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Color Trends For 2010
Welcome to a colorful, new decade! In 2010, more of us will embrace color with a free-spirited approach as we become more comfortable expressing our individual sense of style.
The hot colors for 2010 are a fun mix of vibrant hues and neutrals that reflect our desire for casual, cherry and relaxing personal spaces that balance our hectic lifestyles. Take for instance, Turquoise, which has been declared the 2010 Color of the Year by Pantone.
With tones that mimic the sea and sky, Turquoise is already a classic favorite; it has long been our go-to color when we’re looking for serenity. In 2010, this color will take on a more vibrant chroma. We’ll also see Violet, Coral and Iridescent Yellow. I’m quite certain that our very fashionable First Lady Michelle Obama has something to do with this. It’s important to pay close attention to fashion, because home trends almost always follow clothing trends.
The 2010 colors will also reflect our own confidence when it comes to adding and combining hues in our homes and our wardrobes. The trend is to create palettes that are original and unique to our own experiences and personality.
The Refreshed palette, by Sherwin-Williams, demonstrates a bold, uninhibited approach to combining happy colors. Even blues, such as Sapphire {shown below} will take on a more vivid appearance.
The Free Spirit palette, by Colour Futures, showcases muted colors in an unexpected mix. We’ll see this ‘mix-and-match’ trend much more in 2010 — with color and furnishings.
Also in 2010, Gray will continue to gain popularity as the new neutral — replacing beige, tan and khaki. The Dark Glamour and Soft Structure palettes {below} by Behr, show us how grays can work with a variety of other hues to create a sleek, modern space.
{Notice the Pumpkin Orange shown here and in some of the other featured palettes. We’re sure to see that color in 2010, also.}
Finally, 2010 trend colors will most likely be reinforced and shaped by 2009-year-end influencers. For example, the innovative blockbuster movie Avatar.
This feature film took us to the fictitious planet, Pandora, where color was abundant. Even the natives {above} were patterned with intriguing shades of blue. Here I’ve created an Avatar palette that includes a few colors you’ve already seen in this post:
{Colors from Sherwin-Williams: Blue Beyond, Cloudless, Frolic, Larchmere, Bohemian Black, Yarrow, Real Red, Verve Violet}
So many colors to consider in 2010, but don’t let it overwhelm you! Remember, although color trends can point us in the right direction, you will be happiest in your space when you choose colors that make you feel comfortable. It could be your favorite color, one that brings back good memories, or a color that just makes you smile — even if you can’t explain why. So, begin with that color and then add on to create your personal palette.
Have a Colorful New Year!
5 Last-Minute Christmas Ideas
With just one day left until Christmas, I wanted to share 5 easy, last-minute decorating ideas from the Porter House — just the thing for those holiday procrastinators {you know who you are}!
1. Candles and Holiday Greenery
Arrange an assortment of pillar or votive candles, along with fresh sprigs of holly, pine or magnolia leaves. You can find all of these varieties at your local garden center. Or, if you already have mature evergreens in your yard, you can do what I did here and just clip a few branches.
Place your arrangement at the front porch to greet your guests or create a tablescape indoors on your dining or coffee table.
2. Pine Cones and Pomanders
Combine cinnamon-scented pine cones and orange pomanders; arrange them in a bowl, platter or basket. Use fresh oranges for the pomanders. Using a toothpick, poke holes in the oranges and create a pattern. Then push whole cloves into each hole. This centerpiece is laden with texture and fragrance. It also makes a great conversation piece!
3. Candy Cane Displays
Candy canes are not only inexpensive, but they come in a variety of colors and flavors. Create a festive display by arranging them in colorful goblets and mugs.
This is a great party idea because it’s always fun to let your guests help themselves to edible arrangements.
4. Ornamental Displays
Place pretty ornaments in a bowl or decorative platter for a very simple, elegant centerpiece.
5. Put a Bow on It!
Purchase ready-made bows from the craft store or make your own. Bows make the perfect finishing touch on wreaths, topiaries, chairs, lamps…you name it. I made all of the bows shown above. It’s pretty easy, but you may need a little practice. Click Here to learn how to make bows.
I hope you’ve enjoyed these last-minute ideas — from my house to yours. Happy Decorating and Merry Christmas!
{Click Here for more inspiration from the Porter House}
All photographs by Kelly Porter of Porter House Designs
Decked Out Dressing Table
Come holiday season, there are very few areas in my home that go undecorated. Even my dressing table gets a festive, glam treatment.
Tiffany Blue is my Christmas color of choice here because it’s the accent color in my bedroom {it’s a very serene and romantic color}.
This dressing table is actually a small desk that I bought from a thrift store over 10 years ago. As you can see by the photo below, it was less than impressive…
…but it was nothing that glossy white paint and new hardware couldn’t fix. I also re-surfaced the top with a ceramic tile mosaic. The ‘vintage chic’ chair came from an old, wrought-iron garden set that belonged to my husband’s grandmother. I spruced it up with a new seat cover.
I love decorating with ribbon because it’s inexpensive but makes a huge impact. I was very excited to find festive gold and aqua ribbon, which coordinated perfectly with everything else.
I’m a firm believer that busy women and moms need a pretty space of their own. You can turn any small table into a delightful dressing table. Just gather up your perfume bottles, photos and other special mementos, and bring in a glamorous free-standing mirror.
Then, during the holiday season, you’ll have a special space to decorate any way you want, using the colors you love.
All photos by Kelly Porter of Porter House Designs
Winter White And…
Navy Blue
Orange and Pink
Purple
Emerald Green
Brown
Brown and Yellow
Red and Black
Ice Blue
Winter white goes with your favorite color.
My Little Lilac Tree
After completing my home office a couple of months ago, I was thrilled to have found the perfect Christmas tree to grace my new space.
I found my 3 ft., pre-lit lilac tree at Michael’s. It now sits on my work table and fits perfectly in the corner right next to the window.
I wanted my tree’s adornment to be simple, but at the same time I wanted a little bling. My happy medium? Clear glass ornaments, including round ‘bubbles’ and oval-shaped baubles in hues of pink, purple, amber and green…
…and glittery gold ‘word’ ornaments {that spell Noel, Peace, Joy and Hope}, shimmery gold and silver snowflakes, sparkly purple feathers, and a shining gold star on top.
With so many sizes of Christmas trees available these days, it really is easy to find one that fits into smaller spaces.
With so many colors to choose from, why go traditional pine green? Pick a tree that reinforces your space’s color palette. This year, you’ll find blue, pink, purple, orange, white, black and red trees. Check out treetopia.com for options and ideas. Celebrate the season with color!
Colors of Classic Gifts
{I originally posted this story last December, and thought it would make a fun read again this year. Enjoy!}
There are just some gifts that will forever be synonymous with Christmas.
A few of these items are “the gifts we love to hate,” while for some of us in the DC area, they are “the gifts we used to buy from People’s Drug Store when we were kids.” Still, others are the gifts that make us wonder, “who still buys these things?” Whatever we think, all of these items still manage to re-appear every holiday season. Since I always say that color inspiration can come from anywhere, I thought it would be fun to create palettes using these cooky but classic gifts of Christmases past. All colors are from Sherwin Williams.
The Chia Pet (drugstore.com) has really evolved over the years. Originally available as one pet, you can now buy a Chia elephant (above), kitten, bunny, frog, turtle and even a Chia Shrek.
Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia palette: Gecko, Domino and Smokey Topaz
Old Spice is still a favorite of World War II Veterans everywhere.
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- Grandpa’s Signature Scent palette: Real Red and Commodore
The Lifesavers Book was one of those inexpensive gifts you could get from the drugstore. Below is a vintage ad from 1951 (atomicmall.com), and a picture of what this gift looks like today, available from drugstore.com.
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- Lifesavers Latest Edition palette: Forward Fucshia, Festival Green and Confident Yellow
I personally think that the Soap on a Rope (caswellmassey.com) is a great invention. Let’s face it: A bar of soap is slippery. Every kind of soap should have a rope, not just ‘gift’ soap.
Don't Drop The Soap palette: Indigo, Cosmos and Icelandic
Finally, the holiday season wouldn’t be the same without fruit cake. OK, go ahead and laugh but some people like fruit cake. My husband’s grandmother used to make fruit cake every Christmas {I just never saw anyone eating it}.
No Thanks I'm Full palette: Sociable, Black Bean and Grenadine
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LET'S GET SOCIAL:
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