Turquoise Hungarian Home

House of Turquoise reader, Noemi, shows her lovely home in Budapest, Hungary. Noemi's blog, Kedvenc Otthon   is beautiful as well. I love this art she has using Casamance London wallpaper. Imagine, making a wallpaper panel, and on the other side, you could have a totally different color. You could switch it around and switch out a few accessories to suit your mood when ever the fancy strikes. What color fancy are you in right this second?

Soft Yellow Accents

I meet a lot of people that are scared of yellow. But, it is a very versatile color that could transform any room! Using a soft, creamy version in small doses may give your room a hint of sunshine and whimsy. It may be your missing link! So, try it out with some flowers, a small figurine, a frame, a few pillows or a chair. You may be surprised at the impact it can bring. And if you don't like it, no harm done, just slipcover the pillows or use spray paint to change the color on any figurines you find.

In liz of say yes to hoboken's room above, she does it perfectly. I have been eyeing that artwork for a while now too from artists kiki and polly and tushtush's naomi print.

Brooke of playing grown up turned this boring folding screen into an amazing turquoise headboard with lots of sanding and a few coats of paint. Typography pillows from urban outfitters. Love the yellow paring, it really brings a subtle warmth to the room. Any other color would change the look entirely, making it stark and bold.

 Cheap wall art from Tidy Mom. She hung a square of burlap on the wall behind a pretty frame, painted a paper mache letter and nailed it to the wall. Easy! The creamy, pale yellow roses add a sweet touch of sunshine to the aqua walls and dark wood. I love the tri balance of the turquoise, the wall, the bird figurine and the mason jar holding the pens.

 

Christie Chase made these unique and cherry tables for a friend's patio. She started off with some rather interesting vases, added two plywood circles with gorilla glue, then sanded and painted them. Design Sponge shows Christie's gorgeous, yellow and gray home here. The following two images of her rooms are perfect.

The frame wall isn't overbearing when the size of the prints are surrounded by light mats. I love the wall color! It really adds sophistication to the room. The yellow and gray pillows add that soft touch of floral and color.

I could live in this picture. Her guest room is cozy and functional. Yellow and green accessories can be changed at any time and the room will take on a whole new meaning with it's white, gray and natural bones.

This room's bright chartruese wall paint won't work everywhere, but is perfect here. Softened by the white furniture and grand fireplace mantle, the color is brought through the room with an accent pillow. The zebra print rug and black geometric prints work because the furniture lines are clean and modern. domino

This ruffled white table cloth with lemony yellow chairs and flowers are the epitome of sweetness. If lemon meringue pie could be a room, this would be it. The ruffles are even brought in with the plates, cake platter and even the striped straw creates an almost ruffled illusion! indoor sweets picnic table from country living

Love yellow interior inspirations? Visit subtle sunshine here, the influence of color here  sfgirlbybay's yellow bit road here,  simple and true accessory ideas here and orange vs yellow aqua lovers here

White, Black, Gray & Paint

dining room ~ in the fun lane

One day, coming up soon (as in before it gets too hot), I would love, LOVE to paint my wood furniture. We have an armoir, tv stand, kitchen table with 4 chairs, large desk with hutch and two dressers.We would let the boys stay at grandma's for the weekend (okay, maybe 2 weekends) and just do a paint marathon for 2 days straight! I love the suggestions on Shabby Chic Furniture on preparing the wood, to use water and sugar soap to clean the furniture as regular cleaner can keep the paint from sticking. Holly of In the Fun Lane has some of the best painting advice out there.

black table  via Veranda

 dresser painted black over a red glaze ~ bhg kids rooms

I am considering going black with the kitchen tables and chairs. There is a large burn hole from a small fire on the table that will need to be filled and layers of wax from small details. Reading this advice forum on redoing kitchen tables make me balk, so we'll see...

 white hutch ~ in the fun lane

white night stand end table ~in the fun lane

But what about the rest? I have a find love of all white distressed wood ever since I grew to love antique malls and seeing the vintage pie safes in all of the layers of peeling paint, some with even 4 or 5 different colors peeking out from underneath!

my house of giggles gray hutch makeover

gray painted captains bench ~ life in the fun lane

Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic

But, the more I see grey, the more I grow to love it. It's not to light, not to dark, it has an urban county chic appeal and can pair most any color I choose to decorate with.

Maybe, I will do a mix of white, grey and black. What do you think? Do you mix and match your furniture? Do you prefer light or dark? I like how she keeps some of the natural colors with the painted pieces.

white dresser with caster feet and natural wood chair ~ in the fun lane

white dining room with natural chair ~ in the fun lane

As a note, I love natural wood and stain, especially mid century modern pieces,  but trust me, none of our furniture is lookin so hot for that right now, though I do think that maybe a few chairs would look neat! I do need to get two more for the ends of our table anyways...

Colorful Creative Farmhouse

Have you ever seen Kelly Rae's colorful Seattle farmhouse on Apartment Therapy? You can read the interview and see more photos here. It's truly wonderful. Even if it is too colorful for your taste, there is some inspiration to be shared here, that adding whimsical touches of vintage linens, or other treasures can add a spot of character anywhere.

Kelly Rae Roberts is an artist with a book called Taking Flight as well, whose home truly reflects her creative spirit. Her use of bright colors is softened by their reustic distressing and natural colors.

The floors are a light wood, soft colored walls with  crisp white trim, soft air filtering white curtains, lots of white painted furniture and natural greenery makes the space look comfortable and eclectic without feeling cartoon-y. She has a perfect blend of whimsical touchs and vintage collections like her wall letter, alarm clocks, globes, suitcases, tins, floral linens, frames... I adore her use of quirky furniture elements like her wonderful blue church pew. What a fun treasure!

Pops of Muted Color

pickles... how to make it here

I thought I would be in spring time color mode by now, but given we just had several inches of snow fall (in Texas) no less, I'm still not feelin' it.  Easter pastels, (I can't believe I'm saying this) let's wait a few more days.  But, pops of colors in muted, unforced tones are an excellent transition for me.

I love the above wreath, covered in wool felted balls. You can make your own from a kit, or purchase premade balls or learn how to do it from pickle's instructions (and while your at it, make that wonderful curtain as well!). The sewn mini colorful garland decorating the moose skull is also lovely.

johnny & stacie sfgirlbybay

The home of johnny and stacie, is a bit of perfection to me. It's open, not overly cluttered but a distinct sense of creativity and wonder resides here. Which is no wonder given that it is located in an artistic warehouse turned residential space. The backdrop of the neutral colors, beams and bones of the home and furniture allow for chamleon growth in both color and decor choices over the natural course of living in the space. We can create similar vibes with our homes if we so choose.

this pink dinosaur painting speaks to me.

Besides, how could a home with a swing in the living room not be wonderful?

Living in such a naturally colorful space would perhaps make one dress in similar muted colors, as though the fashion osmosis has seeped in to your mind by simply walking through the door.

curry necklace by urban legend

What a lovely necklace. The combination of it's elegant drape and muted colors work perfectly with the black and white printed blouse and lovely ruffle edged muted lime green shrug! And that's saying a lot from a fellow jewelry designer who primarily wears grey (and who also, loves Indian curry).

Mantel DIY Headboard

Apartment Therapy (how to with pictures)

I love old antique firplace mantles, as you can see in my previous post about mantle decorating! As one who frequents antique malls, I run across them regularly. Some are quite inexpensive, others are pretty costly.  Whatever your budget, you can find one that meets your needs. Here are a few examples as well as links to how to's on these projects. Foam, batting, fabric, staple gun or nails, nail studs and paint are a few of the easy supplies needed to make a mantel headboard of your own.

Chicago Home Mag

Traditional Home Magazine via House of Turquoise

Maison Reve via Marley & Lockyer

Sunset (plus other headboard ideas)

Apartment Therapy

Mew Paper Arts (how to with pictures)

Blue Creek Home (how to with pictures)

Niesz Vintage Headboard (how to)

Martha Stewart (how to)

A Fanciful Twist

Coastal Living

Gail's Decorative Touch

Southern Living (how to with pictures)