Bring color into your home with easy DIY color projects.

Color is more than just a way to add visual interest. Adding color can make your home cozier, help you start your day feeling invigorated, and provide that warm feeling of a safe haven when you return from work in the evening.

Bringing color into your home is also a way to show off your personality and your personal style. Get creative and inspired to take on some easy DIY color projects to brighten your home.

DIY Color Projects

1. Colorful Table Linens

Turn plain cotton napkins, runners, and/or table cloths into colorful coverings. Use fabric paints to create color-filled color sprays, repeat patterns, polka dots, or other colorful designs.

2. Painted/Decoupaged Bookshelves

Add color to plain bookshelves by painting the backs and/or the fronts of shelving units. You can also mix and match decoupaging with colorful papers to add color and pattern.

3. Tie-Dye Pillows

One super easy way to get colorful pillows is to buy plain white pillows and tie-dye them. Instead of adding multiple colors on each pillow, tie-dye individual pillows different colors for a modern  look.

4. Dipped Dyed Lampshades

Bring faded lampshades back to life by dip dying them. Dip dying is both simple to do and completely on trend. Choose one color and dye all the lampshades in a room, or go for it and use a different color for each shade.

5. All the Trimmings Curtains

Add fun fabric trims to plain curtains for instant color. Make a visit to the fabric store to get inspired by everything from pom pom trims, tassels and fringe, embroidered jacquard ribbon, and more. Don’t worry if you can’t sew–a little fabric glue will do the trick.

6. Splash Art

Turn a plain piece of canvas into a colorful work of art–and painting skills are not required! Anyone can drizzle, splash, or spray using colorful acrylic paints to create an abstract work of art.

7. Ombre T-shirt Rug

Score some overachiever DIY points by repurposing t-shirts to make an ombre t-shirt rug. Dye old t-shirts using shades of your favorite color from light to dark. Once the t-shirts are dry, cut them into strips and follow this tutorial for making a rag t-shirt rug.

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Love the red and white color scheme that is synonymous with summertime (or The White Stripes)? Take inspiration from this hot trend and add the color combo to your home space.

From checks, stripes, polka dots to nautical and flag motifs, red and white is a color scheme that screams summertime. Red and white can be found on beach umbrellas, summer dresses, and vacation home decor; and it’s easy to think of it as only a summertime color combination. But if you love it, why not bring the combo into your home? What a wonderful way to add some warmth and brightness, even in the heart of the bitter cold of the winter?!

And don’t think you have to be limited by summertime patterns and designs. The good thing about deciding to break the rules is the sky’s the limit. Add some bright red and white striped pillows to your living room, or go all out and paint the walls red and add white wainscotting as an accent. And don’t be afraid to mix and match patterns! You’re in control, so do it up the way you like.

Red and White Home Decor Finds

1. Organic Cotton Throw

Whether summer or winter, sometimes you need a soft blanket to throw over your legs. This handwoven version is made with organic cotton.

2. Femme Fatale Wallpaper

Show off your individual style with this bold wallpaper made with water-based inks and papers sourced from managed renewable forests.

3. A Rich Red Paint

Farrow & Ball water based paints are low odor, eco-friendly, and safe for you and your home.

4. Alpine Daybed

Toss some white pillows on this sleek and sensuous modern-style daybed/sofa made to order in California to add a super cool modern look to your living room.

5. Block Print Wall Art

Add texture and pattern with this handmade natural canvas block printed wall textile featuring a bold pattern.

6. Tile Decal

Is your kitchen outfitted in plain white tile? Add pattern and color with removable tile decals that can be used with ceramic, stone or glass tiles. Tile decals are also a great choice for renters!

7. Star Runner Rug

Woven from recycled plastics, this rug is sure to make a statement in an entryway. It’s versatile and even reversible to display the opposite colorway.

8. Striped Chair

Make a bold statement with stripes with this comfortable and stylish chair that’s just perfect for reading. Handcrafted in the U.S., with the manufacturer holding the Gold Exemplary Status from the Sustainable Furnishings Council.

9. Dining Chair

Add a lovely retro touch to your dining space with these modern red and white chairs. The color and design of these chairs combine both form and function.

10. Love Wall Art

You know how the song goes, “All you need is love.”

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Blue and white is a winning color combination for your space.

With spring and summer heading our way, you may have an eye toward brightening up your decor. One great way to do that is with color, and one fabulous on-trend color combination is blue and white. Blue and white conjure up images of the Mediterranean (especially of Greece), Cape Cod, and other desirous coastal locations. Adding blue and white can add a bright, cheeriness to your home and give it a relaxed air that’s both welcoming to visitors and makes for a  wonderful oasis for you.

Need to get inspired? Read on for some suggestions for adding blue and white decor elements to your space for a little color inflection. There’s no reason to reinvent the color wheel–instead, choose a color combination that has been a mainstay for thousands of years!

Blue and White Decor Ideas

1. Diamond Pattern Vase via Layla Grace

Add some sophistication with this lovely geometric-patterned vase.

2. Geometric Tablecloth via Zara Home

Here is another bold geometric design with a mind to form and function for your table.

3. Floral Pouf via CB2

With a hint of retro and a nod to modern styling, this pouf will add stylish comfort to your living room or other room.

4. Towel/Throw via Holly’s House

Is this a towel or a throw? We don’t really care because it’s awesomely bold in blue and white.

5. Wall Beads Wall Hanging via koromiko

Don’t be afraid to add color through wall hangings and other decorative accents.

6. Prisha Rug via Lulu and Georgia

This rug is simply gorgeous and will provide the ultra-chic bohemian yet elegant vibe for your space.

7. Platter via Horchow

One way to colorful accents is with serving dishes, and this hostess dish serves up some pattern and color in one.

8. Atlantic Armchair via Wayfair

Add splashes of blue and white by adding an accent chair to your existing living spaces.

9. Brewster Table Lamp via Circa Lighting

Lighting is another creative way to add color without making a big investment.

10. Japanese Print Towel Collection via Viva Terra

Inspired by traditional Japanese Komen prints, we love these printed cotton hand towels. Add them to the kitchen or bathroom for a pop of blue and white.

11. Wall Art via AllModern

Don’t forget about the walls–wall art is a great way to add visual interest to any space.

12. Bamboo Baskets via Graham and Greene

Sometimes you can creatively add color in easy ways– like with these striking bamboo baskets.

13. Paisley Tracing Wallpaper via Anthropologie

And finally, if you want to add some blue and white in a big way, then do with wallpaper or another wall covering.

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One easy way to add color to your home decor is to use the dip dye technique.

Even if you are a novice to doing-it-yourself, dip-dyeing is super easy to complete. The key is making certain that you have enough and the right kind of space to handle the project. Depending on the size of what you are dyeing you may need a good amount of space and a large enough vessel to hold your paint, i.e. dying salt and pepper shakers takes less space than dyeing a kitchen chair. You may also want to consider doing your dyeing outside or in the garage or basement.

The necessary supplies are pretty straightforward. You will need dye appropriate for the material you are dyeing–for example RIT fabric dyes should cover most of the textile objects. Rubber gloves are recommended and you will need a large enough vessel in which to dip your object. Big plastic tubs work for many items and offer easy cleanup, too.

11 Items to Dip Dye Now!

1. Pillows – Everything from throw pillows to floor pillows cases can be dip-dyed and is an easy way to bring in more color to your decor.

2. Bedding – Give plain white bedding some pizzaz or freshen bedding that needs a new life by dip-dyeing.

3. Pallets – Even pallets can be dyed, either before or after repurposing them into some useful piece of furniture or home decor piece.

4. Wall Canvases – Channel your inner Picasso by dip-dyeing pre-stretched art canvases found at the arts and crafts store. Everyone can do this, no matter a newbie or established artist.

5. Baskets – Baskets are ubiquitous in most homes. Liven them up with some color. Go monochromatic or use different colors for a bold impact.

6. Rugs – Turn plain canvas rugs into a work of art for your floor with a little dye and some drying time.

7. Candles – Looking to spice up your table for your next dinner party without a lot of fuss and money? Dip-dye a collection of candles for a dramatic centerpiece.

8. Tablecloths/Placemats/Napkins – By the same token, kick things up a notch by adding color to plain table linens with a little planning ahead.

9. Chairs – Turn a collection of mismatched wooden chairs into a matching collection. Dip just the ends of the legs, the backs of the chairs, or mix it up for some a fun and colorful effect.

10. Lamps – Turn thrift lamps into colorful and elegant lighting fixtures. Dip-dye the lampshades or the bases for a simple afternoon project.

11. Wall Hangings/Plant Holder – For extra points, macrame a pretty wall hanging or plant holder and dip-dye it. Here is a simple tutorial to get you started.

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The post 11 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Dip-Dye appeared first on EcoSalon.

Like the idea of painted old wood furniture or adding paint to your other DIY projects, but don’t like the idea of using toxic VOC-filled paints?

Consider milk paint instead. That’s right. Milk. Paint. Milk paints are water-based paints that are made from milk and lime with added pigments. It’s been around for thousands of years and was even used by early humans to create cave paintings and other decorative objects. Many people most likely associate the paint finish with colonial-era furniture and finishes. The advent of petrochemicals saw the rise of oil-based and acrylic paints, but milk-based paints are again gaining in popularity for those looking to avoid VOC-laden paints that are also difficult to dispose of safely.

While it is possible to make your own homemade milk based paint, if you are so inclined, it’s also possible (and way easier) to purchase it if you are looking for a more consistent product, or need to cover a larger area. Buyer beware, though, some suppliers sell paint that creates a milk-like paint effect, but which still contain VOC-producing chemicals. Both Real Milk Paint Company and Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint are both non-toxic and contain no VOCs.

Milk-based paints, which generally produces a delicious saturated matte effect, come in powdered form and must be mixed with water before use. But don’t let this necessary step deter you. The process is actually pretty simple as demonstrated by Dwayne Siever, founder of Real Milk Paint Company, in this video tutorial.

The paint works well for both furniture refinishing projects as well as on walls. There are special considerations when painting on walls, like whether you are painting directly on drywall or not, the type of joint compound used, and more. It’s probably best to do some research first before deciding to tackle painting your walls with the paint.

Milk-based paint is definitely ideal for DIY furniture projects of all kinds. From creating a Union Jack buffet to painting up a child’s dollhouse with a safe non-toxic alternative, the Internet is awash in inspiration. Here are a few of our favorite DIY projects to get your creativity working overtime.

Milk Paint Projects

1. Milk Paint Kitchen Cabinets
2. Distressed Dresser Layered Milk Paint
3. Plank Wall with Milk-Based Paint
4. Milk Paint Piano
5. Two Toned Dresser

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Milk Paint Colors Image via Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint

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Neutral colors don’t have to mean boring home decor.

Whether you rent or own your own home, neutral colors don’t necessarily mean your space can’t make a statement. Neutral decor is a great choice for those who rent and for those who like to have more versatile decor that can easily be updated without having to do a whole redo. Neutrals colors are also very relaxing and can help to create a calming and welcoming environment.

And lest you think that neutral decor is boring, think again. By incorporating texture, pattern, and other interesting design elements, neutral colors can be elevated. Don’t be afraid to add neutral paint, wallpaper, and furniture with personality to your space.

7 Ideas for Making a Statement with Neutral Colors

1. Wool Rug – This hand-tufted wool pile rug features yarns that are looped to create subtle yet sophisticated color variations. The neutral hue and abstract botanical print can add interesting texture and lightness to any room.

2. Plum & Bow Curtains – These semi-sheer curtains, which are made from cotton, feature an allover palm print in gray. They are perfect to add a bold pattern to your neutral room. Don’t think that neutral means plain!

3. Velvet Sofa –  In the living room, the sofa is the definite center of the room. The all-over tufting and cast brass legs of this dark gray mid-century cotton and velvet shaped sofa make for a stately and modern upgrade to your neutral living room.

4. Paper Basket – Neutral home accessories are also a great way to add some drama to your home. These Uashmama washable paper baskets are handmade in Italy using fiber from responsibly managed forests. The paper feels like leather and holds its form so it can be used over and over again for display and practical use.

5. Pearl Wallpaper – If you own instead of rent, wallpaper is fantastic way to add some pattern and texture to your neutral decor. This gorgeous white wallpaper features a stunning contemporary circular design with an additional subtle pinstripe background.

6. Wall Art – Add some visual interest with wall art with this weathered branch from the Mojave desert terrain. Texture has been added in the form of multi-neutral colored yarn.

7. Tiered Chandelier – Add drama with a neutral chandelier. This Capiz Tiered Chandelier, made from capiz shells—often referred to as “glass oysters” because of their fragile, translucent appearance—are hand cut and arranged in a tiered pattern and will add some neutral loveliness to your space.

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Image: Burke Decor

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Through subtle color and feminine silhouettes, Costello Tagliapietra evokes an air of sultry love.

Color is emotion. It evokes the dramatic and the subtle, from clarity, to confidence, to anger and love. As the forthcoming Costello Tagliapietra Spring/Summer 2013 season swooned down the runway this week, sensuality collided with intensity—passion—just the feeling Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra, the design duo behind the line, were channeling.

Dusty pinks, shades of coral, frosted blues and olive greens painted the palette—a softer take on their oft-vibrant splashes—spoke to the “sultry softness and sweetness,” they dreamed of, Tagliapietra tells EcoSalon.  “We were really taken by pre-Raphaelite paintings.  The brushstrokes of quartz roses…,” says Tagliapietra.  “And, then the bright shoots of colors at the end of the stroke,” adds Costello.

Costello Tagliapietra are known for their use of AirDye technology, a form of digital printing that uses no additional water during the actual dying process, and allows for simultaneous double-sided printing of a textile.  It’s one of the secrets, the pair agree, behind their multi-dimensional color palettes and the eye-play that happens when a women’s walk reveals the interior side of the fabric—often printed in a different design from the exterior.

“With this collection, we really played with the different colors to see how they would interact on the fabric and what emotions they would evoke,” Costello tells us. “We want to evoke the feeling of having fun, feeling alive and being in love,” the pair share, almost simultaneously.

Body skimming silhouettes peak just beyond the ordinary through gathering, ruching and draping. “Caressing,” says Tagliapietra, “the women who wears it.”  Many of the pieces are made from synthetics—primarily polyester—“the best textile when Air Dying textiles,” says Tagliapietra.  “But,” adds Costello, “it doesn’t look and feel synthetic.”

In their sixth runway season as a design team, marked by their winning the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation award in 2005, and their eighteenth year together as a couple, it’s no wonder Costello Tagliapietra is feeling the love.

Backstage: Designers Jeffrey Costello (left) and Robert Tagliapietra (right).

More looks we love:

Images: Jennifer Barckley

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Nine sizzling (sustainable) summer sandals to add to your warm weather wardrobe. Comfortable footwear that is anything but boring.

Sandals say summer more than any other shoe. A great pair of flat ones are a must-have in anyone’s warm weather wardrobe. This season, there’s a huge variety of sandals to choose from – metallic, nude, bright color, strappy, simple, feminine, masculine, patterned – you name it. They are all extremely comfortable and made in ways that make you tread lighter on the earth.

1. Rachel Comey Santos Slip-ins
These simple open toe slide sandals are perfect for a more simple, masculine outfit. Pair with skinny denim, simple ankle-length pants and a blazer for summer soirees with a more downtown vibe. Sustainably made in Peru from black perforated leather with caramel leather detail. Kiltie on upper strap with a wide stitched leather welt.
$391, Rachel Comey

2. ECCO Hill Move
ECCO has always been known to make durable shoes that are good for your feet. They used to not look so good, but that’s all changed now. These have an almost gold sheen to them and the sporty details are the perfect way to incorporate that trend into your summer wardrobe. Did I mention they are super comfy?
Approx. $120, ECCO

3. Neuaura Mansi Sandals
These casual yet elegant sandals by Neuaura are made with eco-friendly faux nubuck and washed canvas. The combination is a great contrast and the canvas almost looks like an animal print (trend alert!). Perfect to pair with those summer yellows. Made in an ethical factory in China.
$85, Neuaura

4. Coclico Rori Bunny Sandals
These are the perfect complement to those nude and white summer looks. Soft beige suede wraps around the ankle with a concealed velcro strap in this fresh, casual take on the gladiator sandal. Like all Coclico shoes, they are crafted with care with minimal environmental impact.
$259, Coclico

5. Madison Turquoise Faux Suede Sandals
This cute flat sandals from Beyond Skin – the British purveyor of vegan footwear – is new for summer and comes in an array of wearable shades. This one in mint green is our favorite. Featuring a slingback, peep toe, and padded insoles for extra comfort, they are handmade in Spain.
Approx. $137, Beyond Skin

6. Olsen Haus St.Croix
These elegant tie-around sandals are 100% vegan – made from microfiber suede and faux leather. This pretty combination of white and nude is totally right for summer, but these also come in black, if that’s more your thing. Pair with flowy summer dresses, florals or all-white.
$165, Olsen Haus

7. Rachel Comey Kiefer Sandals
Tie dye is a big trend for summer. These open toe sandals by Rachel Comey feature a bleached denim upper as well as mud leather straps and cotton laces. Pair with head-to-toe tie dye or let these be the accent of an otherwise simple outfit. Sustainably made in Peru.
$356, Rachel Comey

8. El Naturalista Sassi Sandals
Footwear by Spanish label El Naturalista is always made as natural as possible, and the company aims to bring attention to preservation and support to the environment on a global level. These stylish sandals feature a great crisscross pattern on the premium leather upper. The natural rubber outsoles are comfortable, durable and biodegrade much faster than synthetic materials.
$145, Zappos

9. Form & Fauna Garzon Flat
These beautiful bohemian criss-cross sandals by ethical shoe label Form & Fauna hit on two of summer’s trends – bright pink and animal print. Pair them with other brights for a color blocking look or use them to spice up a natural, nude look. Italian synthetic upper in pink faux reptile, patent burgundy, and crème.
Contact for price, Form & Fauna

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What you should look out for at the thrift shop right now.

To be a successful thrift shopper you need to be able to quickly weed through rows and rows of racks to find those special pieces that will make your friends green with envy. While thrifting requires an open mind, it helps to have a general idea of what you are looking to find. Here’s our tips on things that you should keep an eye out for at the thrift shop right now.

Color

Color is still a major trend we’ll continue to see through spring and summer. Color blocking, brights and pastels are all equally on trend and fairly easy to find in any well-stocked thrift store. The ones that sort their merchandise by color are especially good for scoring colorful finds. Look for solids like burgundy (wear it head-to-toe or match with pale pink), pastels and especially tangerine.

Anoraks & Bomber Jackets
Army/surplus jackets were seen on many runways this season, Jason Wu and Isabel Marant included, and are a great way to toughen up any ensemble. Score extra brownie points if you manage to find one with a Camo print.

Prints & Patterns
The biggest trend this season, without question, is prints. Whether you are mixing patterns to create a head-to-toe print look or using one patterned piece to add contrast to a simple monochrome look – prints will do the trick.

Lace
Valentino’s lace dress from the F/W 2012 collection really brought lace back into the realms of high fashion, and has everyone looking to recreate this hit look. There are currently six magazine covers, among them W and ELLE, featuring this dress. Look for lace tops at the thrift shop to create your own dreamy lace look, in black, white or neutral.

Peplums
When it comes to details, peplums are all the rage right now. If you find one – you’ve hit thrift paydirt! Dig thru the 80s section to find a peplum dress, skirt or jacket (just make sure you remove those inevitable shoulder pads).

Denim

Denim never goes out of style, which is why it’s such a great thing to thrift. When it comes to pants, look for a straight leg boyfriend fit. Denim jackets and vests are also great right now, and make sure you stock up on denim shorts for summer. If you can’t find shorts, just look for jeans that fit well and cut the legs off.

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Room with a hue: the Pantone Hotel is themed around every designer’s essential tool.

Cutting-edge design might not be the first thing that springs to mind when Brussels is mentioned. Maybe mussels, chocolate, lots of Euro-politics. As such, the Pantone Hotel is a much-needed blast of color in the midst of bureaucratic grey. If you’re a beige, greige or otherwise neutral palette person, then forget it. If you’re a designer, it’s hotel heaven.

Everything, from mugs and folding chairs to walls, is in a Pantone color showing its ID number or name. Even the bicycles (available for sale, though not for riding) are brightly colored.

Sixties moulded plastic chairs in zingy orange and Mediterranean turquoise, and stripey walls, are guaranteed to pep you up for a stroll round the city, but won’t look so great after too many brews.

Interiors are white canvases with splashes of color, each of the seven floors is themed by mood (earthy: brown; fiery: vermillion; vibrant: orange; fresh: aquamarine). The accents, used sparingly to dramatic effect, are provided by pantone panels on the walls showing each room’s palette along with tonally-coordinated original artwork. Block-color bedspreads abound in the bedroom; in the bathroom, cups, shampoo and toilet roll (yes, really).

The 61 guest rooms have LCD TVs and free WIFI; being a tall townhouse, the top ones offer great city views. If you’re a low-down, just pop up to the roof terrace to look out over this medieval city.

Rates from $143 including tax and every color in the rainbow and beyond, but not the Pantone products (cups, chairs, iPhone cases). The little colored sugar sachets are good to go, though.

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