Archive for the ‘colors’ Category

Trend Spotting: Yellow

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

I was in Ann Taylor the other day and spotted this amazing, very “un-Ann Taylor” dress in the store (looks WAY better in person- hate it with black tights). It’s so mod, so fashion forward in it’s bright yellow and nude color scheme and exposed zipper up the back. It looks a lot like what is coming down the Balenciaga runway for Spring 2010 . It got me thinking about bold yellow accents for spring (such thinking helps lift me out of my winter blue doldrums). It’s gonna be the pop of color in my new office (I think) and a big trend for both home and fashion. I especially love it in the home when paired with grey, black and white!

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Some yellow items I’m loving (click on pics for links):

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A few rooms that use yellow- in small and big ways:

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For Fingers and Foyers

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

My pal and fashion styling partner in crime Marie suggested I do a post on nail polish colors that are hot right now- and I thought why not pair them with hip room colors since the trends seem to go along with each other?

Deep purpley reds are still a go to for me in colder months, especially on toes (of note- Jackie O always did deep red on her toes and light bare pink on fingers): OPI Lincoln Park After Dark, Essie Wicked and Sally Hansen Glossy are my three favorites for that “nearly black” look without looking Goth.

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For moody walls that match this deep, dark trend think true black or black with a hint of warm color:Benjamin Moore Vintage Wine, Onyx or Deep Caviar

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Continuing in the deep color trend are dark blues- which are hard to pull off on your nails but easy to add to a home. On your fingers try OPI Light My Sapphire or Eddie Midnight Cami, on walls try Benjamin Moore Blue Note or In the Midnight Hour (darker on real chips than online!) Gorgeous when paired with burnt orange!

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Grey-taupes are big too- they seem to be the easiest to wear trendy color of 09. But if done wrong can make you look dead (but is a color that can make your walls come alive).  Marie swears by OPI’s You Don’t Know Jacques (also mentioned in Lonny) and I tried it for my photoshoot last week and loved it- but you can try these others that are a bit lighter with a smidge of warmth like OPI Over the Taupe, Essie Mink Muffs and Chinchilly.

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For walls you can’t go wrong with Farrow and Ball’s Mouse’s Back, Martha Stewart for Valspar’s Chantarelle and Benjamin Moore’s Grege Avenue.

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Dark browns have always been a classic on walls, but now they can be on nails too. Try Essie’s Lady Godiva (would look especially fetching on a pedi) and Benjamin Moore’s Brown Horse (in my dining room) or Van Buren Brown.

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As for those neutrals we all come back to here are some of my all time classics:

Nails: Essie Mademoiselle, Fed Up, Ballet Slippers and Sheer Bliss.

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Walls: Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan, Bleeker Beige, Putnam Ivory, Wheeling Neutral.

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What are YOUR favorite colors for mani/pedis and walls? Do share!

I think perhaps the OPI for Sephora shade “Brunette On the Internet” is my signature color by name alone!

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Anemic Chic.

Monday, October 19th, 2009
My year has been crazy- and it only seems to be getting crazier.  I think that’s why when I spied Darryl Carter’s serene townhouse in November’s Elle Decor I was so instantly attracted to it.  I typically love lots of bright colors, but right now I’m craving a home that is complete devoid of anything bold- cream, white, brown and black with color coming from art and flowers instead, allowing the beauty of a space and it’s antiques to be the spotlight.
(the double tubs is pretty cool, however I can;t help but think of a Cialis ad….)
I was drawn to similar palettes in Candian House & Home as well-
Some more neutral spaces from PointClickHome.com and Orrick and Company. 
 

What Color Are You?

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

House Beautiful had this great little quiz at the back of the magazine this month and I decided to take it- here are my answers! Appears my color is BLACK! :)

1) What’s the first color you see in the morning?
The light blue-grey of my bedroom walls- specifically, Valspar/Laura Ashley Powder Blue 1.

2) What color are your eyes?
Green.

3) What color do you wear the most?
Probably black. I really wish I could wear this black Akris dress I’ve been obsessing over.

4) What color do you never wear?
I try them all!
5) What color do you wear when you want to feel sexy?
Animal print- I love it and am not afraid to rock it. Loving this Alice & Olivia dress! Red does the trick too.

6) What color gets you the most compliments?
No idea- maybe turquoise? Purple?
7) What color is your lipstick?
Don’t wear lipstick- just any kind of nude/pink gloss will do! Chanel makes a great one.

8) What color was your living room growing up?
Beige. Dad approved beiges by Ben Moore: Monroe Bisque, Putnam Ivory, Manchester Tan.

9) What color was your room growing up?
It was a Laura Ashley blue and yellow floral explosion!
10) What color are your sheets?
White with monograms (someday from Leontine Linens and Matouk-for now PB)

11) What color was your favorite crayon as a child?
I cannot recall other than this strange infatuation with the name “burnt sienna” which was a great hair color for making Barbie look more like me in coloring books. Also liked the metallics a lot- gold and silver. Blingtastic, even at 4 years old.

12) What color is your car?
Black. But I really wish is was an orange Mini Cooper with navy top. SWOON.

13)What color was your prom dress?
Black. And no I’m not posting it. :)
14)What is your favorite gemstone?
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend…other than that, sapphires!

15) What is your favorite flower?
Peonies.

16) What color makes you happiest?
Pink or coral!

17) What color depresses you?
Cranberry/maroon. Ugh, this room would be torture for me.

18) What color calms you?
Light blue grey. Anything ocean-ish.

19) What color makes you grind your teeth?
Neon colors. I can;t imagine living in a room this bright.

20) What color would you like to try but are scared to?
Black walls. Not scared, just need to move so I can find a space to do it! Out with chocolate, in with black!

Any secret colors in your arsenal we should all know about? If so, share!

Fashion Friday: Hot Pink

Friday, June 19th, 2009

One of the biggest trends I’ve noticed lately in fashion is hot pink. When I saw Bar Rafaeli in the hot pink one shouldered number below I thought it was stunning (but hate the shoes- the purple is too Barbie with this bold color). I have always associated hot pink with the 80’s and the days when I would puffy paint everything within my grasp with hot pink hearts…. but it’s looks so chic on all these fabulous women I think my next purchase may have to be something bold and pink!

Hot pink for a formal occasion:

Looks great paired with black (and easier to try wearing it in small doses if you are timid…)

Casual hot pink:

Runway hot pink:

The fashion world has even deemed hot pink hot for men- re-branding the color “man-genta“, according to the frigginWall Street Journal! In my book, man-genta is NOT ok. I like a tan guy in a light pink shirt in the summer, heck yeah, but not HOT pink…

Give it a try for under $20 with this hot pink dress from Forever 21, go preppy in a J.Crew cardigan or dare to bare in this Urban Outfitters one shoulder dress:

Look drape-y and gorgeous in this Issa wrap top or maybe just a pop with a Lauren Merkin clutch?

How about adding a dose of hot pink to your house? I am loving this desk chair from Athena Says blog:

One of my favorite commercial spaces has to be Cambridge’s Upstairs on the Square with it’s Zebra Room (in hot pink and zebra!) and Soiree Room with pink and gold plaid painted walls! A preppy-luxe must see if you are in the area!

Happy Friday- I hope it’s a hot pink kind of day for you!
xoxo

Some Bold Southern Yumminess…

Monday, June 1st, 2009

…from Melissa Rufty of MMR Interiors.




What I’m Loving: Turquoise and Deep Orange

Thursday, February 26th, 2009

I’ve got this color combo on the brain today- I’m using it for a beach house bedroom I’m working on and when I opened my House Beautiful (finally) last night this bedroom designed by John Willey made we SWOON. Loving the slightly green tint to the Benjamin Moore Lido Green walls and the amazing curtains done in China Seas fabric with the chocolate trim!

images from House Beautiful 3.09, photos by Ngoc Minh Ngo
This room reminded me a lot of these Jaime Young lamps, which I was ALSO discussing with someone yesterday!

What I’m Loving:Pink and Black Rooms

Tuesday, February 17th, 2009

A bevy of pink and black rooms to bring out the girly-girl in you…







How about Betsey Johnson’s pink apartment? I bit for you? :)

Images courtesy of domino, elle decor uk, apartment therapy and lots of others that I forgot to note in my excitement to save them to my desktop! Ooops!

Trend Spotting: Bright, Sunshiney Day

Monday, February 2nd, 2009
The overall feeling these days is anything but bright- with the weather chilly and grey (at least where I am), the economy in utter shambles and our favorite magazines closing it’s nice to see a ray of light in the forecast- yellow. Pantone has declared yellow to be the “color of 2009″. Whether it’s in small doses in a room or walls bathed in the color, try a little yellow in your space to lift your mood.



Lee Kleinhelter is fantastic at using yellow in her modern home as well as in her shop:

Items from Pieces in the color of 09:


Pottery Barn also used a lot of yellow in their spring line:


Try adding yellow with a patterned lucite tray or hip stationery from Iomoi:

This yellow rug from Dash & Albert is a favorite of mine, it works in traditional or modern spaces. This wing chair in the middle is from Absolutely Beautiful Things’ Anna Spiro’s shop in Australia and the yellow screen at right is an amazing way to add a yellow graphic element to a room:

Kelly Wearstler loves her some yellow- specifically at the Viceroy Palm Springs which is like a homage to the color:


Use yellow in unexpected places like on a canvas as a headboard or in tile in a kitchen:

KWID’s Imperial Trellis in Citron is an amazing yellow patterned fabric- as seen here in a runner by Erika at Urban Grace (lookin‘ mighty find paired with turquoise) and Courtney’s chair from Style Court.

Yellow ikat takes care of two big ‘09 trends- these place mats by Virginia Whitbeck via Stylebeat are fantastic, as are these yellow ikat pillows from Fabricadabra:

Don’t stop with just your room- add some sunshine to your wardrobe too. I love these looks I found on the Cusp website as well as my yellow dress I ADORE (and have yet to wear anywhere) from Boston designer Sara Campbell:

J.Crew’s gone lemon yellow as well. If a lot of yellow seems daunting, just try a pop of it in a bold necklace:

Even Target’s gotten into the game with some yellow gladiator sandals, a patterned trench and Indian inspired scarf:

Good Karma

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009

This time of year is always tough in New England- cold, dreary and springtime is SO far away! Compound that with the dismal economy and you’ve got one hell of a case of the blues. We all need bright, happy things to lift our spirits and I think these goods from Karma Living do just the trick (plus they remind me again of Darjeeling Limited from yesterday’s post!). I saw these stunning gold embroidered ottomans (above) at one of my FAVORITE new Boston stores Portobello Road (go if you can- amazing clothes AND home goods). I looked up the company and found all these bright, wonderful Indian inspired goods, perfect to add some color to your space.







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