The long gray winter in Seattle is showing signs of easing. With that in mind I walked to Pike’s Market just to flower gaze.  If you have visited you know about the amazing fresh flower vendors but if not I share some of them in this post.  The beautiful flowers brought color combinations to mind, fabrics to coordinate and rooms for those colors.

FIRST THE TULIPS

MY TULIP COLOR COMBINATION

Benjamin Moore:Bed of Roses 1318;Easter Ribbon 1381;Sun Blossom 149

FABRICS TO COMPLEMENT from Kravet

Who could be glum surrounded by such color and pattern? While you might use these colors in a guest bedroom with bath suite, girls bedroom or sunroom, it’s obvious that the room would be inviting and colorful. To avoid a feeling of chaos it is useful to maintain symmetry  in the other aspects of the room. By this I mean balance using pairs of objects, furniture and window treatments.

For example, a pair of lamps that are solid colored and repeat one of the favorite colors in the print fabric. The patterned fabric could be repeated at the window and for emphasis the window treatment might have a trim in a solid color too.  The bedcoverings are a wonderful opportunity to become creative and imaginative combining patterns, colors, shapes, trims and textures. Imagine a tufted, upholstered headboard against the solid colored wall. Not the same color but one with some nuance to all the other colors in the room.  A dust ruffle will complete the bedcoverings and unify the room statement.

A pair of  chairs is another opportunity for balance and symmetry.  When I use floral fabrics I often use a slipcover on the chairs.  It communicates a casual, comfortable feeling to the room especially if the cushion includes down fill in the seat.   A wallcovering is another option in a solid color to finish the room rather than paint.  On the wall and floor a solid color acts like an anchor to contain the mix of colors and pattern. An area rug can also be used if hardwood floors are present. Some loop and texture in the carpet or rug will feel great underfoot and also add texture and interest to the overall emotion communicated by the colors and patterns.

These colors and patterns bring the outdoors in, not just after a long gray winter but all year long.  They are a boost to our spirits.

Michael Smith says, “Pattern is a shortcut to emotion. It has all these memories, of a place or a period or a particular dress your mother or grandmother wore. It has tremendous power over us”.