The Beauty of Ombre
Ombre is a French term which means “shaded” and it speaks of a color gradating from one tone to the next. We see it a lot in the fashion world:
From clothing…
…to handbags…
…and even hairstyles… (Regina Note: LOVE! I’d be all over this if I could pull it off.)
It’s also a look perfect for Interior Design. A more sophisticated technique will use shades from the same color family but you can also mix playful colors to create a more striking look. When using this finish, I like to go to my reference file (some images below) for good color combinations or color placement. (BTW, how beautiful are those green-ish doors in the 4th pic? Mother Nature created those in Rome. She’s the best artist.)
Here’s a kitchen our studio did with a subtle fading of color…I’d love to something with neutral grays in a modern loft as well…
I recently found a DIY finish (pic below) called Paint a Faux Venetian Plaster in the Better Homes and Gardens website. The instructions are on creating a Venetian Plaster look with just paints but it actually showcases an Ombre finish. Whod’ve thunk? Hope you’ve enjoyed this post — have yourself a wonderful weekend, dear Reader. I’m off to DC and hope to find some beauties to share! 
Image and Fashion Credits & Appreciations: Alexis Hudson, Givenchy, Monique Lhuillier, Luxist, Jak and Jil. Please contact me if you see a credit I have inadvertently missed. Thank you!
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Regina Garay, Regina Garay. Regina Garay said: The beauty of Ombre in design – http://bit.ly/bWHDN7 [...]
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[...] you know how I always talk about interiors following fashion?? Like maybe this post, or this one and maybe this one.? Check out a preview of some of the Fall 2010 collections.? Cool, huh? Until [...]
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[...] can be easily translated into interiors.? I’ve spoken about this subject before both in my Ombre post and also the Tie-Dye post.? Spying the dots in the ad above remind me of two images I saw recently. [...]
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[...] seriously cannot express to you how much I love the Ombre look on these balusters. I wish I had stairs in my home. I might have to [...]
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[...] wrote on The Beauty of Ombre a bit ago and I hope you enjoy the information and images from our archived post. The recipe link [...]
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[...] explored the bridging of fashion and home before (see The Beauty of Ombre and Connecting the Dots). Here it roars [...]
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[...] explored the bridging of fashion and home before (see The Beauty of Ombre and Connecting the Dots). Here it roars [...]
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[...] via fauxology [...]
Dana Tucker
603 days ago
I loved that Better Homes and Gardens paint technique so much that I had my husband paint that in our dining room. I love it!!! We get lots of compliments. Great post!
Monica Zeuli
603 days ago
I learned something today!!!!! I didnt realize there was a name for it. Back in art school, we did alot of that and I dont recall it having a name. We used to do whole paintings in shades of gray. How facinating. Thanks Regina!!!!
Julie Young
603 days ago
Hi Regina,
My client and designer asked me if I knew what an ombre purse was. I felt stupid because I really did not know. When they explained to me what they wanted it was easy to accomplish and it was fun. It was with colorful paints and not textures like your gorgeous inspirational photos.
Our ombre wall went from tangerine to mango to fushia to strawberry to cherry red. Love your blog! It is an inspiration to all who are lucky enough to read it! julie
Theresa Cheek
603 days ago
Fabulous, fabulous post! Your photos are eye candy! It’s funny you showed the Better Homes and Gardens article….I have the magazine that was from and used it in a home about 4 years ago….I have troweled paint ever since ….great look!
Regina
601 days ago
I’m glad this post was enjoyed so much.
The DIY recipe is a good one!
stencil helen
600 days ago
Fab post Regina. When I gave my talk at the IDAL convention last July I touched upon my exprerience as part of a colour trend panel for a UK paint company. I said “I can not give you a sneak preview as to what the new colours will be… but look for dip dyed surfaces”. If I had said ombre I might have made more sense.