Transitional Palette: Driftwood

This time of the year, the waning summer leading into fall, brings a change -

The patriotic hues of midsummer aren't quite right now -
yet it's just not time for the deep oranges and golds of fall.

It's a perfect time to take a fresh look at your home, and let it reflect the changing seasons in a subtle way.

The photo above is one I took on a beach in Washington state several years back,

and it's a perfect example of how nature brings together a perfect color palette:

A gathering of driftwood on an island beach explores the range of tan, gray, and cream tones. 

Behind them, if you look carefully, you'll see deep green trees and tawny gold field grasses
that add contrast and texture.

From warm to cool, light to dark, that's a balanced palette.
Warm: amber, tan, cream   +   Cool: gray, green
Light: cream, tan, amber, light gray   + Dark: green, dark gray

Photography of items within the palette like this old wood boat [or the driftwood up above]

extends the color scheme when used as framed art.

Pale sage green walls and light tan carpeting set the stage 

for rooms filled with white, creamy white, and tan accents & furniture. 

Golden / Amber wood and fabric tones are a natural fit.

[note: I actually disliked that green wall color. I wanted tan walls.
But the house - which we leased - was for sale, and I wasn't about to make it look better than it already did so that someone else would buy it before WE could. 
It didn't matter. It sold anyway. They wanted my furniture with the deal :/ 
Apparently I still made it look too good!]

Silver metallics reflect the gray end of the 'driftwood' palette spectrum. 

Sparkling clear glass imitates water, 

and the addition of canvas or sheet music in ivory warms up the combination.
[the canvas-covered dresser from my last post would look perfect in this setting]

The following images are great examples of a transitional neutral palette,
featuring displays that I created for the booths that my former business had at Vintage shows...

RETREAT at BarnHouse Marketplace . Battle Ground, WA . July, 2011

[and if you came here from the HOMEWARDfound facebook page,
the table that I showed a sneak peek of is in that shot...
oh, look, it's ALSO in the photo below!]

RETREAT at Retreat Vintage Market . Camano Island, WA . June, 2011

RETREAT 'Taj Ma Tent' at BarnHouse Marketplace . Battle Ground, WA . July, 2009

The aesthetic of that business was all neutral tones, texture, and seasonal focus

built on re-imagining and re-using salvaged materials in furniture & decor.

Now, I realize that my displays are MUCH more theatrical than the average home decor is...

but they offer some great examples of using a neutral palette and seasonal texture.
You can see the 'driftwood' palette in play in all of them.

And with the addition of more warm colors - golds, browns, oranges - in September,

this look transitions perfectly into fall!