of green keeps these built ins from looking cluttered. The look is personal, but the focal point is still the curvy headboard.
Cream and pale green stand out on this black marble top dresser. And the mixture of texture and scale give this vignette an unfussy feel
The small gray chair is upholstered in gray linen relates to the texture and color of the linen duvet, and the color connects to the marble dresser top.
Okay, we’re going to tackle a monochromatic scheme for your home. Start with a room of your choosing. I’ll start with this one:
I like the dark floors, black window trim, and hefty molding in this cozy room. The view isn't horrible either.
Got your inspiration piece? Take a good look at it and jot down the defining points like color, style, look, feel. They don’t have to technically correct, just describe the piece to help you define your theme.
I’ll demonstrate with this bolster (below) I found on Jayson Home and Garden. Saffron and sage in color, it has a vintage feel that’s exotic, rustic and elegant. I’m immediately drawn to the architectural pattern and contrast between the smooth background and raised tapestry yarn.
What is rustic elegance anyway?
It’s classic and luxurious with the patina of time as if it sat in a sunny window over the years. It’s still beautiful but maybe a bit faded or worn. Rustic elegance implies a rich opulent past softened by age that makes it feel less formal, more comfy in the present.
Anywayyy, this looks like it belongs to a sophisticated, well-traveled person (let’s pretend that’s me, shall we?). May seem like a difficult color to work with, but almost immediately I found a few more treasures to go in our room…
Contrasting a clean lined sofa with casual exotic pillows adds gives the room a comfy inviting feel…
Another Jayson Home and Garden piece, this ottoman's a clean mid-century feel works well with the sofa and the antiqued brass frame relates to the rustic pillows. See how relating the pieces without matching creates a yummy eclectic room that draws you in?
This luminous painting of San Francisco by local artist Jeremy Mann would be stunning over the sofa. The deep amber tones and black shadows add depth, contrast and drama
I think you see where I'm going with this vintage leather chair with amber warm wood and brass details...
Sherwin-Williams Eastlake Gold is so dramatic and warm. It's perfect for our golden palette and well-traveled feel.
A fluffy flokati rug from Anthropologie keeps with our exotic theme and adds softness (both in color AND texture) to balance out the darker points
But you could use this vintage suzani tapestry on the floor to keep the feel dark and mysterious. You could also use this versatile piece as a throw on the ottoman or a wall hanging. OR use it on the entry floor to introduce the color scheme early.
Add a clean architectural piece like this bookcase and super modern art piece like a brass or stone sculpture for an amazing finish…
Love this galvanized book shelf with the books placed inside out to reveal their warmly patinated pages. Found this image on finders keepers blog- love it!
It’s been a spooky warm winter here in the San Francisco Bay Area and I for one feel parched (must be my Oregonian blood)… But it’s raining today!
Local photographer, Kurt Rogers, captures San Francisco so beautifully
Ahhhh, feels like I’m standing by the sink drinking a full glass of water from the faucet in one gulp knowing I’ll fill my cup again as soon as the last drop hits my throat. Californians aren’t known for embracing this weather (you’d think the occasional change in climate would be welcome here!). They call it dreary.
But I see colors come to life and textures jump to the foreground… somehow perspective even seems to get deeper… I love the rain.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right? Take monochromatic interiors, people say they’re flat and boring… like this:
But the good ones look like this!
People end up with one-note rooms simply because they’re afraid to try putting colors together, afraid to mixing patterns and prints… That’s not a monochromatic plan, that’s a fearful plan! Stop, you don’t have to live this way!
Even if you don’t feel brave enough to put colors together, monochromatic schemes can be unique and beautiful because they (the good ones) rely on texture, contrast, and intensity to dress an entire room in one color. A few weeks ago we explored complimentary colors and how to bring them to your home. This week, we’ll take a look at monochromatic color schemes and do the same. So, take a look around your room and grab something that inspires you in terms of color, style, theme… and let’s get started.
In the meantime, here are a few rooms that might get your imagination going. See you tomorrow!
I've shown this room before. Steven Gambrel's monochromatic schemes amaze me.
Another Steven Gambrel special
When the main elements are one color, changing out the accessories can totally transform the space. Imagine this room with a round blue ottoman and green artwork... it would work!
