Posted by Frenchic Admin
Bold colors, patterns and plants
A colorful home isn’t the same as a chaotic home. When you repeat shades, balance patterns and include plants in your plan, the result is calming, even with lots of color. So what is too much?
Colorful doesn’t always mean chaotic or unsettling
Many people think a bold color "shouts" and is automatically "too much." In reality, a colorful room can be the most inviting and relaxing of all when shades are used thoughtfully.
The basic idea is simple:
-
Choose a clear color palette
-
Repeat your palette across different surfaces, furniture and textiles
-
Instead of constantly adding new colors, add more of the same shade, texture, layers and depth
Repetition brings balance to the overall look
If green is repeated in slightly different shades on the kitchen cabinets, chairs and textiles, the overall look feels intentional, not accidental.
You could do the same with, for example:
- Different shades of blue: Duckling, Scotch Mist and Jitterbug
-
Warm clay and brown shades: Salt of The Earth, Dangerous Dave and Donkey Derby
-
Soft gray-greens: Steaming Green, Maveric and Shush
It’s easy to put together your own micro-palette from Frenchic shades and build your home around it, one room at a time. The Color Guide magazine is a great tool for jotting down notes and observations.
Patterns are friends, not enemies
Patterns can seem intimidating, but they follow the same logic as colors.
A few simple rules:
-
Give your patterns a color in common, for example, a hint of a similar green in each one
-
Combine large and small patterns, not just large ones
-
Pair one bolder pattern with a simpler one
If your wallpaper is bold, keep the sofa more understated.
Plants, the best-kept secret in interior design!
Plants are almost a decorating cheat code:
- You can place plants wherever you like, as long as you make sure they get the light they need, even in darker periods. Don't be afraid of large plants. They bring atmosphere to a space.
-
Plants soften hard surfaces, such as tile or stone.
-
Plants add height and layers. Raise them up using platforms and pedestals.
-
Plants naturally break up large areas of color.
-
Plants bring in green, which goes with almost any shade.
If you feel that a colorful room seems a little restless, add a few plants before repainting everything. If real plants don't thrive in the space, confidently choose an artificial plant, for example for a balcony or bathroom. Artificial plants today are already high quality and realistic-looking. Studies also show that the appearance of artificial plants can evoke positive feelings in our brains.
Even if the rest of the room isn't quite right yet, plants instantly make it feel more finished and thoughtfully put together.
And best of all, you don't need to agonize over shades or undertones, and you can avoid wondering, “Is this too much?”
Quiet patterns and surfaces
Not everything needs to be bold. There are also so-called quiet patterns, such as:
-
Woven textiles, jute, rattan and linen, marble, and natural stone patterns
-
Subtle raised patterns; in microcement or concrete finishes, wallpaper, and moldings
Subtle textures bring life to a space without stealing attention from the most important elements.
A colorful home can feel calm, warm, and inviting when you let colors, patterns, and plants interact instead of competing for attention.
If you want to see what others have painted, join our Facebook group: Frenchic Paint Finland.
