New American: Red, White, and Aqua

DIY Design

Soothing Bedroom

Mismatched easy chairs and side tables in coordinating colors create a collected, vintage look in this master bedroom. Accents of red break up the cool, soothing tones.

Balanced Bedroom

The pale blue hue of this bedroom pops against the bold red of the headboard and the stools at the foot of the bed. The lady's writing desk tucked near the window is the perfect place for jotting a note or journaling.

Cozy Cottage Living Room

Slipcovered club chairs and an Oriental rug complement the patina of the aged, wooden fireplace. A painting of the house before restoration hangs on a track above the mantel to hide the television.

Mixing Traditional and Contemporary

Black shutters and white trim are classic colonial touches, but the crisp black-and-white striped fabric and high-gloss red porch give this traditional porch in East Hampton, New York, a modern update.

Play With Color

Give your eating area a laid-back look with bistro chairs in different colors. Who says a china hutch has to contain china? At the beach, use it to store games, kids' artwork, and seaside collections.

Playful Bedroom

Bold, primary colors give this spacious bedroom a laid-back atmosphere. Frosted glass provides this street-facing room with a bit of privacy.

Cabin-y Guest Loft

Traditional and modern pieces mix in this Athens, Georgia loft to create a funky look. The warm, wood-paneled attic bedroom has a naturally rustic look, but red metal lamps, an Eames chair, and a sleek pendant lamp keep this space from feeling out-of-date.

Nautical Guest Bathroom

Freshly painted wood paneling throughout this bath is a classic, coastal element. Even the bathtub gets this nautically-inspired treatment.

Floorboard Folly

Wall color isn’t the only way to spice up a kids’ bedroom. The floor becomes the main attraction in this room with painted striped floorboards in varying shades of blue. And who says twin beds have to match? These beds have different but complementary linens and bed frames.

Tartan and Rattan Living Room

Tartan in a palette of black, red, white, and turquoise and a touch of yellow inspired this coastal, East Hampton living room.

Bunks for the Boys

Built-in bunk beds are a great option for two boys and their frequent guests in this seaside cottage. Great-grandmother’s quilts mingle with simple furniture that has been brightened with red paint. A palette of reds, whites, and blues is nautical and just masculine enough for boys.

A Space of His Own

Sports trophies are displayed on locker-style furniture in this 10-year-old boy’s room. The twin beds once belonged to his grandmother and are updated with fire engine red lacquer.

Simple Look

A college-aged boy’s room shouldn’t be overly decorated, but it should be a nostalgic place filled with favorite items, like old baseball gloves and a lifeguard sign. A rug with bold stripes is a graphic touch with universal appeal.

Cool Blue

Scientists believe that blue’s calming properties decrease blood pressure, improve decision making, and enhance communication.

Beachy Keen

Look to the water. If you have spectacular ocean views, let the water replace interior blue hues and introduce extra hints of red for contrast.