MY WEBSITE:
COLOR COLUMNIST FOR:
HELPING YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT COLORS:
-
POPULAR PARTY IDEA – GIRLS SPA @ HOME:
-
Popular Posts
Fashion File
I love these file folders from the M by Staples collection. Staples says that “even a file folder can speak volumes about you.” I’m not sure how true that is, but I do know that these file folders are fun, yet very professional looking. And unlike other decorative file folders I’ve tried, these folders are very sturdy. So, while fashionable file folders may not exactly speak volumes, they can say something about you — even if it’s just a little voice that says you have style.
Colors That Run
My 13-year old son and his friends are very much into the hottest athletic footwear. My son just showed me this shoe from DC Shoes, and touted it as being the latest and greatest trend for young men. I told him the colors reminded me of a baby’s room. ”WHAAAT, no way,” he replied in that ‘mom-you-don’t-know-anything’ tone. You should have seen his face when I showed him this darling nursery (below) from sassysprouts.com. I think his response was something like…”Whoa.” Don’t get me wrong. I think its great that that the newest trend in athletic footwear is all about bold color combinations. But like any parent with growing kids, I’m not inclined to buy shoes that would go with only one outfit. This is one area where black, white and plain works just fine.
Fall Into Orange
Autumn is my favorite time of year. Pretty soon, we’ll be dazzled by a spectacular display of fiery hues. If you’re looking for a great autumn-inspired color, let me suggest my all-time favorite shade of orange: Copper Harbor by Sherwin-Williams. I love this shade of orange because it’s dramatic without being too bright. You can see here how I’ve used it. Notice how lighting makes a difference in how this color appears in both spaces (this is a reminder to test your colors, first). I’m using Copper Harbor now in my twins’ room, where it will be paired with navy blue– I’ll post photos when I’m done. Orange can be rustic, sophisticated or whimsical. It’s a versatile, happy color.
Visit my color portfolio to see more photos of these featured spaces.
Easy Being Green
There is an abundance of green in nature which makes it a neutral color outdoors. Because there is so much green to be seen, most people are comfortable with the color. Soft, muted greens are very organic and serene. Warmer yellow-greens tend to be ‘louder’ and therefore are perfect if you want to make a statement, as in the room pictured above from mydeco.com (and I love those purple lampshades). Not brave enough for an entire room? Then, just a touch can work well, too. I purchased this vase (below) from Pier 1. It really stands out against the red, white and black decor in my study. So, whether you use a little or a lot, this shade of green will always catch your eye.
Flame n’ Flowers
When I entertain, I usually try to incorporate flowers and candles. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to add color to your event — and you don’t have to be a fancy schmancy floral designer.
For this backyard arrangement (top), I used votives from a craft store and flowers (Vinca) from my garden. For the rose bowl (bottom), the votives look fancy, but I got those from a discount store for a couple of bucks each. The roses are from Sam’s Club.
If you’ve never arranged flowers before, you may need a little practice, but don’t stress over it. Just do what looks good to you. The candles will provide the elegance. And you’ll be the ultimate host!
Urban Sandcastle
When it comes to interior design, perhaps nothing capitvates the imagination more than a realistic wall mural. With the help of artist Brian Gibson, who created this masterpiece, we were able to bring both sand and surf into the home of this Washington, D.C. family. With the mom being from Jamaica and dad from Puerto Rico, it’s no surprise that the colors and whimsy of the beach were a ‘must-have’ for the children’s room.
A Coloring Look
It can be difficult for people to visualize their space painted with more than one color. But as this room (from Dutch Boy) shows, multi-coloring can be very sexy! The rich, vibrant hues in this dining space make for a very sophisticated, impressive place to entertain friends. Check out the paint names: Lady in Red, Blue Steele, Jeweled Plum and Stepping Out. Sounds like a party!
Pillow Talk
Hue-ray for School!
As the mother of three boys, back-to-school shopping is rather hectic. My husband typically handles the clothes shopping, and I take care of purchasing the school supplies. To the dismay of my sons, I have been known to drive them all over town in search of colorful notebooks and folders. Honestly, being boys they could care a less. I just can’t bring myself to buying them black & white marbled composition books and other boring school necessities. I believe that color makes studying more exciting. Unfortunately for us, colorfully patterned school supplies are very much geared towards girls. Too bad, because I’m very impressed with these designs that Jaqueline Savage McFee creates for Carolina Pad Company (available at Wal Mart). Her designs are colorful, trendy, fun and very girly. So if you have daughters, you’re in luck. If you have boys, they’ll probably say “YUCK!”
-
-
LET'S GET SOCIAL:
-
