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Color To Watch In 2012: Yellow
If last year’s color sightings are any indication, 2012 could be a huge year for yellow.
This radiant color has already graced the cover of House Beautiful’s February 2012 issue. That’s a prime example of how home design often follows fashion:
Yellow was spotted all over the runway during New York Fashion Week back in September, and this sun-drenched hue quickly moved into celebrity wardrobes…
…Including the closet of Malia Obama, who is becoming quite the tastemaker herself. She wore this gorgeous yellow, satin dress to the Christmas In Washington event.
Yellow has the amazing ability to add sunshine where there is none…
{michelle hinkley via houzz}
…And it makes a sunny space feel even warmer and more inviting.
{style illuminated}
Yellow also represents the first flowers of spring.
{My spring daffodil centerpiece}
And yellow shines on swank accessories of all kinds.
Are you warming up to yellow? If so, you can learn more about how to pick the right yellow in my featured Ideabook over at Houzz.com. Enjoy!
eDesign: California Dreamin’
I recently finished an eDesign project for Annette, who lives in southern California. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to design four rooms in her home, which was a blast because Annette is definitely not afraid of color and she already had great furniture pieces. For your inspiration, I’m sharing two of the projects in this post.
In the family room, we did a ‘Palm Springs Chic’ design with cheery yellow and gorgeous green wall colors {June Day and Picnic, both by Sherwin Williams}. The look also included fun, retro accessories — some of them from Jonathan Adler.
For her master bedroom, Annette wanted a glam look that included turquoise with a splash of jewel tones. The design included a turquoise ceiling {Belize by SW}, gray walls {Functional Gray by SW} and pops of red. Below is my computer rendering of the space:
When I last heard from Annette she was in the process of painting her home, although the bedroom is already done. She says that she and her husband are really enjoying the turquoise ceiling! I hope to have photos to share with you soon.
Design Boards and Rendering by Kelly Porter of Porter House Designs
View more Design Boards HERE.
Spring Centerpiece: Jellybean Tower
If you’re looking for an Easter centerpiece idea, this Jellybean Tower will add a little vintage sparkle and warm colors to your table.
The photo below shows you all of the parts to this centerpiece: three vintage, glass candy dishes {one of my new favorite accessories} and three glass votive holders.
You can find vintage candy dishes at just about any thrift store or antique store. I bought these at a thrift store for only $2.00 each. The glass votive holders are available just about anywhere — the grocery store, craft store or Wal-Mart. As you can see, I filled two of them with jellybeans and used one as a vase for the ranunculus. These flowers are brilliantly colored and have tons of petals that actually look like paper. Very pretty!
The final step is to stack each part on top of the other beginning with a candy dish and ending with the flowers. Add extra jellybeans in the top dish {optional}, and you’re done! Needless to say you can use any color of jellybeans you wish. I wanted warm hues, hence the yellow and orange.
The great thing about using clear glass items is that they become whatever color you want them to be just by what you put in them. So don’t ignore a pretty glass container even if you want something colorful.
One other point — this tower is best suited for adult gatherings. Unless you glue all of the parts together, the display can topple over so use your discretion when children are around. I’m pleased with how this centerpiece turned out and I’m sure it will make a great topic of conversation at Easter dinner.
Design and photos by Kelly Porter of Porter House Designs
Color Scheme: Yellow And Brown
This photo recently appeared on the cover of The Washington Post.
This amazing 300 acre sunflower field is located just north of Baltimore on Clear Meadow Farm. It’s quite an image, and it inspired this post on Yellow and Brown spaces.
A Yellow and Brown color scheme has a definite, casual, retro vibe {think harvest-yellow appliances and dark brown paneling of the ’60′s and ’70′s}. However, this color scheme can also be very elegant.
Sunflower Tablescape
It’s the first day of Summer, so what better time than to share a bright and cheery tablescape featuring Sunflowers as the focal point.
I created this ‘welcome table’ for an outdoor party. Although I enjoy designing with sunflowers, they are sometimes tricky to work with. Sunflowers have thick stems and can be awkwardly shaped, but their stately stature, dramatic yellow hue, and affordability really make them a great choice for summer gatherings…and yes, they can look elegant!
Packs of retro chewing gum usually get a positive reaction from guests. In this case, yellow packs of Juicy Fruit perfectly complement my color scheme.
Fabric and ribbon are my “go to” weapons for tablescapes. Notice how the buttons on the vase are made from the same fabric as the table runner.
Be sure to follow Color Sizzle for more fun and colorful entertaining ideas this summer!
photos and design by Kelly Porter of Porter House Designs
Quick Centerpiece Idea {from the yard}
Need a quick centerpiece? If you have flowering shrubs in your yard, grab a pair of scissors! Right now, my Hypercium {St. John’s Wort} shrubs are in full bloom. With just a handful of branches and a few added strands of vinca vine, I made this centerpiece in no time.
Other great shrubs and plants that will work: lilac shrubs, hydrangeas, viburnum, Japanese rose shrubs and peonies….and don’t forget to use a colorful vase!
Color Scheme: Yellow and Black
Yellow and Black is probably the most powerful color combination on Earth…
These two hues command our attention like no other color duo can. In nature, yellow and black insects warn us of their danger or perhaps attract us to their beauty.
On the road, the same colors catch the eye of drivers and communicate the need for extreme caution.
So how does this translate into interiors? Spaces that combine the cheerfulness and radiance of yellow with the sophistication and elegance of black provide a very dramatic setting that is both lighthearted and refined — as shown by the following two spaces designed by Tracy Murdock.
By adding white or gray, the strength of yellow and black is lessened; therefore creating a space that is not so startling but still lively.
{printed canvas available at The Contemporary Home UK}
{Viceroy Santa Monica Hotel – design by Kelly Wearstler}
A yellow and black space is bold but it need not be too brash. Avoid equal amounts of each hue by using one as the dominant color and the other as an accent. Also remember to use splashes of white, gray or any pastel to soften the color scheme. Follow these guidelines and you too can create an attention-getting space that will also put a smile on your face.
additional photo credits: lovehome; my home ideas; bhg
Autumn Tablescapes
I love a lavishly decorated table. Even if it’s a look that appears to be out of my price range, I enjoy getting ideas from a ‘dream design.’ Then I’ll run to Target, the craft store, and the fabric store and re-create the look.
{Love the Moroccan feel of this one, and the turquoise accent fabric}
These awesome autumn-colored tables {ceremonymagazine.com} are full of great ideas for a Fall wedding or other celebration. A simpler version of any of these settings would make a beautiful Thanksgiving table. I feel a re-creation coming on…
{The decorative balls are made from yarrow.}
{You could easily make this tablecloth by applying grommets and adhesive beads to satin fabric}
{Thanksgiving will be here in less than two weeks!}
Yellow and Blue
Yellow and blue is a classic color scheme that has not been limited to any one particular style. With hues that represent the sun and sky, these colors naturally go together, and they’re very easy to live with.
Yellow and blue is the perfect balance of warm and cool colors, so it creates a very comfortable feeling for many people.
To spice up this classic combination, experiment with different variations. Instead of a pale predictable yellow, consider using a golden saffron or a youthful lemon yellow. Likewise, forgo the the usual sky blue or navy, and try turquoise or teal.
Yellow and blue is a timeless color scheme that will suit any room in your home and it’ll never look dated. Those are a couple of good reasons to give it a try!
Garden Variety Color
If you’ve been following my blog, you know that I often derive color inspiration from nature.
That includes paying close attention to my garden to see what’s blossoming, what’s in full bloom, what’s beginning to turn, and what’s bare. So, after taking a few photos in the yard today, I created this vibrant paint palette:
{Colors are from Sherwin-Williams: Radish, Festival Green, Daisy, Invigorate}
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