Inspiration

We’ve been talking about color this month and I wanted to end with ways that I’m inspired by color.  Perhaps it’s an occupational benefit, but I am inspired daily by the colors right outside my window.  For me, nature is one of the greatest sources of inspiration as well as a “proving ground” for what colors work together.  I love the interplay of the green leaves against a glorious blue sky as I look out the window of my office, or the shimmery, silvery glow of bare branches after an ice storm.  I could go on and on, but I’ll just share some of Nature’s beauty with you.  Enjoy!

Notice how all these various colors play well together?

Ahhh, a sunrise. What a breathtaking start to the day!

Yes, it's a snake. Aren't its colors glorious?

What inspires you when it comes to color?

 

What’s YOUR Color?

I’m hoping that you’ve been inspired to add at least a little bit of color to your home!  During this (mostly white and grey) season, it can be a welcome respite and uplifiting.

So what is YOUR color?  Are you having trouble trying to determine the color(s) that you’d love to live with?  The answers to these questions should get you moving in the right direction.  (Of course, there is always the option of having a trained designer assist you… )

  • Are you more attracted to warmer colors (those with red or yellow components) or cool colors (those with blue or green components)?
  • What about neutrals (believe it or not these can be either warm or cool)?
  • Do you prefer bright, saturated colors or paler pastels?
  • What are your favorite colors to wear?  If it looks good on you, it will probably look great in your home.

Here are some colorful rooms courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens www.bhg.com

Examples of "warm" colors

Notice how the bold colors are really just accents, and the warm tones are offset a little with some cooler blues in the vases on the table and the green cactus in the corner.  Balancing cool and warm tones in a room makes for a more harmonious setting.

Definitely "cooler"

While this picture shows a predominance of cool blue, it’s interesting to note that the green is a yellow-green, which balances out the coolness of the blue.  If you could imagine it being a blue-green instead, the picture would feel chilly.  Note also the bits of yellow added in.

So now that you’re a little more color-savvy, what are you going to do about it???

 

 

Pretty in Pink???

Have you heard about THE color for 2011?  It’s called Honeysuckle by Pantone.  Color # 18-2120.  Quite a color, and based on some of the responses I’ve read, you either love it or hate it! 

Honeysuckle by Pantone

Honeysuckle 18-2120 from Pantone

Leatrice Eisman- the Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, and “America’s leading color expert” says of this color; ” It derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, (really?) the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum”.  Ok, Ms. Eisman has a really good copy writer there.  In fact, I would guess that he or she has recently left Washington D.C. 

And just who is Pantone and what gives them the right to choose our “Color of the Year”?  Shouldn’t its selection  be made more like “The People’s Choice Awards”?   Well, here’s the story on Pantone, in case you didn’t know.  According to their website, www.pantone.com they’re the “color of ideas”, a color research and information center that shares its color expertise with professionals in a variety of industries.  They also study how color influences thought processes, emotions and physical reactions.  Ok, so they know their colors. 

They recommend using Honeysuckle on accessories like pillows, bedspreads, small appliances and table top accessories.  Well, I’m glad to know that they’re recommending it for SMALL appliances.  How’d you like to see a big ol’ refrigerator in that color!  It’d be just dandy if you have a huge hangover and just want to grab a glass of juice.  YEOW! 

Seriously, though.  I like the color.  It’s cheerful, friendly, upbeat, and I can see it paired with creams, charcoal grey, black, greens, deep navy, white, and believe it or not, orange.  Ok, it’s not a color for everyone.  You’ve got to have some confidence to pull it off.  For some people, it’s just too “different”, too “drastic”.  I say, give it a try!  Actually, I received a sweater in this color as a Christmas gift, and I love it!  Of course, it’s in the palette of colors that I love to wear so it wasn’t “unusual”.  I’d love a fabulous pair of shoes in this color!  It probably won’t appear in a small appliance in my home, but I’ll enjoy it as the colors of Tulips or Azaleas that will grace my table, along with some great table linens and possibly even bed linens (although my very manly-man husband might object). 

Great shoes!!

I don’t know that I’d call it “the Color of the Year”, but the year’s just begun!  Let’s wait and see.  What do you think?? Do you love it or hate it?