Happy New Year!

Pantone's 2012 Color of the Year

Pantone Tangerine Tango

Color theory suggests that orange combines the energy of the color red along with the happiness of the color yellow.  Orange symbolizes happiness and success.  

So with that in mind, here's wishing all a 

very happy, healthy and prosperous 2012!!

A Dream Kitchen

There was a big jackpot in last night's mega-million lottery.....I woke to the news that the winning ticket was sold in New York State and instantly began dreaming of my new kitchen.  Thoughts of a larger and brighter kitchen with a calming color scheme filled my head.  But by the time I made it down to my tiny kitchen to pour myself some coffee, I learned the winning ticket was sold in Long Island! Damn, that would have been nice!  Oh well......here is what it could have looked like.  This gorgeous kitchen featured in At Home Arkansas was designed by Tobi Fairley.  Heck, if I won the lottery I would ask Tobi to come to New York. :)

Love the custom cabinetry colors!!

TV/Playroom

I am currently working with the nicest couple to renovate their basement.  An earlier fall storm caused some flooding that required them to install all new flooring, so they are using the opportunity to renovate the space as a playroom/tv room for their kids.

Lamps Plus

I love the colors in this indoor/outdoor rug from Lamps Plus.  This rug is made with fade resistant, antibacterial fibers, making it perfect for a kids playroom.

Sherwin Williams Site White #7070

To keep the basement bright, I am suggesting SW Site White on all walls in the playroom area with Unusual Gray as the accent wall where the flat screen TV will be hung.

 Sherwin Williams Unusual Gray #7059

I'll try to take some pictures once the room is complete.  I'm hoping that Santa is bringing me a new camera for Christmas!!

Obsession

I've been obsessed with House of Turquoise since I discovered it some time ago.   If you haven't checked out Erin's blog, you are missing out!  It was the one blog that inspired me to start my own.  Always chock full of stunning pictures, it's the true definition of "eye candy" to me!  So as a nod to my favorite blogger, I am re-posting a few pictures that she included last week.

In a previous post on bright & bold patterns, I featured a gorgeous photo of a living room from Emily Ruddo of Armonia Decors.   House of Turquoise recently showcased the designer's holiday decor.  (BTW, she is also the design editor of a newly launched online magazine called Toujours Magazine. so be sure to click on the links to visit her website and while you are there visit her blog too.)  I love what Emily has done to decorate for the holidays, something I need to tackle this week.  Check out her mantel and whimsical blue and green Christmas tree!!  This will be my inspiration to start decorating.

I could drool over this picture!!!  (you know I am obsessed with bar carts too)..... ready to dive right into that cranberry cocktail!   Happy Decorating!!

To Tweet or Not To Tweet?

I pride myself on the fact that I am pretty technically savvy.  Although I'm sure there are millions of kids who know more about social marketing than I do.  But I'm doing my best to keep up with the times.  News reports show that businesses are jumping on the social media wagon and taking their twitter accounts with them!  OK, I've designed a website and blog, joined facebook and even set up a twitter account!  But after I set up a twitter account I thought to myself...........who am I tweeting to?!?  Truth be told, I already talk to myself, something that drives my kids crazy especially when I am out in public. :)

 

confused little twitter bird

Back in high school I was voted "talks the most & says the least",  a trait I have managed to maintain throughout my adult years.   So the debate continues (in my head anyway)..........to tweet or not to tweet.  Or maybe that should be the subject of my first tweet!  I don't know, all this talk of tweeting has made me tweetin' tired!  Stay tuned, I'll figure it out sooner or later.

Schumacher Wallpaper

As a color consultant I am recommending paint all the time.  But every so often a room will call out for wallpaper.   With so many options of colors, patterns and textures, your choices of wallcoverings are endless!!  I came across these hand blocked wallcoverings from Schumacher, and thought they were gorgeous! Love the vibrant colors in the wallpaper below, and I am crazy over the papered ceiling too!!  To see the full line of Schumacher's Jaipur collection of wallcoverings, click on the link below.

Schumacher

Here are a few other patterns worth sharing from their Modern Glamour Collection

What to do?

I have a client who is painting her foyer and family room.  It's a two story entry that wraps around and shares a wall with a beautiful family room, so it makes sense to use one color.  She wants a neutral color with a decent amount of saturation.  Easy enough.  After looking at a few considerations, I recommend a favorite of mine:

 

BM Coastal Fog #976

The client was considering:

 BM Bleeker Beige HC-80

I recommend Bleeker Beige all the time; it's in my own foyer, and I love it!  But for this particular space Coastal Fog is clearly the winner.  Coastal Fog has a decent amount of saturation but overall has a quietness to it.  It's a warm gray with a hint of green.  But she's hesitant.... I understand, it's a big space, and you have to love the color.  A few phones calls later, I think I've talked her into jumping off the deep end and "just doing it"!   

She is a great client and has already made some bold paint choices for other rooms in her home.  I assured her that I have many clients who call as the painters arrive panicked over the color choices.  I saw this poster and thought it was a perfect slogan for all my apprehensive clients:

Let's hope she'll love the color.  I know it will look fantastic!  Stay tuned and I'll let you how it turns out.

Barn Doors

I love the rustic element that interior barn doors add to a room.  When I came across this gorgeous room in Traditional Home, I was hooked. Look how nice the barn doors look with the brick floor.  Plus the soft muted colors of the doors and walls are perfect together. 

 

Traditional Home  

 F&B Cooking Apple Green

BM Dolphin AF-715

As much as I love the room above, I can't get over how nice interior barn doors look when they are finished with a pop of color! 

House Beautiful

  

Southern Living  

Meyer Davis via Cococozy

Color changes everything!

The Gift of Color!

Tis the season to be gifting............so why not give the GIFT OF COLOR?  If you know someone who could benefit from a color consultation and you want to bestow a gift of color,  please contact me at the email link above.   Please note gift certificates are available in the New York tri-state area.

A Gift of Color 
Gift Certificate

a complimentary color consultation has been purchase for you

 

from  ________________

To redeem, please contact 914 393-0713

images via BHG