Dec 6, 20203 min read

Maximalist Jewel Tones

Botanicals and color come together to celebrate in excess.

The opposite of minimalist this maximalist design celebrates color, botanicals and excess to create a space bursting with interest and excitement. Throwing restraint to the wind and creating a design that is filled with rich color and unrestrained beauty is not my typical aesthetic but I do have a lot of fun every time I get to do a design like this.

While a minimalist design is arguably more difficult because each and every detail is so important - maximalist still carries a very unique challenge in order to create a space that is cohesive and refined. It can easily go overboard or too "theme." Maximalist gives you that opportunity to really just go have fun and surround yourself with things you love and embrace what speaks to you.

For this design, I chose to go with deep jewel tones primarily in blue to green and wine to blush. Varying the intensities of the tones helps achieve a space with a deeper sense of layering.

I chose to use a deep emerald green velvet sofa with traditional tufting, nailhead trim, and silhouette. I counterbalanced this with two simple traditional lounge chairs in a medium rose/cranberry upholstery. A fuzzy sherpa accent chair helps brighten the space while the fuzzy fabric and curved lines gives it a similar visual balance. I chose to use a jute rug with an aqua viscose weave through it to tie the space together but also add a bit of natural texture and organic lightness to the space. Two simple tray topped bunching tables form the coffee table.

For the walls I have chosen a lighter but very patterned botanical print and chosen a vibrant blue green paint for the other walls. I specified a cream colored white that ties into the wallpaper for the ceiling and trim.

For casegoods I chose a light aqua colored faux shagreen console table with brass accents to drive home the colors of the room. This together with the wall color creates that strong mid shade between blue and green that is then balanced out by the emerald of the sofa and the blue accents in the pillows and art work. I used a geometric bronze bookshelf to add storage and counter balance the brighter brass in the room. The side tables bridge the gap between bright brass and bronze.

I have chosen a fun and modern bubble chandelier in brass for the center of the room. This piece keeps up the excess but makes sure the room doesn't feel stuck in the past. Tying in with the fuzzy accent chair in particular. For the other lighting I chose a floor lamp with a faux brass bamboo style. On the console table I have set a broken alabaster table lamp to bring lightness and bridge that gap again between traditional and modern.

Pillows, accessories and art are a celebration of fun colors, patterns and objects that unify the space and add visual interest wherever you look. When choosing these items I kept the botanical feel in mind but stayed away from giving the room a theme.

In the end - I think this design is a fun place that while not everyone's cup of tea - it is definitely a space I want to spend some time in! Bring me some bubbles!

Let's get creative! - Trent