Tonal European Simplicity: Client Mood Board Details
When my mood-board client, Caroline, came to me a few weeks ago, she was sick and tired of her white Ikea room but hesitant about taking any big design risks. She knew what she liked but she was having trouble translating it into her space.
“I don’t want my bedroom to have any color or pattern, but I also don’t want it to be boring” Caroline explained, “Is that even possible?” Spoiler alert - it sure it!
To kick things off, I let Caroline loose on Pinterest for an “inspiration Session”! She compiled beautiful imagery that spoke to her from Pinterest, Instagram and Magazines. No rules here - just visioning! After a few days of pinning and saving - she sent me a link to her mood-board inspiration page. After less than 30 seconds of scrolling, it was clear to me what the secret ingredient would be for her bedroom redesign….Tonal European Flair. Sounds a little arbitrary, I know, but let me explain….
Just as she had told me on our call, everything Caroline saved was simple and white with very minimal pattern. But alongside the simplicity, I saw a vintage European undertone woven throughout each image. For example, cast iron scone lighting, heavy mahogany furniture with soft lines, limewash painted walls, romantic iron chairs with simple silhouettes. I studied the feeling of her images and found that all of the interest was created through tones and textures rather than pattern and color. That was our jumping off point -
To help Caroline accomplish this look, I created a three-page presentation for her to use as her “Design Road Map” Page #1 includes a refined page of inspiration images, to sum up her overall look complete with a scheme name - “Tonal European Simplicity” and a color palette". on Page #2, I mapped out my proposed concept for the space (Low linen slipcovered headboard, marble alabaster lamp base, Hollywood regency style chandelier, spindle style side table, ect.), and finally, on Page #3, I outlined all terminology Caroline will need as she sources these pieces - a “buying guide” if you will!
