Fall Color Refresh
What do you do when your beachy blues stop feeling seasonal? Well, it’s Fall 2022 and the jewel tones are here to keep you current! Luxe, dynamic, and eye-catching, what’s not to love about emerald green, amethyst purple, ruby red, citrine yellow, and sapphire blue? Jewel tones are a fabulous way to transition to the cooler months and add warmth and dimension to your home. The trick to keeping them looking modern and chic is to add them in minimally and thoughtfully. Here are some quick tips:
Photo Credit: @spinpincreative
1. Go Monochrome
Layer in a richer version of your favorite existing hue. For instance, style your green pillows with emerald ones in sumptuous textures such as silk or velvet which add depth and sheen to your space. In this moody modern family room designed by Lex & Hudson, a gold pillow over a lighter yellow is an all-season look.
Photo Credit: Sean Litchfield
2. Go Bold Or Go Home With A Jewel-Toned Sofa
A colorful sofa is a timeless piece of furniture since it transcends neutral color trends so why not make it the crown jewel of your space? This choice is a surefire way to bring warmth, dimension, and personality to any home and works especially well in modern spaces with bright white walls. To successfully achieve this look, start from a piece of artwork and determine a color in it that you love. Use this color, or its complement, on your furniture piece in luxurious jeweled-toned velvet. In the first photo, a pastel painting by Valerie Leuchs inspired a bold blue sofa.
Photo Credit: Paul Ober
3. Pair Up A Jewel Tone With A Dash Of A Secondary Color
A safe way to do this is to look at a color wheel and choose any two colors opposite each other. The jewel tone you use will be bold and vibrant and the secondary color should be a softer shade. A client of mine scoured flea markets for citrine yellow glasses to dress her table for dinner parties and needed help pulling the rest of the look together. We layered in woven placemats in lavender and the table was instantly stunning.
4. Layer with Accessories
If you’re shy about using color, start small by layering with items that are fairly inexpensive and easy to swap out such as vases, napkins, or candlesticks. Adding in varied richer versions of your existing hues, no matter how you choose to do it, feels cozy and appropriate for the cooler months.
5. Paint Your Built-In Shelving In High Gloss Lacquer
Ready to make a statement? How stunning is an emerald or sapphire wall of shelving in a shiny finish? Don’t forget to swap out your dated hardware with something eclectic or modern and to repeat the color of your built-ins in your decor in various materials, shapes, and sizes. Other areas you can consider highlighting with jewel-toned paint is your front door, kitchen island, or really turn it up and paint your trim. Check out how Interior Designer Diane Rath of The Rath Project uses color so transformatively in these rooms.
Photo credits: Erin Kestenbaum
Color Theory: What do Jewel Tones Mean?
Do you believe that certain colors attract feelings and energy into your life? If so, read on for the meaning behind jewel tones.
Emerald Green: Attracts abundance and good luck.
Amethyst Purple: Relieves stress and anxiety in your life.
Ruby Red: Improves creativity, energy, concentration, and compassion.
Citrine Yellow: Delivers positive energy, joy, and abundance.
Sapphire Blue: Brings peace of mind, serenity, and prosperity.
Show us your true colors!
Do you have some jewel toned accents already happening in your home? Please tag us @mydesignport #fallcolors on our Instagram so we can share your inspiration with our audience. And if you are ready to add jewel tones to your home this fall, DM us for tips, and please share your before & afters!
Debra Spindler Pinals is a Color Consultant & Interior Stylist at Spinpin Creative. Her business provides homeowners with professional design and styling advice which saves them time, stress, and costly mistakes. Debra is passionate about helping her clients choose timeless fixed elements, create visual harmony, and display their unique personal styles through color and decor. Connect at www.spinpincreative.com or on Instagram @spinpincreative