Written by Kirstin Hawthorne

Meet interior designers, Laura Wilson and Amy Slaymaker, owners of Indigo Interiors based in Fairfax.  Brought together by their love of design after working individually for years, they began this journey in 2017 and haven’t looked back since.  Whether they are redoing a room, a floor, or an entire home, Laura and Amy share that color is a key ingredient to bringing a space together, creating harmony between rooms, and reflecting personality.

Incorporating color is a simple and economical way to take your space from blah to beautiful. Color plays a significant role in design, as it impacts the overall ambiance and mood of a space.  Whether color is utilized on the walls, furniture, accessories, or accent pieces, it is a powerful tool to create spaces that are appealing and inviting.  By selecting the right hues, Laura and Amy are able to create a sense of warmth, tranquility, or energy, and make a room feel spacious or cozy.

When selecting colors for your home, lifestyle is also a key consideration.  Have kids or pets?  A white or neutral couch may not be the best choice.  While most home stores like to display white couches because they solicit a light and airy feeling, the stress that comes with worry over spills and muddy paws make this a less than wise choice.  Performance fabrics have made a huge impact on cleaning, but starting with a medium shade of color helps not only add to the personality of your space but offers more forgiveness with everyday life.

When you are ready to work with a designer, the Indigo team shares that it is imperative clients are open to change, honest about their preferences for color, and ready to have a healthy discussion on budget and editing.  Creating a space that truly delivers the ambience you desire often means considering new and different design ideas and understanding that some pieces will need to be replaced.  Incorporating sentimental pieces is a key component to the vibe of the room, but without looking at the whole picture you can sacrifice the cohesiveness of the space.

Here are a few tips to consider when updating your spaces:

Color yourself happy.

• Paint the whole room with a bold color. If you look around you the world is full of color.  Color is often what brings you the most happiness.
• Paint an accent wall. Remember, it’s just a coat of paint and it can easily be changed as your tastes or décor changes.
• Get wallpaper. There are great peel and stick options for those who are afraid of commitment.

Put the “fun” in functional basics.

• Buy those bright blue lamps. Understate them with a crisp white shade.
• Hang that bold artwork. Tone it down with a basic frame.
• Bring in texture with a cozy throw in a complimentary color. Think how happy you will be wrapping up in it after a long day.
• Pillows can deliver a wow factor with a small price tag. Stripes, chevron, polka dots, or even faux fur easily add texture and a pop of personality.
• Deliver the funk with a patterned rug. A rug can often pull a whole room together and is a great way for the more timid to make a big statement.

Hang those curtains.

• Curtains don’t need to be expensive to make an impact. They pull together a room and can be a showstopper.
• Drapes offer an easy way to add texture, subtle or bold colors, or patterns to elevate the look and feel of a room.
• Window treatments soften a room and instantly bring a sense of personality and warmth.

Accessorize.

• Don’t overcrowd your space but add accessories that bring color and dimension to your room. Find a feather shaped tray that speaks to you?  Use it to hold jewelry, remote controls, or keys.
• Texture and color from even the smallest accessory make a home feel more chic. Love that gold dog statue? It automatically gives your space personality.
• Fill that apothecary jar from your grandmother with bright candies. It will elicit happy memories and give you a delicious snack.

Got the blues?  Laura and Amy work with clients to achieve their goals and express their personality by bringing colorful design into spaces.  They help maximize the functionality of your space in a way that brings you joy.   If you want to learn more about the Indigo Interiors team or are interested in a home consultation reach out via their website at https://www.indigointeriorsva.com/.