Mauve? Really?

I moved from Chicago to Phoenix in October and was dreading the “southwestern” style of design that I imagined all of my new clients would be requesting.  There was a terrifying scene playing out in my head on the three day drive out here,  ”Well, we’d like to display all of our cattle skulls in  an interesting way and use as much stucco and cheap tile as possible.  Where are you going to put this cowhide sofa?  May we suggest next to cowhide rug in front of the burgundy wall with rounded edges and no trim?”

In my effort to embrace the southwest (there has to be SOME cool way to do that style, right?) I picked up this purse at a local Goodwill store.  It is most definitely southwestern, but paired with olive green riding pants, a dark blue denim shirt, and some cool brown leather boots, the southwest becomes hip!  In fact, I wore that outfit to go see the band Caribou just recently!  I get my interior design inspiration from art, fashion, music, nature… pretty much anywhere.

Embracing The Southwest With A Purse From Goodwill

Now that spring is around the corner, I am LOVING this color scheme for a bright sunny room!  I want to use this blog to write about child labor  in rug factories and deadly chemicals on cheap cotton fabric, but all I keep thinking is “wow, doesn’t green look amazing with mauve and turquoise?”  I can’t even believe I’m thinking this thought because I have maintained a very strict anti-mauve policy since the fifth grade.  I also have a strict anti-child labor policy, but I’ll get back to that in my next post.

The Pantone color of the year is “honeysuckle” which is a bright orangish pink.  That might be a bit bold for me.  I am using it as inspiration, but opting to use a dusty mauve color that is more livable instead. So how does this mauve, jade, turquoise color scheme translate into an actual space?  I wouldn’t go buying a $5000 mauve sofa or anything because chances are it will be back out of style in a a year.  I would use mauve and other “trendy” colors in inexpensive accent piece so you can have a look that is SO PERFECT RIGHT NOW, but not going to be outdated in 5 minutes.  Here is what I am imagining…

Karla Nolan Painting: www.KarlaNolan.com

1960's Brown Leather Sofa

Fabric For Throw Pillows

1850 Carved Walnut And Paprcel Gilt Arm Chair

1960's Jute Kilim Turkish Rug

1960's Blue Murano Lamps With Brass Accents

1930's Teal French Tole Side Tables With Gold Key

Antique French Coffee Table

This look embraces the color trends that are coming out strong right now with out looking like it just hopped off the bandwagon into your living room.  The look is really easy going and lived in.  It is feminine, but weathered.  The colors are bold and soft at the same time.  I added a masculine rug to balance out the soft girly lines in the coffee table.  I am not sure if it’s my obsession with all things vintage, or if this is actually a trend right now, but I love adding antique brass accents to a room.  It instantly makes the room feel like it’s been there forever.  If I actually lived this room, you can bet there would be Fleetwood Mac on the record player.