Amp Up a Neutral Home with Boho Style

 

Sometimes adding color and patterns to a neutral home can be intimidating. What if bright colors clash with your existing interiors or the mishmash of patterns don't work together? The best way to learn is through experimentation. Try different things and if you love it, then it works. Simple as that! But if you need a little bit more guidance for adding a touch of boho to your otherwise neutral home, here are some tips that might be helpful.

Layer vibrant colors with a more neutral color, but play around with patterns. In the image above, we've completely changed the look of this couch by covering it with a hot pink Moroccan pom pom blanket. Then we softened and cozied up the space with a bunch of pillows in varying shades of blue. The patterns are all different, but the blue holds it all together.

 

Colorful throws make a sitting area seem more inviting while adding life to your space. We took one of our zinc baskets and flipped it upside down for a makeshift table to hold the Yoruba Ceremonial Crown. Mixing finishes and adding detailed, tactile pieces like the beaded crown adds subtle interest while the blue indigo throw draws your eye in and adds a nice pop of color to an otherwise neutral space.

Start small and work in objects that are neutral but interesting. This architectural stone from India is a perfect accent for a stack of books. Against a soft gray wall, the altar adds warmth and dimension to a flat space.

Don't be afraid of mixing finishes and different textures. These traditional off-white arm chairs make a perfect backdrop for any pillow. To stay with a more traditional look, we chose a pair of our velvety ikat pillows from Uzbekistan. A sheepskin rug will keep your toes warm and we echoed the brown from the rug with a similar-colored throw.

Be adventurous in your decorating and keep trying new things. Share your style with us on Facebook or leave a comment and link to your blog to show us what you've done!

P.S. We added a hidden link to all of the products featured just for our blog readers. You can see it here.

Style to Spare

The Loaded Trunk / photography by Sharon Gottula

With the kids definitely off for college by now, that may mean a spare room in the house....for a little while at least. It's so easy to let that extra space become a cluttered storage area, isn't it? Instead of shutting the door to the madness and ignoring it, this could be the chance to turn that room into a colorful retreat! Here are some of my favorite things to do when I am rearranging the (rare) empty spaces in my own home:

via Bold, Bright & Beautiful

1. Fill a wall with books. The best and easiest way to escape is through the pages of book. No matter how many pretty pictures you can see on the internet, nothing transports you into other worlds, cultures, stories and lives like books can. Mix it up with travel magazines and photo albums too. Guests will love peeking through all of these.

The Loaded Trunk / photography by Sharon Gottula

2. Pile on the color, pattern and texture. If the rest of your home is a different style, who cares? Make this room fun to be in. Hang a beautiful rug on the wall. Layer them under foot. Surround yourself with an avalanche of pillows. Make sure there are plenty of warm throws to snuggle under. No matter what you pick, it will be perfect and cosy.

3. Add a comfy chair or couch. Because you can't be laying around in bed all day. Well, you can, but a couch gives you an alternative lounging option. :)

Elle Decor

4. Show off your collections. Sometimes all the pieces you've been picking up need a dedicated space. Grouping them makes a bold and interesting statement.

5. Try a low bed. In a lot of cultures, sleeping on or low to the ground is the norm. Give it a go, it might give you a whole new perspective to relaxing.

Have fun redecorating your spare room and good luck on keeping it all to yourself!

summer mix-n-match

 Swim Stroke of Genius One Piece // Mod Cloth // $241.99

Green + Orange Awning Striped Cotton Moroccan Blanket // $259

Belted Sailboat One Piece // Lime Ricki // $55.50

Blue + Orange Awning Striped Cotton Moroccan Blanket // $259

Polka Dot Underwire Tank // J. Crew // $98-$100

Orange + Pink Awning Striped Cotton Moroccan Blanket // $259

River Island Color Block Chevron Swimsuit // ASOS // $42.43

Moroccan Neon Striped Throw // $168

These bright and super fabulous cotton blankets from Morocco are on my list of current favorites from the shop. On my trip to Morocco in December I met Nina in Fes and launched a wonderful collaboration to make these textiles. Every week she heads to the mountains to works with a group of women that weave each blanket. It takes several days to weave one blanket and we get to play with colors. Each in this first group has a dominant statement color and is accented with an equally bright contrasting stripe and fringe. The all-neon-yellow blanket has a great nubby tactile quality; its long fringe and stripes play beautifully against a neutral blanket. It was fun coordinating them with these one-piece swimsuits above – they're a perfect way to make your space and presence known at the beach or pool this summer!

One for You, One for Me

In the next few days, we'll be talking about ways you can share the love.

And not just the love that Cupid's arrows shoot. First up, friends!

My friends and I share pretty similar tastes, from our clothes

down to the kitchen sinks we buy. Then again, that's why

you're friends, right? A lot of times when I'm in that

shopping mood, I buy two. One for me (of course)

and one for my bestie. Then, surprise!

1 // Sister-friends Kristie & Emilie  2+3 // Ikat Blankets

Staying Warm

Even though we've had an unseasonably warm winter in our neck of the woods, the cold is slowly creeping in. The best thing about the gray skies and frosty mornings of winter is bundling under layers and layers of blankets, your face slightly cold, while the rest of your body is tucked in warm and cozy.

Blankets are some of my favorite things to buy on my travels. Our newest group from Morocco come in a variety of great neutrals but are by no means boring! Full of texture and pattern, they'll make your bed look so fantastic, you'll want to jump right in and be lazy all day.

Handira are hand woven blankets made from 100% sheep's wool and often decorated with sequins. If you are into tribal or Bohemian textiles with a story and a purpose these wedding blankets made by Berber women are it. The long loose ends were left on the shawl's reverse side to create warmth and insulation for the Berbers, who live in the mountainous regions. The colorful bands of wool are often kilim weaves, related to the traditional colorful flat-woven rugs of the region. These have become a popular accent around the house. They look great at the foot of the bed or over a daybed. Use them as floor coverings or as wall art.

For a bit more color and pattern, check out some of our other beautiful blankets. Stay as warm as you can this January! Don't forget to follow us on facebook or twitter to be the first to know when new items available.

Last Minute Gifts

Just a few last minute gift ideas for all my procrastinators!

pillow // necklace // scarf // slippers // blanket