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Ombre Trend

Ombre, a French word that literally means gradation, is a trend that I’m seeing in fashion and in the home for Spring & Summer that carried over into 2012. Have you noticed? In Paris, I spotted the French playing with various shades and felt inspired by how colors were used, on what, and which colors were selected in the first place. I noticed mostly watercolor citrus hues and ocean tones in fashion, flooring and even wallpaper and tiles. Here are a few inspirational photos that spotlight this trend – pretty, right?!

Ombre trend

Beautiful ombre in pinks from fellow fellow.

Ombre trend

Ombre trend

Ombre trend

Shown above: Windsor Love Seat, curtains, ceramics, pillows, glass pendant light, illustration. Not shown: scarf DIY and lots of pretty dresses.

Do you like the ombre trend? Do you own anything for home or in your closet like this? I like it, but more on pillows and rugs and for ceramics and glassware then anywhere else. Do you have a preference too?

(images linked above.)

Posted by decor8 in trends on February 24, 2012

Your comments...

  1. anh commented
    February 24th, 2012 at 4:50pm

    love the ombre trend!!!! def with the purple and blue hues.
    anh´s last [type] ..Winter isn’t over yet!

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  2. Giulia commented
    February 24th, 2012 at 5:08pm

    I like the ombre trend as an opposite to colour blocking. I find it soothing and pleasant. It’s been holding on for quite some time – I remember seeing a feature in Martha Stewart Living early 2011 or even 2010.
    My favourite are linens and cushions and I own a pretty blue ombre skirt made of linen and perfect on a hot summer day.
    Giulia´s last [type] ..Friday Food Files

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  3. Starlet commented
    February 24th, 2012 at 5:16pm

    I enjoy looking at ombre products. But I don’t own one (yet). I’d LOVE to be able to grow peonies like aboveeee. So dreamy!!!
    Starlet´s last [type] ..The Red in the Winterberries

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  4. Alex commented
    February 24th, 2012 at 5:42pm

    Hi… just to be specific in terms of traduction: “ombre” means shadow, and gradation is “dégradé” in french. sorry about my english ;)

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  5. tinajo commented
    February 24th, 2012 at 5:44pm

    I do really love these colors, so pleasing to the eye! :-)
    tinajo´s last [type] ..Friday at last!

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  6. Mary commented
    February 24th, 2012 at 6:14pm

    I have several large ombre scarves/shawls but since they were purchased more than a decade ago, I guess you could say I was trendy before my time (not).

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  7. Debbie G commented
    February 24th, 2012 at 6:15pm

    Beautiful pictures. I love the transition in the shades.
    Debbie G´s last [type] ..Decorating with Ikat Rugs

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  8. Syl commented
    February 24th, 2012 at 6:20pm

    Very very pretty, Thanks for sharing Holly:-)))
    Have a wonderful weekend!

    Syl
    Syl´s last [type] ..Vintage Treasures Part…?

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  9. Beth commented
    February 24th, 2012 at 6:28pm

    I love Ombre- I have a whole pinterest board of Ombre: http://pinterest.com/bethy_rodgers/ombre-hombre/ – check it out!

    I don’t think of it as a trend, though it has been very popular on the runways and in home decor lately :)

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  10. Summer // House&Hold commented
    February 24th, 2012 at 7:42pm

    Lovely post! I have been thinking about the same thing this week & have started to make an OMBRE pinboard on Pinterest!
    http://pinterest.com/houseandhold/ideas-ombre-such/

    But am loving what you found — esp. the lampshade! <3

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  11. Jessica @shimmerkai commented
    February 24th, 2012 at 7:43pm

    Love ombre! It’s so natural and calming. This is a beautiful round up- those curtains add a ton of color to a room, but in a soothing way. Thanks for sharing!
    Jessica @shimmerkai´s last [type] ..Beach Birdhouse

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  12. Seventeendoors commented
    February 24th, 2012 at 7:46pm

    I like a lot!!
    Have a nice weekend!
    Ulrika
    Seventeendoors´s last [type] ..a dress for a princess

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  13. Emily @ Peck Life commented
    February 24th, 2012 at 7:46pm

    I’m loving the ombre trend! I don’t have too much of it in clothing either but I love it in homewares and ESPECIALLY paper products. I dip dyed my son’s birthday invitations to add this effect and they were great! I’ve also seen some great wedding invitations in this style. :)
    Emily @ Peck Life´s last [type] ..Friday Randoms

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  14. Emily commented
    February 24th, 2012 at 8:43pm

    I’ve been watching the ombre thing—I love dyeing things and have been at it again lately. I like it best when it’s very subtle, like that dress with the pink at the bottom. It’s just a hint that the object was hand-dyed/ hand-colored, that extra second look that it asks for. Also reminds me of the trend I think you covered awhile back of things dip-dyed or dipped in paint. Burda Style had a fun spread on that idea sometime last year. More projects to dream about….

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  15. Sandra Nachtsheim commented
    February 24th, 2012 at 8:53pm

    I love the Ombre Trend! I am really happy about this trend, especially with the apricot colors… Can’t wait for summer in Germany!!

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  16. Maggie commented
    February 24th, 2012 at 9:16pm

    I love these! I am loving the tye-dyed fabric. I am wanting to do a white linen with a color on the bottom for my living room. Great ideas! I hope its okay but I’m adding you to my blog roll. I just love coming here!

    xoxo,
    maggie

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  17. Claire T commented
    February 24th, 2012 at 10:08pm

    I love that cake idea! May try it out as I got two 60th Birthdays this year and need a excuse to bake cakes you know as a practice! LOL

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  18. Ingrid Jansen commented
    February 24th, 2012 at 10:11pm

    hej Holly, Ombre is cool right!
    For furnature, fashion and even hair. (just not too ombre hairdo, my hair needs some sun bleeching ;)
    Happy weekend and Paris is great, toujours
    Ingrid Jansen´s last [type] ..mucket bra

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  19. Lisa commented
    February 24th, 2012 at 10:33pm

    I like the softness of the ombre trend especially when used with citrus hues and white. It is a more subtle way to use color and I find that refreshing when brights like Tangerine Tango are central to the year’s palette. The watercolor-inspired look of ombre adds a delicate touch.
    Lisa´s last [type] ..Cascading Camellias

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  20. Glenda Childers commented
    February 25th, 2012 at 12:02am

    Ok, that cake is beautiful, and I don’t even like cake. (I will take the ice cream, though.)

    Fondly,
    Glenda
    Glenda Childers´s last [type] ..Three Weeks Off-line (part three) ~ What I Did

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  21. Tracy A. commented
    February 25th, 2012 at 2:04am

    Love this! I recently snapped some photos of Spanish Moss hanging from trees – there is such a lovely gradation of hues – very soft and buttery. Lovely trend.

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  22. carrie commented
    February 25th, 2012 at 2:17am

    GORGEOUS!!!! I never knew that is what “Ombre” was… duh. I was calling it “gradient”. I’m going to feel more in the know than EVER now because I finally know the real term for this ;) Thanks so much for sharing… every single picture is so so beautiful.
    carrie´s last [type] ..Art Journal – Bouquets of Watercolor Flowers

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  23. kristin commented
    February 25th, 2012 at 5:04am

    i love ombre! i had been wanting to try dying something like that forever, and i finally did it recently on a maxidress for my preschool-aged daughter. it turned out so well i want to make myself an ombre summer skirt, too! here’s my post:
    http://skirtastop.wordpress.com/2012/02/16/prp-week-6-old-new-borrowed-purple/
    kristin´s last [type] ..a springtime ayashe

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  24. Gosia commented
    February 25th, 2012 at 12:03pm

    I like ombre hair- I know Drew Barrymore is a big fan of it. I’ve had- quite fasionable now- ombre lilac flats for 8 years !

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  25. Nancy commented
    February 25th, 2012 at 2:52pm

    I love the look of ombre especially when I dye with all natural plant extracts.
    Nancy´s last [type] ..Indigo Me.

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  26. Ivy commented
    February 25th, 2012 at 6:35pm

    Last year I bought the most beautiful dip dyed dress from Anthropologie. It is much like the gradient theme in this post, the hem is deep navy fading to ivory with a bit of navy design. I can’t wait for nice weather again so I can twirl in it!
    Lovely gathering of inspiration Holly.
    Cheers~Ivy

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  27. Holly Marder commented
    February 25th, 2012 at 7:36pm

    So, so pretty! I adore that dress, but I mostly love ombre used in peach and turquoise tones for crockery. Thanks for sharing, Holly.

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  28. Kate @ Songs Kate Sang commented
    February 26th, 2012 at 3:30am

    Holly, I am so glad you wrote this post! I have been wondering what exactly Ombre meant for a while now!
    Kate @ Songs Kate Sang´s last [type] ..I will follow…

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  29. Viv commented
    February 26th, 2012 at 5:28am

    Much love for ombre. Hope you have been well, lovely Holly. I dyed the ends of my hair a few months ago and when the colour fades it fades to a lovely ombre – brown -> pale pink -> blonde.

    Lots of fun!

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  30. MissRouge commented
    February 26th, 2012 at 9:32am

    Wunderschöne Bilder und eine menge Inspiration!
    TOLL!
    MissRouge
    MissRouge´s last [type] ..Shopping-Tag in Hannover

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  31. Jutta commented
    February 26th, 2012 at 11:35am

    I have to try to make a cake like this! Looks great!
    Jutta´s last [type] ..Schoko-Orangentorte mit Mascaponecreme

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  32. Brooke H commented
    February 26th, 2012 at 11:48am

    Ahh the pillows of ABC, be still my heart. . .I’m a huge fan of ombre in fashion and home.
    Brooke H´s last [type] ..New Print: Zoey

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  33. SALLI @ TIIPII commented
    February 27th, 2012 at 1:24am

    I’m a big fan of the ombre trend. Those pink colours at the top are stunning.

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  34. Decorator's Notebook commented
    February 27th, 2012 at 11:47am

    I’m really loving this trend… whatever the colour it has a softening, feminine effect I love. Though saying that, the peachy pinks are my favourite.
    Decorator’s Notebook´s last [type] ..Explore a stripped-back vintage home

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  35. Cyn commented
    February 27th, 2012 at 3:07pm

    It’s true as Alex says, ombre means shadow in french. But maybe in design terms, it is different! I like those cakes, they are so beautiful. I wish I could make food so beautiful as that ^.^,

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  36. Hilary commented
    February 27th, 2012 at 6:02pm

    That pink scarf is just amazing!…and I’ve thought about doing a DIY of the bench from Anthropologie, that way it could be any color I want.
    Hilary´s last [type] ..Mary Anna’s Front Porch

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  37. Sari / A Little Hummingbird commented
    February 27th, 2012 at 10:12pm

    Lovely post! The dress in the second photo is gorgeous!
    Thanks for sharing :)

    xx Sari

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  38. Bonnie McCarthy commented
    February 28th, 2012 at 12:22am

    Gorgeous photos! The colors are just amazing and I really love the way you have softly interpreted the ombre trend! Just beautiful!
    Bonnie McCarthy´s last [type] ..Shop: Anthropologie

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  39. Alex Royal commented
    February 28th, 2012 at 2:39pm

    I love your blog! It inspires me daily!! I hope you don’t mind me pinning some of your pics on pinterest?

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  40. viv commented
    February 29th, 2012 at 7:52pm

    Love this trend, the curtains from anthropology are just adorable!

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  41. Sara commented
    February 29th, 2012 at 9:06pm

    I really like the ombre trend and its more subtle way of adding color. All of your picks are so pretty!
    Sara´s last [type] ..Style in unexpected places

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  42. Carmen commented
    March 1st, 2012 at 6:55pm

    Excellents Ideas, and the most important, simple !

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  43. Kelly commented
    March 1st, 2012 at 9:15pm

    I love the Ombre trend-especially in hair! It’s so subtle and unexpected. I’m even considering it myself…I love the curtains you featured – great find!!

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  44. Sitt commented
    March 2nd, 2012 at 7:00am

    I must admit, I’m bored with ombre trending.

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  45. Rosa commented
    March 4th, 2012 at 1:36am

    I don’t but I now may have to!
    Rosa´s last [type] ..Weathered the Storm

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  46. Becky! commented
    March 5th, 2012 at 3:07pm

    Got my hair ombred and I love it. It seems like it’s popping up everywhere now. I want to ombre my curtains now!

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  47. Marta commented
    March 6th, 2012 at 1:19pm

    Lately I thought of ombre-painted walls, the desired effect must be difficult to obtain though.
    Marta´s last [type] ..Let me tell you the story of a little princess.

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  48. Damien commented
    March 7th, 2012 at 11:51am

    I love the colors. Your post gave me some decorating ideas. I am planning to redecorate my room. These are very creative designs.
    Damien´s last [type] ..Construction White Card

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  49. esther commented
    March 8th, 2012 at 6:55pm

    I just did an ombre roundup too. Wish I had seen your posting so that I could use some of it as inspiration/reference!

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  50. Erika commented
    March 14th, 2012 at 11:58am

    I agree, this trend is really pretty and the colours are calming and fresh. It is very summery too!

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  51. Lisa commented
    March 14th, 2012 at 1:28pm

    where is the dress in the top right pic from?

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  52. minouette commented
    March 14th, 2012 at 10:53pm

    I really like the ombre trend, particularly in textiles… though the work is weird. In French, ‘ombre’ means shadow, not gradation. Also, it doesn’t have an accent on the end, like we pronounce it in English. It’s one of those funny borrowed terms which does not really mean the same thing in the new language.

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  53. minouette commented
    March 14th, 2012 at 10:53pm

    I really like the ombre trend, particularly in textiles… though the word is weird. In French, ‘ombre’ means shadow, not gradation. Also, it doesn’t have an accent on the end, like we pronounce it in English. It’s one of those funny borrowed terms which does not really mean the same thing in the new language.

    ReplyReply
  54. oli commented
    March 23rd, 2012 at 7:10pm

    hi there, just wondering if you could tell me where you found the first dress on the right hand side there.. i would really to purchase it for my wedding dress, i’ve seen it on a few blogs and haven’t been able to trace the maker, any information would be helpful! beautiful collection- thanks for sharing!

    olive

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  55. Comp commented
    March 28th, 2012 at 1:53pm

    i love the shaded bench!
    Just wonderful
    thanks for sharing

    ReplyReply

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