#gray and red decorative throw pillows

[schlafloo]

Living Room - Transitional Living Room Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional formal and enclosed dark wood floor and brown floor living room remodel with beige walls, no fireplace and no tv

[silknspice]

GOOD FOR THE HEART

country! vi x reader fluff, angst, smut (18+), slow(?)burn, wc. 13.6k

synopsis: an intimate bond forms between an ill farmer's daughter, desperate for a taste of the outside world, and the helpful part-timing cowgirl at the farm. OR vi wants you bad, and what better way to get to know you than sneak you around town?

content warnings: illness, NOT read over, foul language, smut so mdni/18+, fingering r!receiving, controlling parent, health worries, fainting, slight insecurity, emotional rollercoaster but a fun one!!

soundtrack: my girl (the temptations) | our love (curtis harding + jazmine sullivan) | | we’ll never have sex (leith ross) | pillow (malcolm todd) | close to you (carpenters) | not a lot, just forever (adrianne lenker) | cool about it (boygenius) |  pancakes for dinner (lizzy mcalpine)(this sounds sm like vi to me) | kiss me (sixpence none the richer) | i bet on losing dogs (mitski)  aftercare (listen post-fic): force of nature (lizzy mcalpine)

Vi could strip naked right here, right now. 

And with her well known spontaneous personality, she would. Especially under the hundred degree heat that preys upon her and forces the girl’s freckled skin to glisten. But a: she’s with her siblings (enough said), and b: she’s working outdoors at the Laurier’s farm. Meaning only a handful of yards away, tucked in that blue, yellow, and white idyllic house covered with blooming botanical life, stands Mr. Laurier’s orphic daughter.

That’s all Violet’s ever heard about you, from children playing on the street to adults roaming the town shops. Ever since her adoptive father suggested she take this summer job before she goes back to focusing on her college work. Ever since her siblings and family friend jumped to tag along after Mr. Laurier decided ‘the more the merrier’. 

All that’s been filling Violet Lane's ears is information about you, or, the lack thereof. How you’re always locked up in that big residence. How you used to roam the town just like any other little rascal until five years ago, at the age of thirteen, when something out of her knowledge occurred. How stunning you look in a sundress. She tried to block that one out. 

“Why is it that Mylo’s drivin’ the tractor and not me?” Powder complains, pulling her clenched hand from the bag of chicken feed and tossing it on the ground for the horde to gobble. 

“Last time you tried to drive something I started praying.” Ekko throws out. His bun shaped hair bobbles as he finally pulls that one stubborn carrot from the ground and places it in the basket. 

“Besides Pow,” Violet starts, lifting a heavy brown box onto her shoulder and cradling it with just one arm. “You’re doin’ fine taking care of the animals. Mylo would be scaring them to death.” The pink haired girl sighed out, looking around.

Her gaze landed on the decorated porch, and she pursued. Vi set the last of the boxes down with a soft grunt before straightening her back and lifting her arms, clasped at the fingers, over her head to get a well-deserved stretch. 

The worker’s completely regretting her chosen position as the door swings open, and she looks heaven right in the eyes. 

You stand there in a white lace sundress covered in a juicy red pattern of cherries, a smile sweet enough to give a sugar high plastered on your stunning face. Vi’s gaze flickers down to your feet covered by red country boots. Above those are your soft looking hands holding a gift basket. When she’s done examining you, her blue-gray eyes trail their way back to yours– and it’s like whiplash. Once again, she’s blinded by those pearly whites and the tasty perfume radiating off of you. God help me, is the only phrase filling her mind because damn you’re ethereal. 

“Hi there, cowgirl.” You’re going to send Vi into cardiac arrest with just your voice. Thankfully, she realizes she needs to respond, and quickly wipes the dopey grin (that she wasn’t aware she had) off of her face. 

It’s not like everything is peaches and cream on your end. The girl’s tight white t-shirt is grasping onto her glistening biceps, her pretty bright eyes and the freckles that decorate her nose make her look blessed by the sun, and seeing such a beautiful yet handsome woman in a cowboy hat is doing foreign things to your stomach. ‘Wow’, is all your wandering mind formulates.

“Hi there, miss Laurier,” she copies you in her lower voice, and you notice the slit on her lip as it curls up into a soft smirk. You shake your head at her words with a polite smile, insisting she call you by your name, which you offer up. She repeats it once perfectly, claiming it ‘rolls right off the tongue’, and you crack a smile. 

“My father informed me that you’re the new help around here for the summer, so I decided to bake somethin’ for the five of you.” You’re sticking out the basket, decorated with a pink bow on top, for Vi to take. She does and quickly takes a peek inside. Five snickerdoodle cookies and one large cherry pie. You do stay on theme, and so, it starts.

“Thank you, cherry.” she cracks a smile that sends a shock down your body, and gently tips her hat.

Fourteen searing days pass on that farm, days filled with laughter, hard work, and the smell of life from the surrounding plants. 

But not for you. 

For each of those fourteen days, for the past one thousand eight hundred and twenty-five days, you’ve sat sideways in your window with your back against one side and your legs propped up on the wood. You read, journaled, book pressed flowers (that you had to sneak out front to get), took much needed resting breaks, tended to your pet lamb Daisy, and watched Footloose. Your sock-covered feet subtly shuffled side to side as if you were mimicking their dance moves in your head. 

Vi watched as you sat there all those days in your open window. Half of your body out in the fresh air and half cooped back up inside like the past five years of your life. It was as if you yearned to experience life completely outside the window, but you couldn’t. And so, you completed your daily activities the furthest away you could get. 

Until your eighteenth birthday came along. 

“Lord, can you focus instead of stalking your ‘cherry’,” Ekko mimics the pinkett’s voice with the last two words, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. 

“Bet she wants to pop her cherry.” Mylo snickers at his own joke, earning a slap to the nape from Claggor.

“Last warning Mylo. Don’t talk about her like that.” she replies firmly, furrowed brows making a little scowl. 

Claggor shakes his head softly, letting the tension between his siblings diffuse before speaking. “You know, you should do something other than just stare at her all day. It’s getting sad.” 

“Like?” the cowgirl responds with crossed arms.

“Ask her to hang out, obviously.” Powder pipes up, petting a sheep as she prepares to guide it inside the barn. “She’s always lookin’ so lonely. Swear the only time she smiled this past week was when you complimented her on those blackberry muffins she baked us.” 

“You know she’s not supposed to come out, Laurier said so. Pretty sure that’s why she stays upstairs, can’t even come out on the porch when we’re here no more.” Violet huffs.

“You think he thinks we’re a bad influence on her?” Ekko ask in confusion. Because truth be told, no one knew why you stayed locked up in that bright house, like a princess trapped in a tower. People knew better than to ask your father, and of course, they couldn’t get to you. Maybe it was time for someone to be your knight in shining armor.

“Doesn’t matter, he’s not even here right now.” Mylo insists. 

So, after a long back and forth conversation of weighing the possibilities, Violet’s shoved over to the shrubs in front of your second story window. You notice her when she’s there (you’ve been sneaking glances at her every so often), shifting your position so that you can look down on her as she calls out your name.

“Afternoon, cowgirl,” you coo, tucking a piece of hair behind your ear. 

“Hey there, angel,” she simply replies with that signature smile, and your hands clench the frame you’re leaning on a bit tighter. “We’re done with the chores for today.”

“Oh. Well, get home safely.” you hum, eyes dropping in what Vi hopes is discontent, because her next words will cheer you right up. 

“Actually, we’re not headed home just yet. The five of us are headed out into the woods over there for a little.. chat." The glowing sunlight illuminates her face as she nods her head to Mylo, who’s allowing the brown paper bag to peek out of his backpack and into your vision. Alcohol. “Would you wanna come with us? Won’t take up too much of your time, I promise.” she asks with a cool voice but a pounding, fearful heart. 

No.

Or at least, that’s what you were supposed to say. It’s what you’d normally say. As much as your ill heart ached to connect with others, as much as you wanted to venture out of your home, as much as this strawberry-haired helper made you want to explore new things you’d only ever seen in movies, your answer always had to be no. 

But, unbeknownst to the others, today was your birthday. You had cautiously lived another year, and instead of feeling fulfilled, you only wonder how many you have left. 

You wanted to live, not survive.

You stared in contemplation before backing up, shutting the window and rushing out of the girl’s sight. 

Vi dropped her head down to the shrubs in front of her. It’s over. She blew it. 

“You scared her!” Ekko teased, making the girl whip her head around to show an angry stare. But the displeased expression faded faster than it formed when the creaking of that back door met her ears, and Powder gasped in joy and disbelief. 

“Lead the way.”

The walk along the trail of the woods to a more secluded area with cut wood stumps as seats was anything but quiet. Powder was talking your ear off about everything mechanic she worked on, treating you like you were from the middle ages rather than just sheltered. Claggor and Mylo were leading, causing the group numerous wrong turns and unplanned ‘shortcuts’ (they’d gotten lost along the way). Vi walked with Ekko on her left, quietly pumping her up and giving her the confidence she’d need to ‘make her move’. 

But despite the various noises, she couldn’t hear anything. Because strolling to her right was you, the girl she’s been infatuated with since first glance. She’s trying to be discreet, examining the way your hair falls, your scent, the way you press your lips together in thought before answering a question. It took the platinum blonde boy next to her elbowing her side before she came back to the real world. 

“I call first sip,” Powder squeaks, to which Violet scoffs, making a quip about how she’s only sixteen and scolding anyone who attempts to offer her the bottle. The bluenette brings up the fact that the others aren’t even the legal drinking age either, but it’s shut down because ‘an adult is an adult’.

“We’ll bring a juice box for you next time.” Mylo smirks, taking a long drag from the bag before offering it out to you. 

Despite the soft urge, you shake your head, because you know your limits. Your heart’s limits. Despite the fact that you’re ignoring the sweatiness of your palms and feeble limbs. 

Mylo hums. “Two juice boxes, then.” 

“Mylo–” Vi scolds, finally coming out of her trance. 

But her anger is cut short at the sound of a hearty chuckle coming from your mouth. And it’s the first time Vi’s ever heard you laugh. Genuinely laugh. It’s enough to bring stars to her already-bright eyes.

The conversation continues as the sun and clouds pass by. Eventually, the others are in a heated debate about the best character in some film you’ve never heard of, leaving you and Violet to shyly shift your attention towards each other.

“I’m glad you came. I noticed you.. don’t get out much?” Her tone is the gentlest it’s ever been. 

“I’m glad you invited me.” You easily avert her indirect question. It eats you alive, the want to tell her everything about you. How you have a “bad heart” as your father gently put it, and now you live your days mundanely so as to not risk triggering anything fatal. But the desire to live just one day in normalcy is stronger, and so you change topics. 

“You have very big muscles. I like them. Is that why you do most of the lifting things rather than herding cattle and such, like other cowgirls?” 

Vi feels her cheeks get toasty at the compliment and your almost-awkward forwardness. But you can’t help it, you’ve hardly had conversations with anyone but your father the past few years, let alone a handsome girl so close in age. It doesn’t matter much though, because Vi loves it.

“Not a real cowgirl. I’m only good for lifting what others can’t.” She chuckles a bit. “I just happen to own a horse— and I wear the hat of course… maybe the belt’s a little cowgirl-like too, but that’s all.” 

You smirk because that makes her a cowgirl in your book, but you politely hum and say nothing. 

The girl shifts her position to turn towards you more, and you swear your heart stops when one of her manspread knees leans against your crossed ones and makes no attempt to move. She examines your behavior, and when she sees the ghost of a smile on your lips, she leans on her opened legs slightly to get more comfortable.

“So what do y’ do in that big house all day, angel? Must get lonely.” 

These nicknames are doing terribly good things to you. 

You hum. She’s completely correct, but the last thing you want is for her to pity you. “Bake a lot, shop in the catalogs, watch movies, write in my books.” You shrug. “Oh,  and I take care of my Daisy girl.” A smile graces your perfect lips. 

“That your dog? Never seen her around,” she asked with questioning brows.

“No,” you giggle, sending Vi into heaven. So beautiful. “It’s my lamb.”

A beat passes before she responds, a glint in her eye. “So I should be calling you Bo Peep?” she jokes. 

You laugh, knocking your knees against hers in playful scolding. Simple words, simple touches, a simple gathering that may be day to day life for anyone else in the town. But for you, this was the best thing to happen in years. 

“Daisy’s a sweet name, matches her sweetheart of an owner.” she compliments you, and you graze your hand over your heart because you can’t decipher why it’s speeding up. “We sound real rugged compared to you. Our dog’s name is Rusty. Powder ch–” 

“Hey!” 

A deep, raspy voice calls out from behind you. A few of you whip your heads around to see the source of the noise, whereas others stand out of shock as the man comes into your sight. “What are y’all doing on my property? Get over here!” He’s moving quickly towards the group, and Ekko’s the first to move his feet.

“Time to go,” Vi says hastily, standing. Without thinking, she takes your hands and pulls you to a stand. “You a good runner?” 

No. I don’t know. I haven’t had anywhere to run in years.

That’s what you should’ve said, but as stated earlier, a life of normalcy for today. And so, you lie.

“Sure– yes, yes.” 

Vi nods at that, tightening her grasp on one of your hands as she rushes to exit along with the others. Your hands stay intertwined as the pair of you dash through the greenery, avoiding unfriendly hanging branches, jumping over logs, and ducking under leaves. 

You’re terrified. The same glistening sweat that forms in your clammy hands makes another appearance on your forehead. A prickle crawls its way up your throat, and suddenly you’re hacking into your elbow as the cowgirl guides you close to her body while you near the edge of the woods. Your little red problem pounds against your chest as if it’s begging you to stop, to give up before it does, but you can’t.

The man moves quickly, but he’s no match for adolescents of the countryside. By the time you reach the fields of your farm, he’s nowhere to be found. 

Powder’s hollering and cheers of victory sound broken, doubling and distilled, coupled with a soft ringing sound and pressure around your head that only grows the longer you stand. The only thing you can hear clearly is your quick panting. That deep red blood is draining from your head and blazing heat is left in its place. 

A blurry and distant Violet comes into your impaired vision, and you feel the soft sensation of her cupping your face with worried hands. “Cherry?” 

Your mind’s swirling with thousands of sensations, and your terrified breaths grow increasingly shallow until you can’t fight to stay awake any longer, falling into the arms of Vi. There’s yelling, someone scooping you up into their protective arms, orders being thrown around as you’re rushed towards the house, then silence. Complete and utter silence. 

The female lead is on your screen twirling and rolling her hips with glee for the third time this week, and you wonder if you'll get a chance to dance like that.

It’d been three days since you fainted after running from the farmer down the trail, three days since you’ve seen Violet (or any of the farm helpers), and three days since you’ve felt that inexplicable warmth in the pit of your stomach. 

While you rendered unconscious, Vi and the others scrambled to get your limp body inside. They laid you out on your bed, arguing about whether or not to call for help, because they had no clue what was wrong with you.

Of course, you woke up a couple minutes later as you always do. You were confused and terrified, but strictly instructed to rest by the friends who promised they’d stay until your father arrived. Fatigued even more than normal, you complied.

When your father arrived home an hour later, he stumbled upon Powder placing an ice pack on your sleeping head, Claggor and Mylo pacing the room in worry, Ekko attempting to research what exactly would have caused your current state, and Violet looking sick to her stomach as she cradled your soft hands in her rough ones; praying to whoever’s up there that you’d be fine. 

Needless to say, once they’d confessed to leaving for the woods and running back (leaving out every bit alcohol related), he’d been beyond furious, placing you on total lockdown for recovery and demanding the helpers avoid the farm for a couple of days. After you’d gotten your medication in you and recovered after a full day of rest, he chewed you out too. ‘You know I’m just trying to keep you safe.’

But you didn’t want safe anymore, you wanted life. 

And Violet walked right through your front door. Literally.

The pinkette runs a hand through her fluffy hair before securing the cowboy hat back on her head. Her eyes are searching the house for the kitchen when they land on you, and a wave of relief washes over her.

“Hi, angel.” 

Your heart speeds up, and this time, you don’t need to question it. 

“Hi Violet,” you coo shyly, standing from your comfy position on the couch and making your way over to her, hands clasped behind your back. 

She wastes no time cradling your face in her calloused fingers, the pair of your soft breaths filling the silence as the girl looks over you, finishing her personal assessment before swiping a thumb across your cheek in gentle comfort. 

“I was so worried about you,” the whisper fell from her lips without shame. 

“I’m fine, really.” you speak in the same tone, leaning into her sweet hand.

“No, you’re not.” That catches you off guard. “When your father saw what happened he panicked, said something about your heart and thought you were…” she let your mind fill the blank with a glint of pain in her blue-gray eyes. “You wanna tell me what’s going on?” 

Your eyes drop to the floor, and before you have time to think about it, you speak. “I’m sick. The bad kind of sick that doesn’t just go away after a couple days.” you can’t look her in the eyes as you speak, just placing a finger to your chest. “I have a ‘bad heart’, as my father puts it. Don’t have a lot of energy, can’t do much without getting too overwhelmed, dizzy spells and such..” 

You expect to see a crack in Vi’s sweet eyes, a sign of distaste, of regret for caring about a broken girl, but her gaze only softens and a tender hand moves a piece of hair from your face. 

“That why you’re cooped up in here?” she asks, even though she knows the answer. You nod. 

It’s silent for some time, and the two of you enjoy the other’s presence in such a milestone moment. 

“I have somethin’ for the five of you,” you finally speak, pulling from her affectionate grasp. She nods, wiping the worry she feels in the pit of her stomach away so that she can be there for you. You stroll into the kitchen with the cowgirl behind you, opening and rummaging around the fridge as she takes a needed seat at the marble island. 

She looks over your attire. A big bright red sweater hangs off your shoulders that covers your shorts, and a white bow in your hair that brings a smile back to her face.

You turn back around, setting down a tiffany blue cupcake platter and perfectly made white-frosted cupcakes with a purple design in the middle. You then pull out some tupperware, transferring cupcakes into it as Vi speaks. 

“They’re Violets,” she says in surprise and you giggle, only nodding your head. 

Marry me she thinks, before coming up with something more plausible to say. “Is this what you’re studying in college? You're gonna be a chef or somethin’ angel?” 

You pause before barely shaking your head. “Not goin’ to college this year.. my father says I need a gap year before ‘making any big decisions’,” you scoff, because the truth is he just can’t let you go. “Worries me though. He won’t go out and buy me any textbooks or anything, I’m gonna go stupid.” you whine.

Vi presses her lips together, clearly sharing your discontent with the situation. 

“Well, I know you’ll do great when you go. There’s already a strong brain in that pretty head of yours,” she grins. 

A smile forms against your will as you look up at the girl. 

“You think I’m pretty, Violet?’ 

She responds quickly, like the words spilled out of her heart rather than being formulated in her head. “I think you’re gorgeous. Whoever’s up there took their time making you.” 

Comfortable silence ensues as the room’s filled with pounding hearts and warm faces of passion. Finally, you finish packing up Vi’s cupcakes and place the box in front of her. She thanks you, looking to the side in thought before an idea flickers across her face. 

The girl rises, lifting the hat from her head and leaning over the marble to place it atop your surprised head. She doesn’t wait for your reaction as she picks up the cupcake box and a wooden crate from the ground (what she should’ve been doing in the first place). “Keep that safe for me until tomorrow, cherry.” 

“But isn’t tomorrow your day off?” you ask, flicking the front of the hat so it’s above your eyes.

“Yeah. I’m coming to see you tomorrow.”

The sun couldn’t set and rise fast enough. 

You waited in so much anticipation that you woke up an hour earlier, practically shoved your father out of the house with his breakfast, and spent any extra time at a mirror fixing an out of place hair or switching your outfit for the fifth time. 

You don’t know why you do– why you care so much. But before you can think too hard on it, the sound of someone pulling into your driveway blesses your ears and there’s six soft knocks at the front door. 

And so it starts with you and Vi seated on the floor between the couch and the coffee table. Your backs lean against the lower portion of the soft matter, and Vi pulls out a book. Four books, to be exact. One for each core subject.

You furrowed your brows in confusion, looking from the pile of literature to the fluffy haired girl. 

“I was thinkin’ I'd bring some textbooks to you since you can’t get ‘em yourself. I’m in my second year now so I won’t be needin’ these ones anymore.” She somehow speaks with both suave confidence and warm-faced fear in unison. “We could make it a thing, y’know. Preparing for classes together.” 

“Yes!” You speak with starstruck orbs. 

Violet laughed with relief, because if she had to be completely honest, that wasn’t the only reason she was here. She didn’t need this time to prepare, maybe a quick refresh before the year started, but she definitely didn’t need to be studying during summer. But if it gave her a chance to connect with you, she’d study until her brain burst. 

The helpers’ off days were Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. So that’s when Violet would pack her books, hop in her truck, and haul ass to your farm. Each session was the same. You’d start out in comfortable silence reading your separate texts and answering questions or jotting notes down, then Violet would make a stupid joke about a picture in the book or get sidetracked by your bookshelf of dvds in front of her, and minutes later the room would be filled with fits of laughter, fuzzy brains, and your books completely discarded. 

“‘Dirty dancing’? Damn cherry, your father know you watch this stuff?” Vi grins, sliding the movie case back into its spot along the brown wooden shelf. 

“It’s not that kinda movie, Violet. It’s like.. set in the sixties.” you huff, holding back a smile at her playful words. The pinkette takes her seat next to you on the couch, manspread legs and a cunning smirk just inches away from your face.

“And what exactly is ‘one of those movies’, doll?” she teases.

You scoff.

“I’m sheltered, not stupid.” you play, a soft hand coming up to push against the girl’s arm. 

Something flickers across the pinkette’s face before suddenly, she’s on top of you. 

You’re pushed onto your back against the plush couch as pure muscle weighs above you, powerful hands swirl at your waist before your laughter fills her ears and your hand shoots out to grab at one of her arms. The pair of you struggle for power, pushing back and forth, twisting bodies, and yelling out competitive quips. 

Finally, you smush the palm of your hand against Violet’s face, momentarily stunning her before the stronger girl grabs both of your wrists and pins them right above your head. 

Soft panting and awestruck eyes decorate the both of you. The air is tighter, every inch of your body is suddenly aware of your positions, and no words are exchanged as you savor the feeling of her touch. God you feel weak, but you don’t know whether to place the reasoning on Violet or your heart. 

Violet’s about to lose it, because with the way your sweet eyes are trailing up her body to her face, her heart is clear. 

She wants– no, craves you. Bad. 

It’s quiet for a moment longer before Vi clears her throat, reluctantly letting go of your wrists while moving back to stand. 

“We deserve a study break.” the cowgirl hums, crouching and examining the lower levels of the bookshelf. 

“We haven’t even been studying,” you throw back and fix your skirt while sitting up. Vi finds the record she’s been searching for, pulls it from its sleeve, and adjusts the player.

“Okay smart ass, we deserve a break.” she grins and the stylus hits the circular item. 

A soft, sensual song makes its way through the air. It’s older, a woman singing softly about her lover’s perfection, and you warm at the thought of a special someone fantasizing about you to the tune. 

Vi stands in the middle of the spacious room, and when you don’t move she waves her arm. “C’mere.”

You stand (a little quicker than you should’ve), and make your way over. She wastes no time, gently moving one of your hands to her shoulder and intertwining fingers with your other. As for your free hand, she tenderly places it on your waist, looking for any discomfort in your face. All she’s met with is big eyes of wonder and god, she’s screwed. 

“Just follow my lead.” she’s speaking sensually under the music, thumb rubbing at your waist. 

“Oh please, I could dance circles around you.” you quip.

“I’m sure you could, doll. But it’s a slow dance, so we work together.” Your bodies move closer as she speaks, making you smile and lose the sassy attitude for a moment. Just a moment.

Angelic vocals encase the two of you. There are only sounds of that and gentle side steps before you speak once more. 

“Did you know it was my birthday?” You stare straight into her eyes.

“Wait, what?” 

“The day we went to the woods. Is that why you asked me to come? Because it was my birthday?” you tilt your head.

She blinks twice before huffing a laugh. “No, I didn’t know. This mean I made you faint and get in trouble with your pops as a present?” 

You smile to yourself at the coincidence, holding her hand a bit tighter. 

“Have you danced with someone like this before?” she asks.

You shake your head before pausing. “Well, once with my mother, but I was very little.” 

Vi’s eyes soften a bit more. “Is she..?” 

You nod. “It happened when I was eleven. She had the same problem as me, that’s why he’s so protective.” Your voice is soft as you refer to your father. “I understand him, I really do, but I’m just so tired of being separate from the world.”

The girl can only nod, the hand around your waist snakes around to your back and pulls closer until your bodies are almost plush against each other. 

“Thank you for trusting me with that,” she whispers. And suddenly, there’s soft giggles. You’re laughing because the tough, suave cowgirl you know can be such a sap. 

Your laughter dies down and you shake your head before placing it between the crook of Vi’s neck, softening into your sappy cowgirl. “Talk to me about something good,” you hum.

“I’m takin’ you out on a date Friday.” 

Your eyes widen and you pull your head back to look her in the eyes.

She stammers and mentally groans because you’re the only one who could ever make Violet Lane stammer. “Well– if you say yes.” 

No.

That’s what you’re supposed to say, and what you should say. Not because of your father’s influence, not for your safety, but because you’re afraid. Afraid of the trouble you could get Vi into, of dealing with the unknown, but most importantly you were afraid of hurting her. 

While you aren’t bedridden, your life is fragile, and the thought of being a burden to Vi was heavy and present. How long could she stand you until she got tired of your neediness? How long until she’s tired of hearing about all the things you can’t do? She’s spontaneous, reckless, fun, and you thought she deserves to end up with someone just like that. Someone you’re not. 

But right now, you want her, and she needs you, so you give her what you can. 

“Of course,” you agree with a genuine, toothy smile, and the pinkette sighs of relief. 

The song finally comes to a stop. 

For the first time, you’re glad your father works all day long, because there’s no way you could sneak someone as loud as Powder around your house. 

Her squeals of embarrassment and your laughter echo from the kitchen throughout every room of your home. Your canvases and paints are neglected as you point an accusatory finger at a message on her screen. A message from ‘Ekko <3’. 

“I knew it! The way you talk to each other– ‘Oh Ekko! You’re just so smart,’” you mock her, making the girl’s face change colors faster than you’ve ever seen. 

“I do not say things like that!” She yells back, making you giggle harder. “And we aren’t dating.” 

“Why not?” you whine. You clasp your hands as if a plea is about to fall from your lips when a ding rings throughout the room. You look down and gasp. A message from ‘Lux <3’. 

You pause, eyes flickering to the girl. “Do you have everyone saved with a heart?”

She shakes her head. 

“Just those two?”

She nods. 

“Oh, this is just like the movies!” Your laughter repeats like a loop. The girl groans at you and moves her phone to the other end of the marble countertop. “I’m kidding– awhh, Powder!”

She shakes her head. “This conversation is all the way over.”

It takes a moment for your giggles to die down, and soon you’re nudging the bluenette’s shoulder with yours gently. “You’ll make the right decision, just don’t waste time overthinking it. Follow your heart.” 

She raises her eyebrows, picking up her paintbrush. “I could give you the same advice.” 

You scoff out a laugh, gaze landing on your taunting medications in the corner of a counter. “My heart is fighting itself. Wants two different things at once. Certainly can’t have both.” 

“Then follow your mental heart, not your physical one.” 

You pause, brows furrowing as you look at her with suspicious eyes. “Did Violet..” 

Powder shakes her head before you can finish. “No. She can keep a secret, especially for you. I connected the dots on my own,” she shrugs, swiping an electric blue line across the clean canvas. “Y’know, the meds, how protective your father is. Once, on one of your bad days, I looked through a window and saw you sitting down a third of the way up the stairs looking all dizzy and breathless. You fainting just tied it all together,” she hums. 

You burn holes into the ground with your utterly ashamed gaze.

“I don’t want anything bad to happen to you, but you should live the life you want rather than being trapped in one you yearn to escape. And you can count on that big baby to protect you.” You let out a little laugh, nodding at the younger girl’s sweet words. 

“Oh yeah, she wanted me to give you this. Dummy forgot it yesterday.” 

Powder sets the brush down and rummages around her tote bag that lays on the counter, pulling out a tiny black velvet box and handing it to you before turning back to her self-proclaimed masterpiece. 

Your heart swells in the best way possible, and you flick open the little clasp to reveal a thick golden ring with two red dots and a green leaf in the middle. It’s accompanied by a small white note with bright red writing.

‘Happy birthday, cherry.’

“I knew they were together!”

You stare out of the windows of Vi’s truck into the town square. Your gaze is fixed on Miss Medarda and Mister Talis, who are sitting suspiciously close to each other on a bench near one of the decorative fountains. 

Vi fixes her dark brown hat as a laugh escapes her. “No way, he’s always chatting up this guy– one of the professors at U.P.” Vi refers to her college, and it takes you a second to understand. 

“His hand was on her thigh, Violet. That was pure romance.” 

Vi pauses, seemingly focused on the road ahead, but the lightbulb look behind her eyes that appears makes you think otherwise. “Yeah, yeah, we’ll see who’s right.” she jokes after remembering she hadn’t responded. 

Vibrant sunlight hits almost every inch of the truck and illuminates the town that passes by as the pinkette turns down a road surrounded by greenery. You spin the gifted ring on your finger once, then twice, out of nervousness. It’d been years since you left your house for anything but the doctor’s, let alone a date. A thousand and one possibilities whirled through your mind, but were quickly flushed out at the sound of Vi’s voice. 

“I see you got your gift,” she smiles, eyes flicking away from the road down to your ring and back. “I like how it looks on you.” 

She was skilled at putting up a flirtatious and unbothered front, because on the inside you had her absolutely melting. Out of all ten options, you chose to secure her gift on your left ring finger. 

You’ll be the death of her, no doubt. 

“It’s perfect,” you look over to her with hearts in your eyes. “Thanks, cowgirl.” 

She nods, eyes flickering back down before she takes her right hand off of the wheel and down to thumb the end of your shorts. “I like these too, real damn pretty.” 

You giggle, and somehow the swarm of butterflies in your gut doubles in size, because instead of returning to the wheel, the girl’s hand is delicately placed onto your inner thigh. Her calloused hands gently cup your skin, and she’s grateful you can’t read minds because she’s terrified of your potential reaction.

You can’t fight the smile that crawls its way onto your warm face. The only thought that runs through your mind is how this is even better than the movies.

“Well I hope I’m dressed well enough for whatever we’re doing today. Wish you woulda told me.” You finally reply, softening under her touch. You swear you hear her let out a little sigh of relief. 

“That’d ruin the surprise. I’ve gotta wow you.” she sends you a wink and your laughter fills the car with joy. 

It doesn’t take long until you’re pulling into the driveway of Violet’s house. It’s beautiful, all brown and white with flowers out front that Powder planted herself, high school graduation yard signs, and fresh open space. Still, a panicked look sets on your face. 

“Wait, wait, Vander’s gonna see me– he’ll tell my dad,” you stammer.

Vi cuts the engine, gently taking a hold of your chin to redirect your gaze as she speaks reassuringly. “Hey, hey. He’s not here you worrywart, won’t be home until late tonight.” Your eyes soften and you sigh. “Besides,” she starts, “we’re going over there.” 

Just past the house is a matching white and brown barn-esque building. Stables.

“She’s so big!” you yell with awestruck eyes as Vi pulls the red roan out of the stables by the lead. “What’s her name? When’d you get her? Wow I’ve never seen one of these up close, mama was afraid of ‘em and my father doesn’t ride.” You speak at rapid fire making Violet snicker. 

“Slow down,” she instructs, standing between you and the hairy beauty. The girl takes your hand, placing it on the horse’s shoulder, giving you the okay to pet. “Her name’s Gunner, she was my fifteenth birthday present, and I can’t imagine your pops getting anywhere near a horse.” You playfully hit her with your unoccupied hand. 

“Gunner,” you whisper, “badass.” 

Vi chuckles, because swearing sounds so foreign to you.

“You ready?” She asks, slipping her black riding helmet on your head.

“Wait, what?”

“You think I brought you here just to stare at her?” she smirks, completely mesmerized by your face while tightening the straps of the protective gear. “We’ll go slow this time, I promise. Okay?” 

The promise of this happening again makes your heart flutter, and all of the gears in your brain stop spinning before you respond, “Okay.”

She helps you onto Gunner, patting the small of your back before hopping up right behind you. Her warm arms snake around your waist and grab hold of the reins in her hands. Her muscular front is smushed against your back, her head placed inches to the right of yours. 

“Now, gently squeeze his middle with your calves,” she instructs.

You obey, and the red roan begins its walk. It’s slow, peaceful, but such a new experience to you that a sweet gasp of surprise falls from your lips. 

The two of you sit in silence, appreciating the comfort of each others’ presence and warm golden light shining upon you as the beauty of nature captures you. In the green pasture of Vi’s fields, you feel like you’re breathing for the first time in five long years. 

Gunner simply walks for a few minutes as you point out pretty flowers that you pass and Violet mentally compiles a bouquet for you. Vi’s talking about her years as a kid in this field. When she’d lost (and found) her favorite toy bunny out here, or dared Mylo to walk through the vast field at the dead of night. Suddenly you’re begging to see some baby photos. 

It’s at this moment that everything’s easy. Vi’s admiring everything about you with eyes of love when–

Gunner’s neigh sounds like a shriek of terror when three birds zip past, spooking the roan into a 180 and bolt away before Vi can make it out of her trance. 

You yelp from the sudden change in speed, almost slipping off of the animal, but Vi’s there to keep you securely fastened against her as she takes control of it. Just as fast as it changed, Gunner’s speed slows to a stop. You can feel just how tense Vi is as she speaks. 

“Shit. I’m so sorry, doll. She gets spooked so easily and– god, I’m sorry for scarin’ you.”

It’s silent for a moment. The scariest moment of the pink haired girl’s life, because she can’t see your twinkling grin that spreads from ear to ear before you laugh. 

“That was so cool!” you beam, leaning forward to pat at the horse. “Not so badass though, huh?”

After a few more apologies and you repeatedly telling Vi that it was fine, you two decided it was best to turn in for the day. 

You sigh, sitting against the short wooden fence. “I wanna rest for a minute, that okay?” ‘I need to take a rest, I don’t have any energy’ is what you actually mean, but you choose not to worry her. 

She wastes no time plopping down onto the grass next to you, eyes raising to the baby blue sky. She gives you a few moments of silence, sneaking glances at your face every so often, before speaking. 

“Powder and Claggor were talking about how awesome it’d be if we took you to a Seraphine concert. Think you’d like her music a lot.” she hums, smiling to herself. 

“And one day, I'm gonna take you line dancing so we can settle our little debate once and for all.” Her grinning face is inches away from you and her overpowering scent of amber and musk ensues. 

“Oh really?” Your voice is soft as your head turns, looking Violet up and down with half-lidded eyes. “I think..” 

You quickly mount Vi’s lap, pushing the girl onto her back and pinning those muscular arms right beside her head with both of your hands. You’re both all giggles and grunts, and even though there’s no way you’d stand a chance against her in a real tussle, she lets you win. 

You lay there, one atop the other in a field of colors. The tension is so thick that not even a knife could cut it, and your grip softens when tender hands reach up to cup your face, a thumb stroking your cheek. The sun, her hands, her sparkling blue eyes, and the love radiating between the two of you has you all but melting. You’re leaning down, inching closer each second, and just before Vi’s dreams come true, you stop. 

You pull back with newly glossy eyes, dismounting the girl while whispering apologies that get lodged in your throat. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” 

You want nothing more than to connect your lips and hearts, but you were so afraid. How long until she resents you? How long until it’s over? You’d grown accustomed to heartaches, but never heartbreak.

But Violet craves you more than plants crave water, she needs you more than the Earth needs the sun. You just don’t know it. 

“Hey,” she whispers, sitting up and holding your chin as if routine. “Look at me, angel.” 

You comply with built up tears that threaten to stain your cheeks. 

“You don’t have to apologize for something like that,” she consoles, never looking away from your softened eyes. “We can go as slow or as fast as you want, okay?” 

You wipe your tears with the side of your hand, choking out your words. “I just– I don’t want to disappoint you.” I don’t want you to hate me once I’m gone. 

“Disappoint me?” She stiffles out a laugh. “You don’t know how bad I want you. But I’ll wait until the end of time if you ask me to, hell, I’d lasso the moon and bring it down if you wanted.”

That makes you sniffle and let out a breathy laugh, bringing Violet some relief. The girl slowly inches forward to make sure you’re completely okay with it before placing a warmhearted kiss to your forehead. It’s quick and simple, but causes an eruption of butterflies in your gut. Soon, your troubles are forgotten. 

“Let’s get you home, yeah?” 

“What’d I say about keeping this door open?” Vi raises a brow, leaning against the doorframe as she stares at an unbothered Powder who’s doing her mascara, and a flustered Ekko. 

“Must’ve been the wind.” Powder mutters.

“She wouldn’t listen!” He raises his hands in innocence from his position on a neon pink beanbag.

It’s silent before the three burst out in laughter, and Vi’s shaking her head as they catch their breath. 

“Hurry up though, we’re gonna be late to Laurier’s.” 

“Not today, Vi.” Vander’s voice bellows from behind her, making her turn her head with furrowed brows. “He gave the five of you a day off.” 

A smile graces Ekko’s lips and Powder is whooping in the back, but Vi’s lips drop into a subtle frown. 

“Awhh,” Powder coos, “poor Vi doesn’t get to see her girlfriend today, how ever will she live?” 

The teens snicker, but the pinkette notices the uneasy look on his face, the one where he has something to say but just can’t spit it out. “What?” 

The burly man runs a hand across his beard with a sigh. 

“His daughter.” The entire room pauses. “She's terribly ill today, bedridden. He’s staying home to watch over her so there’s no need for far–”

Vander doesn’t get to finish his explanation, because Vi’s pulling the keys from her pocket and rushing past him towards the front door. 

It takes almost running three red lights and a long, torturous talk with your father about being able to speak to you just for an hour, but at your bedroom door stands Vi, taking off her hat to look at you with big worried eyes. “Cherry,” she calls out. 

You feel absolutely horrendous. 

Your breaths are shallow, your ankles feel swollen beyond belief (you thanked god Violet couldn’t see them from under the blanket), and your eyelids weighed a thousand pounds, threatening to drop from fatigue. 

“What’s going on? What can I do?” she asks, wasting no time walking over to your pretty bed and taking a seat right next to you. 

You shake your pillow-elevated head, laying on your side to face her with a soft smile. “Can’t do anything, it’s just a bad day.” You reach a hand out to grab her calloused one and intertwine your fingers. “Just glad you’re here.”

“How’d you get past my father?” you whisper, relaxing into the soft matter.

Vi huffs out a laugh, readjusting to lay down as she speaks. “Convinced him that I’m extremely knowledgeable in this area because I’m studying to be in the medical field. So he thought it’d be fine if I watched over you while he feeds the cattle.” 

You giggle with a teasing look. “Oh yeah, what have you learned?” 

“Cherries are good for the heart,” she says all ‘matter of fact’ like. “They have potassium and antioxidants to reduce inflammation.” 

“I should be the one calling you cherry, then.” You hum. You don’t know how much it means to Vi to hear that she’s ‘good for you’.

It’s quiet again, and you spend time shamelessly looking over every inch of the girl’s face, landing on her powder-blue orbs. “You know, your children would have some beautiful eyes.” 

“And yours would be beautiful all around,” there’s not a trace of doubt in her voice. “What would you name them?” She asks and throws out silly names as you look around in thought, “Batman? Lice? Maddie?” 

“How is Maddie as bad as those names?” 

“I just don’t like it!”

Your giggles fill the room before you shake your intertwined hand. “Maybe either.. Josie or Clementine? They sound.. warm. Safe.” 

Vi nods, pulling you closer into her chest and draping an arm over you that cradles your back, “Josie it is.”

Your ears burn as you nuzzle into her. “And we’ll live in a big pretty house in the city, surrounded by noise and culture and life.” You wished so badly. 

“We?” Vi asks.

“Me, Josie… and you.” You look up at her with the last of your body’s strength. “If you’ll join us.” 

That spark in Violet’s stomach has grown to a full fire heating her body. Her dream girl’s lying in her arms, talking her ears off about their hypothetical future together, all while looking up at her with pupils blown wide as if she’s your knight in shining armor.

“Of course,” she agrees, “but we’ll have to bring Rusty and Gunner along.” 

You snicker with a nod. “Sounds perfect.” 

There’s a glint in the girl’s eyes as she trails her hand up your back to the soft skin of your face. “A pretty house, an adorable daughter, my rascal animals,” you let out a weak laugh, “and my pretty girl to share it all with.”

Your heart skips a beat. “Yours?” you tease.

“Yeah, mine.” 

She’s tracing meaningless patterns on your neck with one hand while tucking a piece of hair behind your ear with the other. And god, whatever this feeling is it’s too good, too sweet, too sensual. Your waiting lips are slightly agape in awe, and it doesn’t take long before Vi whispers, “Can I?” 

This time, ‘yes’ is the only word that pops into your brain and slips from your mouth as Vi’s lips crash into yours. 

Her lips are melting into yours with so much intensity that it’s hard to keep up. You let her take the lead while your scents, minds, and tongues mix together in a bundle of passion. Her grip around you never loosens. Fingers thread through your hair, and her slightly chapped lips dread leaving yours, because your kisses are the air she needs to breathe. 

A whine falls from you when she reluctantly pulls away from your sweet mouth, placing four chaste kisses on your cheeks, nose, and forehead. 

“You need to rest,” she coos, peppering your forehead with another (much needed) kiss, and keeping the close proximity as her arms wrap around you. There’s no argument, because the adrenaline rush from her kiss is wearing off and that wave of exhaustion snakes its way back. 

There you lay, bodies intertwined and souls tying as the sound of Vi’s healthy heartbeat lulls you to sleep. 

Once you’re out, you stay sound asleep as Vi hesitantly leaves your bed.

You stay sound asleep as she trots downstairs where your father places weights of guilt upon her, claiming he knows you two have been sneaking around, and it’s her fault you’re in this current state. 

You stay sound asleep as he demands she doesn’t return to the farm, permanently. 

With every inch of your worn down heart, you hate Violet Lane. 

And while deep down you know that’s not the slightest bit true, you still act like it. 

When you woke up the next day, the birds singing and a beaming face as you skipped downstairs to hug your father good morning, the last thing you expected was to hear the all too confusing news that Vi had quit. Along with the rest of her siblings and friend just an hour after. 

Unfortunately, you were none the wiser, and slowly sulked up the stairs and sank into your bed where you cried yourself back to sleep. 

For the first couple days, it didn’t make sense. The way she looked at you with those big puppy dog eyes, her tender care, the ways she spoke to and about you, it all seemed so real. It had to be real. 

On day three, you decided that acting was just one of her many skills. 

By day four, you had it figured out, or so you thought. Vi was a flirtatious asshole who wanted nothing more than some street credit for kissing the untouchable, locked up, sick princess right under her overbearing father’s nose. Coming to and believing such a conclusion felt like a stab in the side, and the knife only twisted when you factored in the fact that the others must’ve known about this, which is why they left alongside her. 

You thought you’d become accustomed to all of the heart pains in the world, but you were wrong.

Tears fell from your eyes like a waterfall until they grew dry, your baking pans yearned to be used but were shoved away into a cabinet, and what hurt the most was knowing your father was right for keeping you locked up all these years. You weren’t free, but you were safe. 

Finally, on day five, you’re engulfed by the plush matter of your couch when there’s six knocks at the door and someone’s calling out for you: “Cherry?” 

You scoff at her audacity. 

When you storm over and yank open the door with the meanest glare Vi’s ever seen from the prettiest girl she knows, you’re met with Ekko leaning against your white picket fence with his arms crossed, Powder standing next to him with a worried face, Claggor and Mylo relaxed against Vi’s bright red truck, and said truck-driver right in front of you looking absolutely sick. 

And you slam the door right in her backstabbing face.

“Seriously?” Vi huffs out, earning a stifled laugh and whistle from Mylo.

“Go away, Violet.” You yell through the door, voice the sternest she’s ever heard.

“Fuck no. What’s going on?”

“Why don’t you tell me?” you counter, back pressed against your barrier. “You got all that you wanted from me, and then you quit and disappear from my life. So why are you back, huh?” 

You’re lucky you’re packed with pent up anger, because tears are bubbling in the corners of your eyes and yelling is the only thing keeping them from spilling over.

“What?” the pinkette's completely taken aback, because she has no clue what you’re on about. 

“That’s not–” she sighs, lowering her voice before speaking. “I’ll never get enough of you. I’d take a thousand kisses and so, so much more if you’d let me, but that’s not why I see you, angel.”

Your eyes soften and hurt brows furrow because damn, she’s a good actress. 

“And I didn’t quit. That afternoon when you fell asleep, your old man practically dragged me out of your house and fired me. Said I caused your symptoms to worsen. I thought I’d lay low for a few days– and believe me when I say these were the hardest days of my life, but I didn’t want to get you in any trouble.” 

Your bottom lip is bitten red until you finally cave, creeping the door open just enough to show your face.

“You promise?” you ask, and Violet’s heart is aching. 

“Cross my heart.” she replies.

That’s all it takes for you to swing the door open and jump into her arms. She stumbles back in surprise before applying the same force, arms wrapping around your waist as she melts into yours cradling her neck. 

You’re sniffling, taking deep breaths before you speak. “Really thought you left me,” you croak out. 

“You’re not getting rid of me that easily.” she teases, placing a tender kiss on your forehead as you giggle and blink away tears. 

“Now go get changed, we’re going out,” a grin tugs at the corner of her lips when your happy eyes make contact with hers. You blink, an idea flashing across your face, before pulling her inside by the wrist, yelling “just a minute!” to the others, before hastily shutting the door. 

Violet’s eyes graze over every last atom of your body as your hips sway in front of her, babbling with Powder about who knows what, because she hasn’t been focused since you dragged her into your bedroom ‘innocently’ needing help with your outfit. 

She stood in your doorway curiously, thinking she’d only be there for a second, maybe you’d never been to a rodeo and needed advice. 

That was, until you paused at your walk in closet, a cheeky smirk on your lips that Vi desperately wanted to taste as you nod your head towards the bed. “Sit.” 

And she obeyed, manspread legs at the edge of your bed as you walk infront of her with a few items on white hangers. All frills, lace, denim skirts and shorts, and Vi’s reasonably concluded she died and went to heaven. 

“I could wear..” you shift the hangers around, “this with this skirt, or maybe these shorts and.. ooh, these boots match my panties.” You get a rise out of seeing the usually suave girl short circuit at the words that bless her ears. Definitely in heaven. 

But Vi came to the realization that she was, in fact, alive. Because her heart truly stopped beating when she helped you settle on your pieces, threw her a sugary sweet “thanks, Vi,” did a casual 180, and stuck your ass out to drag your skirt down painfully slow. 

Oh, those boots do match your panties. 

Now here you stand in a lacy red top, denim shorts that have her thanking god for your creation, and matching cherry red cowgirl boots that graced her eyes the first day you met. 

Neverending chatter fills your ears from other attendees, the overwhelming scent of kettle popcorn from a nearby booth stuffs your nostrils, and you see Ekko nudge at Vi, saying something that you can’t hear over the bluenette beside you talking your ear off about the stunning horses she sees. 

Suddenly, Vi’s walking up to you and smushing her hat onto your head with her famous smirk. “Keep it safe for me, doll?”

You nod mindlessly, a hand coming up to fix its position on your head. 

“Where ya goin’?” Powder calls out to the platinum blonde boy who’s ushering Vi to hurry up.

“Our annual face off,” he throws her a wink, and the girl’s rolling her eyes with a playful scoff. 

Before you can even ask, she’s locking arms with you and dragging you along to an even more crowded area. There’s various groups of people surrounding a blocked off area containing a big, black, circular inflatable mat. And directly in the middle is a mischievous brown mechanical bull. 

“Are they..” and your question is deemed useless when Ekko mounts the hairy machine, pumping his hands up in motion for the crowd to whoop and holler. Of course, they do. 

Ekko does good, to say the least.

One hand grips the bull while the other is thrown up into the air as the machine thrashes him and his white locs every which way. The intensity increases as it tauntingly speeds up, thrashing harder, and spinning recklessly. Finally, he’s bucked off, rolling to a stand and flashing his pearly whites as the crowd cheers.

A giggle falls from your mouth as your hip nudges Powder who’s in complete awe, and she warms in embarrassment. 

Vi and Ekko fake tension, sending joking competitive glares as they switch places. Now it’s the pink haired cowgirl that’s mounting the mechanical animal. 

You never thought you’d be admiring this sort of thing, but Violet’s never fails to twist your stomach in knots.

With a hand gripping the bull and the other resting on the back of her head, she bucks her hips back and forth to counter the thrashing machine. She’s focused, her sculpted muscles flexing as she holds on tight, but a cocky smile is plastered on her face with teeth biting down on her rosy lips. 

Surrounding girls (including yourself) are wooing at the sight. 

Vi makes it through the most chaotic shakes and spins as the bull finally comes to a controlled stop, and you’re cheering louder than you ever thought you could. 

“Woo! Hell yeah!” you cry out. The girl’s cheesing harder than ever when she hears your support, and the smile lasts all the way over to a fake booing Ekko who rolls his eyes and slips her a twenty dollar bill from his pocket. 

You and Powder unlock arms to move over to the riders. A chuckle of amusement spills from you, and you’re securing Violet’s hat back over her fluffy hair. “That was real impressive, cowgirl.” 

“Yeah?” she coos. 

“Yeah.” The atmosphere grows heavier, each of your eyes searching the other’s like there’s treasure to find. But your little staring contest as Claggor speaks. 

“Earth to lovebirds,” he hums politely. “You coming?” 

You’re quick to nod, but Vi gently holds your wrist, making you pause. “Actually, I wanted to show cherry around some more. Catch up later?” She asks, but she’s already pulling you away before Claggor nods in agreement and the group goes in the opposite direction as you. 

You speed up, feet coming into step with the girl who’s needily pulling you. Her silent prayers are answered when she spots a more secluded area behind a building and some fences. 

“Vi,” you snicker, cheeks warming in nervousness, “what are we doing?” 

She hums through half lidded orbs, hands finding their place on your hips and hastily pushing you against the wall that covers the two of you from the eyes of others. You’re looking up at her with the sweetest glint in your eyes and it’s driving her absolutely mad. 

“You said I was real impressive, right?” Her voice is smoother, breathier. 

Ohh.

You tilt your head, teeth chewing on your abused bottom lip before you mutter. “That’s right.. think you deserve a reward, huh?” 

“Exactly what I was thinkin’, sweetheart.” 

The newfound nickname is sending a shiver up your spine that transforms into a blazing warmth when Vi’s lips fit into yours like puzzle pieces. This time, messy limbs are thrown over each other. Your hand travels from her hands that are cradling your heated face, down to her abs (making her shiver as you scrape your nails across), to tangle in what pink locks aren’t captured by her hat. 

A strong hand makes its way around your waist, pulling you dangerously closer to rub against her body. God, she’s good at this.

“Vi..” you’re finally able to whisper as she trails kisses along your jaw and down to your neck. You can feel her smirk against the area where she peppers you with affection. 

And it’s perfect.

Not just the way she’s kissing you, or the fact that you’re kissing at all. It’s the environment, the feelings, the friendships that you’ve made with the others, the fact that for today, you’re living a normal life. It’s the fact that for a moment, you can cheer on your friends in a competition, you can lock arms with a friend and woo over others, you can get lost in passionate kisses with a girl and not have another care in the world. 

You wished it could stay this way forever. 

You lose all sense of shame, letting a soft grunt slip from your lips at the feeling of teeth and a ‘pop’ on your neck. It’s only a matter of seconds before both of your eyes widen and Vi’s pulling back with a crooked smile on her face. 

“Did you..” 

She wordlessly eyes the red-purple love bite forming on the back-side of your neck, just below your ear. 

“Violet!” you drag out with a whine, sending her into a soft fit of laughter. She feels guilty, but you’re just too cute. 

You have a love-hate relationship with the neon lights that are beaming throughout the spacious room that brings more noise than you’ve heard in the past five years– maybe more than your entire life. 

On one hand, the flashing colors are starting to give you a major headache. On the other, the red glow that decorates Violet’s face as she grins down at you has your insides doing summersaults. 

Nevermind. You love the lights. 

“C’mon y’all,” Powder calls out with a chipper expression. Ekko’s standing properly in line and his blue haired companion, who’s already freestyling, spins out of control and squeals up a storm. 

“You ready?” Vi’s words kiss your ear as she holds both of your hands, pulling you out to the dance floor. 

“Are you?” 

Your sass has her laughing, and she brings her tongue out to wet her bottom lip. “Follow my lead, cherry.” 

And for a few moments, you do. All of the surrounding crowd dances the same to the upbeat, fast-paced country song that pierces your ears, so you replicate Vi’s mixed steps and cute little head tilts with her hand on that chocolate hat. 

But then the song changes, it’s more passion filled and fiery. All it takes is Powder spinning out of line and shamelessly making her own moves before you’re formulating the steps in your head. From movies you watched religiously to mindlessly shuffling your own feet late at night, you danced for the little girl who longed to have fun, who longed to be free. 

You’re clicking the heels of your boots against the ground, moving your hips as fluid as water, and bringing your hands up just for them to slide down your sides with a heart-stopping smile tugging at your lips. 

Violet’s in awe, because her girl’s fearless and full of smiles, and she couldn’t be happier for you. 

And there’s no doubt in her mind that this is the only girl she’ll ever want, need, crave. 

She whistles, looking up and down with the most amused expression you’ve ever encountered. “Jesus, alright you win, doll.”

“Yeah?” The tease comes out a bit breathless, but you play it off as dancing too wildly.

You look at the pink haired beauty through thick lashes. Inching dangerously closer as you sway, Violet’s hands have a powerful hold on your soft waist. You stumble over your feet once, then twice, and she notices. 

“Slow down there cowgirl,” she chuckles, but her gaze is tender under the carefree mask. “You alright?”

It’s unbearably toasty in the room, and you feel two times hotter with each passing second. But you don’t want it to end, so you wave her off, throwing out an “I’m good!”

But you’re not, and it’s evident on your face when the small ‘headache’ turns to tight pressure smothering your scalp, and you’re losing your balance as you search for an exit. 

“I just need some air,” you mumble, turning your head. The room shifted under your feet, vision blurring in a haze. You took three measly steps forward, and on your fourth, you crumbled.

Your body gives out under you, and Vi’s right there to catch you when it does. Her arms snake around your waist to hold you up before she lifts you in her arms with big eyes and wavering lips. 

“Shit. Ekko, come here! Powder, go get Mylo and Claggor.” 

The five haul ass to Vi’s truck, the pinkette tossing her keys to Ekko as he and Mylo hop in the front. She, Claggor, and Powder take seats in the bed of the truck. When you finally come to, your back is laid against Vi’s worrisome chest, and you get the fresh air you were looking for from the speed Ekko’s driving to get you home. 

But when you pull into the driveway of your home, there’s already a car waiting for you, and there stands your father with his arms crossed and pure fury in his eyes. 

And you’re in so much fucking trouble. 

The others attempt to plead your case, in good ways and in bad, as the man scolds everyone in sight.

“Mister, we just went out to dance.” 

“She’s not a child you know, you can’t keep her cooped up here forever.”

“Please just understand.” 

Everything goes in one ear and out the other, because in the chaos silently sits you and Violet. You’re still breathless, and this headache is gonna last longer than you want it to, but you relax into the warmth of Vi for one last time. 

You pull back, ignoring the spike of pain that flashes across your brain, and turn to the girl with a tight lipped smile. “I’m sorry, you guys should just go.” 

She looks pained, like she wants to say something, she wants to help. But she nods, placing a chaste kiss to your temple just as you’re sliding out of the truck bed and over to your father. He hastily drags you inside while you bid farewell to your moping knights.

With every inch of your worn down heart, you love Violet Lane. 

And you’re not an idiot, you’re sure she loves you too. 

That’s what makes coming to a conclusion impossible on almost every level. 

Your physical heart says this is the most idiotic decision you’ve made in your entire life. You’ve had worse symptoms than normal, you’re putting yourself in danger in the name of ‘fun’, and the thought that’s lingering in the back of everyone’s mind is one you can’t ignore: just how long will you make it? 

Your mental heart says this is the best thing you’ve ever done. You’re happy, you’re in love, you have real friends, and you’re finally starting to see the point in living. Not just from a tv screen or the books your father supplies, but through your own eyes and experiences. And even though your father seemed overbearing, you know he’s afraid. He’s taken on all of the worry and stress so that you don’t have to. If you wanted something to change, you had to take the leap yourself. But you’re not sure you can.

There’s six knocks at the door, and you stay seated in your position on the couch. “It’s open,” you call out.

The clack of familiar boots enter the room, and a wave of musk and amber suffocate you when Vi walks past you to sit at your side. 

It’s silent. Not your comfortable, daydream filled state of silence that Vi could watch you in forever. It’s awkward, strangulating silence, and she can’t take it.

“Yesterday was..”

“...amazing.” “A mistake.” 

You speak at the same time, eyes flickering at each other's response. 

“What are you talking about?” Vi asks, setting her textbooks down. You don’t miss the newfound waver in the back of her voice. 

You don’t respond. You don’t want to go through with this conversation.

“..Is this about the hickey?” she flashes a strained smile, “I’m sorry if he saw it, doll. Reall–”

“This isn’t a joke, Violet.” you finally speak, eyes strictly trained down on your fiddling hands in your lap. The tears are bubbling at your eyelids and that itchy, sore feeling is crawling its way up your throat. 

“Then what is it about? You and your dad? Look, I can talk to him, I’ll make things right.” Her voice is increasingly wavered, desperate, scared. 

“Our–” you inhale a shaky breath, “– this, us, whatever we are is an inconvenience. An inconvenience to my father, an inconvenience to my health, an inconvenience to you.” Your voice breaks with the last word. “I’m a burden Violet, face it.”

You can’t see it with the tears blurring your vision, but Vi’s shaking her head in horror. “No. No, what are you going on about? You aren–” 

“God just face it, Vi. All you wanted was to love a girl and you got a defective one.” You spit the words out like they sting on your tongue. “Soon, you’ll be annoyed by everything I can’t do and bored of everything I can.” 

“Maybe we’re just not…” you can’t continue as silent tears transform into quiet little sobs. 

Vi’s heart aches as she kneels down on the floor in front of you, examining your now puffy eyes and tear stained cheeks. She wants nothing more than to kiss the pain away, but first she has to fix that worrisome little mind of yours.

One hand intertwines with your anxious ones, and the other reaches up as rough fingers delicately hold your chin, a soft thumb rubs back and forth against your cheek. She whispers out your name with a voice that’s holding back sadness of her own. When you’re finally ready to look at her, she smiles delicately.

“You don’t know how bad I want you. But I’ll wait until the end of time if you ask me to. I’d lasso the moon and bring it down for you if you asked.” You recognize her sweet words from your first date, and you’re weakly melting into the palm of her hand that’s sliding to cup your face. 

“I meant it then, and I mean it now,” she whispers. “I will never be annoyed by what you can or can’t do– god, I'd sit here and talk to you about slugs all day everyday if that’s what you really wanted.” That has you scoffing, fighting back a smile at her silly words. 

“Love isn’t about the activities you can or can’t do, it’s about a connection, our connection, and what we do with it. So, you can get rid of me if this is all true and that’s what you really want, but I will never stop loving you.” She’s speaking so sweetly, and before she even finishes her sentence you’ve made up your mind. 

“You’re good for my heart, cherry.” 

Those are the last words she can get out before you’re throwing yourself forward and locking lips with the love of your life. 

It starts off slow, soft, an apology for the rollercoaster of emotions and blunder of nonsense you put yourselves through. Then, Vi’s hands are cupping your face and the back of your head while yours are thrown around her neck. It’s needier, sloppier, and her tongue slipping into your mouth shows it’s moved from an apology to ‘let me make you feel better’.

You hum into the kisses with pleasure, but you wanted more. Needed more. Without hesitation, you slip a hand under Vi’s tight t-shirt, running a hand up and down her abs.

The action sends a shiver down her spine, and you gasp in surprise when the sculpted girl wraps your legs around her waist and lifts you into her arms. 

You’re giggling as she walks up the stairs and into your bedroom. Your litter smooches down her jaw and to that neglected neck, mimicking what she’s done for you. Vi slips a hand under the back of your shirt, making you hum into her neck at the warmth. 

Pop.

A devilish grin graces your angelic face when you pull back, eyes flickering from Violet’s to the bruise on her neck. 

The girl grins, catching your mouth in a wet kiss. “You’re asking for more, y’know,” she warns, and her lustful eyes are turning your brain to mush.  

“Good. I want more. Need you all over me,” 

Your confident words are canceled out by a sweet gasp that leaves you when Vi bucks her hips. 

“You’ve gotta say it then,” she orders.

“Say.. what?” 

She chuckles. “Tell me what you want, baby.” 

You swear there’s a pool of slick in your underwear. 

“Want you to fuck me till I cum, please please please,” you beg, hiding in the crook of her neck.

“Fuck,” is all she can choke out, because she’s never wanted wanted a girl this fucking much. Your begging is all she needs to hear before she’s stripping you out of your top, unclasping your pretty bra with one hand, and flipping you over onto your back. 

You’re throwing your head back with a soft moan, running a hand through her pink strands while Vi latches onto one of your rock hard nipples. Her hand trails down your abdomen and to your pretty little skirt. The fabric slides down your legs and off your delicate ankles, and the girl’s gawking at your panties. 

“Vi, please please,” you moan in impatience. 

She lets out a cruel chuckle, fingertips pulling down the fabric that’s completely drenched by your arousal. 

Holy fuck. 

She’s moving faster now, pulling her shirt over her head, and you don’t have a chance to drool over her bare muscles as she sits against the headboard of the bed and pulls you back by your hips into her lap. 

Your back’s pressed against her chest, and she pulls your legs apart making cool air attacking your lips. One arm hooks under your knee and holds tight, making sure you stay perfectly spread for her. 

“Suck,” she whispers, and two of her calloused fingers are shoved in your mouth. You swirl your tongue around the nubs, letting drool pool around them as Vi looks down at you like she wants to ravish you. 

“Wanted to touch you like this for so long.”

Her fingers are dragging out of your mouth and down to your sensitive slit to your swollen clit. You’re already messily bucking your hips against her as she pushes soft circles against your bundle of nerves. 

She relishes in the way your eyes roll back before she decides she’s done being a tease, sinking her wet fingers into you three full knuckles deep. 

“Violet– holy fuck yesyesyes,” you whine, quickly closing your legs at the newfound pleasure. But Vi’s pulling them right back apart as she pumps into you faster.

She peppers kisses on your temple, whispering sweet nothings about how you’re ‘so damn pretty’ and she’s been dying to see your ‘fucked out face’. 

“Yeah, oh fuuck.” you squirm under her control, a knot of passion and pleasure building in your gut. 

“Yeah? Yeah, baby?” She speaks breathily. The way she’s mocking you and the depth her fingers are reaching is sending you right over the edge. Your toes curl while writhing pleasure shoots through your body, and all you can see is stars. 

“Fuck fuck, I’m– hah,” 

Vi’s shushing you softly, keeping her speed and strength as your cunt tightens around her fingers. 

Your moans are like angels blessing your ears as you cum, gushing on her skilled fingers. 

The only noises in the room are your exhausted pants, the slick of your cunt as Vi pulls her fingers out terribly slow, and the bed shifting under the absence and reappearance of pure muscle. 

Except this time, the pinkette’s knelt in front of the bed. 

She pulls you to the edge by the soft skin of your thighs, and piercing blue eyes joined by a warm pink tongue threaten to have you wheel-chair bound by morning. 

“Let me clean you up, angel.” 

Despite being near nothing but muscle, Vi’s bare body is incredibly comfortable. 

“And he made a giant splotch of paint on the wall with his ass.” 

You gasp, choking out a little giggle of shock as Vi tells you stories of her childhood, specifically all the stupid situations they got themselves into. The just-right bath water is engulfing your intertwined bodies. Vi’s fingers are threading through your hair as your head rests on her shoulder. Your body sits in between her legs, and your arms lazily drape around her waist. 

“How mad was Vander?” you ask.

“He just… laughed. I’ve never really seen him mad, just disappointed at times.” She shrugs. “He knows kids make stupid mistakes, learn, and grow.” 

You hum, nuzzling further into her. “I hope I’m that calm when I’m a mom,” 

You pause.

“If I’m a mom.” 

That strikes right through Violet’s swollen heart, and she shakes her head, holding you a little closer. 

“You’re gonna be perfect.” She reassures. “Josie.. Gunner.. Rusty, Daisy, and our big beautiful city house are going to be so lucky to have you. I’m so lucky to have you. Never gettin’ rid of me.

You smile against her skin, placing a loving kiss. 

“Even if it takes ages for my pops to understand?” you mutter. 

“I don’t care if it takes a millennium.” she states confidently, a tender kiss graces your forehead before she looks you in the eyes.

“I love you, cherry.” 

And this time, you’re done holding back.

“I love you, Violet.” 

Your fingers, hearts, and lips intertwined as you share your most passionate kiss yet, one of the many for years to come.

Five years, to be exact. 

And five years later, as the blood refuses to circulate throughout your body and your heart ceases to beat, you die in Violet's arms.

Through her sobs and shattered heart, she can only smile at the fact that all the way until your death, she helped you truly live.

silknspice

[aronkiepronkie]

you mumble incoherent curses and erase aggressively on your paper, blowing the eraser shavings, catching tsukishimas attention. "what're you doing?" he asks with a small amount of judgement in his tone as he looks down at the slightly crumbled paper in your notebook. "i'm trying to..ugh." you sigh, lowering your face to the notebook in front of you, light gray strokes connecting with one another. "trying to what?" the blonde boy looks down at you. "talk normally dumbass, i can't hear you." he spits out, you pay no mind to him and move your hair to the side, grumbling angrily about it being in the way. tsukishima hears your frustrated mumbles and takes the matter into his hands before you explode and become pissy for the rest of the day. he grabs the hair tie you gave him off his wrist, gently gathering all of your hair and slowly putting it into a ponytail. "you're welcome." he speaks up after a few seconds of silence. "thanks, kei." you respond quietly, entranced in your drawing, his cheeks dust with pink when his name leaves your mouth, still not used to you calling him by his first name. tsukishima looks down at your paper, analyzing the drawing you're stressing about. he slowly starts familiarizing the doodles and sketches of a person, piecing together the glasses and hair. "is that me?" he asks, his brows furrowed at the scarily accurate drawings of him. "wha- no! that would be so weird and creepy of me to draw you..." you yell out in surprise, trying to defend yourself, jumping from your previous position, snuggled against his pillows, under the blanket that he bought specifically for you. tsukishima chuckles through his nose and smirks. "you're more than weird and creepy yn." he sighs and closes his eyes. "maybe that's why i like you." he mutters, mainly to himself but loud enough for you to hear. your face bursts into a bright red and you grab one of his pillows, throwing it harshly at his face. he catches the fuzzy decorative pillow with ease, laughing at you and patting the spot on his bed next to him, inviting you to sit with him. "don't start getting all cute at me after calling me weird and creepy, you're gonna give me whiplash." you tell him while hopping next to him and he hums in faux confusion. "i'm not getting cute, just saying i kind of like you." he says confidently with a faint smile still on his thin lips while he unlocks his phone, scrolling aimlessly through the many playlists he's made, not sparing you a glance. "oh wow, should i be flattered that the all-knowing, stoic, cold and stingy tsukishima kei kind of likes me?" you joke reaching for your pencil to resume sketching. he pauses his scrolling after clicking on the playlist you two listen to the most together, reaching for his earphones that he, again, specifically got for you so you guys can listen to music together. he glances at your page and he stays quiet, taking your joke into consideration. "mmm, flattered isn't the word. don't take advantage of the situation." he states quietly, leaning into you and sticking left earphone in your ear. your hands halt and you gasp dramatically. "i love this song!" you yell joyfully. "i know you do." tsukishima says to himself, and this time, you can't hear what he says. he wraps his arm around your shoulder, his hand resting on the pillows next to you as he watches the pencil in your hand work its magic, finishing the 'doodle' of him smiling, you would call it, tsukishima would simply call it a masterpiece just because he knows no matter how hard he would try, he'd never get on your level when it comes to drawing. his broad chest rises and falls with each slow breath he takes as he admires your skill. "stop drawing me, weirdo." he says, sarcasm dripping in his tone. you look up at him with sparkling eyes and a candy sweet smile that never fails to make his steady heartbeat falter. "you love it." "i guess i do." is the last thing he says before cupping your warm cheek with his cold, big hands and pressing his lips onto yours, kissing you slowly.

[here-comes-the-moose]

Bad Batch Modern AU Headcanons Under the Cut

Echo

Does not like red wine. It gives him a headache and heartburn (he’s just like me fr).

Plans Friday Fundays with Omega after she gets out of school.

Great at cooking and baking, but absolutely needs to follow the recipe. If he’s tries to improvise or experiment, the food is not edible at all.

Can flawlessly do a shot with no hands.

Has done a keg stand.

Before the loss of his limbs, he used to NEVER get hungover, no matter how much he drank. Even now, his hangovers are pretty mild. He’s just built different.

Was recruited to be one of the room parents for Omega’s class.

The only one who can get through to Crosshair when his mental health gets really bad.

Has their house decorated like the most stereotypical suburban mom. I’m talking Live Laugh Love signs, a beach-themed bathroom, so many throw pillows and blankets that you can barely sit, a rotation on of seasonal decor, the list goes on.

Hunter

Cannot sing for shit.

The king of dad jokes.

Has absolutely no fashion sense. Negative drip. He’s wearing socks and sandals unironically.

World’s worst cook. Managed to burn and undercook a pancake. Gave Crosshair food poisoning.

Banned from grilling after he set all the food they got for their 4th of July barbecue on fire.

Gets migraines. He gets extremely sensitive to sound and smells.

The only person Crosshair lets look after him when he isn’t feeling well.

Views expiration dates as suggestions. Somehow has never gotten sick.

Constantly going on Tinder dates.

Tech

Total chick magnet.

Does not realize this.

Constantly drives over the speed limit (except in school zones) but miraculously has never gotten a speeding ticket.

Best at making cocktails.

The most intense one about making sure they all eat healthy.

His shoulders and neck get really tense, from sitting at a computer and from carrying most of his stress there.

Does not like crispy bacon.

Wrecker

Grill master.

Actually great at cooking and baking. He can improvise and experiment with ease and the food comes out even better.

Always showing off photos of Omega when he’s at work.

Saw the Barbie movie more than once. He cried each time.

LOVES to listen to Kesha.

His music taste is basically just 2000’s-2010’s party girl music.

Used to choreograph dances that he would then perform with Crosshair and Fives for the rest of their family when they were kids.

Gives the best massages.

Wears the New Balance dad sneakers. Crosshair HATES them.

Crosshair

Banned from their local Applebee’s for getting extremely sloppy off their dollaritas.

Gets motion sick sometimes, mostly in cars.

HATES air travel.

Top three artists on Spotify are My Chemical Romance, Taylor Swift, and Lana Del Rey (he’s just like me fr)

Also gets migraines. Unlike Hunter, he isn’t that sound sensitive, but he gets extremely sensitive to light and smells and gets auras with his migraines.

Also saw the Barbie movie more than once (he went with Wrecker). He also cried.

Has a crush on Tony Soprano (don’t ask why the thought came into my head and wouldn’t leave)

Babies and toddlers love him for some reason.

Will not eat or drink something if the expiration date is within two days. Gets extremely grossed out by Hunter not caring for expiration dates.

Secretly a hopeless romantic.

Omega

Learned her first curse word from Echo when he let one slip while driving.

Repeated the word in front of Hunter, who nearly had a heart attack.

Looks just like Crosshair when he was a kid.

Likes going out with Crosshair because he almost always gets her a little treat.

Gets annoyed by how many people in her class and some of their parents have a crush on one of her brothers.

Has tried to play matchmaker for her brothers before.

All of her brothers give amazing hugs, but she secretly thinks Echo’s are the best.

Batcher

She was a rescue dog.

She’s a gray pittie.

Her favorite person is Crosshair and she’s always following him around and is always at his side.

Goes crazy for cold cuts.

Was originally going to be brought to the shelter if they couldn’t find an owner, but Hunter agreed to keep her when he saw how happy she made Omega and Crosshair.

Her tail has a kink because it broke and didn’t heal properly.

Feel free to add more if you’d like! I have included some of these in my Modern AU works.

[csuitebitches]

Interiors: Basics of Styles

The 9 Styles of Interiors are maximalist, brutalist, coastal, minimalist, rustic, art deco, Hollywood Regency, midcentury modern and modern organic and they all have unique characteristics. Let’s dive in.

Maximalism

* Bold colors.

* Bright wallpaper.

* Mixed patterns with contrasting motifs, like animal print, geometric shapes, or florals.

* Ornate accents, like chandeliers.

* Layered fabrics.

* Statement pieces.

Notable people: Kelly Wearstler, Martin Brudnizki, Dorothy Draper and the Greenbriar Resort

Brutalist

* Raw Materials. At its core, Brutalist interior design honors raw materials—showcasing the honesty of construction

* Geometric Shapes

* Textured Surfaces

* Unadorned Minimalism

* Focus on Function

Notable people: Le Corbusier, Marcel Breuer, Moshe Safdie

Coastal

* Natural Light

* Crisp whites

* Layered blue tones

* Jute textures

* Stripes

* Linen upholstery

Notable people: William Pahlmann, Amy Aidinis Hirsch, Brett Sugerman and Giselle Loor Sugerman

Minimalist

* Simple lines.

* Monochromatic or neutral color palettes.

* Limited furniture.

* Limited decorative objects.

* Storage solutions that keep the space uncluttered.

* Open floor plans.

* Natural light

Notable people: Donald Judd, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, David Chipperfield

Rustic

* Main Colors: Wood grains or browns, beiges, or warmer shades

* of white.

* Accent Colors: Muted colors - tans, reds, blues, greens, yellows,

* and grays.

* Shapes: Rugged, imperfect lines and silhouettes.

* Fixture Finishes: Iron, pewter, copper, or brass.

* Aesthetic: Imperfect but warm and inviting. Decor/Art Style: Animal hides and fur, antlers, throws, pillows,

* and rugs with simple motifs or patterns.

Notable people: Alexander Waterworth, Grey Walker, Katherine Pooley, Bill Hovard, Jean Stoffer

Art deco

* Streamlined, symmetrical forms.

* Geometric designs as ornamentation; it's common to see shapes such as: Trapezoids

* Rich material and textile palettes

* Ornamental light fixtures such as chandeliers or sconces.

Notable people: Jacques Ruhlmann and Maurice Dufrène, Eliel Saarinen

Hollywood Regency

* richly layered textures

* high contrast patterns

* metallic finishes

* vibrant colors

Notable people: Dorothy Draper, George Vernon Russell, Douglas Honnold, John Woolf, and Paul R. Williams.

Midcentury Modern

* clean lines

* muted tones

* a combination of natural and manmade materials

* graphic shapes

* vibrant colours

* integrating indoor and outdoor motifs

Notable people: Arne Jacobsen, Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen

Modern Organic

* The modern organic interior design style mixes minimalism, midcentury modern, and boho flair

* Clean minimalism and sleek lines meet nature-inspired shapes, organic textures, and rustic elements

* By adding natural textures and shapes, the modern organic decor is warm, inviting, soulful, and elegant.

[postalninja]

Tag game: Pick stuff from your room and have people vote on which one they want to take home.

[gffa]

Sometimes I get defensive about those house decor posts I see going around where people say that the neutral colors/black & white sleek look is "soulless" and they want to bite, kill, rend, and destroy for getting rid of the color in their homes. Setting aside that people should be allowed to do whatever they want in their own homes, let me tell you what "color" means to me: Everything in my life was a different color. Every room had every color crammed into it. Which sounds like, oh, that must have been a pretty rainbow effect! It wasn't, none of these colors were meant to go together, it's a hot pink plastic shoebox set on top of a dark brown folding table holding three wildly different shades of brown hand towels, some cornflower blue notebooks, and orange pens. It's burnt orange shag carpeting in the living room and hallway, with slate blue chairs, and a white tv tray loaded up with bright yellow pill and cornflower blue bottles and pale wood bookshelf next to dark brown folding table next to pine-colored dresser next to medium dark wood nightstand, all of those that fake material with the sticker made to look like wood, not actual wood. It's lime green countertops and dark beige flooring with one faded yellow wall, one off-white wall, and one faded mint green wall. It's a pine wood mimicking kitchen table with gold trim that's a sticker not actual wood, combined with one black rolling chair, one maroon and oak chair (not actual wood), and one gray upholstered chair. It's a robin's egg blue frayed blanket tossed over the red-and-black walker in the corner, which is also loaded up with the dark green and dark blue exercise bands. It's white and beige pieces of paper plopped everywhere. And all of these colors are faded so they're not really even pretty on their own, it's just a mishmash everywhere. All of this together in one house and that's just a fraction of it, it's a constant clashing of colors and, if there was a foot of space against the wall available, it had another dresser, nightstand, or bookshelf shoved into it. I look at some of these colorful homes that people love and I think they're beautiful and I get so much joy out of people in their homes loving their surroundings! But I will never be able to live in that kind of color for myself again without being heartsore about it. I've gone for a neutral palette now that I'm making the design decisions, I'm choosing white walls (admittedly with a little bit of a blue undertone that you only notice when it's picking up other things' colors), black trim, and gray/white/black/brown reclaimed wood flooring. I picked out a gray/white/black comforter to throw over the bed with a black headboard and black + gray pillows. I'm getting some subtle green accents to put in the room, the guest room has been going with a pale yellow theme (to accent the black/white/gray/grown colors), I'm not eschewing color all together, but those bright, overwhelming colors are not what makes my soul sing. Neutral colors are not a soulless choice on my part, it's the first time in my life that I feel like it's finally clean, that I can breathe properly. You could scrub down a room with seafoam and forest green colors and have it so clean you could lick the walls and I would still have to go outside and take a moment to gather myself together if I had to live in it, because for me "color" means messy and I've had an entire lifetime of mess. I love when people put bright orange or bright green on their walls, that rocks and I will come over and genuinely tell you how beautiful it is, because I understand that it makes your soul sing. But understand that, in turn, having sleek, subtle colors makes my soul sing in a way that's just as genuine.

[jjtheresidentbaby]

CG!DEREK BEDROOM PROMPT LIST?! SUPER LAST MINUTE SORRY

- @bebbie-bilinski

🐺Caregiver Derek Hale Bedroom Headcanons🐺 ➢ event masterlist

this kinda just turned into his whole loft hcs but shhh

1. What kind of bed do they sleep in? What size is it?

- it’s a king bed and it’s super comfortable, the right mix of squishy and hard for Derek to actually enjoy sleeping on it. it was a gift from Peter a couple months into them being more comfortable around one another after everything that happened, Peter had noticed that Derek wasn’t sleeping and while getting a new mattress didn’t fix the issue completely, it definitely helped

2. How many pillows do they sleep with? What’s the color of their pillows?

- there’s four pillows on his bed but he really only uses the two on the right side as that’s the side of the bed he sleeps on

3. How many blankets do they sleep with? What colors are they?

- his comforter is gray and he has one maroon red throw blanket that stays on his bed at all times. although he does have another throw blanket that’s crocheted and was saved from after the fire that Laura made that he keeps in his closet, he’s scared to ruin it so it only gets used if he really wants it

4. Where do they keep their clothes? How are their clothes organized?

- he has a dark wood dresser that’s from his time living in New York, he keeps it very organized but also makes sure to keep one of his drawers stocked with clothes for littles from the pack incase of emergency

5. What kind of light sources do they have? How many do they have? Why?

- since the loft has that huge window he doesn’t feel the need to have a lot of light sources. he obviously has main lights for each room, but other than that he just has a small bin of different light projectors & fairy lights that he may use while looking over someone in the pack

6. What colors are their bedroom walls?

- his bedroom has a darker gray color brick while his living room/rest of the loft have light gray brick, you can barely tell the difference but it’s there okay. he needs people to be aware of it.

7. What does their bedroom look like? What kind of furniture do they have in there? How big is it?

- the loft is extremely open so it’s not necessarily a bedroom but more of a section he’s deemed to be his bedroom. he can see into most of the loft from his bed which he likes, it’s easier to see danger coming, but also to see if any littles are causing chaos if he can’t be at their side

8. What kind of floor does their bedroom have? What color?

- they’re concrete but have built in heaters that he can change the temp of, yes they were expensive but so worth it (especially when he comes home to theo & malia curled up on the floor together)

9. Do they have any toys? Do they sleep with any of them?

- he has a toy bin he keeps at the end of his bed for the littles, it’s filled with plushies, action figures, dolls, toy cars, anything that can fit really. he had started it when Scott mentioned that the loft might be a nice place for the littles of the pack to come and relax, it’s grown immensely. some of the toys Derek hasn’t bought himself and they’ve just appeared but he never questions it. he takes time after the littles leave after a visit to clean them all with disinfectant wipes and spray, just so nobody has to worry about them potentially getting sick from a shared toy

10. Do they have any rugs? If so, what color are they?

- there’s a rug under his bed but it isn’t big, his floors being heated means he doesn’t need them aside for decoration

11. Are there any decorative elements to their bedroom? What are they? Why?

- not really, he’s a minimalist through and through, but there’s a couple things he keeps. he has picture frames saved from the fire he keeps on his dresser next to a few of the pack that Melissa got him, and he has a board hung up by his bed that has all of the postcards Cora’s sent him hung up, he likes to reread them at night when he misses her. and occasionally a little will draw him a picture that he happily hangs up on the fridge with magnets (he has a folder of all of them in his closet)

12. What are some of the things they do in their bedroom?

- technically all he does in his bedroom part of the loft is sleep, or read, but as for the rest he does just about anything. when he’s watching over littles he lets them have free range on the house aside from the kitchen since that can get dangerous, so there’s lots of games of hide & seek, they can set up huge race car tracks across his floor since it’s so open, Kira & Lydia like to have talent shows for their stuffed animals, Theo & Malia sometimes shift into their wolf form at the loft so they play fight if Derek allows it— he doesn’t have strict rules. If nobody’s getting hurt, offended, or being left out, than it’s most likely okay

13. Do they share their bedroom with anyone. If so, who?

- nobody sleeps there every night but sometimes littles will stay the night in the loft, they always have the choice of the couch, Derek’s bed, or the floor which is mainly just for Malia & Theo staying over

[chocolatedetectivehottub]

interior decorating,

interior decorating,

Interior decorating is the art of enhancing the interior of a space to create a more aesthetically pleasing and functional environment. It goes beyond just filling a room with furniture; it’s about balancing colors, textures, and lighting to bring out the best in any given space. Whether it's a cozy living room, a vibrant office, or a relaxing bedroom, interior decorating can transform ordinary rooms into extraordinary spaces.

The Essentials of Interior Decorating

To create a well-decorated room, there are several fundamental principles to consider:

Color Scheme The color palette you choose for a space sets the tone and mood. Warm tones like red, orange, and yellow tend to energize a room, while cool tones like blue, green, and purple promote calm and relaxation. Neutral colors like white, gray, and beige can offer a timeless, sophisticated base for a variety of accents and textures. A cohesive color scheme is vital for creating harmony in any space.

Furniture Selection The furniture you choose plays a major role in defining the style and functionality of a room. While comfort is key, style matters as well. Opt for pieces that align with the room’s intended use and overall aesthetic. For example, a minimalist space may benefit from sleek, modern furniture, while a traditional room may be best suited to classic wood pieces.

Textures and Fabrics A combination of different textures can add richness and depth to a room. Think of mixing soft, plush fabrics like velvet with coarser materials like linen or jute. Textured rugs, throw pillows, and curtains can also introduce new layers of interest and warmth, making a space feel more inviting.

Lighting Lighting is one of the most important yet often overlooked elements in interior decorating. A well-lit room not only serves a functional purpose but can also enhance the aesthetic appeal. Layered lighting — from overhead lights, table lamps, and accent lighting — adds dimension and allows you to adjust the ambiance based on the time of day or occasion.

Artwork and Accessories Art and accessories can make a space feel personal and unique. Artwork, whether it’s a painting, sculpture, or photograph, provides a focal point for a room and can communicate your personality or interests. Accessories such as vases, books, and candles help pull the entire look together, adding those final touches of charm.

Popular Interior Decorating Styles

Each interior decorating style has its own distinct features, allowing homeowners to choose what resonates with them most. Some of the popular styles include:

Modern Modern interiors focus on clean lines, neutral colors, and a minimalist approach. Functionality is emphasized without sacrificing aesthetic appeal, often incorporating sleek furniture, glass, metal, and natural elements like wood and stone.

Bohemian Bohemian decorating is all about eclectic, free-spirited vibes. It mixes vibrant colors, rich patterns, and a blend of cultural influences. Think of a space filled with vintage pieces, layered textiles, plants, and an abundance of creative expression.

Industrial The industrial style draws inspiration from urban lofts and warehouses, often featuring exposed brick walls, steel beams, and rustic wooden furniture. This style favors raw, unfinished elements and embraces the beauty in imperfection.

Traditional Traditional interiors are timeless and elegant. With classic furniture, warm wood tones, and rich color palettes, this style emphasizes symmetry and balance, often incorporating antiques and fine detailing.

Coastal Coastal interiors evoke the feel of the beach with light, airy spaces and a soothing color palette of blues, whites, and sandy neutrals. Natural materials like wicker, driftwood, and linen are commonly used, creating a serene and breezy atmosphere.

Tips for Successful Interior Decorating

Plan Your Layout Before you start decorating, map out the layout of the room. Consider the room’s size, shape, and how you want to use the space. Furniture should be arranged in a way that encourages flow and maximizes both function and comfort.

Incorporate Personal Touches Don’t be afraid to infuse your personality into your decor. Family heirlooms, travel souvenirs, or unique items you’ve collected over the years can make a room feel more personal and authentic.

Use the Rule of Three The rule of three is a design principle that suggests odd numbers are more visually appealing than even numbers. Grouping objects or decorations in sets of three can create balance and harmony within a space.

Focus on One Focal Point Every room needs a focal point, whether it’s a beautiful piece of furniture, artwork, or a striking light fixture. This gives the eye something to rest on and helps the room feel more cohesive.

Don’t Overcrowd Less is often more when it comes to interior decorating. Avoid overcrowding a room with too many pieces of furniture or excessive decor. Give each element room to breathe, allowing for both functionality and aesthetics to shine.

Conclusion

Interior decorating is an exciting journey that allows you to express your creativity while making your home or office a more functional and comfortable space. By keeping in mind the principles of design and understanding the different styles, you can create a space that reflects your personality and meets your practical needs. Whether you're starting from scratch or just looking to refresh a room, interior decorating offers endless possibilities for turning any space into a work of art.

4o mini

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[roomifyai]

Interior Design: Transforming Spaces with Style and Function

Interior design is the process of enhancing the interior of a space to create a more aesthetically pleasing and functional environment. It involves the strategic use of furniture, color, layout, lighting, textures, and decor elements to shape a space that reflects the personality and needs of its inhabitants. Whether you're designing a home, office, or retail space, interior design is essential for making a space not only visually appealing but also comfortable and purposeful.

The Role of Interior Design

interior design is much more than decoration. It's about understanding how a space functions, how its users interact with it, and how design elements can be used to improve these experiences. Good interior design brings together form and function, ensuring that the space works efficiently while maintaining a visual harmony. It plays a crucial role in making spaces feel inviting, optimizing layouts, and improving the well-being of those who use them.

Core Elements of Interior Design

Space Planning: One of the most important aspects of interior design is space planning. This involves analyzing the layout of a room, considering how people will move through the space, and arranging furniture and decor in a way that maximizes its use. Effective space planning ensures that each area of a room has a clear purpose and is both functional and visually appealing.

Color Scheme: Color plays a significant role in shaping the mood of a room. Warm colors like reds, oranges, and yellows can create a cozy, energetic environment, while cool colors like blues, greens, and purples can evoke calmness and relaxation. Neutral colors like white, gray, and beige provide a versatile foundation that can be accented with bolder hues. Color should be chosen carefully to create a cohesive atmosphere and complement the room's function.

Lighting: Lighting is one of the most important elements in interior design. It not only illuminates a space but also contributes to its mood and function. Ambient lighting provides general illumination, task lighting focuses on specific activities (such as reading or cooking), and accent lighting highlights architectural features, artwork, or decor. Layering different lighting types can create a balanced and dynamic atmosphere.

Furniture: Furniture serves both functional and aesthetic purposes in interior design. The right furniture should complement the space's size, layout, and style. Comfort and durability are key factors, along with how the pieces contribute to the overall flow of the room. Furniture should be arranged thoughtfully to optimize movement and create an inviting, functional environment.

Textures and Materials: Mixing textures and materials can add depth and interest to a space. The use of fabrics, woods, metals, glass, and ceramics creates a tactile and visual contrast. Soft textiles like cushions, rugs, and throws provide comfort, while harder materials like marble countertops, wooden furniture, and metal fixtures bring an element of sophistication and durability. The combination of different textures also helps to balance the sensory experience of a room.

Decor and Accessories: Decor items such as artwork, mirrors, plants, vases, and decorative objects add personality and character to a space. They serve to personalize a room and reflect the homeowner's style. Accessories like throw pillows, candles, and rugs can bring color, texture, and warmth to a space, helping to make it feel lived-in and inviting.

Popular Interior Design Styles

Modern: Modern interior design focuses on simplicity, clean lines, and a minimalist aesthetic. It often features neutral color palettes with occasional bold accents. Modern furniture is sleek and functional, and open spaces are prioritized. The design emphasizes practicality and is free from excess ornamentation, creating a polished and uncluttered atmosphere.

Traditional: Traditional design embraces classic elements, rich wood tones, and symmetrical layouts. It incorporates elegant furniture pieces, detailed moldings, and soft, patterned fabrics. Traditional rooms often evoke a sense of formality and warmth, with luxurious textiles like velvet and silk contributing to a refined and timeless appeal.

Scandinavian: Known for its simplicity and functionality, Scandinavian interior design emphasizes a neutral color palette, natural light, and clean lines. Scandinavian spaces often feature light wood, simple furniture, and minimal clutter. The design is cozy, with the use of soft textiles and layered elements to create warmth in otherwise minimalist spaces.

Industrial: Industrial design draws inspiration from factories and warehouses, incorporating raw materials like exposed brick, steel, and concrete. It often features open shelving, vintage furniture, and large windows. This style embraces the beauty of unfinished surfaces and creates a bold, urban aesthetic that is both modern and rugged.

Bohemian (Boho): The Bohemian style is eclectic, vibrant, and free-spirited. It embraces an eclectic mix of patterns, colors, and textures, with a focus on personalized decor and global influences. Boho interiors often feature vintage furniture, handmade items, plants, and colorful textiles, creating a relaxed and artistic environment that feels lived-in and unique.

Mid-Century Modern: This style is inspired by the design trends of the 1940s to 1960s, featuring clean lines, functional furniture, and organic shapes. Mid-century modern spaces embrace bold colors, geometric patterns, and a combination of materials such as teak wood, metal, and glass. The furniture is typically low-profile, emphasizing comfort and simplicity.

Sustainable Interior Design

As environmental concerns continue to grow, sustainable interior design is becoming increasingly important. Sustainable design focuses on using eco-friendly materials, minimizing waste, and creating energy-efficient spaces. Designers often opt for natural, renewable materials like bamboo, reclaimed wood, and organic textiles. Energy-efficient appliances, low-VOC paints, and improved insulation help reduce the environmental impact of a space. Additionally, biophilic design, which connects the indoors with nature through elements like plants, natural light, and organic textures, is gaining popularity for its positive effects on well-being.

Interior Design Trends for 2025

Biophilic Design: As a way to reconnect people with nature, biophilic design focuses on incorporating natural elements into interior spaces. This includes the use of plants, natural materials like wood and stone, and maximizing natural light. It also involves creating spaces that evoke a sense of calm and tranquility, improving mental health and well-being.

Bold Color Palettes: While neutrals have dominated interior design for years, bold color choices are making a comeback. Rich tones like deep blues, emerald greens, and mustard yellows are being used in furniture, accent walls, and accessories to add drama and personality to a room. This trend is all about expressing individuality and creating a vibrant atmosphere.

Sustainable Materials: Eco-friendly design is no longer a trend but a priority. Homeowners and designers alike are increasingly opting for sustainable materials such as bamboo, cork, and recycled metal. Energy-efficient fixtures, low-impact flooring, and furniture made from sustainable sources are becoming key components of interior design.

Smart Homes: Technology continues to evolve, and with it, the way we design our homes. Smart home devices like voice-activated lights, smart thermostats, and automated security systems are becoming standard in modern interiors. These technologies enhance convenience, improve energy efficiency, and add a touch of futuristic luxury to homes.

Maximalism: In contrast to minimalist design, maximalism embraces bold, eclectic choices. It encourages layering colors, textures, and patterns, mixing vintage and contemporary elements to create a space that feels rich, inviting, and personalized. Maximalism is about embracing personal style and creating a dynamic, lived-in feel.

Conclusion

Interior design is an art and a science, balancing aesthetic appeal with functionality. It’s about creating spaces that not only look beautiful but also work efficiently for those who live or work in them. Whether you prefer modern, traditional, or eclectic styles, interior design allows you to express your personality and create an environment that enhances your life. By focusing on elements like space planning, color, lighting, and furniture, you can transform any room into a place that feels comfortable, inspiring, and uniquely yours. As trends evolve, sustainable design practices and smart technology will continue to shape the way we create and live in our spaces.

[maiahomes]

The Best Fur Rugs for Creating a Chic, Cozy Atmosphere in Your Home

When it comes to remodelling your private home right into a sublime and at ease sanctuary, few decor objects rival the consolation and elegance of fur rugs. Faux fur, particularly, has come to be a go-to desire for house owners seeking to increase their interiors without compromising on style or ethics. The plush texture and pricey look of faux fur rugs upload an on-the-spot touch of class and heat, making them best for creating a cozy ecosystem in any room. But what are the great fur rugs for achieving that chic and cozy vibe, and how can you comprise them into your home?

One of the first things to take into account whilst deciding on a fur rug is the dimensions and form that great fits your area. Large faux fur rugs are ideal for anchoring a room and adding a dramatic flair. A big, square faux fur rug in a neutral tone like white, beige, or grey can become the focal point of your dwelling room, growing a highly-priced and comfortable base on your fixtures. Alternatively, round faux fur rugs provide a softer, greater fluid layout that works nicely in areas where you want to interrupt up the pointy strains of fixtures and create a more organic waft.

The subsequent element to bear in mind is texture. While faux fur rugs are recognized for his or her plush and smooth feel, the feel can vary. Some faux fur rugs have a longer pile that gives them an ultra-fluffy, cloud-like appearance, while others have a shorter pile for a extra subtle appearance. The desire among these two options largely depends on the vibe you need to create. If you're after a comfy, indulgent atmosphere, move for an extended-pile faux fur rug. Its extra fluffiness will offer a high stage of comfort and heat, best for curling up with a very good e book or enjoyable with buddies.

For folks that opt for a extra streamlined, minimalist look, short-pile faux fur rugs offer a sleek, chic look even as nonetheless retaining the smooth, high-priced texture that makes faux fur so suited. These rugs are easier to preserve, as they tend to entice much less dust and dust, making them ideal for excessive-visitors regions like hallways or entryways.

Color is another crucial attention when selecting a faux fur rug. While white and gray are conventional selections, faux fur rugs additionally are available in an array of colors which can supplement any interior style. If you are aiming for a modern-day look, deep, rich colors like military blue, emerald inexperienced, or charcoal grey can upload a sense of depth and sophistication in your space. For a greater playful and lively vibe, do not forget faux fur rugs in pastel sun shades like blush red, lavender, or mint inexperienced. These colorations create a at ease, fresh atmosphere and are perfect for bedrooms or informal residing regions.

In addition to color, faux fur rugs often come in diverse patterns, from strong sun shades to greater tricky designs. Some function animal prints, geometric styles, or even ombre effects that transition from mild to darkish hues. Patterned faux fur rugs can upload an interesting focal factor on your decor and produce a few character into the room. However, in case you select a more subdued, stylish look, stick with solid colour faux fur rugs that can be without difficulty paired with other decor items like throw pillows, blankets, and wall art.

The texture and appearance of faux fur rugs also lead them to perfect for layering. You can layer a faux fur rug over an existing location rug or on top of hardwood or tile flooring for brought consolation. The assessment between different textures – which include layering a faux fur rug on a woven or jute rug – adds richness and intensity to the room's design. Faux fur also pairs fantastically with materials like leather-based, velvet, and linen, creating an inviting, tactile revel in that encourages relaxation.

Another way to comprise faux fur rugs into your private home is by way of the usage of them in smaller doses. For instance, a small faux fur rug positioned in front of your fireplace, below a coffee desk, or subsequent for your bed can upload an surprising contact of luxurious and warmth. Faux fur rugs can also be used as accessory portions on furniture. For instance, draping a faux fur rug over the back of a sofa or chair can upload a sublime and at ease contact whilst creating a layered, nicely-curated look.

In precis, the best fur rugs for creating a chic and cozy atmosphere in your property are those who stability luxury, consolation, and flexibility. Whether you choose a large, fluffy rug to anchor the room or a small accessory piece to feature texture, faux fur rugs are a timeless manner to raise your private home’s decor. Their rich, soft texture and type of shades and patterns make them the best preference for every person seeking to add a comfortable but sophisticated touch to their living space.

[dlife]

7 Tips to Select the Perfect Color Scheme for Your Home

Selecting the right color scheme for your home can be an exciting yet challenging process. Colors play a crucial role in creating the ambiance and character of your space, reflecting your personality and preferences. Whether you’re redecorating or starting from scratch, the perfect color palette can transform your home into a harmonious and inviting haven. Here are seven practical tips our interior designers in Kochi compiled to help you choose the ideal color scheme for your home.

1. Understand the Basics of Color Theory

Before diving into paint swatches and fabric samples, it’s important to have a basic understanding of color theory. Colors can be broadly categorized into:

Primary Colors: Red, blue, and yellow, which serve as the foundation for all other colors.

Secondary Colors: Green, orange, and purple, created by mixing primary colors.

Tertiary Colors: Combinations of primary and secondary colors.

Additionally, the color wheel is a valuable tool for identifying complementary, analogous, or contrasting color combinations. Complementary colors (like blue and orange) create bold contrasts, while analogous colors (like green, blue, and teal) offer a more cohesive look.

2. Consider the Room’s Purpose

Each room in your home serves a distinct purpose, and its color scheme should align with its function. For example:

Living Room: Opt for warm, inviting colors like soft browns, muted reds, or earthy tones to encourage conversation and relaxation.

Bedroom: Use calming hues like pastel blues, greens, or lavenders to create a serene environment conducive to rest.

Kitchen and Dining Area: Energizing shades like yellow or vibrant neutrals can stimulate appetite and enhance the space's lively vibe.

Think about how you want to feel in each room and choose colors that evoke the desired emotions.

3. Draw Inspiration from Your Surroundings

One of the simplest ways to choose a color scheme is by observing the elements already present in your space. Consider the following sources of inspiration:

Furniture and Decor: Base your palette on the existing tones in your furnishings, artwork, or area rugs.

Nature: Bring the outdoors inside by choosing colors inspired by natural landscapes, like the ocean’s blues or forest greens.

Architecture: Pay attention to the architectural details, such as exposed brick, wooden beams, or tiled patterns, and let these guide your choices.

Using these elements as a starting point ensures that your color scheme blends seamlessly with your environment.

4. Experiment with Neutrals

Neutrals like white, beige, gray, and taupe are timeless and versatile, providing a solid foundation for any room. They work well as primary colors or as complementary shades to balance bold accents. When working with neutrals:

Layer different shades to add depth and interest.

Incorporate textures, such as linen, leather, or wood, to prevent the space from feeling flat.

Use neutral tones as a backdrop, allowing pops of color in accessories like cushions, curtains, or artwork.

Neutrals are particularly effective in smaller spaces, as they create an illusion of openness and brightness.

5. Use the 60-30-10 Rule

The 60-30-10 rule is a tried-and-true formula for achieving a balanced color scheme. Here’s how it works:

60% Dominant Color: This should cover the majority of the room, such as walls or large furniture.

30% Secondary Color: Use this for upholstery, rugs, or curtains to complement the dominant shade.

10% Accent Color: Incorporate this in smaller decor items like throw pillows, lamps, or art pieces.

For example, in a living room, you might use soft gray for the walls (60%), navy blue for the sofa (30%), and mustard yellow for throw pillows (10%).

6. Test Colors in Real Lighting

Colors can look drastically different depending on the lighting in your home. A shade that appears perfect in a showroom might look entirely different under your lighting conditions. Follow these steps to test colors effectively:

Paint small swatches on the wall and observe them at different times of the day.

Use both natural light and artificial lighting to see how the shades shift.

If possible, purchase sample cans to test larger areas before committing.

Lighting influences the warmth, coolness, and intensity of a color, so take your time to evaluate before making a final decision.

7. Trust Your Personal Style

Ultimately, your home should reflect your unique taste and style. While trends can offer inspiration, it’s important not to feel confined by them. If you love bold colors, don’t shy away from experimenting with vibrant palettes. If minimalism speaks to you, stick to soft and understated tones.

A great way to express your personal style is by creating a mood board. Collect paint samples, fabric swatches, and images of interiors that resonate with you. This exercise can help you visualize how various colors and patterns work together, ensuring your chosen scheme aligns with your preferences.

Choosing the perfect color scheme for your home is a blend of science, art, and intuition. By understanding color theory, considering the function of each space, and testing shades in your lighting, you can create a cohesive and beautiful palette that reflects your personality. Remember, your home is a canvas for self-expression, so take your time, trust your instincts, and enjoy the creative process.

With these seven tips and guidance from an experienced team of interior designers in India, you’re well on your way to transforming your home into a harmonious and visually stunning sanctuary.

[nancyroy1]

How to Combine Bold Colors in Interior Design for Maximum Impact

Bold colors can transform a room, making it feel vibrant, energetic, and even more personalized. While many shy away from using bold hues in interior design, combining them in the right way can create a space that's both visually striking and inviting. Whether you’re decorating a living room, bedroom, or kitchen, the right color combinations can provide maximum impact without overwhelming the senses.

1. Start with a Neutral Base

When combining bold colors, it's essential to have a neutral backdrop. Neutral tones like white, gray, beige, or even muted pastels provide a calm foundation that allows the bold colors to stand out without competing for attention. This balance is key to achieving an overall harmonious look. A neutral base also ensures that the room doesn't become too chaotic, especially when combining multiple vibrant hues.

2. Choose a Color Palette

To maximize the impact of bold colors, it's essential to choose a cohesive color palette. Think about combining two or three bold colors that complement each other. For instance, deep navy blue with mustard yellow or emerald green paired with a warm terracotta can create a chic, modern aesthetic. You can also add contrasting shades—like pairing bright pink with lime green—to bring a playful energy to the room. However, be mindful of how these colors interact, keeping color psychology in mind. Some hues, like yellow and blue, evoke feelings of positivity and calm, while reds and oranges can energize and create excitement.

3. Use Color Blocking

One of the most effective techniques to combine bold colors is color blocking. This involves using blocks or sections of contrasting colors within a space. You could paint one wall in a deep, rich color and another wall in a complementary bold tone, creating a striking visual impact. For example, a teal accent wall paired with a mustard yellow sofa can make a room feel lively and dynamic. When using this technique, it's important to break up the space in a way that feels balanced—perhaps using rugs or large furniture pieces to add structure.

4. Add Bold Accents

If you're hesitant about committing to large blocks of bold color, consider incorporating them in smaller accents. Bold-colored throw pillows, rugs, art, or light fixtures can infuse personality into a room without dominating the space. These accents can act as the focal point of the room and allow for a mix of colors in more subtle ways. For example, a neutral-toned living room can come to life with vibrant throw pillows in rich shades of coral, teal, or mustard. This strategy lets you experiment with bold colors without feeling overwhelmed.

5. Balance Warm and Cool Tones

To avoid creating a space that feels too intense or disconnected, it’s essential to balance warm and cool tones. Cool colors like blues and greens can calm a space, while warm colors like reds, oranges, and yellows inject energy and warmth. Combining these two types of colors in a balanced way can create a space that feels inviting yet lively. For instance, a navy blue and bright orange combination can feel chic and modern when balanced correctly, especially with the right accents or materials.

6. Consider the Function of the Space

The way bold colors interact with the function of the room matters. For example, if you're decorating a living room or family room, you might want to use bold colors to create a sense of warmth and intimacy. In contrast, a home office or kitchen might benefit from cooler tones that inspire focus and productivity. Think about how the room is used daily and choose colors that support that function. A kitchen with bright red and white can feel energetic and inspire creativity, while a bedroom with deep blues and purples may create a serene environment perfect for relaxation.

7. Mix Patterns and Textures

Combining bold colors doesn't just apply to solid colors. Patterns and textures can also play a significant role in creating impact. You can layer bold-colored fabrics, such as velvet cushions or patterned curtains, on bold-colored walls or furniture. Patterns like stripes, florals, and geometric shapes can help break up large blocks of color and add visual interest. A chevron-patterned rug in teal paired with a coral couch, for example, can create a stunning focal point in the room.

8. Test Before You Commit

Bold colors can be intimidating, so it’s always a good idea to test them before committing. Use sample paints on your walls or try out different textiles in various colors. You might find that certain hues don’t work well with your existing decor or that you prefer a slightly different shade. Trying out color combinations on a smaller scale will help you understand how they will affect the mood and feel of the space, and whether they achieve the dramatic impact you're going for.

9. Use Lighting to Enhance Color

Lighting can significantly alter how bold colors appear in a room. Natural light brings out the true tones of your bold colors, while artificial light can add warmth or coolness depending on the type of bulbs you use. Consider how the lighting in a room interacts with your color choices and how it can enhance the boldness of the space. A well-lit room with a bold accent wall can create a stunning visual effect, while dim lighting may make a room feel cozy but a little more subdued.

[easybuildindia]

Sofa Fabric Ideas to Make Your Living Room Shine This Holiday Season

The holiday season is a great time to bring warmth, style, and a touch of festivity into your living room. One of the most effective ways to make your living room feel cozy and inviting for family and friends is to update your sofa fabric. Choose luxurious velvet and cozy plaid, glamorous metallics, or layered looks-all will give your living room that festive and stylish feel. Whether you look for an old-fashioned holiday decor theme or a new, exciting one, here are the best fabric ideas that you would want to apply during this seasonal makeover. If individual quality options interest you and you want to find and get sofa fabric in Dehradun along with something more for your holiday-decorated room, do visit Easy Build.

1. Velvet Rich For Luxury Festive Feel

Velvet features an image of elegance and luxury so it is quite a good choice for this holiday season. Its soft and silky texture creates a comfortable and warm atmosphere, making it ideal for daytime relaxation and nighttime gathering during the colder time of the year.

Why Velvet Velvet gives a glamorous look to any room in your house and its dense feel can instantly beautify the general look of your living place. Light catches and creates a beautiful sheen against the smooth surface of this fabric, that makes it appear beautiful for Christmas.

Deep, rich colors - in emerald green, ruby red, navy blue, or even dark plum hues-will create a holiday feeling in a color palette for a living room. Colors festive yet classic, bringing depth and warmth to living spaces. Use a coordinating throw pillow or throw and place it alongside a matching velvet sofa to create polish.

Tips for styling: Velvet is best on a traditional or modern context. For it to always keep the festivity vibe, include metallic accents as well in the form of gold or silver pillows and throws. Velvet sofas easily complement other textured materials to be combined with almost all decorations possible.

2. Plaid and Tartan for a Cozy, Classic Look

Indeed, there is an undeniable charm to the patterns of plaid and tartan that suits holidays well. These are very traditional prints that have been warming and welcoming for long and thus are suitable to make a cozy and comfortable setting.

Why Plaid: Actually, plaid brings that ultimate and cozy feel to a space. And while the classic red and green plaid of old evokes holiday cheer, neutral or monochromatic shades will bring a more modern, subtle touch to a space.

Color Combinations: Festive is how the traditional color combination red and green would look like in a traditional plaid. Sophisticated, versatile black or gray with white plaid is a great alternative; for a more modern aspect, think of navy, charcoal with subtle greens and reds.

Style Tips Plaid and tartan make for great sofa fabric, but if you're feeling bold, try bringing them in through throw blankets or accent pillows. Pairing plaid with solid colors can balance the look of the room and avoid overwhelming it. Easy Build provides numerous options for plaid sofa fabric in Dehradun, and you can choose the perfect pattern for your holiday setup.

3. Metallic Fabrics for a Glamorous Shine

Metallic fabrics are the best if you want to add a little glamour to your living room this holiday season. Metallics add festive shimmer without overwhelming the space, so they are ideal for accent pieces.

Metallic fabrics reflect light beautifully. They add a subtle sparkle, which feels festive and luxurious. A metallic fabric works well in modern and traditional spaces, so it's a good choice for holiday decor.

Metallic and metallic fabric options range from classic holiday colours of gold, silver, or bronze to softer contemporary metallic tones in champagne or rose gold. Metallic fabrics really make a statement when coupled with deep blues or burgundy colours.

Tips to style: Accent the metallic fabric of your sofa by adding the decorative pillows or throws in place of using it throughout the sofa. The decor will balance well if it is distributed throughout the house in candle holders, picture frames, and more, creating a cohesive holiday look. To add some metallic sparkle to the living room, there are many varieties available in the Dehradun markets for sofa fabrics inspired by metallic finishes and can be found at Easy Build.

4. Layered Fabrics for a Dynamic, Stylish Look

Layered textiles are one of the best ways to create a cozy and festive visual space. Adding layers of textures and colors allows the room to be warm and cheerful with the holiday season.

Why Layering: Fabric on a sofa gives a three-dimensional style that is not only impressive but also cozy. Three different textures, colors, and patterns will result in a dynamic space, meaning that the space is tailored personally.

Layering: Create a base layer, such as a solid or subtly textured sofa fabric, and then add accents in season. For example, if you have a velvet sofa, you could add a plaid throw blanket and a couple of metallic accent pillows. The combination of textures—the plush feel of velvet, the rustic plaid, and shimmering metallics—checks every festive box on the list while still managing to be balanced.

Color Palette: Select a color palette that will complement your overall holiday decor. Neutral base layers, such as beige or gray, make it easy to add seasonal colors such as red, green, or metallic tones.

Tips on the style: Feel free to layer different textures. Just throw in some velvet and wool or faux fur-you never know how they'd turn out together. Keeping the living room refreshed but always inviting, with varied texture and visual appeal as added benefits, can only be achieved with layering options available in Easy Build's variety of sofa fabric available at Dehradun.

Conclusion 

That perfect sofa fabric can be quite a difference-maker during holidays. From the opulent feel of velvet to a non-trendy classic plaid look or even metallics and mixed fabrics adding a layered look, so many options abound when trying to put together that festive space. Sofa Fabric in Dehradun, provides you with the best quality, stylish sofa fabric range. This is sure to ensure that the range of sofa fabric by Easy Build in Dehradun caters to diverse tastes and styles. It is sure to find everything to make your living room shine this holiday season, giving it the warmth, elegance, and festive spirit that your home deserves.

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Luxurious Home Design: Elevating Your Living Space

In today's era, luxurious home design has evolved beyond mere opulence to encompass a blend of elegance, comfort, and functionality. It's about creating a space that not only reflects your personal style but also provides a sanctuary of tranquility and sophistication. This article explores the key elements that define luxurious home design and offers insights on how to incorporate them into your living space.

Key Elements of Luxurious Home Design

Quality Materials: Invest in high-quality materials that exude luxury and durability. Consider natural materials like marble, granite, and teak for flooring and countertops. For upholstery, opt for luxurious fabrics like velvet, silk, or cashmere.

Custom Design: Tailored design elements can elevate your home to new heights. Consider custom-made furniture, cabinetry, or lighting fixtures to create a unique and personalized space.

Attention to Detail: Pay meticulous attention to the smallest details. From intricate moldings to exquisite hardware, every element should contribute to the overall luxurious ambiance.

Spaciousness: Luxurious homes often feature ample space. Consider open-plan layouts or rooms with high ceilings to create a sense of grandeur.

Natural Light: Maximize natural light by incorporating large windows or skylights. Abundant natural light not only creates a brighter and more inviting space but also enhances the overall aesthetic.

High-End Appliances: Equip your home with state-of-the-art appliances that combine functionality with sleek design. Consider brands known for their luxury and performance.

Smart Home Technology: Integrate smart home technology to enhance convenience, comfort, and security. Features like automated lighting, climate control, and security systems can elevate the luxury experience.

Luxurious Living Spaces

Master Bedroom: Create a luxurious retreat with plush bedding, custom-designed headboards, and elegant lighting. Consider adding a spa-like bathroom with a soaking tub and luxurious finishes.

Living Room: Opt for comfortable and stylish seating arrangements, such as a sectional sofa or plush armchairs. Incorporate statement pieces like a grand piano or a marble fireplace to add a touch of opulence.

Dining Room: A formal dining room is a hallmark of luxury. Choose a large dining table made of high-quality materials and pair it with elegant chairs. Consider adding a chandelier or a statement light fixture to create a focal point.

Kitchen: A luxurious kitchen should be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. High-end appliances, custom cabinetry, and luxurious countertops are essential elements.

Home Theater: Create a dedicated home theater for immersive entertainment experiences. Consider installing a large-screen television, surround sound system, and comfortable seating.

Color Palette and Decor

Neutral Tones: A neutral color palette of whites, creams, and grays provides a timeless and elegant foundation.

Accent Colors: Introduce pops of color with accent furniture, artwork, or textiles. Consider rich jewel tones like deep blues, emerald greens, or burgundy reds.

Luxurious Fabrics: Incorporate luxurious fabrics like velvet, silk, or cashmere for upholstery, curtains, or throw pillows.

Statement Pieces: Add a touch of drama and opulence with statement pieces like large-scale artwork, antique furniture, or unique sculptures.

Outdoor Living

Landscaping: Create a luxurious outdoor space with meticulously landscaped gardens, swimming pools, and outdoor entertaining areas.

Outdoor Living Spaces: Design outdoor living spaces with comfortable seating, fire pits, or outdoor kitchens for entertaining and relaxation.

Conclusion

Luxurious home design is about creating a space that reflects your personal style, provides comfort, and exudes elegance. By incorporating elements like quality materials, custom design, attention to detail, and luxurious amenities, you can transform your home into a haven of opulence and sophistication. Remember, the key to luxurious home design is to create a space that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, reflecting your unique taste and lifestyle.

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The Impact of Color Choices on the Atmosphere of Your Living Room

Color plays a significant role in the overall look and feel of living room interior design. Color can create quite an energetic environment within an NYC apartment; all the right colors can make a room, changing the mood and purpose of the space. To understand how color can affect your living space, you may be creating a retreat or an entertaining space.

The Psychology of Color

Color psychology states that different shades evoke distinct moods and emotions. Here are some of the most commonly identified colors:

Warm Colors (Red, Orange, Yellow): These colors make one feel energetic and warm. Warm colors are the best for a lively atmosphere in any living room and are well apt to host friends and family since they stimulate conversation and activity.

Cool Colors (Blue, green, purple): Cool colors, as they are calming, inspire calmness. A room painted blue or green color tends to build a good atmosphere, and it is the most appropriate place to sit and rest after a long, stressful day in the city’s bustle.

Neutrals (White, Gray, Beige): Neutrals provide a more versatile canvas, enabling one to embellish the space and make it more spacious, or can also serve as the main background that allows the usage of graphic elements in bold colors, thus permitting a more playful approach towards the other colors used in the decor.

Creating Cohesion in Your NYC Apartment Interior

Color choice will make or break a small NYC apartment interior. These are some tips to balance out color to make your living space airy and harmonious.

Pare Down Your Palette: Use only a few complementary colors to help bind the look into one aesthetic. This does wonders in terms of making small spaces feel less cluttered and more intentional.

For small apartments, use light colors. When enlarging and opening a room, light colors are sure to offer benefits, particularly for small apartments. Soft white or pastel light color creates an airy atmosphere and maximizes natural light.

Accent Colors Throw pillows, artwork, or rugs add bold colors as an accent in a room. This livens the personality without overwhelming the space.

Design for Functionality

Adding color to your living room design will also add to the functionality of that living room, especially when working with multi-purpose living rooms. For example, if you live in a house where your living room serves as an office, you would most likely use yellow or green to stimulate your creativity and productivity for work.

Office Interior Design Considerations: In a living room that functions as an office, use colors that provoke focus. Murmurs of greens or blues set a calm mood for work while keeping your home warm and cozy to work in.

Conclusion

The colors you choose for your living room's interior are going to make all the difference concerning its atmosphere, so it's essential that you know your personal style and mood. This is particularly so for an NYC apartment, where space is something one may not necessarily have - color choices, therefore, become a thoughtful decision that can actually make a living space cohesive, functional, and inviting.

For more expert advice on how to design your living space, visit Marie Burgos Design and see how color can transform your home into a beautiful sanctuary.