Decorating with Beige: It Doesn’t Have To Be Boring:

 

For many people when they think of beige they think “boring!”.  But, beige doesn’t have to be boring at all.  In fact it creates a very soothing, warm ambiance when done correctly.

The key to a monochromatic color scheme is using different textures and introducing other interesting items to create interest and keep the eye moving.  Take a look at this space above.  Notice everything is a version of beige, but you’d never say it was boring.  The woven woods, the addition of wood, rattan and other textures in the space hold your interest and please the eye – creating warmth and welcoming you in.

Here you see, again, the combination of textures and varying shades of beige.  The addition of the sleek espresso table adds a new texture and breaks up the beige upholstery tones just enough.

Look closely here….beige, beige and more beige.  But, lots of texture to break it up and maintain interest and charm.

You’ll notice the same thing here….

And, here……

But, if you really wanted to you could bring in that fun pop of color. 

You see……beige is not boring at all!

Happy Decorating!

SAVVY STUFF: MORE FUN AND FUNK WITH COLOR AND SPUNK!

 

One of the best, cheapest decorative tools you have at your fingertips is paint.  And, one of the best ways to “cool up” a space is to infuse it with color.   Lots and lots of color.

Look at how…..well….just flat out fun this space is.  This careful infusion of color screams fun.  A bit bohemian, a bit hip and a lot of fun.  A very fun line of furniture by a company called Guildmaster.

Guildmaster is a wonderful vendor and their prices are very reasonable, but if  the budget is tight and you just can’t afford pieces like this……step out on a limb……do it yourself!  Buy an inexpensive piece at a garage store or inexpensive resale shop and just go for it.  What have you got to lose but a little time?  You might find it much easier than you think and very satisfying.

Fun, colorful fabric is a great way to incorporate color, too.

A funky touch in your accessories with unusual pieces makes it interesting.

Color, color, color…

Joyful and upbeat…….can’t you use a little more of that in your life?!

Ever tried stenciling?  It’s not hard.  Give it a whirl.  A great, inexpensive way to bring charm and personality to your walls.

Look closely at this piece….the paint, the mixture of mis-matched hardware….who’d a thunk?  But, it’s great!

And, how fun is this?

Don’t forget the artwork.   Keep it colorful, keep it large scale and keep it FUN!!

Makes me smile just looking at all this color!  Imagine what it could do in your own home?

Happy Decorating!!

The Soft, Soothing Vibe Of “Country Blue” & Crème For Your Beach Themed Space!!

 

Those of you who are old enough may remember the soft country blues and mauves of the eighties and the relaxing vibe it created.  I certainly do!  Soft, soothing, comforting…..all the rage for years and then….it was over and onto the next color of the moment.  (Then it was onto other colors like the good old hunter green, burgundy and navy.  Remember that, too? ) 

Well, what I call “country blue” has been a popular color again for sometime now in interior design.  Especially paired with brown in years of late it’s a color that “rocks” with other colors, too….as well as in all sorts of design styles.

And one of those styles is a beach themed space.  For the lover of that soft soothing blue hue – it’s as peaceful, serene and comforting as ever.  (Just like it was in the eighties!) When paired with simple cream it just has a way of softening the edges and relaxing the spirit.  (Much like the sign above says.)  Don’t you agree?

Perfect for so many styles, but none more than a beach theme….

Frames, plaques, etc…..

It’s a perfect pairing with this soft creamy color.

See what I mean?

Is it time to bring some calm to your home?

Time for a change?

 

Think about a beach theme in soft blues and crème’s.  With it’s soft, soothing vibe it may be just what you need to relax in this crazy world.

Happy Decorating!

There’s Just Something Hot About Hot Pink!

 

One fun color that can cause extreme joy in some, but can make others cringe is the dramatic boldness of fuchsia or hot pink.  Others might like it just fine –for someone else – they just can’t imagine highlighting it in their own life in any way, shape or form.

Face it….not everyone can pull off hot pink…..

whether it be fashion….

Or lips…..

Or, heaven forbid….certainly not interior design!  But, I – like most designers – can appreciate almost any color done in the right space for the right client.

And, hot pink is certainly no exception.

And, it’s not just for tweens and teens.

Which, of course, is always fun….

It’s for grown ups, too.

Look how spectacular these hot pink chairs are.  They pop!  And they create a drama and sense of style like no other color.

For the super daring how about an entire room in hot pink?

It can always be toned down with a soft white like this if it’s too much to do the entire room.  Dramatic and fun, yet classic.

Or, maybe you want to pull it into your décor, but in a low key way.  Try just doing a few accent pieces like this.  Doesn’t it make this space fun?

No matter how much you decided to use….a little or a lot…..there’s just something incredibly hot…..something incredibly fun and sassy about hot pink.

So I say….go for it!

Happy Decorating!

Tangerine Tango–The Color Of 2012

 

Many of you blog followers out there have read about the color of the year already.  But, there are as many or more that have no clue that the color of the year is called “tangerine tango”. 

The refreshing vibe from this vibrant color has made it’s way to just about everything…..

Whether it be lipstick…..

Fashion…..

Or nail polish….

But, the biggest splash is in interior design.  Take a look at these vibrant tangerine tango drapes in a space filled with black and cream.  Imagine how different the room would look if the drapes were black or cream, too.  Boring!  This vibrant tangerine never fails to add snazz and pizzazz.  It doesn’t matter if it’s in a hip, transitional space like this….

Or a more modern space like this…….

Even a more traditional space like this.

You can have just a tiny little punch of tangerine like these pillows….

Or maybe just a little more with a chair or two….

Just a simple throw on each chair in tangerine adds such a pop of color and fun.  It tilts the entire personality of the room to feel less “serious”.

If you’re bold enough you can paint an entire wall.  Notice how the black, white and gray anchors the space and helps balance the weight of such a bold color?

You could always go for the gusto with a tangerine bedroom? Could you ever be so bold????

Why not?!  I say go for it?!

Because if you’re looking for a wow factor….you certainly have in tangerine tango.

Happy Decorating!

Is Gray Really The New Beige?

 

After doing a blog post last week called “Shades of Beige Can Be All The Rage” (if you missed it – check it out by clicking here) I was recently asked the question, “Isn’t gray the new beige?”  And, the answer is, well, in a word – yes.  While, beige is timeless, beautiful and works with all sorts of colors, styles and textures, gray has replaced it – or at the very least given it some serious competition as I guess you could say – it’s hipper, cooler, “more chic” cousin.

Gray works well in a multitude of styles and with a multitude of colors.

See what I mean?

So many colors, styles and textures……..all take on a bit cooler vibe when painted, dyed or paired with gray.

See how this space pops with personality when yellow is paired with gray….

A mix of color that creates an unexpected joyful vibe.

And, notice this modern space takes on a rather regal, elegant air with purple accents….

Of course it looks great with red!

Totally hip with hot pink…..

Luxurious and serene with teal blue….

Wild and exotic with orange….

It even works shades of green….

Here it creates a stunning, sophisticated master bedroom….

And, even looks sweet and spectacular in a nursery.

I mean….who knew?

So, yes, gray is very versatile and works with a multitude of textures, styles, and colors just like our good, old friend – the tried and true, timeless beige.  But, somehow gray just has that “now”, that “it” factor making it the hipper, cooler “new age beige”. 

Happy Decorating!

Decorating With Green and Brown: Cool and Hip

 

Looking for a fun color combination to spruce up your place?   How about green and brown? 

It’s a hip, chic…….fun combo.

They look great together in a contemporary space like this……

A casual space like this…..

A transitional space like this….

Even in a traditional space like this the mix of green and brown is stunning.

Whether you bring in the rustic look of tin tiles….

Or the contemporary look of glass tiles….green and brown make a beautiful combination for any space.

Happy Decorating!!!

The Blue and White Living Room: Soothing and Serene

 

There’s something clean and crisp about blues and whites or blues and creams for decorating a space.  One of the living areas in one of the houses I’m working on is going to be in the creams and blues and it got me thinking about just what a fun color combination this is.

Here’s a soft, soothing space using soft powder blue with cream.  Isn’t it peaceful looking?  Just looking at it relaxes me.

This is a brighter blue, but look how crisp and clean this space looks.  The navy walls with the cream drapes sets the tone.  And no other color in the room except for the green chair.  Traditional, fresh and fun.

Turquoise blue like the pic’s above and below – another great choice of color.  Clean, peaceful, serene.  Don’t you feel it?

I really like these stacked cream shutters on the window behind these blue silk drapes.  Nice touch.

The addition of the green with this blue and white tilts the personality of the room towards a sort of chic “hipness” and fun….

And this yellow gives the space a bit of lively pop and “pep”…..

But, there’s just something about all blue and white……

or all blue and cream…..

 

 

…..that’s just the right amount of color.  Contemporary or traditional, soft blue or bold blue – the color combination just works.  Love it!

Can’t wait to tackle my client’s living room!

Happy Decorating!

Mint Green And Raspberry: A Great Decorating Combo!

 

One of my favorite color combinations for years has been mint green and raspberry.  Actually together, separate – either way – I love these colors!  They just can’t help but create a happy space.

Like this incredibly adorable space above.  Would you look at how sweet, cozy and joyful this color palette is???  The yellow walls soften it a bit and add to the happy vibe.

Or how about this one?  Minty-lime green walls with a bolder raspberry – it screams fun!

This soft pink does the trick, too.  Throw in some mint green accessories and you’d have a whole different look.

A fun color combo on this traditional furniture.  Takes stuffy to sensational!

Love this!

This green space above or this pink and cream space below…..different personalities….both warm and inviting.

Love, love, love these fun colors!  Don’t you?

Got a room you need to re-do?  Consider mint green and raspberry and create your own happy space.

Happy Decorating!

Give Your Ceiling Some Snazz!

 

Gone are the days of boring white or ivory ceilings that disappear and contribute nothing to the space.  And, gone are the days of popcorn ceilings.  Yea!!!!  Many of my clients are stumped when it comes to painting their ceilings and I assume many of you are, too.  So I wanted to give you an idea of what they can look like and show you some fun ideas to consider for your own home.

Adding color to your ceiling is “the thing to do” now and you can see from these pictures what an impact it has on the space.  Painted ceilings add warmth, personality and interest.

It helps contribute to the overall look of the room rather than just disappearing.  You can keep it simple like the soft blue in the picture above…..

You can give it drama like this warm red….

Or a different kind of drama with this cool green.

You can add funk like this black ceiling in a hot pink room….

Really rev it up a notch with a full scale mural…..

Or soften it up with a simple cloudy sky.

Be as creative and artistic as you want to.

What an impact these ceilings have on the space!  Breathtaking!

So if you are thinking about snazzing things up a bit and doing some painting in your space…..don’t  forget  about  the  ceiling! 

Be creative, be fun, be unique!

Happy Decorating!