Quirky Pumpkin Palette to Celebrate Fall

This quirky pumpkin resting on a teal blue background is the perfect inspiration for a complementary color palette with warm oranges and deep blue-greens.

As I walked back from the bus stop this morning, the sky was filled with hot air balloons. The air was cool and I could smell someone's wood burning fireplace. It was the perfect fall morning in Albuquerque. I wanted to do another lap around the block just to soak up the perfect temperature, but alas, there was still another kid at home needing a ride to school. Mid-terms, the fastest way to ruin a perfectly good fall day.

I'm usually a summer girl, but I have to admit I'm loving the start of fall this year. The weather is cooperating, the Balloon Fiesta is in full swing, and it's time for pumpkins!

Quirky Pumpkin Palette

To celebrate, I found this lovely contrast-y photo of a funky little pumpkin on a bright teal background, to turn into a color palette.

There's just something happy and vaguely buddha-like about this little guy's pudgy rolls. They kind of remind me of my kids' thighs when they were chunky babies.

Why this Palette Works

It's no secret orange is my least favorite color, but something about this photo caught my attention. I think it's the bold contrast between the pumpkin and the teal background. Orange and blue are complimentary (or contrasting) colors, and likewise the blue-green and the burnt orange tones are perfect compliments to each other.

This would be a pretty bold combo to paint a whole room, but it would be great for smaller pops of color in a neutral space.

Contrasting colors are great for catching the eye and energizing a room or piece of art. So when you need a little zing, you can't go wrong with pumpkin spice.

And if your pumpkin is a little weird and roly-poly, then it'll be a good reminder to celebrate the weird and wonderful in your life. Or if you're like me, at least maybe it will make you feel a little better about your own leg rolls.

Happy Fall Y'all!