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Celebrate Winter!
With all of the snow that some of you have been getting lately, I’m so excited to give a bit of winter decorating advice on Family Circle.com this month!
It’s no secret that I’m definitely passionate about color, but I’m also crazy about snow –the white stuff! I love big blizzards, a good snowball fight and snow tubing, but what I love most is just watching the snow fall from the sky. I’m continually amazed at how snowflakes appear underneath a microscope {and sometimes without one} — like little, flowers made from ice crystals. I mean, how does God do that?
We just had our first major snowstorm of the year. I enjoyed walking around my neighborhood taking pictures and taking in the scenery.
In the Family Circle article, you’ll find suggestions from several designers on how to brighten up your space this winter. Among them: new accessories, flowers and a different furniture layout. All wonderful ideas, but my advice — Embrace The Season — means something a little different. It means enjoying winter for what it is, instead of making it feel like something else.
I shared my tradition of making paper snowflakes with my kids. Although they are older now and would rather be text messaging, I managed to bribe them into making a few this year {above}. This is a great project for younger kids, especially when they’re home from school on snow days.
I also like to display treasured ‘cold weather’ finds such as my vintage skis that I found on eBay…
…and here is our Snow Buddy who hangs around all winter long. Well, actually he’s my Buddy {my husband doesn’t like him very much}.
I’m truly convinced that the best way to brighten up winter days is to celebrate them. Let It Snow!
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!
Fab 4th of July Ideas
To celebrate Independence Day, I’m offering my first ever Porter House Designs Printables!
You can use these ‘Interstate July 4 Signs’ as cupcake toppers, straw tags or any other idea you come up with. These Printables are FREE and you can download them HERE. Below are some other great Red, White and Blue ideas from around the web. Enjoy the Celebration!
Retro Party Decor from Etsy
Ideas and Guidelines for Designing with the American Flag by ShelterPop
Sweet Treats from Martha Stewart
Snack Bowls from Plum Party
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.
White {Hot} House
Yes, I know. The name of my blog is COLOR Sizzle and I am passionate about color. However, every once in a while I come across a white space {gasp!} that I totally love.
This home’s stunning interior was designed by Lynne Scalo — who’s signature style includes the skillful use of white. What I love is that, even though you’ll find very little color here {unless you see color in shades of white, black and taupe}, there is a clever infusion of texture and pattern, and that’s what makes this space sizzle.
Interesting accessories, occasional pops of muted color, and the furniture’s bold lines also add to this home’s appeal. There is also a great mix of fabrics and materials: leather, silk, velvet, wood, acrylic and a shag rug…just to name a few.
{Check out the artful arrangement of the kitchen’s lighting fixtures. Very cool.}
White spaces can often look cold and sterile, but that’s just not the case here. This home is warm, inviting and has dimension thanks to the thoughtful combination of furnishings. Although I love bold colors best, this is a style that I can truly appreciate.
photos from fchmagazine.com
July 4th Crab Feast
Here in the D.C. area, Fourth of July celebrations typically involve a good ole’ fashioned crab feast, featuring Maryland Blue Crabs straight from the Chesapeake Bay. After all, babies born here learn to crack open crabs before they can walk. OK, that may just be an urban legend, but there are plenty of kids {including my own} around here who can open a crab in under 5 seconds. So to honor the traditional crab feast, and to inspire one of your own this weekend, here’s a sizzling mood board that will get your celebration started:
1. www.birthday-reminders.com, 2. www.abbeyhillco.com, 3. www.platesandnapkins.com, 4. www.flickr.com/photos/62657215@N00/36054325/, 5. www.homecooking.about.com, 6. www.candywarehouse.com, 7. www.jospices.com, 8. www.marylanddelivered.com, 9. www.artfulentertaining.com, 10. www.bhg.com, 11. www.marylanddelivered.com, 12. www.foodnetwork.com, 13. www.wrappedhersheys.com
Light and Airy Colors
Because the weather is getting hot outside in many places, you may want a cool, light and airy escape inside.
This pretty dining room is filled with budget-friendly projects {just in time for summer}. The paler, softer hues and white furnishings create a great space to just chill out.
{spray paint and painted shades are an easy way to update your lighting fixtures}
{this is one of my favorite ways to add color to a space — using ribbon}
{creating a floorcloth is always a fun, summer project}
Click Here for more details on this space from bhg.com.
Black, White & Whatever You Like
As someone who’s passionate about color, I actually love black and white spaces…
…because you have the freedom to add any accent color you desire. So which hues work best with black and white? Well, because this combo creates such a dramatic effect, muted and soft colors won’t get much attention. Go bold and bright with your accent color, and it will surely stand out. Here are some of my faves:
{orange}
1. ceramic lamp, 2. juicy clock, 3. set of 3 vases
{yellow}
1. chandelier pillow, 2. lamp, 3. flower pillow
{purple}
1. glass vase, 2. fern pillow, 3. chandelier
{aqua}
1. side chairs, 2. chandelier, 3. telephone
{lime green}
1. chest, 2. side chairs, 3. accent table
{red}
1. candles, 2. picture frame, 3. bubble lamps
black and white bedroom: csnbenches.com
Carolina-Blue Graduation Party
In just a couple of weeks my cousin in Ohio will graduate from high school. Then, in the fall she’s off to The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill — home of the Tar Heels.
So to recognize my cousin’s achievement, I’ve posted a few inspiration boards filled with wonderful things that she can use to create the super-chic party of all graduation parties! Her parents are hosting this event at their home and there will be a tent in the yard. So, I’ve included ideas for indoors and out. Note to my cousin: May I suggest the gummy rings because your younger brothers and cousins will love you for it!
These ideas would be terrific for anyone headed to college…just change the colors and gear to that of the school where you’ll be attending.
Graduating from high school is not the end; it’s just the beginning of a new chapter. So, be proud of yourself and celebrate with color and style!
Top Board: 1. UNC Garden Flag, 2. Paper Lantern, 3. m&ms, 4. Fortune Cookie, 5. Blue Mocktail, 6. Mini Cakes, 7. Hydrangeas and Roses, 8. Parasol, 9. Blue Cupcakes, 10. White Tulips, 11. Gummy Rings, 12. Balloon Bunches, 13. Tar Heel Cake
Center Board: 1. Tar Heel Cookies, 2. Pepper and Salt Shakers, 3. Balloon Arch, 4. Thank You Card
Bottom Board: 1. Wind Mobile, 2. Tar Heels Pennant Banner, 3. Cupcakes, 4. UNC Grilling Set
Black, White, A Touch of Sunlight
I was so inspired by this photo in the new White House Black Market catalog.
Are they selling shoes or flowers? Black and white is very chic these days — for fashion and home. The yellow adds an eye-catching, happy pop of color.
{bright yellow walls can be toned down with white draperies; from countryliving.com}
{even a small dose of vibrant yellow will stand out, and make a black and white space seem less serious — love the pendant! From lampsplus.com}
{a single black lamp shade is teamed up with navy blue for a less dramatic look; from valspar.com}
{softer yellows also warm up a black and white space; from designersguild.com}
{you can’t help but to be in a good mood if you’re sitting on a sunny-yellow sofa — I bet the Ugly Doll is happy; from domino}
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