One Color, Infinite Ideas

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!

[caption id="attachment_5122" align="aligncenter" width="338" caption="Local photographer, Kurt Rogers, captures San Francisco so beautifully"][/caption]

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!

[caption id="attachment_5136" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="I've shown this room before. Steven Gambrel's monochromatic schemes amaze me."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_5135" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Another Steven Gambrel special"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_5132" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="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!"][/caption]