9.08.2010

Not your average blue and brown combos


PSSSST...I'm no longer blogging here!
You can now find me at

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You all know I love me some blue and brown. LOVE me some.   This, for instance is delicious:
But as I peruse my inspiration pics, I've been noticing lately that the browns are not that trendy dark chocolate brown....and the blues aren't the baby/sky blues. There's definitely more depth to both of them.

In the past, my go-to brown was Taupe 3 or 4 by Laura Ashley (at Lowe's), and I've used these in several of my homes.  In fact, I just painted my daughter's apartment in the 4.  It's like chocolate milk.  Except don't drink it.  Here's what it looks like at myperfectcolor.com


But I find it doesn't have enough warmth to it...and it can turn a bit pinky in a north-facing room.  I'm currently looking at Prairie Dance from Valspar (Lowes) because it's on the same color card as the white I used for all the trim in my house (Woodlawn Lace).  Here's what it looks like from myperfectcolor:


Hard to see the difference I know.  Let's try this....here's the two paint chips  with my white trim color on a piece of white printer paper.  They look too gold on my monitor, but you get the drift.  The swatches above look more true to me, but ya know.


Anyway, in my wonderings, I find myself drawn to a few bloggers who seem to combine my favorite blues and browns together in effortless combos.  They add some generous amounts of creamy white, or pops of red or pale pink or a pretty green now and then too....and I just go weak in the knees.

Here's an example from Michelle at From House to Home.  BTW, I would sell everything and move into her house at the drop of a dime and not change a ding dang thing.  She speaks my language. 


These pictures are from Tracy's Notes from a Cottage Industry.  LOVE everything she does, too.  I'd move into her house, but it's a townhouse, and my brood prolly wouldn't fit. Here are a few pictures I've pinched from her....


This is actually from her daughter's home....


From her old biz 41 Taylor...




This blogger had me at Mason jar aqua.  So glad Deb linked up one fine Mi4M-day.  Again, sell everything and move to her place.  Drop of the hat.  Her sublime blog: Cappaccino Cottage:

Her beachy bath make-over....

Deb combines all kinds of beachy blues and with her warm brown background...

And whites and pinks too.....swoo-ny.


Here's another gal who's blue and brown combo's stop me dead in my tracks.  The Virginia House:


Check out her pool house....yum.


Look here at this scrumptious cottage kitchen from Simple.Casual Living:


Then there's the gals who mix blues with even lighter honey browns.  Like Nester:


Love her honey brown/beige couch against that grey-blue (and makes even sticks look good):


And, of course she does deeper warm brown tones with blues too, like in her headquarters:


I like pale beiges that can tend toward cream or yellow tones with blue too.  Like my office inspiration picture I showed you before:


Or like Chris does with her beachy blues and pale yellows:


 Or like Seleta did with with a warm beige in her foyer:


Or like Linda at Restyled Home did with her daughter's playhouse:


It seems my browns must be warm, with gold or beige undertones.  My blues need depth...not too much white.  Maybe a bit of green or grey added.  The warm browns balance the cool blues.

Just for fun, check this post from House of Turquoise (another GREAT place for blue inspiration!).  This designer created an entire home out of the warm brown and pale aqua blue palette:

 Even the Golden Retriever matches!

Some of my favorites from around my home....and soon to be the basic palette of the entire house:

The paint color is Reflection by Devine Paints,  and I used it in my kitchen and bedroom.  I love it just. that. much.
Ooooo, and my favorite floral...still makes my heart go pitter-patter.  Can't ya just see this with a tan buffalo check?


Warm browns and grey-green blues.  Mason jars on old stained pine shelves. 
Sandy beaches next to the ever changing blues of the rolling ocean.  Or.....a Robin's nest with her egg-jewels tucked inside. With a hint of pink and some happy greens. Oh, yeah.  That.



Pssssst.....linked up to Donna's Funky Junk Interiors SNS #47.   AND, don't forget I'm having my own Blue and Brown Linky in a couple weeks.  Read all about it









31 comments:

Heidi said...

:) those are all so pretty! I wish I could pull it together half as effortlessy as those ladies! Is that bedding in your picture with the paint? If so, where did you find it? {if you don't mind sharing} I'm in LOVE with it!

Tardevil said...

Lovely photos! Love the blue/brown/taupe combo.

Kom Achterom said...

OOh beautiful colours!! Love the green ones verry much!
1 wall in my house is green to so warm!!
i wish you a wunderful day
Yolanda

www.thewhitefarmhouse2.blogspot.com said...

There ya go with that ding dang color again. Haven't you teased me enough with it? I get it! It looks fantastic with beige! I just love this color combo and I do blame it all on you too. I don't think I can ever look at this color and not think of you. I have now officially named it "Cindy's Color". Love it with red. Mmmmm.....

Rie said...

I have that same brown checked fabric that you have! It came from pillowcases, and I used the fabric to make slipcovers for the backs of our kitchen barstools. Love that fabric! I love this post because my favorite colors are blue and brown (or rather beige), and of course, white.

Kelly @ Much To Do With Nothing said...

Hi Cindy,
These are beautiful pictures. I love that floral you have! Where did you find it?
You asked where I sew. Well, I do have a workroom dedicated to the sewing I do. It's upstairs and the furniture I'm covering is downstairs, so I do A LOT of running up and down. My room is filled with shelves stacked with tons of fabric. So I couldn't have a tiny little corner or something.
But you're right...a sofa slip seems to grow out of control as you add pieces to it and haul it to the machine. LOL. But my actual sewing space is just an average sewing cabinet that folds out and most of the fabric just drapes on the floor. I also cut out all of my pieces and pin cushions, things like that while sitting on the carpet in the room. I'll put up pics one day. But it's not much to look at. Not decorated AT ALL.
Kelly

hilary@oldhousetruelove said...

thanks for all the inspiration! ;)

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

Oh so pretty! Great inspiration!!!

Unknown said...

OOOoooh I SO enjoyed looking at all of the pretty photos in this post. You are so funny! I love your sense of humor...and especially your decorating style : ) It's fab! Have a lovely day, Cindy.
Lots of love,
Laura

Donna said...

What a beautiful post! So many gorgeous inspiration photos, it's impossible to chose a favorite! I would love to have that darling playhouse! And I really, really love the white coffee table on casters, and that gorgous large blue armoire! Thanks for sharing!

Leo said...

Great post. Don't know which photo I like the most!! Probably the office/craft room. The cabinetry is fabulous. And - The playhouse is to die for - I think I would love that even for myself!!!

Heather Lee said...

So Dreamy! So Pretty! Gathering all this great inspiration for when we land in our final destination house. (Perched in a temporary rental)I've gotta have red in the mix though. It just kinda happens and I don't even really try. Found some mis-tinted gray blue paint at Lowes, and I thought of you when I bought it. It will go perfectly on the rack I bought for the craft room.

Claudia said...

I do love that combo myself. The only room I have it in is the bathroom. A robins egg blue on the walls with sink, toilet and tub in - I don't know the official color - bisque? tan? Anyway, those colors led me to the wall color and to a pretty brown shower curtain. I like it a lot.

xo
Claudia

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

Great inspiration pictures. I have blues and browns in my bedroom and just love it. It's very relaxing. I will have to check out Virginia House as I'm doing my half bath very similar to that picture! Thanks.

TheVirginiaHouse said...

Awwe, thank you for the feature! Those are some awesome ideas and pictures!!!

Suzanne@Meridian Road said...

I must say~I'm rethinking my "no brown" policy. I've loved all those shades of blues for, like, ever. But now I'm thinking I might need a little brown.

I really like all your favorites from around your house.

re:Inspire said...

My favorite color is that same dreamy blue! I melt too, every time I see it used! I also have some throughout my home and am figuring out how to add some to my kitchen I want to makeover!
Lisa

One Cheap B*tch said...

I just love blue and brown! And pink and brown. It's such a nice departure from black and another color or white and another color!

Jeanine

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

I am loving this post girl! I'm so glad that you know exactly what you want and then you go for it.

Cannot wait to see everything put together with your wonderful color scheme.

hugs
Sissie

NanaDiana said...

Cindy-what a gorgeous post you pulled together. I am coming back when I have a bit more time to play and visiting the blogs that you mentioned (that I don't already visit). I love your combination and can't wait to see what you do with it. I like my browns to have the goldy undertones too...and I love a deep rich chocolate with white. Diana

Heidi said...

Nice job pulling all those photos for inspiration together for us, Cindy. Thanks for doing the hard work. Now we just get to enjoy them all. Love the combo, thinking about reworking a few things around here. Who knows? Blue and Brown are classic!
xo
Heidi - Heart and Home

Anne Lorys said...

I love the blues and the browns, too.
Great images!

Jen Kershner said...

You had me at brown and blue... Love all this inspiration and the office pic you love it perfection. I really love the direction you are headed and the fabric and paint you've chosen makes me swoon!

The Pennington Point said...

These are gorgeous! I am so glad you've included the always perfect teal-ish-oceany color in your blue palette. I'm in love. Lisa~

Sixty-Fifth Avenue said...

Love the colors and the fabric! Beautiful.

Laminate Flooring Pro said...

Hi Cindy! Thanks for sharing these blue and brown combos. I think that there's lots of shades of each color, that would go great together. Really liked the tones of the picture with the Golden Retriever (I am a dog fanatic), the tones are so earthy and calming...and you can add some greenery too! Look forward to your blue/brown design!

Tammy said...

I went through tons of paint samples trying to find the right tan/taupe that wasn't too pink or too green..I found that cup of cocoa by behr is it. wonderful with no wierd tones when the sun hits..
tammy

larainydays said...

thank you. These are all delicious!

Maria | Vintage Simple said...

Oh, my. I'm on inspiration overload! These are all awesome. I'm especially loving that kitchen with the beautiful light pouring through the window... But they are all lovely. Thanks for compiling this, Cindy!

xoox,
-maria

Anonymous said...

Hi! Coming over from Donna's SNS party. I love all your blue and brown inspirational photos. That first one with the shelves and the vintage bottles is gorgeous, and your nest picture is beautiful! Love the pillows in your bedroom, too!
Have a great weekend!
~ Jo :)

Anonymous said...

Hi! Coming over from Donna's SNS party. I love all your blue and brown inspirational photos. That first one with the shelves and the vintage bottles is gorgeous, and your nest picture is beautiful! Love the pillows in your bedroom, too!
Have a great weekend!
~ Jo :)

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