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Amethyst and Gold
{pinterest}
I’m feeling a bit regal today, so I wanted to share a color combo that includes my favorite hue {pale purple} and the most royal of colors — gold.
{a lilac bathroom with gold fixtures via kendallwilkinson.com}
Whether you call it amethyst, lavender or lilac, pale purple captured my heart when I was very young and I haven’t outgrown it. It is a feminine, magical color that just speaks to me. So, if you’ve always thought that pale purple was just for little girls, I’d like to change your mind. This delicate purple actually looks very grown up when paired with neutrals like brown, gray, silver and of course, gold.
{pretty lavender twin beds via bhg.com}
{a gold bathtub fit for a queen via caribbeanlivingblog}
{a living room with amethyst accents and gilded picture frames via tumblr}
{lavender patterned wallpaper with a great gold mirror via decoist.com}
{an amazing amethyst bedroom via designsponge.com}
Each of these rooms has some sort of fantasy element to it. Don’t you agree? I think that’s because amethyst is such a day-dreamy color and gold is so ritzy. When you put the two together, these colors create a look that is filled with endless imagination fit for ‘girls’ of all ages.
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Pretty Purple Centerpiece
I was in the grocery store the other day, as I am quite often — having three teenage boys and all — when a bunch of pretty purple carnations caught my eye.
I rarely see purple carnations in different color tones bunched together like that {unless I’m at the flower wholesaler}, so I grabbed them up and created a simple centerpiece using a $5.00 vase that I found at Marshall’s.
Pale lavender, lilac, aubergine and magenta make a very pretty palette for parties, weddings and showers. Or, if you love purple, you may just want to buy a bunch of these carnations for yourself. Note: Flowers are not just for special occasions.
If you can’t find purple carnations, you should be able to special order them at your local grocery store or florist. You can also purchase them on-line from fiftyflowers.com.
photos by Porter House Designs
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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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Spring Centerpieces {Part 1}
I’m so excited to share my new {and easy} Spring Centerpiece designs with you!
Between now and Easter — April 4 — I’ll showcase a variety of colorful creations that I hope will give you ideas for those upcoming Spring celebrations, whether you’re having a big event or small gathering. I decided to do this because my ‘Colorful Spring Centerpieces’ story from 2009 is one of the most visited posts on my blog, so I wanted to give you a first-hand look at what I’ve been working on for this year’s spring events.
This first arrangement of tulips and hyacinth was inspired by ribbon-tied wedding bouquets. I wrapped two types of ribbon around a glass vase, and where the ends came together I applied acrylic flower decals. Easy and elegant!
For a super-contemporary look {and a little more bling}, this next centerpiece is minimal but is still packed with style.
This crystal-encrusted ‘vase’ is actually a votive holder that I bought last Christmas. They were widely available during the holidays, so perhaps you have something similar.
Adding pompom mums and candles in the same shade of green makes a nice contrast to the lilac. This is a very simple centerpiece that you can multiply and display on mini-platters.
I’m just getting started, so be sure to check back and see what’s new and fresh for your Spring table!
All designs and photos by Kelly Porter of Porter House Designs
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Sweet Christmas Color – Sugar Plum
Once again, this year I put up my little lilac Christmas tree {along with a few other purple things}.
If I could, I would decorate the whole house in shades of purple. Unfortunately, hubby and the boys {my three sons} would freak out, but I can still dream…with visions of sugar plums dancing in my head.
In the language of color, Sugar Plum is just a Christmasy name for purple. It’s sweet sound conjures up images of anything from deep grape and plum to mauve and lavender.
Below is the Sugar Plum-themed dining room of artist Jennifer Hayslip. I love how she mixed lavender with other sweet colors. This photo was taken a couple of years ago, but it’s such a timeless, vintage look that would look great right now.
{Sugar Plum cupcake from yummycupcakes.com}
{Sugar Plum Fairy photo by Porter House Designs}
Sweet Seasons Greetings!
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Color Sheme: Purple and Brown
As the Fall 2010 colors begin to emerge, the autumn-inspired palette of purple and brown is definitely a trend to watch. As you know, purple is my fave and I’m also glad to see that brown is still hot.
{trenddirector.net – Fall 2010 color trends}
I’m also loving the different variations: lavender, taupe, plum, chocolate, periwinkle, espresso, violet, mocha…
{jcpenney-studio helix collection}
{houzz.com - designer Brian Patrick Flynn}
I’ve also been known to do a little lilac paired with khaki and chocolate, myself:
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A Pink, Peach and Lilac Affair
One of my favorite event designs caught my eye six years ago.
OK, maybe it’s because I love lilac, but this darling decor still tops my list of faves. Featured in the Spring/Summer 2004 issue of Receptions from Bride’s magazine, I re-discovered it while flipping through some old publications.
I just think these ribbon-tied flower boxes are so adorable. What a great centerpiece idea for Mother’s Day, and your flowers don’t have to be expensive — mums and carnations work just fine!
If you’re planning a spring wedding, you certainly can’t beat this delicate color combination – and check out the cookie favors:
Pretty ideas for the perfect spring celebration {and for those who love purple}!
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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!
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I’m Featured In The Washington Post!
Today, I’m super excited to be featured in The Washington Post’s new Local Living {Home} section! Thank you Terri Sapienza and the Local Living staff for brilliantly showcasing my “Mom Cave.” Hopefully this cover story will be a source of inspiration for design enthusiasts who love color and love bargain shopping even more!
{all photos from The Washington Post}
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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…
NOW ON TO THE FEATURED POST:
The sophisticated color combination of lavender and gray is a hot color scheme right now. These colors have been spotted together a lot in home interiors this year, as well as in the fashion world.
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.
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.
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