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



Perfection in White

John Jacob Zwiegelaar of John Jacob Interiors is one of my all time favorite designers. Only in his early 30's, he opened his Cape Town firm in 2005 and already has an impressive portfolio. This home appeared in the May 2006 issue of House & Garden South Africa. I hope you enjoy looking at it as much as I do. It's almost Friday!

All images via the site John Jacob Interiors here.

Chicago's Mecox Gardens - always a favorite

I mentioned the great tablescapes of Ken Chrzastek of Chicago's Mecox Gardens in an earlier post on red. Here's some more red & lots more eye candy from whenI visited this beautifully styled store back in June.

Also - you may have noticed the posts have been a bit sparse. I've been in Seattle and am now in Cape Cod and will have lots of fun things to post about soon. Hope you're enjoying your summer!

Chicago's Mecox Gardens - always a favorite

I mentioned the great tablescapes of Ken Chrzastek of Chicago's Mecox Gardens in an earlier post on red. Here's some more red & lots more eye candy from whenI visited this beautifully styled store back in June.

Also - you may have noticed the posts have been a bit sparse. I've been in Seattle and am now in Cape Cod and will have lots of fun things to post about soon. Hope you're enjoying your summer!

Predicting Red for 2011 Color of the Year

O.K. - I'll either look back at this post fondly or with egg on my face but I have a feeling that red is going to be the Color of the Year in 2011. What do I base this on? It's certainly not any market research but I have been noticing & admiring the color red lately. I emphasize the "admiring" part as I've never been one to care for red and if I'm starting to like it that must mean something (or, nothing at all!) The red bead
chandelier is from Julia Edelmann's design studio in Chicago. You may remember the previous version in turquoise. (I've forgotten who designed this chandelier)

Here's the new Rose Line lamp from CB2 - they chose a red cord. Below is a bar arrangement styled by Ken Chrzastek of Chicago's Mecox Gardens. I think Ken creates the best store vignettes ever and if he's drawn to an all red bar palette...

So, what do you think? Could it be RED or am I totally off-base?

(p.s. - I'm on travel and posted this from my iPad w/wireless keyboard. Love it!)

Predicting Red for 2011 Color of the Year

O.K. - I'll either look back at this post fondly or with egg on my face but I have a feeling that red is going to be the Color of the Year in 2011. What do I base this on? It's certainly not any market research but I have been noticing & admiring the color red lately. I emphasize the "admiring" part as I've never been one to care for red and if I'm starting to like it that must mean something (or, nothing at all!) The red bead
chandelier is from Julia Edelmann's design studio in Chicago. You may remember the previous version in turquoise. (I've forgotten who designed this chandelier)

Here's the new Rose Line lamp from CB2 - they chose a red cord. Below is a bar arrangement styled by Ken Chrzastek of Chicago's Mecox Gardens. I think Ken creates the best store vignettes ever and if he's drawn to an all red bar palette...

So, what do you think? Could it be RED or am I totally off-base?

(p.s. - I'm on travel and posted this from my iPad w/wireless keyboard. Love it!)

Has Anyone Read This?

Has anyone read this book from Margaret Bach? This is one of the best book covers I've seen in a long time. Of course, love the shock of fuschia color in those flowers. Are they bougainvillea?
(photography by Melba Lewick)

Has Anyone Read This?

Has anyone read this book from Margaret Bach? This is one of the best book covers I've seen in a long time. Of course, love the shock of fuschia color in those flowers. Are they bougainvillea?
(photography by Melba Lewick)

Room Envy: Fuchsia

Love the repetition of fuchsia throughout this living room. Just noticed how the fuchsia stripes on the chairs are repeated in a fuchsia tone-on-tone stripe on the pillows. Beautiful and vibrant - caffeine not necessary in this room.

Home of Raquel Oliva, From Nuevo Estilo here.

Room Envy: Fuchsia

Love the repetition of fuchsia throughout this living room. Just noticed how the fuchsia stripes on the chairs are repeated in a fuchsia tone-on-tone stripe on the pillows. Beautiful and vibrant - caffeine not necessary in this room.

Home of Raquel Oliva, From Nuevo Estilo here.

L's Stylish Powder Room

Here's a bit more from L's house - a stylish powder room. I think it's a case-in-point of how a simple room can be elevated with color and great accents. There are no windows in the room so all the large framed photos substitute - providing gorgeous views of beautiful places in Italy.
The green wall color extends to the accents chosen for the sink - a footed bowl, napkins and the Molton Brown soap.
A little wooden side table is practical and pretty.
Even though this picture is blurry, couldn't resist posting it. Love the attention to detail. To see more of L's special home, go here.

L's Stylish Powder Room

Here's a bit more from L's house - a stylish powder room. I think it's a case-in-point of how a simple room can be elevated with color and great accents. There are no windows in the room so all the large framed photos substitute - providing gorgeous views of beautiful places in Italy.
The green wall color extends to the accents chosen for the sink - a footed bowl, napkins and the Molton Brown soap.
A little wooden side table is practical and pretty.
Even though this picture is blurry, couldn't resist posting it. Love the attention to detail. To see more of L's special home, go here.