Color Me Happy

I never really appreciated the impact of color on my mood and quality of life until about a year ago a party guest innocently commented, "I really love all of the brown in your place".

This observation came as a surprise to me because I love color. But, it made me look at my surroundings with new eyes. I indeed discovered a heavy dose of brown accents throughout my home such as chocolate curtains; dark African masks; earthy ceramics and sepia-toned art. And truth be told, this color-scheme reflected the way I was feeling at the time - kind of blah.

So I quickly set about changing all that. And now this spring, my home reflects a mood that feels just right - a warm neutral base with pretty pops of color that make my heart sing. Which brings me to my new favorite inspiration.

The May 2008 issue of Domino features actress Julianne Moore's design project for her wardrobe stylist, Leslie Fremar. This makeover perfectly illustrates the power of color to transform a 'brown' space into an inviting home. The muted blue sofa in the living room and the bright lemony yellow curtains in the bedroom are perfectly balanced by crisp white accents and organic touches such as the woven basket used as a stool. You can see more of this lovely home, here .

Do you think the colors in your home impact the way you feel? If so, what ways do you use color to make your home a cozy haven?

Photos: Paul Costello - Domino