Mood Board Monday: Bold and Bright Kitchen

Today is Mood Board Monday over at Room Remix and PK's challenge to the design blogosphere was to design a mood board using the lime trellis fabric shown above (which, at less than $9/yard, is a wonderful and much less expensive alternative to KWID Imperial Trellis). Over the past few days I've been pulling together a post on decorating with turquoise (to come later this week!) and I noticed that quite a few of my inspiration photos paired the bold hue with a more muted shade of lime or chartreuse. Since I love how fresh and youtful this combination feels, I thought I'd create a mood board that incorporated the lime trellis fabric, together with lots of turquoise accents, into a modern cottage-style breakfast room.

But first, a few of my inspiration shots:

Sally Markham

Katie Ridder

Ashley Whittaker

Frank Roop

Diamond Baratta Designs

Using these inspiration photos as a jumping off point, I designed a breakfast nook with a predominately white/neutral palette, but with strong hits of both turquoise and lime to keep things interesting. Style-wise, I'd describe the design as modern cottage, with classic cottage elements like wicker, sisal and plantation shutters sharing space alongside modern classics like the Saarinen table and the trellis print.

Sourcelist (clockwise from top left): 1. Bucharest Turquoise prints by Amy Butler ($166 for 24" x 24") 2. Blue Beaded Globe from Pieces Inc. ($695) 3. white plantation shutters 4. Saarinen round dining table in white laminate from Design Within Reach ($1543 for 35" diameter) 5. Sisal beige rug from Overstock.com ($76.49 for 5' x 8') 6. Captiva Side Chair from Crate&Barrel ($269) 7. Gwinnett Lane Turquoise china by Kate Spade ($12-$70).

Let's imagine this breakfast nook to be just that: a nook with just enough space for a small table and four chairs, and not a full room unto itself. Since this is all just pretend I'll play interior design god and ordain that the adjoining kitchen be white, traditional and not too formal. Think white subway tile backsplash, farmhouse sink and white Shaker cabinets. We'll then start our makeover by painting the kitchen a pale (but still bright) blue, like Farrow & Ball's Skylight. I'd keep the table and four chairs neutral and white, but keep things interesting by mixing the modern Saarinen table with streamlined (white) wicker chairs. Seat cushions would be upholstered in the trellis print, which would be an easy enough DIY.

Overhead I'd hang a fabulous turquoise globe pendant from Pieces, which is sized appropriately for a small dining area like the one imagined here. For some warmth and texture, I'd bring in a neutral sisal rug, which is a great option for a dining space as its inexpensive and easily cleaned. A triptych of Amy Butler's Bucharest Turquoise prints would help unify the turquoise and lime color palette. And finally, Kate Spade's fabulous Gwinnett Lane Turquoise china would be the perfect tableware to punch up the breakfast table (and the more ornate, traditional pattern speaks to Butler's damask prints).

Be sure to check out all the other participants' mood boards here for some more great inspiration on how to incorporate this versatile fabric into a variety of rooms and decor styles.