Going Green

I consider the color green to be a wonderful neutral. All you have to do is take a look at nature to see how compatible green can be with all other colors.

 

(Flower Photos by Me)

When Pantone selected Emerald Green as it's 2013 Color of the Year, it was a choice which, according to Pantone,  represents "elegance and beauty" as well as a color that "enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony."
.

(Image via Pantone.com)

However when it comes to paint colors, most people wouldn't  rush to paint their room a bright emerald green.  (Unless you are very bold - which is GREAT!!).  I would suggest, however, that you consider any shade of green a color that might work well with a variety of furnishings.

(Photo by Jessica Howe of PropertyPrecision.com)

In the picture above of my client's Dining Room, I chose Sherwin Williams "Clary Sage" to complement not only the salmon toned seats on the chairs, but the reddish brown and teal colors in the oriental rug.  (My client didn't want to change up any of the furnishings and who could blame her - all are beautiful!) The green also worked well with my client's gold accents in the framed artwork, chandelier and mirror.  Do you see how this green seems to pull together so many other colors?

 

Take a look at the room in this photo below which was featured in House Beautiful Magazine.  The walls are painted with Fine Paints of Europe's "Vreeland Mint." This color marries so well with the black furniture!  Did you ever think black and green would work well together in anything other than mint chip ice cream?

(Photo via House Beautiful.com)

 

One more example of green's compatibility is in a room where I used Benjamin Moore's "Fernwood Green".  It was originally used for a little girl's room which featured soft pinks in the rugs and furnishings. Now that this client's daughter is growing up this same color still works well with the now pre-teen's bold choice in bedding!

 

(Photo by me - which is why you can't see all of the neon bright polka dots on the sheets!)

 

Somehow the color green is the great unifier.  If you're out on a spring day, you'll see the balance, and harmony and know just what I mean!

(Photo by me)

 

Enjoy your day!

 

 



Healing

It has been one week since the terrible attack on the city I call home and yet it must feel like years for those who were injured or in any way affected by such an atrocious act.  Thoughts, prayers and love continue to pour out to those who have died and to the many who have suffered in so many ways.

In an effort to help begin the healing,  Mayor Menino and Governor Patrick have launched the Boston One Fund.

The One Fund has been established to help the people most affected by the tragic events that occurred in Boston on April 15, 2013.

The colors of The One Fund logo are yellow and blue.  These colors are reminiscent of the banners hung around the city to trumpet the Boston Marathon, the jackets that runners from all over the world wear annually to proudly show their participation in the event and finally blue and yellow have traditionally been the colors of the Marathoners' prized Finish Line.

While this blog is intended to lend insight to color for your home, it felt more appropriate today to talk about what the colors for the One Fund may represent to not only Bostonians, but everyone as we try to heal and move forward.

Blue is the color of constancy yet it is also a symbol of comfort.  Historically, in primitive societies, survival was difficult so the dawning of a new day, a blue sky, surely brought hope.  Blue is often identified as a calming hue.

Yellow, and it's association with the sun, represents energy and life.  The warmth of this color is always useful in lifting one's spirits.

Yellow and Blue or Blue and Yellow - perhaps the combination will bring thoughts of hope and comfort and most of all.....peace.


For more information visit: www.onefundboston.org

A Little Drama

Sometimes it is fun to spice things up with a little drama.  Believe it or not, using black paint in just the right context can achieve such a goal.

Black, as you know, is essentially the absence of white. It is the negation of color.  Yet when used on walls, black paint can add glamour and sophistication.

(Photo courtesy of Elle Decor, Christopher Sturman) 

 

I absolutely love the use of Farrow and Ball's "Pitch Black" in this space!  It works so well because of the high ceilings and large windows.   In this case the black adds a dramatic back drop to the artwork.  And look how fabulous the lime green pillows work in contrast.  Tres Chic!

 

(Photo courtesy of Elle Decor)

 

 

In this photo above, black paint is applied in a high sheen.  It is a bold move against the dark brown trim but it gives off such a sophisticated vibe.

 

Perhaps you are not daring enough to paint an entire room black, but still adventurous enough to enter into a bit of the dark side.  If so, consider using black in a room with an accent wall or in a space where you will only spend a short amount of time.

 

(Photo via Country Living, Max Kim-Bee)

 

Here, Behr Paint's "Sled" is a fabulous blue-black that is used in a bathroom. It adds quite a punch! However the white tub, painted trim and marble floor prevents the black from overpowering the space.  (I can even imagine using this color in a room with a chair rail or white paneling to break it up but still give it the wow factor.)

 

If used in balance with the space, black can be chic and will always add a little drama!