2009 October | Color Sizzle

Autumn Ideas

I’m so loving all of the fall colors right now.  Every year it amazes me how quickly the leaves go from green to crimson, russet, yellow, amber, orange and brown…

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{Porter House Designs}

…beautiful, inspiring colors that make for really cool {or should I say, ‘warm’} decorations.  Above is an autumn tablescape I designed a couple of years ago, and I still like the way it looks now.  It must be because nature’s colors are timeless, and seasonal goodies — such as pumpkins, gourds and pine cones — never go out of style.  Here are some other fun ideas for autumn:

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decoratorshome.blogspot

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photos credits: sunset; bhg; decorators home

Yellow and Blue

THANK YOU NOTE:  Thanks again to everyone who voted for me in Apartment Therapy’s Color Contest! It was a fun ride.  This contest is always a great source for color inspiration, so be sure to check out all of the entries.  Good Luck to those who are still in the running!

NOW ON TO YELLOW AND BLUE:

pch1

{point click home}

The color combination of yellow and blue is a classic one that has not been limited to any one particular style.  With hues that represent the sun and sky, these colors naturally go together, and they’re very easy to live with.

countryliving

{country living}

Yellow and blue is the perfect balance of warm and cool colors, so it creates a very comfortable feeling for many people.

hb2

{house beautiful}

To spice up this classic combination, experiment with different color variations.  Instead of a pale predictable yellow, consider using a golden saffron or a youthful lemon yellow.  Likewise, forgo the the usual sky blue or navy, and try turquoise or teal.

decorpad

{decorpad}

Yellow and blue is a timeless color scheme that will suit any room in your home and it’ll never look dated.  Those are a couple of good reasons to give it a try!

Lavender And Gray

JUST A QUICK NOTE:  A huge THANK YOU to everyone who voted for my ‘Lilac, Aqua & Brown Home Office’ in Apartment Therapy’s Room For Color Contest 2009…

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NOW ON TO THE FEATURED POST:

The sophisticated color combination of lavender and gray is a hot color trend right now.  These colors have been spotted together a lot in home interiors this year,  as well as in the fashion world for Fall and Winter 2009.

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Although lavender has consistently been a favorite hue,  gray is quickly becoming a trend color.  This is undoubtedly due to the rise of information and computer technology, which is an industry that is typically associated with the color gray.

jennybova.blogspot

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robynkarpinteriors

houseandhome

stylenorth.ca

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Trends and technology aside, if you’re looking for a cool contemporary space that will help you wind down and relax, lavender and gray is the way…and in today’s fast-paced society, I think we’ll be seeing these colors together for quite a while.

Click on each photo to see credit/link.

Vote For My Home Office!

I’m so excited to learn that my home office has just been selected for Apartment Therapy’s Room For Color Contest 2009!

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My home office is finally complete and I was able to enter photos into the Room For Color contest just before the deadline!  If you like what I’ve done, please CLICK HERE to give me the “Thumbs Up” over at Apartment Therapy! You’ll also see a few more pictures, the inspiration behind my design, and the color palette {with the paint colors I used}.

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kelly's office3

Voting for my entry ends at approximately 3:00 pm EST on Saturday, October 17, 2009.  Thanks for your vote, and for supporting Color Sizzle!

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Color It Coral

Decorating with the color coral can be tricky, but don’t let that stop you from using this delightful color in your home.

southernaccents

{southern accents}

Somewhere in between orange and red, coral is a warm, crisp color that will brighten your space and work well with a variety of other hues.  Also referred to as salmon, peach, apricot and melon, coral can range from a vibrant reddish-pink to a soft terra cotta.

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{about}

Coral is often associated with tropical or coastal interiors, and for that reason many people are hesitant to use it.  It actually is one of the colors of coral reef as well as the inside of some sea shells, but don’t confine this color to the beach.  Coral is also the color of the sky at dawn and dusk.  In fact, I once specified coral for a client’s bedroom tray-ceiling after being inspired by a brilliant peachy-pink sunrise.  They absolutely loved it!

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{washington spaces — design by Barbara Hawthorn}

Because coral pulls from both red and orange, you’ll get the benefits of each color which results in a warm, romantic, energizing, and cheerful space.  Another added plus:  people look better in coral spaces.  The rosiness of this color is very flattering to all skin tones and will add a youthful glow to your complexion.  Who wouldn’t want that?

bisibee.co.za

{bisibee}

lifestyle.msn.com

{msn lifestyle}

mattersofstyleblog

{matters of style}

When using coral, you can create a dramatic space by adding complementary colors such as green or teal.  These two hues appear across from coral {red-orange} on a color wheel and will give you the most impact.  For a more serene feel, create an analogous color scheme by adding colors that lie next to coral on the color wheel, such as a lavender-pink or saffron.  You can also use neutrals such as chocolate brown, tan or gray.  To create a modern space, add a dose of white furnishings.

kelleyinteriordesign

{Kelley Proximire}

interiordesign_net

{interior design}

Some people think coral is a very feminine color, and they find using it a challenge when considering the tastes of a husband or boys.  However, if you select a shade that has more of an orange undertone, it can turn out to be a great, cheery color that satisfies everyone.

remodelingcenter

{remodeling center}

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{decorating with lace}

I might also add that the color coral makes a stunning fashion statement, as shown here by First Lady {and fashion trend-setter} Michelle Obama:

blog.propspect.org

{blog prospect}

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Coral really is a versatile color and it can add a unique vibe to your home {and your wardrobe}.  Experiment with different shades {such as my suggested colors below from Sherwin-Williams} to find out how coral can fit into your design style.

Picture 8{Top, l-r:  Ardent Coral, Smoky Salmon, Avid Apricot, Dishy Coral; Bottom l-r:  Peach Blossom, Sunset, Quite Coral}

One last photo — an awesome coral/peach sunset taken from my cell phone camera in the Wal Mart parking lot the other evening:

sunset_taken by kporter

{God does it best}

Brightly Colored Kid’s Rooms

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Today, over at Design Dazzle, I’ve blogged about Brightly Colored Bedrooms for Kids – a fun subject that sometimes makes parents a little nervous:

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I often have the pleasure of working with kids and teens to help them select colors for their bedrooms {such as the boys room pictured at the top}.  I’ve also come to realize that children will choose the brightest colors known to mankind, because they are naturally attracted to these types of hues.  In fact, studies have shown that children usually respond to bright colors in a positive way.

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So, how do you make sure that your child’s energetic color palette doesn’t send them into overdrive?  You need balance and compromise.  Click Here to view this entire post and find out more!

photos:  Porter House Designs; Design Dazzle; digsdigs

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