color your winter decor

let's face it. we're all facing the same 'post holiday decor question':

what do i do NOW?
my house looks so empty after the Christmas decor is down.

do i do winter decor? if i really don't want to go with a 'snowy' look, how do i DO that?

or do i jump right to spring - or stop off for a short visit at Valentine's Day?

if you think that i don't ask those same questions, think again!
honestly? i struggle with the whole 'winter wonderland' look...
 i live in the desert in Southern California. it's cold here, but not snowy.
and i need color. the monotone snowy look isn't my jam anymore.

 
recently, a thought came to me:

color always inspires me, and mother nature never fails to offer inspiration

as each season unfolds with new hues, new color combinations, new life.

thing is, having color in your home doesn't have to look like my holiday theme did - 

a riot of every color in the rainbow. all at the same time.

sometimes, it is the addition of one hue to a soft neutral background

 that adds what i call 'a punctuation point' in a room.

just a touch goes a long way. and it doesn't have to cost a thing!

continue reading to see what is inspiring me this winter...

the Pantone Institute has chosen two hues as their 'color of the year' for 2021

Ultimate Gray and Illuminating (warm yellow)

i look at that selection as being both 'safe' and 'optimistic'...

gray offers a familiar feeling of comfort, coziness, security, and calm,

while yellow brings a joyful energy and hopeful vibe even in the smallest of doses.

it is rare for me to let 'authorities' influence my acceptance of a style or trend,

however this combination intrigues me. 

it seems to reflect the chill of winter AND the promise of a sunny spring ahead. 

strangely enough, i found myself wanting to see how it would work in my home!

inspired by this color combination, i'm starting off the new year by embracing a trend...

this is how i follow a trend - i 'try it on for size', just like a dress.

i pick a small area (entry hall or front porch, or my studio) to try out new looks
that don't necessarily 'go' with what i have used in the rest of our home.
(like the boho style in our guest room makeover last summer)
then i shop my house (closets, cabinets, storage areas) and grab what i already have
that fits the color palette or style that i am playing with. 
honestly, i grab anything in that color palette that i have - books, dishes, even gift wrap.

i update items: paint it, wrap it, drape it, cover it.
then i try mixing colors and textures i've never combined before.

if i discover that it DOES work, maybe i'll expand it into another space
or adopt it into the whole house.
sometimes i'll go buy a few new pieces in that style or hue.
. 

right now i'm living with white, yellow and gray in my studio, and i LOVE it!
it makes me happy - but it's not going anywhere else in the house.
and i already have plans to switch things up as we approach February!

as always, YOU get to decide if this trend is for you and your home - or not.
AND how you'll interpret it in your own spaces. 
discovering and defining your own style is what makes decorating fun!
i'll share some simple, cost-effective ways to do that in upcoming posts.

until then, i've gathered more inspiration in this colorway on one of my Pinterest boards!

how do you feel about these colors - separately, or in combination?
do they cause you to want to try them? or is your response an immediate 'nope.'?
i'd love to hear your thoughts on how color makes you feel.

links to previous related posts:

boho guest room makeover

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