Monday 21 March 2011

Belgian Style Part 2: Muted colours



Hello again, rabbits,

How was your weekend? Guess what? We had some fantastic weather yesterday and even went to a friend's barbecue. Yes, a real, live barbecue....in March.....in England. Unheard of, I tell you.

I couldn't quite believe I was there. But there I was.

We had such a fun afternoon.


What a heady excitement Friday was with interviewing Christina from Cabbages & Roses. I'd thought really hard about the questions I wanted to ask her and making the post look just right; it was amazing seeing it all come together.


High as a kite, I was. I genuinely thought I would pop.

So...........are you falling in love with Belgian Style too?


Each week, in this series (click to see more posts from the series), I'll break down one element at a time, from what I consider to be the very best of Belgian Style.

{Not literally break down, obviously.
That would be hideously messy and
the Belgians would come after me with sticks.}


And then, if it's okay with you, I'll share how I've tried to incorporate that particular look into our home.


Now, please do remember that while
Belgian Style is totally my current Style Crush,
it's not a look I'd *actually* choose for my home. 
This is about taking aspects of the look and making it work for you.


The series is all about looking at a style
you have a crush on and making it YOUR OWN.
In your house - big or small, old or new.


This week, the design element that I've picked out is.....
muted colour schemes.

Shall we delve in? Shall we? Is a fox sly?


Look at these images? Now, let me see, what about them calls out to me?


I love the relaxed sense of calm:

 the mood of languid loveliness
that this palette creates.

White, cream, grey, brown and black.
And that's it.


So restricted, and I like that.

I'm not sure I'd like *just* that in our house but I love this
selection of colours as a starting point.


Now, do you fancy seeing how I've taken this concept of a restrained palette and applied it to our renovation?

Drop by again and,
if I think you've been good,
I'll give you a peep.

{Ha! As if you'd be anything but good.......right?}


Images via: Cassan Versa, Maison Boheme, Drummonds, Belle Inspriations, The White Company, Dan Mayers Photography, Molly Frey, Anthracite, unknown, unknown, House To Home, 25 Beautiful Homes

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57 comments :

Life love, clutter and other beautiful things. said...

Gorgeous. I am loving these posts!!! Thanks so much for all of this work and sharing xox

lisaroy said...

So beyond stunning! I love the restricted palette and would love to create the same thing in my home. I'm sure though that I would do it to start with and then slowly colour would begin to creep in against my will and that would be the end of it! :)

Unknown said...

Beautiful photos once again Sarah. Loving those white bathrooms so spa like, that bath with the rose petals is just screaming at me to get into it, just want I need right now after feeling poorly. Cant believe you were at a bbq makes it feel promising that summer really isnt far off I can dust off my maxi dresses & my flipflops whoop whoop xx

Odile said...

Une maison fantastique, calme est trés cool! J'adore vos photos elles sont tellement belles. Bonne journée et coucou de l'espagne.

Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms said...

Rabbits? You are bonkers, my dear, but in the best possible way!

Lovely pics, as always. Yes, I do like the muted colours but I do like an injection of colour as well. Lovely biiiiiiig bathrooms. Sigh.......

Meera @ firstsense said...

Absolutely adore these lessons of yours! A restrained colour palette really does bring about a sense of calm and is a great starting point. These pictures render me in a dream-like relaxed state (rather like that I imagine an anti-stress pill would do)!

Can't wait to see your photos, sweetpea!

Meera xx

Susan T said...

Sarah, I wait for your posts with eager anticipation. I could live in any of the rooms shown, gorgeous.

Debra @ Life in a 320 square foot home said...

Hello Miss Sarah,

I LOVE your blog! Thank you for all the work you put into it, I have been attempting my own version of a blog - I am afraid I have writers block :) Yours is very inspiring.

On a side note - I found instructions on how to fix those cramped 'popular posts' on your side bar, if you want to contact me I will send them your way.

Deb

chris said...

I think as I've grown up, I'm appreciating muted colors more...but I still must add pops of brights in too. :)

Robynne's Nest said...

I can't wait...I've been VERY good! Robx

Luciane at HomeBunch.com said...

Rabbits... What about "Bunnies".. . it makes you feel "sassy". LOL

Love these pictures and that tub is like a dream, huh?

Have a Beautiful Spring, my dear Sarah!

xo

Luciane at HomeBunch.com

michele said...

i do love Belgian design and a restricted palette where no loud hues lunge at me or bite me, ya know? not that there's anything wrong with enjoying a good bite...

when you wrote "i thought i could pop" i mistakenly read "pop" as something else! HA!

i loved getting outside over the weekend as well even though the wind sends me clinging to the nearest tree!

be well, my friend!

michele

American in Bath said...

Have you seen those bathtubs. Ahhhh, now I'm dying to sink into one.

Anonymous said...

Hi Sarah,
your collection of images is really fabulous and illustrates perfectly the concepts in the blog post. And of course I'm keeping in mind last week's theme too - bare wood, and noticing how this week's theme layers nicely just over that. Perfectly composed!

Anonymous said...

It sounds like you had a wonderful weekend! A bar-beque in March with friends...mmmmmmm!

I'm leaning towards Belgian style more and more. I think I could spend a wee bit of time in each room. I'm wondering how quickly the gray chairs and ottoman can be delivered :) Gorgeous kitchens and dining rooms, Sarah! Swoon...

Have a happy day, my lovely friend!
xo,
Michelle

Donna@anangloinquébec said...

Okay, you have given me my morning giggle....especially the reference to Belgians coming after you with sticks...quite loved that!
I am loving this style, components of it work really well in my home. Keep leading away! Loving pretty well all of this!

Sonya Badgley said...

Oh Sarah, they might have a restricted palette but it isn't restricted when it comes to the beauty of it! What gorgeous photos. I would love for my house to look like this. But I've got to get past not having much in the way of knick-knacks! I've got much better about that but...lets just say I need a little bit more work. :)
Lucky you having a BBQ! I so ready for one too.

Have a great day.
<3 Sonya

Room Seventeen said...

No lurking allowed? Okay ;-)
I love your Belgian Style posts :-)

Unknown said...

A barbecue in March?
How strange!
these beautiful pictures ... especially the first kitchen!
enjoy your spring
Mari

Erin said...

Sarah, this is another winner...I am crushing right along with you...maybe we are those giggly girls, you kinda like my Ave with her friends discussing the Bieber.LOL!

WobiSobi said...

As Always Beautiful, I can not wait to get a peep. I think I have been good.

michelle said...

These are gorgeous!! I will take one of each of the bathrooms please!! Oh to sit in that beautiful tub by the fire!!!
I love the muted colors, they are very calm and relaxing that is for sure!
You are doing a wonderful job with this my friend!
Enjoy your day and I am so happy that you had a great weekend!

Bedroom Furniture Fan said...

What great pictures. I love how you've incorporated many different things into your own home. I only wish was able to put a room together like that.

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Lovely Sarah...I will certainly be calling back to see your personal interpretation,
Susan x
P.S Well done on your interview....so happy for you!

At The Picket Fence said...

Hello Miss Sarah! Oh, these photos are just stunning and the last bathroom pic with the huge chandelier was definitely my cup of tea. I love having my own master bathroom done in muted, serene colors. And I so miss my white kitchen in my last house...sigh...anyway, thank you for sharing all of this lovely inspiration today and I absolutely adored your interview with Christina Strutt in your last post. You rocked it! :-)
Vanessa

On Crooked Creek said...

Sarah,
You're really working on me! Oh, how I adore my vivid bright French Country, Old World colors. . .BUT. . . when you stated "aspects of the look and making it work for you!" My mind kicked into overtime. Not changing the colors. . .I can see design elements that are quite alluring. Hm-m-m. . . we shall see.
Fondly,
Pat

Courtenay@Signal Hill Interiors said...

Yup, it's confirmed. I have to have a big fancy fireplace like that in my next bathroom. I HAVE to.

Anonymous said...

Hi Miss Sarah,
I sure am loving this series....and I think I also want to incorporate some of this in my home. If I can figure out how! The muted calm colors are definately me. and I've been very good so I want more pictures! :)

Sarah xo

Unknown said...

All of the pictures are really pretty but I just love the wooden dining table with the greenery chandelier and bobbles hanging from it. Love that one!

Jen said...

I have surprised myself by falling in love with this palette. I have always been all about blues, greens, yellows and pinks on walls and furniture, but now I am drawn to these neutrals, especially with all the textures in Belgian style.

Leah - The Inside Story said...

I really love this colour theme. Can't wait to see what you have done in your home with this style. And Sarah, your interview with Christina Strutt was excellent, I can see why you were on a high all day!! Leahxx

alison said...

Rabbits!! Hehehe...you're so funny ; )
High as a kite, good on you...you deserve to be and glad you could back up the excitement with a barbie (bbq)...totally unheard of indeed...March...goodness me what a fabulous spring you are going to have!

Now, this post...all I can say is yummy! (except for that huge skull sitting under the bedside table in the pic with the 2 single beds...yikes...so blokey!)

Can't wait for the next post...I'll be good, promise : )

Alison

P.S. No...silly, we've not been to every country on the planet...still sooooo many to go and so little time left! in all seriousness though...we've been so lucky, blessed in fact, to do the travel that we have done...and until 3 yrs ago we'd not stepped foot out of Aussie Land AND I was a complete homebody...love my home. Funny old life isn't it!! can't wait to go home though. 10 weeks and counting!! Take care my love and I'm looking forward to your next Belgian yummy-ness post.

Desire Empire said...

HI Sarah
That is one great style crush you have. Looking forward to see how you will incorporate into your home.

Thanks for visiting me
Best Carolyn

Sonia said...

Awesome space of yours. I loved ur subtle choice of colors and belgian designs. will soon try to do something in the spring.

Anonymous said...

Sarah the images are drool worthy. I love the white bath room, and yes, am hanging out to see more inspiration from your lovely home.

Cheers,
Lisa x

High Street Cottage said...

Love this style Sarah, and that first photo reminds me so much of your bedroom.
Gorgeous colors too. I'm feeling better this afternoon. Thankfully, and thank you for your kind comments. xoxo tami

Kirsty Girl said...

Oh gorgeous style! I'm loving those bathrooms especially!

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Hi, Sarah! Thank you so much for the sweet comment you left for me today. :) I love the neutral palette of Belgian style. If I had it in my home, I'd probably layer it with colorful accessories. I like pops of color. :) Have a wonderful evening! (or whatever time it is in the UK) ;)

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

I am such a fan of what you are talking about here . . . taking from an idea just the part that works for you.

I really like the simplicity of this style.

Your leave such lovely sweet comments - thanks.

Fondly,
Glenda

Brandi said...

A BBQ with friends sounds like so much fun. Did you bring the deviled eggs? The first image reminds me a lot of your room. Spring is all about changes and now I've got Belgian on my mind! : )

Tricia said...

Look at all these lovely photos. Really, I could easily imagine myself in any one of them, especially that last bathroom. LOVE it. This wonderfully restrictive palette would suit me just fine. It would be easy to pop some color in and then out and no one would be none the wiser.

I can't believe you went to a barbeque. How fantastic is that!

Hope your week is off to a good start :) Tricia

Ann-Marie ~ Brambly said...

Loved your post. Not only were the photos fantastic, but you weave the readers through it effortlessly.Very inspiring!

Take care,
Ann-Marie

Privet and Holly said...

I'm with you; it's
a great starting off
point, but I do love
my exclamation points
of color!! Thanks for
breaking it down for us,
sweet Sarah : )
xx Suzanne

Holly Lefevre said...

I think I may have a crush on Belgian Style too. I do tend to stick with color . I think it s because my house is very dark and the color makes me happy. I definitley see aspects of this style I could incorporate - which is also what I prefer to mix and match! You my friend have fabulous style!

The Moerks said...

Love it and loving that kitchen in the last photo.

Travel With Lulu said...

Thank you for the eye-candy and playful words. A treat as always :) XOL

Teacup Moments said...

sarah, your style crush is just so...swoon-worthy. and your posts always so delightful. thank you for sharing!

LindyLouMac said...

I really should not be drooling over these gorgeous photos as our interior renovations are all finished. We will have to move again if I get too many ideas from you Sarah!

Lila said...

Your kitchen is so airy and beautiful. If I cooked I would be there all day. teehee

Magali @ The Little White House said...

I love the floor of that last bathroom. It would have been my dream to have real stone floors... And that last white kitchen... It makes me dream of the days when I'll have a real kitchen!

Jadyn @ Dutch.British.Love said...

These are gorgeous! I had never given much thought to Belgian style to be honest, before this series. But I must say, I am definitely falling in love with it. Personally, I could never live with such a restricted palette either, but I really love looking at these calming photos and using that idea as a starting off point totally works for me! Thanks for sharing. xx

Casa Très Chic said...

These images are fabulous, today I posted about Belgian style too, love it.
Hugs
Tereza

Valerie@chateaualamode.typepad.com said...

Hey you!!! Loving the colors in Belgian decor as well. I know what you mean about only using those colors. Might be too restrictive for me as well, but I do like the idea of using the colors as a starting point. P.S. I finally made a new post. I know, it's about time right? (heehee)

Deb said...

Thanks so much for your sweet comments Sarah...you always make me smile! Gorgeous inspiration as always too! hugs...Deb

Le said...

ohh yum - just a delight - esp the kitchen :) I have you up on the third now - thanks ever so much :) le xox

René said...

First I would like to say that I love your writing style and feel like you are talking to me. Love that! These rooms are all beautiful and timeless. Looking forward to seeing more about Belgian style.

Astrid said...

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