Tangerine Tango

The Pantone 2012 color of the year is Tangerine Tango... an orange red with yellow undertones. It's fresh, sassy, vibrant and shows especially well paired with white!  Lavish it on in a small space or use it sparingly on an accent wall. I plan to use it somewhere this year... stay tuned.

image: Lonny



image: Trad Home

HONEYSUCKLE

The color for 2011 is Honeysuckle.... Its vibrant... warm and just as strong as red without being too red. It can be a dominate color in a room or if you're a little color shy... try it as an accent color.  

This color translates  well to decor

image: HGTV

Husbands and Wives

When it comes to the bedroom most husbands don't want to feel as though it's been decorated without him in mind. I haven't met the guy who's comfortable in a frilly pink bed covered with  fluffy lace pillows. After all, he sleeps there too.  So, what I do suggest to bring him into the fold is choosing fabrics and colors that he can live with. Why this bedroom works for husband and wife has a lot to do with color and fabric. The blue is a soft ethereal shade that brings softness to the room. The fabric choices  are complimentary. The plaid brings in the masculine side while the brown velvet on the duvet is for her. The pillows are in many shapes and sizes. Accessories round out the room with chunky night stands and feminine lamps. I like pretty in the bedroom but when it's shared by the man of the house it can't be pink.

image: Red River Interiors



Color:Visualize It

Most of us aren't that good at imagining what a room will look and feel like with a color change.  I love color.... As long as I have something to work against like fabrics or textiles I'm pretty good at color selection. It comes with experience... If I do make a mistake a redo is in order...after all it's only paint.   Most examples of what I see when working with clients is too little hue in their color selections.  It's as thought they know they need to get rid of the four white walls but afraid to take the plunge. What ends up happening is their color selections come up looking a bit anemic.  Well fear no more!  I have a tool that can give you a better idea of what your finished result will look like before you make a commitment. Try the Sherwin-Williams Color Visualizer.  All you have to do is upload a photo of the room you want to paint, drop and drag on your paint color. You can change the color as often as you like. I've tested this tool and I think it's a great way to improve your color selections.  Still not sure?... Let's do a site visit.... I'll show you how to successfully take color from room to room and floor to floor.

 Want to cool down the chili pepper red?... Try the Visualizer 

    

You honestly know it's time to get rid of those four white walls... Try the Visualizer! 

 

Color is still King

Since my last post on color I've searched for more inspiring color combinations and I've found them. These designers style and use of color inspires me. I love the way designer
Mary McDonald uses orange with blue and green. I also like the subtle use of color by designer Lindsey Harper in her small New York bedroom. Strong color and not so common color combinations are outside the box. Innovative designers are pushing color in design in a greater way. After all who would have thought of painting walls chocolate ? Just a few years ago it was unheard of. Now chocolate is used freely adding drama and sophistication to any space.

Paint manufacturers introduce new colors yearly and many homeowners are willing to take the plunge to update their spaces. I believe....if you're not sure how to use charcoal gray and cherry red in the same room of course....call a designer that specializes in....Color.

Magenta and Lime

Pumpkin and Lime

Persimmon and Blue

Green and Rust

Suzani and Brown

Red and Blue

Blues and Soft Red

Why Color Is King

Every designer knows the quickest and most exciting way to add drama to a room is with color. Most of us are afraid to use it and when we do it's often ineffective. Homeowners should work with a color consultant to assist in coming up with a coordinated color pallet that takes color from room to room. Color evokes lots of emotion. I love cool colors in common living areas with a contemporary style. One of the places I turn for color inspiration is nature. You can't go wrong when pulling a color pallet together pulling colors from nature. I learned this tip from a friend years ago when putting our first apartment together.

When using textiles for drapes and rugs look for dominate colors in the fabrics for accessories and wall color. This is a simple way to start when attempting to coordinate a space.
I always think color should be used dramatically...after all, we don't live in a black and white world.

Lilac and yellow are beautiful contrast in this aster.

I love the way this girl's room mimics the colors in the above aster.

See how this floral patch relates to the space below

Shades of green are soft and calm and work wonderfully in a bedroom.

Soft shades of green create a peaceful here.