A couple of weeks back, while shooting the shield back chairs at Jordan's, I noticed an old silk quilt she had on the bottom of her bookshelf, torn and tattered with age. She'd found it years ago at an antique store in Mississippi, drawn to it for its history, its craft, and its rich array of color. Inspiration, I've always thought, is everywhere, and in this quilt, the possibilities are endless! Color can be a tricky thing, I know. Some of us live in fear, clinging to neutrals for safe haven from misstep. Others throw caution to the wind, preferring instead rooms awash in deep, saturated hues. Wherever you fall in the spectrum, inspiration is as infinite as your own imagination. I'm just here to help, say, open your eyes a bit more to the possibilities in everything.

QuiltonBench

There's a tiny patch of paisley in this quilt of many colors that Jordan loves, and I can certainly see why. The colors are surprising, beautiful and infinitely inspiring. So much so that together, we decided to create a color palette for a room—this one, a foyer—all from Ralph Lauren paint chips we picked up at Home Depot. I've always loved how sophisticated their colors are, together with the quality of their paint. First, I'd begin by painting all the walls a dark blue (Dried Violet VM152), the ceiling and front door an unexpected coral (Bitter Orange IB66), and the wood floors in a diamond pattern of cream and marigold (Mango Gold VIM34), aged with sandpaper and stain. On an Irish Oak demilune table with twisted spindle legs, I'd place a pair of brass candlestick lamps with shades painted coral and trimmed in marigold gimp. I'd hang a gilded mirror above, just chippy enough, with an oversized wrought iron lantern. Now who wouldn't want to come home to that? It's an entire palette for a room all inspired by a tiny patch of fabric.  

VioletOrangeGold

In another section of the quilt, we found inspiration for a master bedroom suite. The walls I imagine painted in thick stripes of lavender (Temptation VM43) and grayish green (Cameroon Green NA66) with dark hardwood floors and a natural sisal rug. The ring and rod curtains I'd do in a deep violet (Persian Violet VM175), trimmed in lavender. The bed would be nickel-plated and flanked by twin lacquered bedside tables, topped with crystal lamps.

GreenTemptationViolet

Here we found inspiration for a dining room, full of rich, saturated color. The walls I'd lacquer magenta (Aruba Pink IB52), trimmed in gray (Natural Gray VM78). I'd do a modern glass dining table with traditional balloon back chairs covered in a marigold yellow mohair (Cypress VM27). The ceiling I'd paint cream, then hang an antique French chandelier, dripping with crystals.

PinkCypressGrey

This palette we thought would work beautifully in a kitchen. The cabinets I'd paint a pretty shade of blue (Durango Blue VM144), trimmed in gray (Rhode's Point NA51). I'd do a greenish brown roman shade (Camilla Sage NA12) with a blue tape trim in a Greek key pattern. The floors would be dark hardwood, the countertops a creamy marble, and the fixtures all nickel-plated.

SagePointBlue

This section of the quilt inspired the palette for a library. The bookcases and trim I'd paint a reddish brown (Cork VM36), the interior of the shelves a muted yellow (Beach Yellow IB71), and the ceiling a soft gray (Hazel Woods Ul50). I imagine a vintage chesterfield sofa in brown leather, an antique trunk coffee table, dark wood furniture with brass hardware, and a neutral-toned oriental carpet with a subtle mix of every color. With a roaring fire and a glass of sherry, who wouldn't want to curl up for a while?

WoodsCorkYellow

Finally, this unusual color palette I imagine in a guest bedroom. I'd paint the walls a dusty pink (Mauve Morning VM66) and the trim gray (Manor Grey NA47) with two twin beds in a hunter green with coordinating bed linens (Cottage Green VM115). The curtains would be simple ring and rod with a green ticking stripe, the floors covered in wall-to-wall basket woven sisal, and the chandelier a traditional antler style. By mixing in the mauve with the hunter green, I think it's an unexpected twist on Adirondack.

GreenMauveGrey

And so, if you're thinking of changing up your space a bit, paint is definitely the easiest, most economical way to go about it. Just remember: inspiration is everywhere. It's just how you go about looking! And if you'd like, leave me a comment with your favorite color palette. I'd love to hear about it!