I was reading Rita Konig’s column in the Wall Street Journal the other day where she was discussing the current vogue for bright hues.
“It is funny how during the moneyed years of the ’90s everything was so chic—a bland, porridge-y mixture of oatmeal and flaxen tones. As the wealth evaporated, it seems that we turned to colour; I find that we all generally care a little less about how perfectly chic our houses are and more about how bright, comfortable and soulful they are”.
Too right – and yet so many of us still haven’t converted – the beige haze of blandness still lives on. Nothing zings outs everything matches and looks (love the term Rita) porridge-y.I am wondering if its because its scary – people come into my store all the time and say they love it but in the same breath how they wouldn’t have a clue to getting the look. Yes you need a bit of bravery but colour is the most transformative thing you can do to your interior – its mood enhancing, it adds depth, character, intrigue, and sophistication – (I could go on but fear I will bore you).
You don’t have to apply it to walls (I would so encourage you to but you don’t have to) as you will see from Rita’s apartment below the furnishings and the accessories are the colourful pieces. Every time I walk though my door I get that feeling of squishy contentment as if I have just slurped a double whisky – living in a beige haze just wouldn’t have the same effect on me. Colour reflects who I am, it adds intrigue, it zings it brings my rooms to life and I encourage everyone to overdose on it!
Photograph by Johnny Miller for the Wall Street Journal
I couldn’t agree with you more, Abigail. Colour is the essence of life! I would be so happy in a space like that you have shown, it is delightful! You’re right, so many are still scared of this colourful eclectic look and instead opt for a safe matchy-matchy (boring) style… I hope the colour bug catches on more and we see people being braver!
God, i certainly hope your right about colour! I have just convinced my boyfreind to paint our bedroom deepest charcoal…everyone is telling me how dark it will be! i prefer the term dramatic! Was totally inspired by your book, so fingers crossed i can get the look! Thanks for the inspiration! x
I love the books she has piled up on every surface. We’ve got the same cascading piles (albeit unintentionally) in ours, and The Man is constantly groaning, ‘We MUST do something about this mess!’ Try as I might, I can’t seem to convince him of their merits. Perhaps a photo like this will do the trick? Love the colors, too. I still see ‘porridge-y’ remnants in the Pottery-Barn mini-mall crowd back home and it drives me up the wall!
I agree and think that although most people like to perceive themselves as being chic, most often the reality for many is that they are conservative and therefore afraid of change especially in their homes. Yet somehow I believe that the porridge-y crutch you are so right about is slowly loosing its favor.
Yay! Go the colour! Warm, rich and wild! It makes a space so much more exciting to be in ~ and releases a plethora of emotions.