Christmas 2010: Blue and White
I know…Thanksgiving isn’t even here yet, but the Holiday Season begins in about a month. Blue is on-trend again this year. This time, it’s beautiful sky blues and royal blues being paired with winter white.
I just received the most beautiful holiday catalog from RSH, and I wanted to share their gorgeous photos with you. Plenty of blue and white eye-candy for Christmas and beyond!
Giveaway: Pink For The Cure
CONTEST CLOSED
This time of year, the leaves are turning into various shades of red, yellow, orange and brown — but please don’t forget that the color pink also marks the month of October.
To support Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I’ve teamed up with Chesapeake Bay Candle to offer you a very special giveaway.
One winner will receive two candles from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Collection designed by Chesapeake Bay Candle, which donates $1.00 to Komen from each candle sold. This is an opportunity for you to receive these candles, and perhaps even give one to a friend or relative.
The winner will receive one Vanilla Rice Flower scented candle, and one White Peach Bamboo scented candle. Both are large, jar-filled candles {as shown in the photo above on the left}.
Here’s How To Enter: Simply leave a comment on this post that says: “Pink For The Cure.”
That’s it! Please note that there may be a time delay in seeing your posted comment.
Contest ends Friday, October 22 at 5:00 pm EST. The winner will be chosen using Random.org. Winner will be announced October 24 in a post on this blog. The winner will have 72 hours to respond, and if fails to do so, a new winner will be selected.
Important: You must be at least 18 years-old to enter. This contest is open to addresses in the USA.
Thanks for entering and supporting Breast Cancer Awareness!
Cool Blue
The weather has been sweltering here in the Mid-Atlantic region. Temps have been in the 90s for the past couple of weeks and 102 is expected this weekend! For everyone out there who’s feeling the heat, here are a few blue spaces to help cool you off:
…And if you’d like to win a couple of gorgeous pillows, including this really cool turquoise-blue Mallory Pillow, from Blissliving Home, CLICK HERE! Contest ends tomorrow!
Sizzling Summer Giveaway!
CONTEST CLOSED
I’m so excited to announce a colorful summer giveaway, and it’s pretty hot!
For this giveaway, I’ve teamed-up with Blissliving Home, the super-stylish lifestyle brand that’s all about ‘modern design with a global influence.’ Established in 2007 by Creator & CEO Mei Xu, Blissliving Home has become a trendsetter in the home lifestyle industry, and they are leading the way in the red-hot global design trend. I love how their products emphasize bold patterns and vivid colors, especially the pillows…and one lucky winner will get two pretty pillows in this giveaway!
The 12″ x 12″ turquoise Mallory pillow has a classic flower embroidery and feather down insert.
The 12″ x 20″ pink and green Garden pillow is trimmed in both linen and satin, and also has a feather down insert. This pillow reverses to a solid berry pink.
The winner will receive both pillows!
Here’s how to enter: Go to Blissliving Home.com and take a look at their products {you’ll find gorgeous bedding, bath and home decor items; the Fall 2010 catalog is amazing!}. Then, come back here and leave a comment on this post about any item you liked.
Additional Entry – Join Color Sizzle with Google Friend Connect {see the left sidebar}. Then, leave a second comment stating that you have done this. If you already joined previous to this giveaway, your second comment should state that you’ve already joined the ‘Colorful People.’
Each entry needs its own comment! Please note there may be a time-delay in seeing your posted comments.
Hurry! Contest ends Friday, July 23 at 12:00 noon, EST. The winner will be chosen using Random.org. Winner will be announced July 24 in a post on this blog. The winner will have 72 hours to respond, but if fails to do so, a new winner will be selected.
Important: You must be at least 18 years-old to be eligible for this prize. This contest is open to addresses in the USA.
{Some of my favorite things from Blissliving Home}:
Bohemian Hues and Global Textiles
Be sure to read my Living Style column this month over at Sherwin-Williams’ STIR.
My latest story explores global-ethnic influences on the Bohemian design style, and I had the pleasure of interviewing two colorful and inspiring entrepreneurs:
Cristi Ambroson, owns Houston-based Tessera. Cristi regularly travels to Central Asia {and Peru} to hand-pick items for her business which includes textiles, such as suzanis and ikats, from Uzbekistan.
Based in London, Eva Sonaike owns a home furnishings label that bears her name. Eva sells luxury cushions and other unique items made with textiles from her native country of Nigeria.
Global-ethnic textiles are becoming very popular. They’re more widely available these days, and that’s having a huge impact on interior and fashion design. More people are becoming familiar with and inspired by the colors, patterns and history of these amazing fabrics.
Read more about Cristi, Eva and this sizzling trend at STIR.
UP NEXT: It’s Christmas in July…and I’m giving away something!
Hot Accent Color: Coral
I’m really loving coral right now, but I think I like it best when used as an accent color, as opposed to coral-drenched walls. What about you?
…And nothing beats a coral-accented celebration!
Go Rogue With Red
My home just wouldn’t be the same without our red room.
Situated just off of the foyer, our crimson study/piano room greets visitors with an unexpected yet welcome blast of color. It also provides a nice balance to the neutral walls of the nearby dining room. Our crimson space provides warmth, energy, drama, and it makes our home feel more festive during the Christmas season.
Using red can be risky, but if done right, it’s like the prettiest girl at the prom — it gets noticed. Below are some other ideas for using red at home:
Color and Texture {A Perfect Pair}
Any space can go from drab to fab with pops of color and texture.


One of the best ways to ease into a fabulous colorful life is by adding accessories — throw pillows, area rugs, vases and don’t forget fresh flowers. Even a bunch of grocery store flowers can brighten up a room.


And don’t underestimate the power of texture. Particularly in room with neutral walls, texture will add interest and drama. Think gold and silver metallic accents, velvet or satin throws, a crystal chandelier or a shag area rug.

{I love the distressed wall treatment in this bedroom — tons of classic texture.}


Don’t limit yourself to just one style. Your texture can be sleek and ornate, modern and traditional. The key is to mix it up — contrast will always make a space more appealing {and less drab}.
All photos from livingetc.com
This Year’s Purple Trend
Turquoise has been declared Color of the Year, but so far it seems Purple Reigns. Join me, as I take you on a tour to the many different faces, places and products where Purple has been seen:
The color Purple has been spotted everywhere: in fashion, home accessories, magazines, advertisements and make-up collections, as the beautiful Zoe Kravitz shows us here {photo from InStyle; Fancy Pancy eyeshadow from Sephora}.

There were 1-2-3-4-5 celebrities who donned pretty Purple dresses at the Golden Globe Awards in January. In addition, Michelle Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden all sported the color at the President’s State of the Union Address last month.

Coach has a lovely new spring collection of handbags that features a fun mix of Purples in a variety of shades and tints.

On the decorating front, there are plenty of Purple pleasures available for our homes this year.


{from Target and Bliss Living Home}
Purple is a great color for your home because, in it’s truest form, it is a perfect balance of warm {red} and cool {blue}. For a little variation try a wine-colored plum for even more warmth, or a blue-periwinkle for a touch of cool.

Purple chandeliers and Purple chandelier earrings are both very chic right now. I love the Murano glass chandelier, but the earrings fit into my budget so much better.
If you’re searching for a new fragrance, Halle Berry’s new perfume gives you the chance to sport a Purple-y scent.

From violet to plum to lavender, fashion designers have shown their Purple pride on the runway. If you want to know what will be hot in home design, keep your eye on fashion trends.

{Tracy Reese Spring 2010, photo by NYmag.com}

{Rachel Roy Fall 2010, photo from NY Mag}
Venus and Serena Williams’ new ad campaign for Nabisco is positively Purple.

…And finally, at our last stop we come full-circle with another show of Purple make-up. This time from MAC Cosmetics Spring 2010 Colour3 {Plum} Forecast Collection.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this ‘tour’ as much as I enjoyed putting it together. I love many colors, but purple is my favorite. However, I’m looking forward to seeing what other colors will stand out this year. When I find out, I’ll let you know!
Fabric. Color. Love.

I’m really loving the colors and patterns in these gorgeous fabrics by Amy Butler. Tons of color inspiration in these bohemian, retro, happy fabrics…


…and notice all of the mixing and matching going on here. Of course, I love that too!


{Very pretty Amy Butler prints}
There is definitely a place in my home for these fabrics! I’ve lived in my home for 10 years now, and this year I’ll be making some fun changes. I plan on blending in really cool bohemian-style touches through fabric, layering, funky accessories and new lighting fixtures {or at least new lamp shades}. I look forward to sharing it all with you and passing on my new love for Boho-inspired interiors.

































































