Is white and gray finally passe? After years of minimalism punctuated by white subway tile, stark white walls, kitchens, and lots and lots of gray, people are finally wanting to bring a little color back into their lives. “Gray has run its course, and it’s time to move on,” says Lindsey Jamison, interior designer, Rumor Designs. “We’re seeing more colors and patterns spicing up interiors.” Jamison says a neutral palate for walls and floors is ideal to be able to play with color and patterns via tiles, paint, wallpaper, rugs, artwork, and furniture choices. “People get intimidated by color and patterns, but we like to recommend it in the initial stages of a project.”
Paint by number.
“Here in the mountains, we tend to use rich greens and blues, more grounded colors than bright colors. People love earth tones because they’re very calming.” Navy blue has been trending, as well as mauve, plum, eggplant and different shades of maroon. “Our designers have been painting 2/3 of a wall one color with the top 1/3 another color in an entire room. We even paint the door, which adds another level of interest. Visually, it looks like a modern-day interpretation of wainscotting.”
Breaking old patterns.
One of the most versatile and exciting ways to update an interior and create layers of texture is with wallpaper. “Some people have negative feelings about wallpaper, but it has come a long way, not only in terms of design but functionality. We hear stories about clients who have had a bad experience with removing wallpaper and will never use it again, but it’s a lot easier to install and remove than it used to be.” In terms of design, wallpaper offers a multitude of ways to bring patterns into a room, even in more subtle ways, through texture. “We’ve worked with wallpaper that has wood chards in it, so it looks like a wood finish, or even feathers that it feels more like fabric,” Jamison says. “There are so many products to choose from, from simple textural wallpaper where it’s not so prominent but adds a level of sophistication, to bolder patterns with geometric and organic shapes, which are really going strong right now.” Jamison says they’ll use wallpaper for accent walls (in lieu of a headboard in a bedroom or behind a bathroom mirror), behind bookshelves, in kid’s rooms, and powder rooms.
There are even mural-like abstract designs that are so sophisticated they are often mistaken for original art. “We use them in entryways or in a long hallway. “I have one in my own house, and people always think it’s a painting. That’s how far these products have come. It’s nothing to be afraid of!”
Each piece makes a whole: tile.
Move over, subway tile! When it comes to the current trends, the possibilities are virtually endless. “There are so many beautiful tiles out there, from concrete and porcelain to hand painted ceramic.” Tile can create drama as a kitchen backsplash or on a bathroom floor. “Tile is always evolving, and people are getting more creative with how to use it, which I love.”
Mixing it up: rugs, throw pillows and other accessories.
A great way to test the waters with colors and patterns is with accessories like rugs, pillows, and artwork. “When it comes to working with patterns, it’s all about scale and size. If you have a large format fabric on one pillow, you want the one next to it to be a pattern in a smaller scale, and then mix in a solid,” Jamison says. “If you have a bold area rug, then maybe the pillows aren’t as bold. With bold wallpaper, you might want a neutral headboard and vice versa. It can’t all be wild.” Another easy way to mix patterns is to use the same color. “You can do a floral, a stripe, and a polka dot,” Jamison says. Finally, artwork is a great way to mix colors and patterns. The artwork itself can introduce color, as can the frame and even the matting. “Don’t avoid color. Give it a try,” Jamison says. “Good design is all about balance.”//rumordesigns.com.
All photography compliments of Rumor Design by David Patterson Photography