Decorating & Design
20 Saturated Spaces That Will Have You Crushing On Color
Published on April 4, 2018
Whimsical wallpaper, the most pigmented shade of paint and fabulous furniture in juicy hues — now that’s the formula for rooms full of personality. These stunning saturated spaces from the House & Home archives will inspire you to go bold when decorating your next space. Indulge in your wildest decorating dreams and click through for our most captivating and colorful spaces.
Designer Sabrina Albanese transformed songwriter Kai’s hallway nook into a dressing area. Whimsical Cole & Son bird cage wallpaper and an iconic red Saarinen stool pop against the rich blue walls.
Taking a cue from Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenebaums, the homeowner chose Scalamandré’s iconic ‘Zebra’s’ wallpaper in a bright red for her powder room. The bold choice makes the most of the small space.
Get tips for decorating with red.
An uninspired entryway foyer was given life with showstopper Kelly Wearstler wallpaper. It’s an old decorator’s trick: Moving from a room that’s dark and dramatic to one that’s bright and open makes the second space seem larger.
The undisputed star of this kitchen is the whimsical, fairytale–like wallpaper mural by Zoffany. Paired with slate grey cabinets and a buffalo check roman blind, the look is eclectic yet livable.
A saturated rug doesn’t mean everything else in the room has to be neutral or quiet. This grass green rug sets the stage for equally bold pairings, such as the raspberry pillows and graphic zigzag throws.
Get colorful rug decorating tips.
In design editor Kai Ethier’s bedroom, walls and built-ins were painted out in Farrow & Ball’s Setting Plaster (231) for a cozy and colorful envelope. Textiles in bright and funky patterns finish off the look.
See more of Kai’s eclectic bedroom.
Taking a cue from the whimsical kitchens of her British homeland, editorial director Alice Lawlor went for all-over color in her remodelled kitchen. English wallpaper was botanical without being flowery.
The millwork in this powder room was painted out a rich purple-blue to complement the splatter-style wallpaper by Télio. The result is a one-of-a-kind spin on traditional pairings.
Inky blue walls create the feeling of a snug nook and up the drama in this family room. A lacquered coffee table and bright yellow accents keep the room from feeling heavy and introduce some levity.
A rustic breakfast nook gets a jolt of energy from a bright blue banquette.
Departing from popular whitewashed shingles, the owner of this cabin on Gambier Island, British Columbia, opted for a cheery celery hue for the exterior and outdoor areas. The color is a contrast to the typical subdued exterior shades yet works with its natural surroundings.
Artist Bobbie Burgers’ large-scale floral paintings let the principal bedroom in her Vancouver home blossom into color. A felt chair by Patricia Urquiola does double duty as sculpture and seating.
Even bathrooms, where white tile and stone surfaces reign supreme, can stand a healthy does of color. The bold palm-frond motif wallpaper and matching bright green stool make the marble surfaces pop even more.
Color is everything to this petite bunkie set on the shores of Ontario’s cottage country. Designer James Davie added dimension to the space by painting out the window trim, baseboards and crown moldings a light blue, with a deeper blue on the cabinetry and shelves. “I wanted a more complex paint story,” says James.
In his Montreal apartment, Garrow Kedigian contrasted the teal walls and ceiling with a dramatic red canopy set overtop of a vintage daybed. The royal treatment continues into the fabrics on the cushions and in the rug, bringing the look together.
A saturated blue on the walls, Benjamin Moore’s Lead Gray (2131-30), creates the ultimate cozy den. Built-in bookshelves and panelled walls bring depth to the color, making it look even richer.
In designer Sabrina Albanese’s bedroom, color is the name of the game. Blush-colored silk wallpaper is punched up with a blue velvet headboard and a mint green side table. A golden vase of bright red flowers adds a further pop.
A wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling wallpaper mural covers an entire side of designer Erika Floysvik’s Toronto apartment. The rich hues of the piece by Mr Perswall were brought into the furniture with a muted shade of aubergine upholstery covering the bed.
Designer James Davie’s home office is nothing short of kaleidoscopic. A rainbow of bold hues decorates the ceiling right down to the carpet. A cheery green up top plays off the preppy pink underfoot, while the heritage navy blue and mustard details add gravitas.
A loudly patterned colorful tile creates cohesiveness in this room, thanks to the powder blue which continues up onto the millwork. A cheery yellow glass lamp is a bold contrast.