This week I wanted to share something a little different and give some insight into how created cohesion and flow throughout the main living areas of my home. It was a big vision of mine when we moved into our house 3 years ago to make sure all my main living areas had the same style and color scheme to make it look like all one space. Like there was a plan and purpose put into every room. In my house, the foyer, family room, kitchen, and living/dining poker room are all closely connected and I wanted there to be a seamless transition between each one. Of course some of the individual bedrooms/offices have their own style that isn’t exactly the same as the rest of the main spaces, but I was totally cool with them having their own flare.
To achieve this look there were several (6) elements that I made sure I implemented in all of the main living spaces. Here’s an image I created to demonstrate these 6 elements in this one particular space:
- Colors
- Window Treatments
- Paint color
- Hydrangeas
- Black doors/Furniture
- Gold Accents
1. Color
As you know, I’m a huge lover of neutrals which is obviously reflected in most of my spaces. This was the very first decision I made about my downstairs living areas and knew that I wanted them to be mostly neutral with touches of blue. For the neutrals I stuck with beiges, whites, and creams for almost everything. For the accent of blue I wanted to keep the items relatively small and/or cheap so I could easily switch it for another color down the road if I wanted or change it up for different holidays or seasons. For the dining room (pictured above and below) you’ll see all the furniture, walls, and curtains are within my neutral color scheme. My accents of blue include a couple pillows, and a centerpiece vase in the dining room. You’ll see the other spaces below that carry the same neutral and blue color scheme.
2. Window Treatments
All my windows downstairs have the exact same curtains and shades. I have pinch pleat panels from Bed Bath & Beyond in a champagne color along with dark brown bamboo shades that I got at BBB as well. I have dark brown curtain rods with mercury glass finials on all of them as well. This keeps a consistent feel throughout all the spaces.
3. Paint Color
Every single wall in my downstairs connects in some way. It only made sense to paint them all the same. I get lots of questions on the color and it’s Pavillion Beige by Sherwin Williams. I absolutely love it because sometimes it looks beige and sometimes it looks gray. What I like to call greige!
From the 2 story front foyer to the back of the living room, and even continued throughout my upstairs halls, everything is Pavillion Beige.
4. Hydrangeas
If you hadn’t already noticed, hydrangeas are my absolute favorite. I think they are literally in every room of my house (except my laundry room – I actually have peonies!) It may be a little excessive for some, but I adore them and once again it helps connect all the spaces. Getting fresh ones from the grocery store on weekends is my favorite addition to our kitchen island!
5. Black Doors/Furniture
A while back I dedicated an entire post to my beloved black doors. While most everything else in my home is light, and airy, I do love my bold, black doors throughout. They create that “wow factor” and adds character to my otherwise boring, builder grade home. It also helps tie in some of the dark furniture pieces that we own. We had a few of them before we actually moved in this house and it didn’t make sense to spend lots of money buying new pieces. So having the black doors, as well as other dark touches (like the dark bamboo shades & window hardware) really help tie everything together and anchor it.
(My black hallway doors above and my espresso dressers in my bedroom. In my dining room you also saw that my dining table, bar and sideboard/hutch are also all black.)
6. Gold Accents
I’m a sucker for lots of bling and glam, and you definitely can’t miss it throughout my home. Gold is basically my new favorite color (if that even counts) and I have quite a few gold accessories. In my master bedroom below you’ll see a gold starburst mirror (no longer sold at Home Depot), as well as gold and silver mercury glass lamps (Home Goods). The hardware on my dressers are also gold. I have a gold mirror in my front foyer and family room, gold and silver lamps throughout, gold chandeliers, gold light switch plates throughout, and gold mirrors and a chest in my upstairs hallway. I could probably list more, but you get the idea.
Those are the ways I connected the design & flow throughout my home. I hope it was informative and can help some of you who want to achieve the same result in your home. Let me know if you have any questions (or if I left out any sources) and I will be happy to answer. I love hearing from you guys!