This is a blog post specially made for Karen. She saw a photo from Vampy Varnish's page of a beach and said she would love her new living room to incorporate those colors. I was very inspired and went hunting for some pieces with those colors. I also incorporated some warmer colors like coral to balance the cool tones.I also took into account Tabs the cat and found fabrics that can be thrown in the wash when it inevitably got full of cat fur (I have the same problem only mine's dog fur).

Inspirational Photo:

Photo Credit-Kelly from Vampy Varnish

I'll add more in another post as I find more (well, or have more time to post):

Slipcover

I actually bought this slipcover a few years ago and loved it while I had it. I like it in natural which is a creamy white over a stark white. It's so easy to clean as you can just rip it off and stuff it in the washer. DO NOT bleach this slipcover. Bleach and this slipcover don't mix (been there, done that, ruined it). The slipcover is available for chairs as well.

Coral Pillows

Coral is a color you should use sparingly as it tends to be bold. Tone down the punchiness coral with turqouise or peacock blue pillows.

Mason Jars

Mason jars are great for displaying shells or other trinkets, storing Tab's cat nip treats or you can fill 1/4 witth stones and store make-up brushes (keep the lid off).

Blue Pebbles

These blue tile pebbles can be poured into the mason jars and used to keep make-up brushes, pencils, pens, sticks, etcetera in place. Don't put them in a bowl as Tabs might try and swallow them (i.e. BIG vet bill).

Other Ideas:

--Pair clear glass hurricane candle holders with coral, turqouise, light blue or cream colored candles (use only one shade at a time or you risk making it look chaotic). Cluster them in threes or fours to create an interesting centerpiece on a coffee table. You can also forego the hurricane glasses for candle holders in white (to contrast blue or coral candles) of varying heights to create more drama.

--Use sheer drapes on your windows to maximize light coming into the room. Sheers also allow you to use bright colors and not overwhelm a space. They can also create that instant retreat feeling.

--The rule of thumb when decorating with bright colors is to have neutral colored backdrop. A turqouise couch with coral pillows in a coral room is just too overwhelming.

--Looking for a retreat feeling? Lay a soft, luxurious rug in a neutral color (such as cream) on the floor to pad your feet.  SLipcover your couch and chairs in something neutral and use a lighter fabric. Nothing weighs a room down than heavy fabrics like tweed.

--Want your indoor cat to have a piece of the outdoors inside and still makes you feel at peace? Buy easy to maintain plants like bamboo. If you're pet is a plant muncher, make sure the plants you buy are non-toxic to cats and dogs (see the ASPCA's site). Bamboo is non-toxic and is a natural air purifier.

--Never use dry clean only fabrics in a pet environment, especially if the pet sheds. Save yourself the frustration of taking your bedding, pillows, throws and curtains to the dry cleaners and use washable fabrics. Check the labels to see care instructions.

--Use lighter colored wood to add to the beach feeling. Cherry wood doesn't look right in a beach inspired room.

--Don't limit coral just to your pillows or it'll look like you had no idea how to incorporate bold, warm colors into your room. A great way to "anchor" a room is to find an artwork or art print that has one or all the colors in it (pay a bit more and go for a larger size print--no smaller than a 12x16--as it's a focal piece). A few of my favorites are Butterfly and Gerbera Print in Raspberry Creme or Bubble Koi in Coral or Dahlia Garden in Orange Crush.Anchoring a room with multiple colors with a focal print helps make it cohesive. Throw a coral throw on a chair or hot glue coral ribbon around neutral lampshades (in the shade of your slipcover preferably) and call it done.

--If you find your living room feels like an alien planet from the rest of your home, incorporate the colors into other rooms. Buy a few coral pillows for your bedroom, find coral dinnerware or dishtowels for the kitchen, coral towels and blue candles in a bathroom, etc. The objective in making any house a home is finding harmony and balance. Having different colored rooms that share no color palette can create tension, look thrown together and messy, and ultimately makes you feel uneasy.