Friday Favorite - 10/11/13

Last week Benjamin Moore announced their selection for the 2014 Color of the Year so naturally I had to make it a "Friday Favorite!"

The choice was "Breath of Fresh Air" (#806) which is a very appealing pastel blue color.

(photo via Benjamin Moore)

Why is it such a great color?  "Breath of Fresh Air" is a soft and calming, but not shy, blue.  It is described by Benjamin Moore as a "very liveable" color.

Where would be a great place to use this color? While the obvious places might be in a beach cottage (such as the one pictured above) or a nursery, I like to imagine this color on the ceiling for a more lofty feeling, or perhaps even in a mudroom as a welcoming and youthful expression.

What other colors would go with it? Other pastel colors such as a soft yellow would be pretty.  In addition a lime green, as an accent, would work beautifully too.  However if you want to exude simplicity, as the name and color suggest, a creamy white would work best.

Though I personally haven't had the opportunity to use this color (at least not yet!) I think what appeals to me is, that no matter what the season, it's always nice to get a breath of fresh air!  Don't you agree?

Enjoy the weekend!

Feeling Fall!

(Photo by me)

Friday Favorite - 8/2/13

Okay, though it may seem that my "Friday Favorite" posts have taken a vacation recently I can assure you that I have not... it has simply been a busy summer!

Today's "Friday Favorite" is from a spectacular line of paints called "Ellen Kennon Full Spectrum Paints".  I want to start by saying if you have never been introduced to Ellen Kennon's line, allow me to introduce you by suggesting that you check out www.ellenkennon.com
.

Ellen Kennon Full Spectrum paints is  a beautiful line of paints that use all the colors in the spectrum, sans black, so the depth of the colors are really special and the finished product always produces a "WOW".  I will have to devote a separate post to the beauty of this line, but for now I would like to recommend Ellen Kennon's "Mushroom" color as my "Friday Favorite".

Why is it such a great color?  If you are looking for an interesting and always changing neutral, you will love this color!  It has so much depth to it that it will never be another boring beige on the wall. 

Where would be a great place to use this color? I think this color would be beautiful on any wall in any room but I also think that due to its warmth it would be fantastic on a ceiling.  The beauty of this color is that it has a rosy undertone.  And due to the full spectrum approach it can also be a chameleon.  It seems to take on the properties of the colors that surround it.

What other colors go with it? Just about everything!  I have used this color on walls against a very high white trim to accentuate it's chameleon like properties however it is a fun color which you can put next to anything and it will always look different!  Hard to believe a neutral can be so colorful, but trust me on this one.

 



(Photo by me)

Here is a sample of it on a wall I used in my client's kitchen.  It married well with the smokey brown colored tiles on the backsplash as well as the olive colored light fixtures.  It also warmed up the cool feeling you can get from stainless steel appliances and chrome drawer pulls.



(Photo by me)

Here is another angle of the same kitchen and an example of how this color looks different against the red and gold colored chairs. 

If you are looking for a neutral background but are actually bold with your use of colors in general, Ellen Kennon's Mushroom just may give you the extra interest you are looking for on your walls.

Enjoy the weekend!


Friday Favorite - 7/12/13

I am returning after my July 4 Holiday hiatus with another "Friday Favorite".

Today's "Friday Favorite" is from the red family.  One of my "fave" reds is Farrow and Ball's "Rectory Red."  If used in the right proportions and space this red can really enhance a room.

I used this red in a client's dining room and it added so much elegance to the environment.  The dark woodwork on the doors and windows needed a pick me up.  And this red really stands out against the bright white paneling below the chair rail.

(photo by me)

My client was such a lovely person and her home had lovely things as well that deserved to be showcased.  Her beautiful cobalt blue china and the warm tones of her furniture were worthy of a color that would draw you into the space. 

One quick note:   If you are not familiar with Farrow and Ball's paints, I suggest you get acquainted.  Their colors are absolutely beautiful as the pigments in the paint really add so much depth to the walls.  They have a nicely sized selection of colors to choose from and their quality is fantastic.  (www.farrowandball.com)

Why is it such a great color?  Farrow and Ball's "Rectory Red" is a dramatic color with a hint of cherry in it.  It's a very vibrant color.

Where would be a great place to use this color?  Tests have shown that red is a color that generates energy and increases your appetite.   I think this color is better in a dining room than a kitchen since you don't want your appetite on overdrive all the time but you do want your guests to enjoy their meal and linger for awhile over lively conversation!  The warmth of this color makes a dining room so inviting, especially when lights are dimmed and candlelight is abundant.  Imagine the contentment and comfort this color would signal to family and guests.

What other colors go with it?  I love the cobalt blue and red combination, but also think a slate grey would be terrific as well.  This color is a great backdrop for artwork and would enhance a variety of wall hangings.  While gold works as a great accent,  I can also imagine dark black frames against this exciting color.

(photo by me)

 

(Another view of the room - with more of the blues featured on the wall decorations, the warmer woods, the beautiful white paneled walls below, the wood work on the ceiling above, the gold chandelier and the very dark oriental.) 

Enjoy the weekend!

Note to my readers:  As part of my summer schedule, I will be on vacation next week but will  return  the week of the 22nd with more posts about color.

Happy Fourth!

As we approach the Fourth of July holiday, I hope you enjoy these colorful photos using red, white, and blue in a spirited way......

( Keller and Keller)

I have had this above photo in my "style file" for quite some time and I still enjoy looking at it. There is such a wonderful balance of the red white and blue used throughout.  Of course the walls, which are painted Behr's "Flint Smoke", are what I'm most drawn to.

(Lucas Allen - Photo via Country Living)

In this photo above Benjamin Moore's "Vibrant Blush" on the walls really packs a punch, but the blues and whites seem to soften it up, don't you think?

(photo via Stacey Bradford)

Love the painted stripes on the floor!

 (For more options on painted floors be sure to view my post on 6/16 /13) 

 (photo by me)

Wishing you a wonderful Independence Day! 

Enjoy the holiday. 

Friday Favorite - 6/28/13

Those that know me well know that I have a strong preference for blue colors. Naturally, I couldn't help myself today by posting a terrific looking blue color for this week's Friday Favorite.  I love Benjamin Moore's Santorini Blue!

Why is it such a great color?  Santorini Blue is a smoky blue with definite gray undertones. (This is key when using a blue color so it doesn't come off as too baby blue or powdery).

 

Where would be a great place to use this color?  Believe it or not, I would love to see this color used on kitchen cabinets! 

 

(photo via décorpad.com)  (this blue is darker than Santorini Blue but hopefully you get the idea)

 

I envision Carrera Marble countertops and some dark stained wood floors. And, depending on what you put with it, I believe this color could give off either a French Country vibe or a very contemporary feeling.

 

What other colors would go with it?  I think a warm wheat color would suit this color very well.  I could imagine a ceiling painted in a wheat color to offset the coolness of the blue.

 

 

 

 

If you are interested in making it even more interesting, soft coral colors would work well too both in fabrics and artwork.

 

 



Have a great weekend!

Friday Favorite - 6/21/13

Today's Friday Favorite is a wonderful green color by Pratt and Lambert called "Sealife".

 

 

It is a wonderful green with a warm yellow base.   Pictured below it is used in a bathroom but I have other designs in mind.

(image via Pinterest)

 

Why is it such a great color? It is a fresh up to date look that will appeal to everyone because of its warm undertones.

 

Where would be a great place to use this color?  It would be fun to use it in a small entry way or vestibule as a warm welcome to a home.

 

What colors would work well this this color? I think using a turquoise colored accent piece or gold frames on the wall would be a colorful combination.

 

 

A little side note:  last Friday I was at Boston's Symphony Hall and I took a picture of the FABULOUS green color that was painted on the walls in the lobby.  Although no one employed by Symphony Hall could tell me the color, I am convinced it was "Sealife"  (Or perhaps it was on my mind as I had begun composing this post earlier that day!)  Anyways, I shot this photo because I wanted to show an example of how a gold frame would work great on a wall painted this color.  Love it, don't you? 

(photo by me)

 

Anyways, have a great weekend!