Blue and Brown...a word of warning.

Each decade has it's style trend, that typically is chuckled at years later. In the 90's it was beige on beige, mixed in with a little beige. In the 80's, we had white walls, with refreshing white (or mauve) carpet, and a peach finished dining table. The avocado colored kitchen appliances mark the 70's.

I feel that the "theme" that epitomizes the current years, is the in-your-face, blue and brown combo. To take it a step further, it is blue and brown, mixed with funky white decor/furniture, polished steel and glass. It's not that I don't like this look, it's just the way it's overdone that is sealing it's own fate. Any time the word "theme" is used to describe your room, you are typically off to a bad start.Here is a room that at one point I would have been drawn to, but now is a textbook Z Gallerie or West Elm ad. All we need to finish the stereotype look is to add stacked clear glass-ball lamps in the back, and some chrome bowls on the tables. It could be a nice room, but is just too themy. You could probably order each of these items right now from the West Elm website.

Here is an image that has paraded it's way around the online design websites. This room will have a shelf life of about 1 year. Even though it has a lot of bold features, it has no soul.

If you like blue and brown, like I do, it is still possible to stick with it. Here is a photo of a traditional room, illustrating the color palette but in a tasteful way. It definitely has those accents but in a toned down sophisticated manner. As usual...less is more.