Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year for 2012 – Wythe Blue HC-143

Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year—Wythe Blue—has been a favorite of mine for quite some time.  It is so versatile, it can work beautifully in many different settings…

Photo: restyledhome.blogspot.com

Photo: Real Simple

Photo: Benjamin Moore

Photo: colorcharts.com

This classic color looks great as an accent or as the the main color in a room.  It makes a perfect backdrop for collections and photo galleries.  And yes—it can even transform your old furniture, by accenting or painting the whole piece.  Overall, it is a soothing color that would be a welcome addition to any home.

Waiting for snow…

I love the historic buildings and homes of New England—they have such character.  I’ve always admired their perfect proportions and details.  Beautiful in classic white or deep rich colors…they just feel like home.

Photo: Dipity.com

Photo: A New England Life - anewenglandlife.com

Photo: Flickr.com

Photo: Flickr.com

Photo: Favim.com

Now all we need is some snow!

Happy Holidays.

The color of the season…red!

Red is so festive and cheerful—it’s the perfect color for the holiday season.  Why not spread some holiday joy year-round by adding this color to your home?

Photo: via Jane from Stormy Girls Castle Blog

My favorite way to use red is to add touches of red throughout the home.  Pick a few moments in each room…a red accented front door,  a red leather tray with books or a throw, red cabinetry in the kitchen or mudroom, or a red accent wall.  Think of your home as having one color palette—played out in different ways.  Use quiet colors for the backdrop.  Neutrals work best, like off-white, charcoal & beige.

Photo: Southern Living

Photo: Traditional Home

Photo: Country Living

Photo: This Old House

This works great with a small home or apartment.  Try using more red in some rooms than others.  Mixing it up and using red in different ways will keep it interesting.

     

Color palette swatches are from Benjamin Moore: Segovia Red 1288, Black Tar 2126-10, Simply White OC-117, Spring in Aspen 954.

Stylish table settings

Still looking for ideas for a beautiful Thanksgiving table?   Get inspired with these elegant table settings …

Images from www.digsdigs.com

Love the cover of the new House of Fifty…

I just love the color combination of this guest room by interior designer Lori Graham!

House of Fifty

           

Check out the latest House of Fifty issue here.

Balancing orange…

Orange radiates warmth and energy. This color can be stunning when done right—but this strong color can be hard to use.  In decorating, the boldness of orange is often tempered with white or neutrals. Another way to balance this color is to pair it with soft colors, like pale yellows or soft blues.  Try these well balanced palettes next time you use orange…

Photo: Alice Lane Home

          

Photo: Canadian House and Home

          

Photo: Tobi Fairley

          

Color palette swatches are from Benjamin Moore.  Image 1 – Yellow Iris, Racing Orange, Limelight.  Image 2 – Spring Mint, Racing Orange, Gladstone Tan.  Image 3 – Spring Mint, Racing Orange, Seashell. 

Looking for a great fabric?

I was surprised to find that the accent fabric I selected for our living room happens to be one of Calico Corner’s top selling fabrics.  I guess I shouldn’t be—it has been popping up everywhere!  You may have seen it in decorating catalogs like Ballard Designs, Smith+Noble or Home Decorators Collection.

P. Kaufmann, Clarice in Dove

Shades in Clarice Dove, Smith+Noble

Sofa in Clarice Dove, Calico Corners

I used it recently in one of my room collages…well ok, not so recently, as I have taken an extended break from the blog.

It turns out, Clarice Dove is the perfect fabric for my living room project.

I added a set of botanical prints to the room and I have been searching for fabrics and accessories, to finish the look, ever since.  The prints are framed with a blue-gray mat, a shade darker than my wickham gray walls.  This is what I’ve selected so far…

We are keeping our leather ottoman, neutral colored sofa and side chairs—the rest is being updated to coordinate with the new botanical prints.  Funny, it seems everytime I bring something new into the room I find two more things I would like to change as well—this must be the domino effect of interior design!

You can order fabric by the yard from Smith+Noble, Ballard Designs and Calico Corners.  Here are some of my favorites…

            

Fabrics from left to right:  Fioretto, Sprout by P.Kaufmann, available at Calico Corners, $44.99/yd.  Felicity, Spa available at Ballard Designs $24/yd.  Sketch, Camel by Dwell Studio, available at Calico Corners, $74.99.

Fabric above:  Clarice, Dove by P.Kaufmann, available at Calico Corners, $29.99/yd.