COLOR & DESIGN HELP:
-
-
IDEAS FOR MOLDING & TRIM:
IDEAS FOR YOUR BEDROOM:
Pink and Gray Craft Room
Today’s post tells the story behind one of my recent projects.
Not long ago I had the pleasure of working with Jayme, who lives in the Baltimore area. She contacted me because she needed help designing a craft room for her two, adorable little girls — Skylar and Hayden.
When I visited Jayme’s home, she showed me a large space that was already dedicated to the girls’ playthings and craft supplies. But the girls were beginning to outgrow many of their toys, and the space needed storage, organization and a fresh new look.
- BEFORE PHOTOS -
Jayme wanted the new craft room to have a fun, finished look that the girls could grow with — something that was “more sophisticated than cute.” She also wanted a space that would allow the girls to do their homework, in addition to crafting and playing. Taking all of that into consideration, I created a DIY Design Plan that included this Design Board and Rendering:
After receiving her plan, Jayme wasted no time with implementing the design. The result is a craft room that is sophisticated, streamlined and stunning — if I do say so myself.
••••
The room is very long {over 20 feet} but it is also narrow, so using a vibrant wall color would have overwhelmed the space, especially with the bright overhead lighting. The solution was to use a subtle color on the walls {Evening Shadow by Sherwin-Williams} and a more savory hue {In the Pink by SW} on the expansive ceiling. This also brought a fun ‘wow factor’ to the room. Jayme did a great job of clearing out the space by giving away many of the toys and books. This made room for two new desks {from IKEA} where the girls can work on projects and do homework. For the girls’ names above each desk, we used custom vinyl lettering from trendywalldesigns.com.
The plan also included dress-up stations.
Design Tip: Hanging costumes on wall hooks allows for easy access and also adds colorful ‘wall art’ to the space.
The ebony stained desk was the only piece of furniture that stayed in the new craft room. Jayme bought it from IKEA a while back, and it has held up well. It’s also long enough so both girls can pull up a chair and work on craft projects together. And did you notice the paper towel dispenser on the wall? Jayme’s husband thought of that, and I must admit it was a great idea!
Storage and organization were also a big part of this design. The room already had built-in shelves, so it was just a matter of finding containers that would work the best and fit on the shelves. Jayme decided on the Smart Store totes from containerstore.com.
- BEFORE -
- AFTER -
We also brought in another great piece from IKEA that provides additional storage for items of different sizes.
- BEFORE -
- AFTER -
Jayme says that the girls love the new craft room and they are spending a lot of time in their new space…which makes mom and dad very happy. Now, that’s music to my ears!
If you have any questions about this design, or if your room needs a new look and you’d like to become a client {eDesign services are available}, contact me at kelly@porterhousedesigns.com.
 |
Yellow and Pink Rooms
When it comes yellow and pink rooms, many people limit this color scheme to a baby’s nursery or a girl’s bedroom. These colors do work very well in those spaces, but yellow and pink is also very grown up, too. I love the office pictured above {by artisticdesignsforliving.com}. It’s total adult elegance — as well as being exotic and very chic.
{via pinterest.com}
Above is another sophisticated yellow and pink office. This photo made quite a splash on my facebook page. The vintage, painted-pink desk has so much character, and the trellis wall pattern adds beaucoup glamour. Below, lemons and flowers are all the yellow that’s needed to add a spark to this pink and white room.
{source unknown}
And for an eye-catching twist, pair acid yellow with a deeper berry pink:
Here are a few more savory ideas for ‘grown-up’ yellow and pink spaces:
{sfgirlbybay}
{lonny}
 |
I Heart Pink
Today I’m cheating on my favorite color — purple — to love on pink. I’m attracted to pink because it kind of has a split personality… just like many of us creative types. It is both innocent and sexy; childish and sophisticated. {The photo above features a decal from wallums.com.}
{housebeautiful}
Soft pinks make a room feel romantic and formal while vibrant pinks work perfectly in girls’ bedrooms — especially when used with green and/or blue.
Pink and white together look classic and elegant, and it’s another great color duo for a girl’s room because your daughter can grow with it:
Adding pink to your color scheme will always add an interesting spark to your space, especially when it’s used outside of the bedroom which is very unexpected:
{source unknown}
{Pinkish-mauve is very chic! Photo by styleathome.com}
Other cool combos to try are Pink and Orange for a global glam look…
{bhg.com}
…and Pink and Brown for a retro feel.
I believe that pink is meant to be used in creative ways, so whether you paint a room pink or only use pink accessories, be bold and make it fun.
 |
Choosing A Color: Fuchsia
If you love vibrant pink but you’re afraid to use it in your home, this post is for you!
It’s time for you to throw caution to the wind and paint a room fuchsia. But first, you may need to change your mindset…
{home interior tips}
…Also known as hot pink and magenta, fuchsia is not just for baby girls, little girls or girly girls. Fuchsia is a glam, sultry and sassy color that is very grown up.
When decorating with fuchsia, pay close attention to the color’s undertones. If you want a look that is sugary-sweet and feminine, use a fuchsia that has violet undertones {as in the room shown above}. For a room that feels chic and sexy, choose a warmer pink with red undertones:
{elle decor}
And if you want your decor to be bohemian or globally-inspired, choose a fuchsia and orange color scheme.
{archzine}
In countries such as India, Morocco and Mexico, you often see bright pink paired with orange. It’s a bold color combination but it’s also festive and fun. Remember, color is a tool. So, use it to fix that dark, deary room and make it feel more alive.
Click Here to see more globally-inspired color ideas using fuchsia.
 |
Bohemian Style {In Pink}
I just had a color revelation: I really like pink! I love many colors, although purple — lilac to be exact — is my utmost favorite. But lately, I find myself being drawn to pretty pink rooms {and things} like these:
{I just love the boho chic designs of warymeyers}
{One of my favorite pink spaces: designer Betsey Johnson’s NYC apartment}
{Like the room. Love the purple ceiling! Photo from bing.}
Go global! When you combine orange with pink (above), it creates an exotic feel, as in a Moroccan or Indian inspired space. Design by Barbara Chambers. I also love pink when it’s used in a bohemian style, as many of these pictures show. Pink is such a carefree color so it always looks great in a relaxed, gypsy-inspired space.
I don’t have a pink room in my home {That’s hard to do with the hubby plus three sons} but here are some of my pink things…
Have you ever had a color-scheme revelation? I’d love to hear about it!
 |
Centerpiece: Inspired By The Colors Of India
Today, I’m sharing a ‘global chic’ centerpiece that you can use for weddings or any other special occasion.
As you may already know, I love perusing antique and thrift stores for tabletop items and accessories. On a recent excursion, I spotted these:
Vintage Indian elephant candlesticks made by porcelain manufacturer Fitz and Floyd {$5.00 each!}.
I’ve always been intrigued with elephant stands and figurines although I haven’t owned any until now. However, when I was younger I remember my mother had been pining for a rather large elephant stand. When she finally purchased it, she crowned it with a round piece of glass. It’s been an end table in her living room ever since.
I’ve found a special place for my elephants in my dining room, but first I couldn’t resist using one of them for a centerpiece.
The milk glass vases were $1.00 each {also from the thrift store}. For the rose ‘bouquet,’ I used two dozen roses; the greenery is from shrubs in my yard. My pink and gold table runner makes a nice ‘global’ finishing touch.
One of the things I love best about floral designs for home entertaining — when the party’s over, I can enjoy them in my office — at least for a little while.
You can find elephant candlesticks on eBay.
Design and photos by Kelly Porter of Porter House Designs
 |
Two Dozen Red And Pink Roses
If you received flowers on Valentine’s Day, here is an easy, artful way to arrange them:
My wonderful husband gave me these beautiful roses and I arranged them in milk-glass bud vases — three roses in each vase. You can use any type of vases, and drinking glasses will work too. They don’t even have to match.
The idea is to spread your flowers around. Arrange your containers in a group or put them in separate rooms. Flowers don’t last long, so this is one way you can enjoy them even more!
 |
Colors To Watch In 2011 – Part 1
Honeysuckle has been declared the ‘It’ Color for 2011 by the folks at Pantone…
…but I have four off-beat, edgy colors of my own that you’ll want to watch this year. In this post I’m sharing the first two:
Wasabi Green has been making a slow resurgence in the past few years — coming back from the ’60′s and ’70′s when it was called Avocado Green.
{Calico Corners}
With our world becoming more environmentally conscious, the color green is being associated with organic and earth-friendly living. Many of us are going retro as we look back towards a simpler way of life. We’re finding terrific back-in-the-day finds on eBay, Etsy and in thrift stores, where Avocado Wasabi Green is bountiful.
{Family Circle}
{decor8}
Peacock Blue made a strong showing in late 2010 at New York Fashion Week. This gorgeous shade of blue varies in between vivid Turquoise and deep Teal. It definitely makes a bolder color statement as compared to the lighter tints of blue-green.
{decorpad}
Peacock Blue also represents an exotic, global aspect of design that is becoming more mainstream as our world becomes ‘smaller.’
{Crown Paints}
{Suzy Hoodless}
Stay tuned for my next post! Part 2 will feature my other two Color picks that you’ll want to watch in 2011!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
 |
Pink For The Cure: Contest Winner
Amanda P. has won the Pink For The Cure Giveaway! She will receive two scented, jar-filled candles from the Susan G. Komen Collection by Chesapeake Bay Candle.
Amanda P., you have until Wednesday, October 27 @ 3:00 PM EST to contact me at info@porterhousedesigns.com, and claim your prize. Thank you for shining a light on breast cancer awareness!
Thanks to everyone who entered, and especially to the folks at Chesapeake Bay Candle!
 |
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!
 |
-
MY WEBSITE:
AROUND THE WEB:
