Sunflowers
Please join me for a peak inside my living room
Most of my colour choices for my living room are from my watercolour, Sunflowers. Above, I have created a colour inspiration board to give you an idea of how I decorate a room. In reality I design a little more intuitively, instinctively choosing paint and fabric that complement the artwork, but I hope the above visual helps you understand how the room came together. When choosing a colour scheme for a room in your home, I recommend that you begin with a favourite piece of artwork, a treasured carpet, a piece of china, or even an article of clothing. Use that as a starting point for selecting your paint colours, and determining your fabric choices. This will help you to create a space that is meaningful to you. And isn’t that the most important aspect of decorating a space?
The walls are painted with Benjamin Moore Eggshell Latex Golden Straw #2152-50 and Mannequin Cream 2152-60, and the room feels sunny even on a gray day.
When I have determined the dominant colour scheme of my room, I then begin to pick up odd bits of fabric for cushion covers. My fabric choices run from thrifty to a little spendy. If I’m in love with an expensive fabric, I will buy enough to make a cushion cover or two. On the other hand, the fabric for my chair slipcovers was purchased at a buy one metre, get three free sale. Score!
I like a mix of textures in my home.
Seagrass carpets
rattan arm chairs
comfy upholstered furniture
I also like to mix in a few antique pieces for interest. I love how the fabric on the cushion on the left {above photo} picks up many colours from my artwork. I made the cushion on the right from a thrifted sweater.
The fishing float in the above right photo belonged to my Nana and it is secured to the mantle with reusable poster tack. It seems I like to learn things through experience, more commonly phrased as the hard way. Of course a round orb sitting on a mantle would prove to be irresistible to my curious cat. The good news is that fishing floats were made to be able to withstand abuse and turbulence from mother nature, and my precious float survived it’s fall off the mantle.
This is Samson.
It’s always nice to provide spots for cat napping.
The photo is not current, but no matter; this is where we find Sammie on many a sunny winter’s day.
I love pattern, colour, and texture
You may have already noticed that the colours I love to wear are the colours that I surround myself with in my home. I am even contemplating painting the legs on the wing chairs in my favourite shade of turquoise.
grunge-queen says
I love your chic beachy look, Sue, and so envy you for having the talent to make slipcovers! I used to find some some great upholstered furniture in thrift shops etc, and if they were somewhat scuzzy, I'd simply drape them with fabric – boho, yes, but not always crisp looking, or functional!
Sue @ A Colourful Canvas says
Hi Kelly, Boho can look amazing. The challenge I could foresee is little cats either wiggling their way underneath the slips or pulling them off all together.
Shirl says
Oh Sammie, too cute. Love that pic and this post of your colourful pictures. So talented you are. I have been thinking I want a lantern lately…….
Love
Shirl
Sacramento Amate says
A place of peace and harmony, jut look at your cat fast asleep, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Lovely post, my friend.
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Sue @ A Colourful Canvas says
Well, I know I'm biased but I agree…he's too cute.
Sue @ A Colourful Canvas says
Yes, peace, harmony and sleeping cats. Bliss.
A Matchy Matchy Midlife says
Sue….do you take commissions for your watercolors??? Do you work on request??
Alyssa
Sue @ A Colourful Canvas says
I was taking commissions for my pet portraits, but things have been a little overwhelming around here recently, so I've had to decline doing them for now. But, I will take your question as a big, huge, gigantic compliment. Thank you!
Natalie says
Beautiful colours and decor!
Sue @ A Colourful Canvas says
Thank you for stopping by and commenting Natalie!
Debbi@SheAccessorizesWell says
Oh Sue, your home is beautiful. The colors look so inviting and so happy. I adore that pillow that looks like a cardigan!
Being from the Sunflower state, Kansas, sunflowers are my favorite flower and your watercolor is wonderful!
Cheryl says
Thank you so much for this post. I'm such a voyeur; I love to get a glimpse of other people's homes and lives. Your living room is a wonderful reflection of you. Love, love, love the watercolour!
I can't wait to see your chairs with their new turquoise legs. (I hope you do it!)
Um, my living room is painted charcoal – I wonder what that says about me, eh? 🙂
Sue @ A Colourful Canvas says
Thank you Debbi. Aren't sunflowers just the happiest of flowers!
Sue @ A Colourful Canvas says
Thank you so much Cheryl! Yes, you will see the chairs with their new leggings.
Charcoal sounds velvety and sophisticated and serene. And…you live in a very brilliant part of our country; lots of sunlight bouncing off of snow. Here, we have grey skies so much of the time.
A Matchy Matchy Midlife says
ok, but when you are ready…I might have something for you! Think large scale cactus flowers….
Sue @ A Colourful Canvas says
Oooh, I can envision those now. Gorgeous, at least in my mind, LOL.
I'll keep you in mind Alyssa.
Kezzie says
Your living room is gorgeous, such a pretty place and I adore the different textures! Oooh, Samson looks so luxurious, I just want to reach into the screen and stroke him!!!
Sue @ A Colourful Canvas says
He is very, very velvety. Thanks for the compliments on my living room.
Style Sud-Est says
nice living room Sue
I love all the textures and colors, it's wonderful
The cat is priceless!
Sue @ A Colourful Canvas says
Yes he most certainly is priceless. I will share his little story one day.