The best way to describe my style would probably be "vintage modern". I have a question about mixing colors. I'm developing a palette and want to know if you can mix (throughout the home) browns, blacks and grays or would that look bad. Of course it wouldn't be in each room. Maybe one a yellow and gray. Another brown and creams, another black, white and lime green...You get the idea. I'm aware of the fact that I "can" do whatever I want but anyone out there done this as a professional decorator? Any tips to make it work better? Thanks so much for your help!
Have you ever heard of Maria Killam? She writes a blog that focuses on color and how best to use and mix it. I enjoy seeing pictures of her suggestions, have written to her at times: www.mariakillam.com. Enjoy!
I like to mix neutrals: browns, blacks and grays with a pop of color like red or blue. My background is in architecture so I've played with color alot. You can get color swatches at a paint store. Put them together in a way that looks good to you, or find a decorator whose work you like and pay her for an hour or two to help you put together a color palette. Another thing you can do is go online, look at artwork, find something you love in the colors you want to use in your house. Buy the print as a starting point for your decor. Or make a copy to use as inspiration as you choose your colors. Look at some decorating books. Pottery Barn has a series, it's available at our library and may be at yours, too.
I have the same style as you. I would suggest you look at two of my favorite blogs who also go by this same style.
http://www.sfgirlbybay.com
http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com
As for me, I do a lot of gray and white. Then I add in colors depending on my mood for the time being. Right now, it's a robin's egg blue, with some pale yellows and purple, but I usually keep my staples of greys/browns/cream... here is a recent pic I took of a small sitting area in my home:
http://littlelovables.blogspot.com/2012/05/homefront-vivi...
I think any palette could work or be tied into a flow. It depends on the pieces you choose. Do you have links to any of the things in the colors you are mentioning?
Are the rooms bedrooms or rooms like, kitchen, dining room, great room, etc...?
