Colour Palettes Inspired by ‘La La Land'
The Oscar contender is full of beautiful scenes. Enjoy a few rooms that echo the film’s colour play
Erin Carlyle
2 February 2017
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes to remodel. Former Forbes real estate reporter. Fascinated by cool homes, watching the bottom line.
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes... More
The musical La La Land, which follows the romance between a jazz musician and an aspiring actress, got 14 Oscar nominations this year. It’s a visually gorgeous film, and no matter how it does on awards night February 26, it’s a feast for the eyes.
We’ve written about finding inspiration for room palettes on the runway, in nature and in your closet. Movies also can be a wonderful place to discover rich blends of colours you can apply to home decor. Take a peek at these scenes from La La Land paired with rooms that have a similar palette.
We’ve written about finding inspiration for room palettes on the runway, in nature and in your closet. Movies also can be a wonderful place to discover rich blends of colours you can apply to home decor. Take a peek at these scenes from La La Land paired with rooms that have a similar palette.
Dale Robinette / Lionsgate
1. Movie House
This shot of Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone captures the glamour of attending a film screening in the days of old. Most of us don’t get so decked out to see a movie these days – at least not in the theaters I’ve attended lately. But wouldn’t it be nice if we did?
This shot of Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone captures the glamour of attending a film screening in the days of old. Most of us don’t get so decked out to see a movie these days – at least not in the theaters I’ve attended lately. But wouldn’t it be nice if we did?
Room designer: See Materials
The rich red colour of the floating vanity pairs beautifully with the moody green walls. Low lighting creates a sense of hushed privacy.
The rich red colour of the floating vanity pairs beautifully with the moody green walls. Low lighting creates a sense of hushed privacy.
Dale Robinette / Lionsgate
2. Embrace
The colour palette for this scene is quite limited, allowing the light itself to become an important aspect of the shot.
The colour palette for this scene is quite limited, allowing the light itself to become an important aspect of the shot.
Room designer: Klopf Architecture
This room benefits from a similar light pouring in through the A-frame ceiling. The room echoes the dark brown of the movie scene’s backdrop, as well as the rose colour of Stone’s shirt. The wood floor is reminiscent of the colour of Stone’s hair.
See more rosy reds in kitchens
This room benefits from a similar light pouring in through the A-frame ceiling. The room echoes the dark brown of the movie scene’s backdrop, as well as the rose colour of Stone’s shirt. The wood floor is reminiscent of the colour of Stone’s hair.
See more rosy reds in kitchens
Dale Robinette / Lionsgate
3. Jazz Club
This scene is quite muted in terms of its palette, made up nearly entirely of neutrals. The dark shade of the trumpeter’s suit and the reddish-brown hue of the brick wall draw the eye – as does the bit of Stone’s red straw peeking out.
This scene is quite muted in terms of its palette, made up nearly entirely of neutrals. The dark shade of the trumpeter’s suit and the reddish-brown hue of the brick wall draw the eye – as does the bit of Stone’s red straw peeking out.
Room designer: Jennifer Gustafson Interior Design
A pared-back palette of white, grey and brick channels the visually quiet vibe of the movie’s jazz club.
Bare your home’s soul with exposed brick
A pared-back palette of white, grey and brick channels the visually quiet vibe of the movie’s jazz club.
Bare your home’s soul with exposed brick
Dale Robinette / Lionsgate
4. City Stroll
Look at the attention to detail in this shot: the ochre colour of Gosling’s tie reflects the colour of the lamppost behind him, while Stone’s coral dress repeats the pink in the twilight sky. Grey also forms a major part of the palette, in the dark of the road and the lighter colour of the fence on the left.
Look at the attention to detail in this shot: the ochre colour of Gosling’s tie reflects the colour of the lamppost behind him, while Stone’s coral dress repeats the pink in the twilight sky. Grey also forms a major part of the palette, in the dark of the road and the lighter colour of the fence on the left.
Room designer: Tineke Triggs, Artistic Designs for Living
Charcoal-coloured painted cabinetry grounds this kitchen in much the same way that the road provides a grey anchor in the movie shot. Pops of coral parallel the colour of Stone’s dress, while the wood floor approximates – yes, it’s not 100 per cent – the ochre of Gosling’s tie. The dark wood door at the back of the room imitates Gosling’s hair; the paint colour in that niche echoes the concrete balusters in the movie shot’s lower left.
Charcoal-coloured painted cabinetry grounds this kitchen in much the same way that the road provides a grey anchor in the movie shot. Pops of coral parallel the colour of Stone’s dress, while the wood floor approximates – yes, it’s not 100 per cent – the ochre of Gosling’s tie. The dark wood door at the back of the room imitates Gosling’s hair; the paint colour in that niche echoes the concrete balusters in the movie shot’s lower left.
Dale Robinette / Lionsgate
5. Bedroom Glow
This intimate scene includes a softly electric range of pinks, reds, lavenders and blues. The colours of the room and light decorate the actors – look at the strands of hot pink in their hair.
This intimate scene includes a softly electric range of pinks, reds, lavenders and blues. The colours of the room and light decorate the actors – look at the strands of hot pink in their hair.
Room designer: Loczidesign
This is a strong interpretation of the movie shot’s palette. Here, the colours – coral, as well as plum and an indigo-purple – vibrate with energy, though their intensity comes from the colours themselves rather than from the glow of an electric light.
This is a strong interpretation of the movie shot’s palette. Here, the colours – coral, as well as plum and an indigo-purple – vibrate with energy, though their intensity comes from the colours themselves rather than from the glow of an electric light.
Dale Robinette / Lionsgate
6. Screen Light
The cool intensity of blue light takes over this shot – a palette that paints the skin tones of the characters icier. Warm squares of peachy light in the background keep the shot from becoming glacial.
The cool intensity of blue light takes over this shot – a palette that paints the skin tones of the characters icier. Warm squares of peachy light in the background keep the shot from becoming glacial.
Room designer: Robineve Interiors/Universal Design
A room need not showcase a large screen to get that blue glow. Here, lighting beneath the bar creates a similar effect. The warm tones of the wood and walls heat the colour palette. Note that the green edge of the light fixture matches Stone’s dress.
Design ideas to borrow from bars
A room need not showcase a large screen to get that blue glow. Here, lighting beneath the bar creates a similar effect. The warm tones of the wood and walls heat the colour palette. Note that the green edge of the light fixture matches Stone’s dress.
Design ideas to borrow from bars
Dale Robinette / Lionsgate
This may be the most gorgeous shot in the movie. Writer-director Damien Chazelle told The New York Times it was filmed during Los Angeles’ “magic hour.” Stone’s yellow dress makes the scene, but that red bag on the bench is pretty important too.
TELL US
Do you have a room that uses the colours from this photo as effectively? If so, we’d love to see it. Post it in the Comments section below.
MORE
Read more fun Houzz stories
TELL US
Do you have a room that uses the colours from this photo as effectively? If so, we’d love to see it. Post it in the Comments section below.
MORE
Read more fun Houzz stories
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Erin - this is a great story! Makes me look at the movie through an entirely different lens now. Love it!
I love getting inspiration from Hollywood movies, the colours in this one were especially vibrant and retro!