Color Combo Challenge

Sometimes I like to amuse myself by visualizing new color combinations in unexpected spaces. This is one of those times.

via Boutique Mix

A few years ago while working at Kate's Paperie, I became obsessed with a set of Kate Spade stationery that featured a retro variation of postal stripes in navy, red and pink. Kate Spade recycled the same pattern last year with some variation in tone and color on a candy bar clutch and I've been utterly smitten ever since.

via Kate Spade-aholic

Enough about stationery and purses though- what I really care about is decorating. How would this combination work in a room? Navy is such a traditional and conservative color but a bright pink could make it really fun and adding in red accents would balance out the youthful aspects of hot pink. I can easily see it working in a bedroom or living room with all the textile and upholstery possibilities. Here are a few examples via Pinterest:

I like a good challenge so I started thinking about how these colors would look in a kitchen. Dark counters and a textured rug anchor a lighter table and counter top which leaves room for plenty of punchy accessories. Pretty cute, right?

From Left: Lacquer Tray, Rug, Chairs (color discontinued), Table, Wall Clock, Pendant Lamp, Mixer, Counters, Print

Bookshelf Makeover

Remember that time I ranted about how I hate design trends because people ignore what does and doesn't actually work in their room? Maybe I'm eating a few of my words today. Just one or two though.

Much like the perpetually popular skinny jean, bookshelves organized by color aren't flattering for everyone. In fact in my old apartment, they would have looked terrible and out of place and sort of like I am trying too hard. Which is what most design trends do. The problem with trends is that unless they are rooted in classic design movements like the Eames chair I want nothing to do with them. Now don't get me wrong, I love a good Eames chair, I do. I love seeing them everywhere because they are generally so awesome and pretty and I am still kicking myself for not snagging the white ones my grandparents used to own. But I loathe hearing people talk about them because that conversation always seems to go like this:

INT. EXTREMELY TRENDY COFFEE SHOP- DAY

Person A and Person B are both young, trendy 20-somethings who wear indoor scarves and oversize tortoiseshell glasses that show more of their cheek bones than their actual eyes, which probably don't need glasses in the first place. They are enjoying extremely bitter lattes and feeling good about their decisions in life, especially their decision to drink heinously expensive coffee that is organic and shipped in from the rain forest of a remote country that probably doesn't exist. 

PERSON A 

You know what I really need? An EAMES CHAIR. An EAMES CHAIR would make. my. apartment. O-M-G.

PERSON B

Oh yes, I just DIE over EAMES CHAIRS. I want one in every color in every corner of my loft and also at every table and maybe as a nightstand, side table and toilet paper holder as well.You really aren't a proper adult if you don't have at least one in your apartment. You're just, like, a regular chair owner with chairs from like Target. GROSS.

PERSON A

Yes, I will sell my soul and also possibly default on my student loans in order to acquire this paean to aesthetic greatness because without one in my life, my apartment is just a closet-sized Ikea storeroom and everything is the WORST and how will people know I'm cool and have excellent taste?

PERSON B

Let's pull out our iPhones and look on Etsy for some vintage EAMES CHAIRS right now!!!!

 FADE TO BLACK

Enough of that tomfoolery.

Back to business.

In my current apartment, I have just one bookshelf and it is in my bedroom, which isn't lacking for color but could stand to look more visually organized. This weekend, I decided to give it a try and see how much of an impact it would truly make.

Here's what I learned: I read mostly black and white books so maybe I should start choosing my books by the color of their spine. As you can see, I am lacking in yellow and green ones.

But ALSO my bookshelf does look a lot cleaner and less cluttered so, fine. I will keep it this way. You win this time, trend!

Here, see for yourself: (and btw I didn't leave my dresser drawer open like a lazy slob, it's just broken because Helen used to own it and broke it) (but then gave it to me for free like a magical free furniture fairy so I can't complain.)

BEFORE

AFTER

Not thrilling enough? Ok how about a side-by-side comparison:

You are so mesmerized by this, I know. Just wait until I tackle my closet, which is a place I wholeheartedly endorse organizing by color and also by sleeve-length.

January Obsessions

This month I am all about the preppy elegance of navy blue. I love it in large doses like slathered all over the walls of a kitchen or in small accents like linens and pillows and artwork.I especially love it paired with bright pops of yellow, green and turquoise. Here are a few recent faves:

via Caitlin Wilson Design

Via Pinterest

via Rue Magazine

via Apartment Therapy

via Quadrille

via Recreated

Bedroom Motivation

Love the wall color- Benjamin Moore's Hale Navy

Colorful accents that don't overwhelm the space. Genius!

I am so jealous of Molly's redesigned bedroom, featured over on Design*Sponge today. The dark walls, painted accent furniture, vintage mirrors and paintings and simple design are all right up my alley and are providing some much-need motivation to get my act together and finish up my own bedroom! Well done, Molly!

Love how these mirrors are classy, not gaudy. And my kingdom for that horse!

Someone please buy me this lamp! I'll take the adorable nightstand too.

Photos: The Nesting Game via Design*Sponge

All That Glitters Is Gold

Since it's my birthday I decided to focus on the stuff I like best: gold glitter!

All images via: Pinterest

Room for Color 2011 Aw Yeah

Apartment Therapy's Room for Color Contest is in full swing and the entries this year are killing it! Here are a few of my favorites so far:

Richard & Megan's "Urban Cottage Blue" Room

Jamie's "Darwinian Adventure" Room

Christine's "Explosive" Room

Gigi's "Warm Wood & Crisp Cobalt" Room

Bridget's "Jewel Box" Room

Bernd's "Eclectic Red" Room

Laura's "Sunny Days" Room

Check out the rest of the entries HERE.

Brightstand (See what I did there?)

Aren't these nightstands the coolest?  I don't care that they are technically dressers for children or that I could probably make my own version for like $12.  I need two of them immediately! I want to fill those drawers with stuff I don't need like tropical-scented potpourri and monogrammed tissue boxes and eye cremes organized by mood.

Image: coco + kelley (dressers available at Layla Grayce)

Sneak Peek

Guess what's happening on my bedroom wall right now? THIS SHIT.

Yes. I finally did it- I painted my own wall paper. Why would you do this crazy thing, you ask? Because my landlord won't let us wallpaper and it was inexpensive and I could pick my own crazy color like metallic GOLD. Oh, and also I am batshit crazy. This took a full-day y'all and I'm only half finished. But soon it will look amazing and already I am loving the metallic sheen and the overall effect of the pattern. Thank goodness it's only on one wall or I might have lost my mind by now.

As soon as it's finished, I'll post better pictures and show how I did it (and probably what I was drinking throughout. Hint: It involves large quantities of alcohol.) Then I'll have to start strategizing art work and working on the lamp situation.

Please excuse this horrible photo taken with my cell phone.  I couldn't find my camera in the giant fort I created on the other side of my room while I painted.

Image courtesy of: Mia G for w*ink

Shut Up, Monday

I guess this gorgeous space makes my day a little better. It is essentially the most beautiful goddamn room you've ever seen right???

Image: The Inside Stoop via Acoustic Garden

Looking Up

Look how the painting matches the wall and ceiling colors so precisely! How Meta!

I adore the painted ceiling in Kelly LaPlante's design studio. It's so simple but it packs such a big punch. I often overlook my ceilings because, well, it's hard enough to find the time and energy to paint the walls!

Painting the ceiling can seem intimidating and a lot of people think it's too much work, but it's really not. It's usually less square footage to paint than your actual walls (unless you're just painting an accent wall). I get why it seems so complicated though; sometimes you want high contrast and bright shades and it's hard to envision bright colors on your walls or sometimes the color clashes with your furniture.  Maybe you think you'll tire of it within a few months. But forget all that! Painting the ceiling is a great option because it's high impact but doesn't interfere with the rest of the room! If you get sick of the color, just repaint! A super long roller will have that sucker shiny and new in a matter of hours. How can you go wrong?

How awesome is the abstract painting that hangs in their conference room? I love how they've matched the wall color so precisely. 

Image: Celeste Sunderland via Apartment Therapy 

UPDATE: More Peach Obsession

The Kitchn

Yes, I realize I'm going a little overboard here but, um, PEACH THYME BELLINIS y'all!

Oh and also this:

Lonny

August Obsession: Peachy Keen

Martha Stewart Weddings

Peach is traditionally a spring color but I like it this time of year because it seems like an appropriate precursor to the darker, rusty tones of Autumn. I also love how delicate and ladylike it is- is there anything more beautiful than a bouquet of peach-toned flowers? I think not.

Southern Living

Joy of Kosher

Style Me Pretty

We Heart It

Color Conundrum

Lately I have been fretting that my bedroom is too girlie. Sure, a little frill is delightful and a few pops of pink are good for the soul, just ask Diana Vreeland. But do I really need the pink floral duvet cover? Or the giant mass of gold and crystal necklaces hanging on my wall? How about the sequined shirt hanging next to my dresser or the pile of (rarely worn) high heels lining one whole wall? Kids, it might be time for a change. Big time. It might be time to embrace neutrals and an altogether more tailored look.

Paul's studio was featured over on Apartment Therapy last week and I have bookmarked several photos for my inspiration board. It's the perfect blend of sophistication and style yet is reasonably unisex. Little accents like flowers and candles soften the tones and his well-edited art and accessories tie the entire space together. Paul also restricted himself to a simple neutral color scheme-with the exception of one bright red wall- and that's a very simple way to automatically ensure the room looks intentionally put together and elegant.

Check out the rest of his studio HERE. 

Images: Apartment Therapy

Red is the new Grey

Oh my goodness this bold red eating nook is so decadent and cozy. If it were mine I would spend every spare minute nestled amongst those black & white pillows, pouring over shelter magazines with a giant mug of tea. Ms. Vreeland would be proud!

Image: Apartment Therapy

My Favourite Things

If I am ever fortunate enough to own a cottage in the English countryside, this is pretty much exactly how it will look. The home of Fiona Douglas of Bluebellgray is so deliciously feminine I just want to hold decadent tea parties and surround myself with my best girlfriends and a pile of fashion magazines. Sounds like heaven, no?

Images: Design*Sponge

Winter Blues (Also ROYGV)

The gloomy days of winter have me seeking out ways to brighten up our dimly lit living room. What I wouldn't give for a living room as bright and airy as this one! The color block pillows add just the right amount of color to an otherwise neutral room. I don't even mind the blank wall above the couch! (Though I would probably hang the biggest black & white photograph imaginable.) Check out the rest of this charming home over at sfgirlbybay. I hope you're as gaga over the pink kitchen as I am!

Images: Bright Bazaar via sfgirlbybay