COLOR & DESIGN HELP:
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IDEAS FOR MOLDING & TRIM:
IDEAS FOR YOUR BEDROOM:
Color Scheme Idea: Gray and Red
Gray is still holding steady as the neutral you need now.
It took a while before I became a fan of gray {it seemed so drab at first} but I’ve come to love it’s versatility and I’ve enjoyed helping many of my clients select the perfect gray paint colors for their homes. I also chose gray for my own dining room and I’m so happy I did. I love a gray room best when it’s graced with a stand-out accent color, and out of all the hues that go so well with gray, my favorite is RED.
{brian patrick flynn}
Gray and Red go together so naturally. I think this is true because these two colors really do complement each other. All by itself gray can appear cold, reserved and tranquil. On the other hand red is hot, sexy and exciting. When these colors are paired together, each one gets some of what the other color has. It’s a match made in color heaven.
{alijab}
{styledhaven}
Many grays are achromatic {void of color} like black and white. But some grays do have blue, purple or green undertones…and that is what makes it such a great, all-around neutral. Just be mindful of these varying undertones when you’re choosing a gray paint color. Other than that, trust me when I say…you have a room in your home that wants to be gray.
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C’mon Get Happy {With Yellow}
It never fails. This time of year, I start dreaming of yellow. Don’t get me wrong. I actually like winter {minus the short days}. I love snow and I enjoy snuggling up by the fire, but I also look forward to the first signs of spring which always come in the form of yellow — early spring flowers and more sunlight. So, whether it’s a room with yellow paint, fabric, or accessories just seeing a touch of this cheerful color can help bring spring a little closer…and add some happy to your home. Photo from susanisaacsre.com.
{interiordesignpic}
{stylesdecor}
{bhg}
{stylesdecor}
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Make Summer Last With A Pop Of Yellow
If summer is your favorite season you’ve got a little more time to soak up the warmth of the sun’s yellow rays…
…And if yellow if your favorite color, now is the time to add it to your home so that you can enjoy a bit of warm sunshine during those chilly fall and winter days {photo above from olivebranchinteriors}.
Back in January, I wrote a post about Yellow being the color to watch this year. Yellow was very popular this year — especially as an accent color. Many people were using yellow for a pop of color rather than to paint an entire room with it, but I love to use it either way. Yellow makes a home feel casual and comfortable, and it makes us feel cheerful. What more could you ask for in a color?
{kitchen photo from drastic-plastic}
{I love yellow and navy — a classic color scheme that is always on trend. Photo by eclecticlivinghome.}
{Stencil your stairs with a vibrant shade of canary yellow! I love how different patterns were used here. Photo by houseandhome.}
{Totally glam..and painting a mirror frame is very easy! Photo from houseandhome}
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It’s Time To Change Accent Colors
There are just some things you can’t change about your home, but color is not one of them.
I change my home’s colors all the time — to the dismay of my husband. He says that as soon as he gets used to the latest colors, I change them again. So, what’s new at my house? Teal, turquoise and a refreshing mix of warm greens.
Painting is a very easy way to transform the look of a room, but adding or changing a room’s accent colors is even easier. Let’s face it. Once you take the time to paint a room {especially a large room or open space}, you may not want to paint it again. It’s much more efficient to change your accessories, which is what I’ve done in my family room.
{a corner view of my family room}
It’s a two-story room that opens to the upstairs and the foyer. We painted the space about ten years ago and I still love the amber wall color. I was just tired of the rusty-red accents. So, for the room’s mini-transformation, I started with fabric. I found an amazing, velvet and silk retro pattern that I used for color inspiration. The fabric vibes perfectly with the style of my home, which is a marriage of Spanish traditional and modern.
{my inspiration fabric}
I used the fabric to re-cover four throw pillows. I also used those gorgeous warm blues and greens to customize my existing wall clock:
I mixed acrylic paints to get four different shades of green and a rich teal. Then I painted the clock’s numerals and hands.
I also had fun rounding up accessories that fit into my new color scheme.
{I purchased these glass vases at Marshall’s.}
{This glass bowl is from HomeGoods. I love how it sparkles in the sunlight!}
Below are my thrift store finds from the Salvation Army. This is one of two lamps that I bought about a year ago but they needed new shades, so they sat in storage for a while. I finally found a perfect pair of silk shades at amazon.com, and I added turquoise finials that I got from Pier 1.
{The ceramic vase, also from SA, was a real bargain. I think it cost about $4.00.}
{I found these turquoise tassels at a local fabric store.}
I’m still working on some finishing touches in my family room, so when they’re done I’ll post more pictures. In the meantime, I hope you’ve been inspired to change your colors. Doing so will bring a fresh look and new energy to your home.
I took all of these photos with my iPhone via Instagram — my favorite app these days.
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Inspired By Olympic Gold {and Gabby Douglas}
As the 2012 Summer Olympics begin to wind down, I have been truly inspired by all of the amazing athletes from around the world.
Being a proud American, I am especially thrilled for Team USA! They have won over 40 Gold medals and 90+ overall! So, being the design/color blogger that I am, I couldn’t resist featuring a few golden ideas for your home – and I have a special shout-out to gymnast Gabby Douglas after the pictures:
{elledecor}
{architectural digest}
Gold accessories and accent furniture pieces work well with any color scheme.
{decorpad}
Now to my shout-out:
I’m proud join a group of fellow bloggers who are posting, tweeting and pinning our love for Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas. In this year’s games, Gabby has won two gold medals in both the team and individual all-around competitions. She is the first American gymnast to do this at the same Olympics. Gabby is also the first African-American gymnast to become the individual all-around champion. That inspires me.
I wish I had embodied Gabby’s courage and perseverance when I was a young, aspiring gymnast many moons ago. I was actually pretty good…but I wasn’t confident enough to believe that I could be great. Gabby knew she could be great even when she looked around and rarely saw other gymnasts who looked like her.
So, congratulations to Gabby Douglas – America’s Golden Girl and a true inspiration!
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Ideas For Painting Your Trim
My clients often ask me for advice on which paint colors to use for trim and molding. So, I wrote a post about decorating with picture-frame wainscoting, and to my surprise it has become the most popular story on my blog. Needless to say, I thought it was time to do another post about trim.
{Cleverly ‘camouflaged’ picture-frame molding by mhouseinc}
Painting any type of trim can be a challenge, especially when you want to do something other than white. But it really just comes down to amount of impact you want your trim to have. Do you want it to stand out and be a focal point in your space? Or would you prefer that the trim blend-in and quietly reinforce the room’s color scheme? If you answered yes to either question, then take a look at the following photos for inspiration:
In the room pictured above, the crown molding blends into the room because it’s painted the same color as the walls. Design Tip: For a subtle difference, paint the trim in a different finish, such as a lacquer or high gloss finish.
Your trim will pop the most when you paint it with a vivid hue that contrasts against a more understated wall color or wall covering.
Design Tip: Create a monochromatic look by using two or three colors from the same color family, as shown in the photo above.
{domino}
For more tips on paint colors, trim and molding, check out Ideas For Picture-Frame Wainscoting.
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Purple Spaces To Swoon Over
I can never let too much time go by before I write a post about purple!
As many of you know, my favorite colors are lavender, plum and every tint and shade in between. I’m always looking for a reason to love on purple.
So, to celebrate the design of my new blog header I’m sharing a fun collection of purple spaces. Purple people, enjoy!
{I’m obsessed with this tile! Photo by decorativehomeinterior.}
{decorativehomeinterior}
{creamylife}
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Haute Home Essentials
Who says home essentials have to be boring? Small doses of unexpected color really do make life a little more entertaining on the home front. Here are a few products that can make each day a colorful one!
These colorful items from VivaTerra.com can make cleaning up a little more bearable.
Who knew air fresheners could be so exciting? Love these Premium Room Sprays from Glade.
Every cabinet needs a pull. Try these Lucky Number knobs from Anthropologie.com.
These hand-crocheted washcloths from Etsy.com can also be used as coasters.
Spice up your dinner with this Fiesta flatware set from Macys.com.
Rubber gloves never looked so sexy…
…And check out these tantalizing toilet brushes, all from Tidy Aphrodite by Eclipse {you can find some of these items at Five Below.com}.
Loving these luxe leather hampers from Linens ‘N Things.com. Definitely a splurge item!
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Accent Colors For Gray Bedrooms
Not only is gray a hot neutral, it’s also a terrific color for the bedroom — especially when it’s paired with vibrant accent colors.
Gray is a serene and tranquil hue — perfect for relaxation — but too much of it can look drab. The good news is, you can add just about any other color to gray and it will instantly liven up a bedroom, which may be just what you need when that alarm clock goes off in the morning!
Pops of Pink
Refreshing Turquoise
Energizing Orange
Regal Violet
Cheerful Yellow
{decorpad}
Luscious Cranberry
{fixtureworld}
Rusty Red
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Color Ideas Around The Web
If you’ve been looking for ideas and inspiration to make your home a bit more colorful and cozy for Christmas {and beyond}, I’m dishing out advice around the web:
Sherwin-Williams STIR:
{photos: Porter House Designs; Blik}
Been thinking about an accent wall? It’s a quick way to add color and flare to a room, but how do you know if it’s right for your space? Over at Sherwin-Williams STIR, I’m giving accent color advice — which includes an interview with Scott Flora, owner of Blik removable wall graphics.
Houzz:
{Houzz via Birdhouse Interiors}
Brown is a classic color that will always add instant coziness to your home. Learn how to select the right shade of brown by viewing my featured Ideabook over at Houzz, “Color Watch – Cozy Up With Brown.”
Design Dazzle {sneak peek}
Finally, be sure to check-in over at Design Dazzle soon – where, in my upcoming post, I’ll share gorgeous photos for creating a Girls Christmas-Chic Bedroom.
Have a great weekend!
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