Color 2022 Outside to Inside Inspiration

Wow, what a journey the last 2 years have been and we still aren’t back to pre-pandemic “normal”, which is a blessing and a curse. As we emerge from our cocoons, where we have lived, played, and worked, we've grown weary of the former trend of minimal tones and colors in our homes. The new trend we see with our clients, in the interior design industry at large, as well as in fashion, is people are ready for change, cheer, and a refresh, pops of color and texture. This would be a blessing. The curse, of course, we aren’t back to “normal” thus the supply chain issues are slowing us down to refurbish, but that’s another story. 

Our theme for 2022 is COLOR, finally.

Maximalism, a term I used in a recent Instagram post, explains the trend. Maximalist rooms are artfully decorated with a “more is more” philosophy, whether this involves displaying an expansive collection, mixing and matching a variety of colors and patterns, or filling a wall with artwork. As designer Chad Graci says, “Maximalism wants bold, bold, bold”. Dec. 2, 2021. As designer Linda Dooney says bold but “Not Clutter”. 

While I don’t think we will move to the overabundance of the Victorian age nor do I think minimalism is dead. I see a balanced trend of both. Less is more but it doesn’t need to be gray. 

Selecting a color for a room can be hugely overwhelming for most people. I love to draw inspiration from mother nature and her wonderful splendor of varying colors or shades of color in a body of water, woodlands, the beach, etc…

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Looking back on my travel photos I remain in awe of the spectacularly defined colors in nature. The deep satin blues are complimented by the snow-capped mountains and floating glaciers in Glacier Lake, Alaska. It’s breathtaking. I honestly can not get enough of this photo. Imagine using the combination of these colors, tones, and values in your home.

Farrow and Ball: School House White + Inchyra Blue

This bathroom design is the perfect example of an Alaskan nature scene. The half-blue wall contrasting with the half-white wall painting style replicates the snow-capped mountains with the porcelain white sink being a floating glacier. It’s a clean look.

Farrow and Ball: Inchyra Blue and All White

Here we see the combination of Inchrya blue with a cool white also very effective in this living room, in addition to the other design elements like the mid-century modern gold ceiling fixture reflected in the round gold framed mirror, the painted white mantel, white upholstery, and tabletop.  Please remember to add flowers & green plants to your rooms. Emotionally it's  uplifting, easy to decorate, and relatively inexpensive in the scheme of things. Great design.

Clarke & Clarke Lusso 2 Collection

When working with these rich satin blues there’s an opportunity to play with textures and patterns. You can even find an entire collection like the Lusso 2 Collection by Clarke & Clarke.

I saw this vignette at the Mitchell Gold showroom before completing this blog, how fortuitous. Serene. ​

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Another magnificent landscape I am absolutely inspired by is the Aspens in Colorado. The bold pops of yellow contrasted by a beautiful cobalt blue sky, complemented by the white, brown, and gray textured bark of the tall aspen trees on a foundation of soft & crisp leaves.

Designer Michelle Gerson using Gracie Wallpaper

This design by Michelle Gerson reminds me of that scene in  Aspen. White walls, silver mirrors, and wood-textured tables, contrasted with the next room decorated in a blossoming cherry tree-designed wall cover by Gracie, giving us that bright, bold yellow golden pop. Silver, white, black, and gold is a bold choice that directly mimics the Aspen palette.

Taken from @schumacher1889, wallcovering “Kubilai’s Tent” by  Iksel Decorative Arts @iksel_decorative_arts

This design reminds me of the aspen trees or any trees for that matter. The color palette of a forest; is green, white, brown, and gold. With the vertical striped lines of the wall covering, trees, rise out of the horizontal plane of the wainscotting. Let's go glamping, right here!

Designer Pete Pennoyer using @Schumacher1889

A pop of yellow complements other colors too, like navy blue. Whatever you choose, make it striking like the Aspens in autumn.​

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Back in Alaska! Just look at the crisp, clean beauty of the red canoe against the vibrant clear lake reflecting green trees and blue skies with a pop of white and red. This photo captures the serene essence of beautiful bodies of water. The perfect ratio of exciting colors like red with the serenity of blue softly moving from one shade to another.

Designer Katie Ridder @katieridderinc using @schumacher1889

Reminiscent of the lake scene, however slightly more electric. Love the contrast of blue against yellow, of varying shades, with a pop of red. This is a combination of colors and mix of furnishings & finishes from different styles; fabric covered “Chinese” styled lanterns, traditional floor lamps and chintz-covered lounge chairs, large paintings in glass, tailored window treatments-linen colored Romans with deep navy panels, to finish off with the contemporary sinuous accent tables. This looks like a happy room to me.

Designer Amanda Travers Nisbet @amandanisbet

Need I say more. See the lacquered walls reflecting the other colors in the room. You may say this is too much for me. The idea is not to incorporate or mimic every element into your space but to pull away from the inspiration for mixing color and texture. Don’t be afraid to go for it. If you can see it in nature you can see it in your home.  Water photography is a good way to incorporate water elements into the home.  Blue is the color of serenity. Water is serenity.
The most authentic way to achieve that reflective water look is to lacquer your walls making the room shine in royal blue. This room feels infinite like the depths of the ocean. Truly a unique and bold interior design style.

Designer Danielle D Rollins @danielledrollins

Where there is water…there is usually a loaded bar. A great design and great use of upholstery. Also playing with texture using fabric, stone, and painted cabinetry. The red bar bumper contrasted with the blue cabinetry like our canoe. This is not a new bar but definitely interesting, inviting, and a conversation piece.

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I love the beach. One night while strolling the beach I was struck by the colors of this beautiful sunset. With the last 10 years focused more on modern minimalism these cotton candy colors haven’t been seen very much in interior design. Pinks are not always a fan favorite and some of us break out in hives when we hear the word MAUVE. But you will be seeing more of these colors. Even if you hate pink appreciate this sunset for what it is, a wonderful blending of soft color, reflection, and almost spiritual. When I posted this photo on FB the reaction was, is this a real photo? My team and I did lots of scrolling to find designs that nearly copy this heavenly palette.

Taken from @farrowandball, Photographer @thiscolourfulnest

Perfect color combo muted rose for a child’s room. With a mix of pastel colors, you can really make the room feel whimsical. The scalloped painted wall design and the organic chair lines also give a great representation of free-form clouds.

Taken from @farrowandball, Designer @urban_blueprint

Simple and sophisticated. You can make your bedroom look like the sunset with this color palette.

Taken from @farrowandball, Designer @janeshomejournal

No matter what your favorite landscape scenery is, I guarantee you can bring its color palette into your home. Have fun with it. Be bold and daring. Incorporate pops of color.  Be sure to work with your local designer to bring those magical styles to your home.