18 Comments
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Annie's avatar

I LOVE Luis Barragán's work, thank you for sharing--never seen him before! And many of the others you posted are perennial favorites of mine like Marimekko and Dusen Dusen :)

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rRinfantrywife's avatar

My one regret in furniture has been a Grey couch. I keep eyeing a hot pink couch that I know I should have bought instead...Elle woods would approve;)

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Katie Elliott's avatar

I have two mid century wood framed chairs that I recovered in hot pink velvet when I got them year ago. No regrets.

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rRinfantrywife's avatar

I did have a chair reupholstered in a teal and white octopus print. the upholsterer thought i was crazy- and then every other woman that walked into his shop asked if it was for sale.. haha:) by the way- enjoying your substack:)

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Sierra Berman's avatar

Same! What was I thinking!

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Barton Smith's avatar

I’m constantly amazed at how well Schoolhouse works with color. I was just shopping for items last night, so it was nice to wake up to this post :)

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Katie Elliott's avatar

Thank you so much...that is so nice to hear. Did you find anything you like last night?

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Barton Smith's avatar

I’m grabbing a cobalt and chrome Yves tray, and waiting for my partner’s decision on the Melissa Lakey’s prints and Grid Stitch pillow!

We’ve been trying to introduce color and various finishes while still keeping with our love of natural/neutral/calm.

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Katie Elliott's avatar

Great choices so far. The Melissa Lakey prints are really special. I love them even more after my trip to Utah desert. I'm glad I could give you a little inspriation/nudge to add some color!

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Jay Schumann's avatar

Nice piece Katie! Oh and that Pendleton Canebrake throw, is a real beauty for sure.

One of my very favorite color realities is its subjectivity to the personal human eye, and others objectivity v. its pure atomic science. My new favorite thing is making grays out of complements. Oh and if we ever get out of the planning department our remodel front exterior wall is going to be, a green stucco and Core-Ten an homage to the desert.

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Katie Elliott's avatar

Hi! I thought about this a lot when we were in Utah. Poeple who grow up there surrounded by red rocks must intrinsically have a different relationship with color than people who live in PNW surrounded by evergreen trees. The science is beyond me but it's hard to imagine it wouldn't have a lasting effect. Good luck with the planning department...I hope they let you realize your desert garden dreams.

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Zoei Gig's avatar

5 years ago I was in the market for a new couch. White felt like the safer option but my heart wanted a greenish yellow color, the company called it Wasabi. My husband pushed me toward the wasabi color and years later its grounding point in all of my home decor. It almost feels neutral, like wood at this point despite its brightness. It looks lovely with buttery pale yellows, blues, bright reds, dark browns, medium browns and even some pinks.

Anyway, thank you for sharing. This piece reminded me of my couch.

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LF's avatar

I bought my husband (an amateur painter) that dictionary of color for his birthday this year! It is so inspiring! Color = therapy!

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Leigh Weingus's avatar

There are so many helpful tips here! I'm moving soon (to an apartment in NYC that's slightly bigger than my current apartment) and hoping to create a kids' play space for my daughters that's technically part of the living room. I'm definitely going to use your tips for incorporating color!

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Kristen Langhoff Grannan's avatar

Thanks so much, Alex!!!

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Kristen Langhoff Grannan's avatar

Can you provide the sourcing on the wall-hung shelving unit near the dining table? Thanks!

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Alex Redgrave's avatar

Pretty sure that's Vitsoe (https://www.vitsoe.com/us/606) especially since it's in the Rummer House!

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Kristen Langhoff Grannan's avatar

A belated thanks!

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