"Taupe is actually a French word meaning 'mole'... however taupe was all over the place - the only thing consistently agreed upon was that it as generally browner than a mole had a right to be"
The Secret Life Of Colour: Kassia St Clair
If you don't already have a copy of this book on your shelf, I just don't know what to say to you. Are we even friends? (JK, of course we are! I'll even read from my book for you if you don't have one x) This fabulous book tells the background story of how certain colours came to be, including this remarkable description of taupe.
And why do I seem fixated on taupe? Well, other than prompting the British to do a tour of American and French zoos and museums to truly determine if it was indeed the colour of a mole, taupe is one of the boho colour palette staples.
Boho colours are earthy, warm, inviting... they bring to mind the heat of desert rusts, the coolness of deep forest greens and the sounds of running water, the brightness of fragrant spices. The inspiration for this style comes from everything, all the places you've been and the memories you have from your travels.
(And pot plants. This style has a heck of a lot of plants which you have to keep alive)
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to the bohemian style, the very meaning is unconventional and free-spirited. Whatever makes you happy, that's what you should fill your home with. However, if you love the style but not sure where to start exactly here is some tips on what colours to include.
Neutrals
While boho is the style for the free spirited, you still need some neutrals in your decor to stop your space from being a tad bit overwhelming. Think soft, earthy colours, either painted on the walls to really let your accents pop or used as cushions on a bright couch to soften the room. Use a variety of these softer tones to add depth, just make sure that you keep an eye on how well they blend together. Neutrals don't have to be boring, it all depends on how you use them!
Accents
The next layer of colour is the accents. These colours are a bit brighter, a bit more saturated and make up the bulk of your colour palette. Don't go overboard with how many of these that you use, but play around with different tones of the same colour. Let's say you picked Stone Blue, Rust and Camel for a blend of comfort and subtle energy. Maybe the pattern on your couch is a darker blue that the pattern in the rug, and that blends with the shade of blue in your wall art. Go nuts! Play with the various tones to find a mix that feels right to you, and adds interest to your space.
Contrasts
Now it's time for the contrast, AKA, the fun colours! These colour pops can absolutely make a room look and feel complete and unique. Just remember, a little of these goes a long way. Pick just a couple and scatter them around your space. Maybe a cushion that has teal stripes, or a mulberry lampshade with hanging amber beads. Mix and match, and make sure you have fun :)
Like I said before, these are not hard and fast rules, and by no means are these the only colours you can use when decorating your home in the boho style! There are so many shades and tones and combos I couldn't possibly fit all of them in this post. But hopefully it's given you a starting point, and I can't wait to see how you use them!
