Color and pattern–both tell a story in your home. Each of us gravitates toward something different depending on our experiences, natural preferences, and moods.
There are also factors such as lighting, room purpose, and room size. For my north facing rooms, I tend to go warmer in paint color. For my south facing rooms, I go lighter and cooler.
Beyond paint, pattern and color can be introduced into a space by way of fabrics, accent pillows, wallpapers, and rugs. Even smaller accents such as vases, towels, lampshades, fresh or faux flowers, and artwork can have a substantial visual impact. I like to play with both neutrals and color in my home, which is one of the reasons I’m drawn toward the closed layout of old homes so much. Every room can have its own personality, and I tend to meander around to rooms that suit my mood at different times.
On the main floor, I find myself gravitating toward neutrals and soft, natural colors such as sages, creams, dove greys, dusty blues, and quiet mauves. Because the color scheme is calm, I can be bolder with pattern than I otherwise would be. A whimsical Chinoiserie wallpaper from Rebel Walls in the dining room and the checkerboard kitchen flooring are the two most striking examples, but other details are allowed to shine as well: the lush greenery seen through all our main floor windows becomes a beautiful focal point.
Upstairs on the second floor, I enjoy more adventurous color choices. The library is drenched in “Modern Love,” a delightfully glowing pink shade, which is marvelous during the sunset hour. The bathroom vanity is painted in a periwinkle blue and paired with the cheerfully green “Bird and Blossom” paper from York Wallcoverings. For the bedroom, I needed something that would feel like a palate cleanser from life, so I chose a soothing white that worked well with the natural wood bedframe and linen bedding. Our most recent addition is the “Blooming Stripe” Seabrook wallpaper in the dressing room! It has the loveliest pearlescent shine to it. However you add personal touches to your home through color and pattern, the most important takeaway is that it reflects you and what you love.
Frances is a historic home in Dundee being affectionately restored and cared for by homeowner Amanda Yong and her husband, Kyle Dworak. Follow the couple’s journey in Omaha Home and on Instagram @thebirdsdothus..
This article originally appeared in the September 2024 issue of Omaha Home Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
