It’s not a secret in my family that my greatest motivation is fear-which I have passed on very successfully to the next generation. {Sorry kids.} Just recently I was making a mental list of all the fears that I have overcome when it dawned on me that there is one area that I’ve felt fearless. Interior Design. This is an arena in my life where I’ve taken some big risks-like the time I painted all four walls of Ashley’s bedroom a “Pepto Pink” color. Shortly after doing so I happened upon a news story that supported my efforts. Seems that the same pink color was being used in the holding cells in jails. The reason: an intense pink color has a calming effect on prisoners. As well as 6 year old little girls. Thank you fearless design intuition.
Recently, as I was brainstorming ideas for a blog post, I decided to put my fearlessness of all things interior design to the test. I searched for the boldest 2012 design trends that I could find. I asked myself if I could imagine doing this in my own home. {Answers to follow}. But before I share, I ask you: Could you be so courageous as to do some of the most current design trends? Or do intense, over the top, bold trends bring up a fear that prevenst you from taking a risk in your personal decor?
BOLD STRIPES: Could you use bold stripes in your house? Not the soft, barely noticeable stripes but the kind that make you take notice.
How about basic black and white-but going wide and covering every wall?
A bold move: combining several colors going in a direction you don’t see very often?
You could also go bold with stripes by adding adding some bends in an otherwise “straight”-foward pattern.
BRIGHT COLORS: Does using bold colors in your decorating make you feel anxious? Using intense colors can be difficult for those who like to stick to the basic white and beige.
However you can stick to a conservative color choice with your walls and add vibrant colors in your textiles and accessories.
A bolder color choice would be to add an intense color to one accent wall in your room. Keep in mind that with some intense colors-like neon yellow- a little goes a long way.
If you have an obsession for one color-then the boldest use of color would be to do the entire room in the color you love. Keep in mind that you need to plan to add other colors and textures-like the use of wood-to balance out the intensity and create the perfect balance.
BOLD ECLECTIC: This is one of my favorite ways to go bold. Taking a variety of seemingly unrelated design items and bringing them together in perfect harmony.
Feel a little Bohemian? Then mix a variety of patterns, bright colors and styles of furniture from far away places. Add some great accessories and lighting and you’ve got a great eclectic look.
For a less bold approach, add a few eclectic decor pieces to an otherwise traditional room. This works well for those trying to ease into this style while keeping their fears under control.
BOLD METALLIC: Glitz and glam are still going strong. However, instead of adding just a small piece of metallic accent pieces, how about being so bold as to add an entire piece of furniture?
For an even bolder approach: pair the metallic fabric covered furniture with mirrored side tables?
Or add metallic to your wall by using it in your wallpaper which you combine with metallic inspired accent furniture.
For the less bold, using metallic laced fabrics with simple metal inspired accents are a great way to go with this trend.
So which bold design trend do I feel fearless about putting into my home? Since I’ve already used the intense color approach {ala Ashley’s pink bedroom}, my number one choice is to go bold metallic in my entry {ala wallpaper} followed closely by adding some bold eclectic in my guest bedroom {ala a variety of India inspired fabrics on the furniture and bedding}.
How about you FHR readers. How fearlessly bold are you?
