mood boarding to boost my mood

pomegranate, blue + olive, plus a dash of wheat

This week I needed a creative outlet. The nature of the home design I focus on is much more functional than aesthetic driven. Of course, the idea is that they feed each other but I begin with function always.

So I set out to just create something that felt fun. I wanted color. Stimulation. Something kinda playful but maybe slightly sexy too. I wasn’t totally sure where it would take me but I decided a bedroom was where I wanted to start. Since so much of my design background has been focused around cabinetry which primarily lends itself to kitchen and bath design, I suppose stretching my furniture and decor strengths felt like a fun space to play in.

Oddly enough, I started with the rug and then built around with the flooring, paint color (Dinner Party), and headboard. I thought the design of how the headboard mixed wood and the upholstery was really nice and the color of blue felt like a delicious combination with the wall color.

I also had this lamp in the back of my mind and wanted to use it somewhere soon so I thought I’d try to force it into this design. Still up for debate whether or not that was a good addition (more on that later). However, that led me to incorporating more greens which I felt was a very much worth my doubts with the lamp.

Then I babbled around with the the art and decor. It can be difficult to find art that I want to incorporate into these boards with the full vision of matting and framing. So I used a source who does a great job of compiling all these elements together which saved me a bit of time and labor trying to clip and virtually ‘frame’ each of the pieces. A true one stop shop!

Off of memory, I believe all the art and decor pieces are vintage. I’m especially swooning over the green catch all bowl because the way the light filters through it reminds me of a rainbow trout (lol that was probably unexpected but it reminds me of fishing with my dad growing up). I also love the white and blue fish wall hanging that is kind of like a plate. I think it does a good job of adding in a bit of white and pops beautifully against the paint. I’m laughing at all the fish elements in this space but, hey! People who like fish deserve great design too!

Next, the addition of the curtains. This really helped introducing a soft textural element while reinforcing the addition of green. I’d especially love if this fictional room had them placed near the nightstands to really highlight the juxtaposition of the nightstands harsh metal, with the bit of shine and hard angles against the whimsy and flow of the curtains. Also, the second layer of the gauzy curtains allows for a nice transition against pomegranate walls. A bit of a primer, if you will.

Funny enough, the bedspread was the very last element I chose in this design. I actually sent it over to a few people without the bedspread and realized I thought it looked incomplete without a little something more on the bed. I’m so glad I revisited and because I (not for the first time) found this bedspread that I previously was completely intrigued by. And somehow, it perfectly captures all of the main color elements! A little hint of the pomegranate, the olive, and the pale blue all in this finishing touch of a piece. A true chef’s kiss moment for my design brain.

Part of me wonders how I would have designed the room if I initially started with the duvet cover because I remember absolutely loving the color combination when I first spotted it. Perhaps my brain was imprinted and that’s how I accidentally designed an entire room with these colors. I definitely don’t think I would have chosen the same headboard but that doesn’t necessarily mean I chose wrong.

Here are the two main things I’m questioning with this little afternoon design experiment that I’d be curious to hear your thoughts on:

1. the bolster pillow. I keep going back and forth. I love how it brings all the colors together. I like that it adds a bit of a pop or a spring element that feels unexpected. But is it just, not working?

2. the nightstand/ lamp combination. Like I said, the lamp was a bit of a forced decision. I felt strongly that the nightstand should bring in a metal element because the space was really lacking something with a bit of luster and harshness. I wanted it to ground the space with a substantial darker element. My main complaint is, the night stand and lamp base are too similar in color and texture where they don’t have much of a distinction from each other. I feel at least the colors or texture should be a bit more contrasting. Is the glossiness of the lamp different enough?

This is the exact same issue I have in my bedroom currently. I really like both of the pieces but they have such similar qualities that they almost feel like a bit of a unit rather than separate items.

Overall, I had fun experimenting with this color palette and I think for a quick afternoon with no budget constraints it was fun to compile. And now I anticipate I’ll have this bedspread much more in the front of my mind. I keep stumbling on duvets, quilts, etc that I really adore! Maybe I’ll do a round two with an Ikea quilt I’ve been wanting to snag.

I love what Paige Wassel calls the ‘design high’ and this felt like a nice way to self medicate this week where I’m wrapped up in emotions. Hopefully you’re benefitting from my secondhand high as well!

All items:

• rug

• bed

• light

• pillow

• nightstand

• lamp

• curtains 

• green mat fish art

• cream mat art

• blue mat art

• white and blue fish plate wall hanging

• candlestick holders

• green glass bowl

• hand painted vase

• blue vase

• duvet cover

None of these are affiliate links. However, I often am able to offer discounts to clients I work with from trade partnerships.