St. Patrick’s Day and Your Interior

March 13, 2014 by Jennifer Myers Filed Under: Color Trends, Events, Interior Design Features, Interior Design Ideas, Uncategorized

Last year, emerald green was the “hot color” for everything from fashion to home furnishings. But besides being trendy, emerald – and green in general – is a great color for spring as it represents new growth and change.

Photo Via Pinterest

The best practice for incorporating color trends in your home is to provide a neutral “base” of furnishings and add accessories that can be changed easily. For example, you can add pillows, lamps and accessories with the colors and patterns that provide a fresh punch of color to your calm interior.

Photo Via Christine Markatos Design

Photo Via Pinterest

Having seasonal colors and styles for your home — simply changing out some accessories, rugs, pillows, etc. can bring a sense of change and freshness. Once you make the investment they can be used for many similar seasons. It’s always best to start with a well-designed space plan and timeless furnishings that are durable and built with quality features like 8-way hand-tied springs, spring-down cushions and high quality fabrics.

One of the biggest mistakes I see Do-It-Yourself home enthusiasts make is purchasing furnishings that are inexpensive and may be upholstered with fabrics that aren’t meant for daily use by busy families with kids and pets. Fabrics from “To The Trade” vendors (sold through interior designers) like Kravet, Stroheim, or Larsen, just to name a few, often include the “double rubs” (which is the equivalent of how many times someone sits on a sofa) to indicate whether the fabric is appropriate for the intended use. If a sofa is upholstered with a light-use fabric, it is possible that the fabric can degrade well before you are ready to invest in reupholstering or purchasing a new one.

By investing in quality construction as well, your furniture will not only look better longer but will also perform and be comfortable longer. Another downside of inferior construction is that the cushioning can “bottom out” (get packed down) and lose its feeling of comfort. You then are investing in having your cushions redone or starting over with a new sofa.

Remember, just setting aside a modest budget to freshen up the palette with fashion-forward color bursts you can give your interior a new look.

Photo Via Pinterest

If you’re not fond of emerald green, but want a fresh option for your home, here are a few more
shades of green that you might just love.

Photo Via Martha O’Hara Interiors

Think of green as the color of balance, harmony and growth!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Olympic Inspired: Red, White, and Blue!

February 21, 2014 by Jennifer Myers Filed Under: Color Trends, Events, Interior Design Features, Interior Design Ideas, Uncategorized

With the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi on everyone’s mind, we thought we might take a moment to explore the red, white, and blue color palette. From traditional to modern – check out these red, white and blue interiors!

The traditional combination in a white kitchen with blue Asian pottery and red accents makes for a stunning and classic look.

Or a more bold statement using red cabinets with blue and white accents.

A cozy bedroom to snuggle in with your mountain home.

From a traditional classic living room to a modern white on white living room with a bold statement of color … these rooms reflect a sense of style and uniqueness.

Using blue walls as a bold statement accentuated by white furnishings.

A bold patterned wallpaper accentuated with classic white trim and a blue chair … Imagine this vase full of red tulips!

This room represents a very classic style with the blue walls and red settees but it also showcases a bit a fun with the zebra pillows and houndstooth rug.

Here is a more traditional and casual approach with the white on white interior displaying accents of an Americana theme or transitional rooms that incorporates a batik and floral pattern with pillows and window treatments.

The classic color combination of red, white and blue can be a “tried and true” color scheme to incorporate in your home. It offers the opportunity to make a bold statement or a softer feel depending upon your design taste. It also is a scheme that is easily updated with seasonal changes. Enjoy these rooms and be inspired to include red, white and blue in your design future!

2014 Color of the Year — Applied

January 19, 2014 by Jennifer Myers Filed Under: Color Trends, Interior Design Features, Interior Design Ideas, Interior Design News

Pantone annually announces the “Color of the Year” which is then used in products throughout the fashion, beauty, design, and countless other industries.

RADIANT ORCHID

Pantone sent out a press release stating that: “’Radiant Orchid reaches across the color wheel to intrigue the eye and spark the imagination,’ said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. ‘An invitation to innovation, Radiant Orchid encourages expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today’s society.’

‘An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.'”

Radiant Orchid for Interiors

“Spruce up interior spaces by incorporating this eye-catching hue in paint, accent pieces and accessories. As adaptable as it is beautiful, Radiant Orchid complements olive and deeper hunter greens, and offers a gorgeous combination when paired with turquoise, teal and even light yellows.

Likewise, the vibrant color is sure to liven up neutrals including gray, beige and taupe. Uplifting and bold without being overpowering, Radiant Orchid reenergizes almost any color palette and provides a unifying element for diverse spaces.”

Radiant Orchid can be used in any style of interior space, from traditional to modern. Here are some examples of Radiant Orchid in varying styles from fabrics to furniture.

TRADITIONAL:

MODERN:

GLOBAL:

HERE’S A LOOK PAST TO PREVIOUS COLORS OF THE YEAR…