Bohemian Colors

Cultural Roots

• Modern decorators draw from diverse ethnic traditions to create bohemian style. Weavers and craftspeople from Africa, India, Southeast Asia and the Americas have made natural dyes for centuries and used them in interesting and creative ways. Some color patterns have special significance for the tribes and ethnic groups that create them. This symbolic value adds depth to the vibrancy of traditional patterns, but the spirit of boho design is unconventionality, and designers are seldom constrained to work with the patterns in traditional ways. The accent is on joie-de-vivre, emotional expression and artistic creation.

Bohemian Color Motifs

• Bohemian colors are all about creativity and fun. Complexity of color and theme is a virtue in a boho motif, and the more colors the better. The colors are seldom muted, and the more emotional reaction they evoke, the better. However, they should harmonize in some reckless and unpredictable way. A complex color motif doesn't have to be incongruous. On the contrary, it should blend color, shape and symbolism into a pattern or series of patterns that create an adventurous mood of discovery, which can be imperfect. In fact, imperfection may be one of its most attractive features.

Bohemian Hues

• Bohemian hues are primarily earth tones and saturated colors. They are inspired by tribal weavers and craftspeople who have made dyes for centuries from plants and minerals. The predominant hue is largely a matter of personal choice, but it may also have a cultural context. Various tribes ascribe significance to particular colors. For example, the Yoruba people of West Africa consider deep blue an expression of God and have always had a ready supply of indigo dye to make it. Uzbek weavers, on the other hand, lean toward bright oranges, yellows, purples and reds in their traditional clothing.

Decorating With Bohemian Colors

• Bohemian decorating is seldom a matter of simply painting the walls. Everything in the room, including the furnishings, wall hangings and window coverings, is part of the party. You might draw inspiration form a favorite tribal bedspread or carpet and work from there, painting the walls with bold hues and glazing the wooden furniture with primary colors. Find unpredictable and original ways to fit paintings and wall hangings into the color and design scheme. Bohemian designing isn't about symmetry, although you don't have to avoid it, but about bold, broad statements about life, love and art.