Color of the Week: Freesia

A bold, bright color has arrived as part of Pantone's Spring 2014 color forecast. You will see the color Freesia in clothes, jewelry, handbags and home decor this Spring. Last week I chose Sand so I wanted to brighten it up a bit so Freesia it is! Enjoy :) 

COLORofTHEWEEK: Freesia

1 / Mimosa Nailpolish / Chanel

2 / Moroccan Trellis Rug / RugsUSA.com

3 / Moroccan Yellow Pouf / Jonathan Adler

4 / Mimosa Lantern / ZGallerie

5 / Nadia Garden Stool / Joss and Main

6 / Ralph Lauren
7 / Accent Geo Pillow / Living Spaces

Xo,

Curtains: How Low Should You Go?

I recently saw a picture of a cool-neutral living space with pooled curtains that dressed gorgeous ceiling-high windows. It then made me question what the appropriate length is for curtains in your home. So I did some research and this is what I found that answered my question:

Floating curtains are great for high use spaces because they are easy to open and close. They give the space a tailored and refined look but can also come at a high price to fit just right. If you want this look and you're buying ready made panels, I suggest placing the curtain rod at the right height so the curtains will float ever so lightly above your floor. How much space between the curtains and floor? I'd say about 1/2 - 1 inches above the floor. Any more than that it can make your room feel unfinished and wimpy (yea I just said wimpy when talking about curtains).

Breaking curtains are more relaxed than refined floating curtains. They can sit about 1 - 3 inches onto the floor. This look is perfect if you can't afford tailoring. Also, a great choice if your curtain rod is set in its location and you buy ready made panels longer than the window that break onto the floor. Who would of thought that would actually be in style?

Pooling curtains create a more elegant and luxurious look mainly for curtains that are stationary and rarely moved. I wouldn't recommend them if you need to open and close your curtains frequently. These curtains usually lay anywhere from 4 inches plus onto the floor. They look best in luxe fabrics such as velvet, silk, or satin. Textiles that look as lush to the eye as they are to the hand are perfect for these type of curtains.

There you have it. Most people just measure their windows and buy whichever curtain is long enough to cover them.  But there is more to it than that. Now you know the 3 most common lengths of curtains and what kind of style each portrays. Thanks for reading :) 

Xo,

(Sources: Pinterest, 55DowningStreet.com, ElleDecor)

Color My World: Part 2

If you haven't had the chance to check out Color My World: Part 1, I would definitely do so! In Part 1 I explained basic color theory that included the color wheel and color dimensions.  In this post I'll tell you how to use that information when choosing a color scheme in your home - we all know this can be a dreadful task for some but a fun task for others. Either way, if you use this info as a guide you are sure to end up with an aesthetically balanced space in terms of color. Now here's the good stuff - 4 different color schemes to choose from. Which one is your favorite??

A monochromatic color scheme is simply using one color in varying intensities from light to dark | An easier choice for those who have a hard time picking out a color scheme.

If you're feeling adventurous consider an analogous color scheme which consists of two to six colors that are next to eachother on the color wheel | Using green, yellow, orange and red along with chocolate brown creates a bold yet cohesive look.

Complementary colors are any two colors that are directly across from eachother on the color wheel | If you want a high contrast look, I would stick to this type of color scheme.

A triad color scheme means to incorporate three colors into your space that form a triangle in the color wheel. Such as teal, green and pink which is shown in the picture above. You can tell how bold this color scheme can look but you can also tone it down by using a lighter intensity of  whichever three colors you choose. 

So there it is - the 4 most common color schemes in relation to the color wheel. I hope you find these tips useful - Remember that usually the most favorite part of a space is because of the bold choices that were made. That's what I like to keep in mind. Don't be afraid to go a little out of your comfort zone with color and even patterns - I promise it will be worth it :) 

Xo,

(Sources: Hgtv.com, ColorMatters.com)

Color My World: Part 1

It's been a while since I've posted some good basic design tips and I'm taking you all back to elementary school art class with this one. Choosing a color scheme in your home can be a much easier-said-than-done task. Painting a wall can change the whole look of a room! There are actually a bunch of basic rules to follow when choosing a color that will truly fit in your space and flow with the rest of your furniture and decor.  One great rule to keep in mind when choosing a color scheme is the 30-60-90 rule which I have posted about in a past post (Click here to learn more about 30-60-90). It's a great rule to know how much of a certain color you should use in your space. Another basic piece of design information to understand, not only in design but also in art, is the color wheel (ring a bell?). As a painter myself, the color wheel is something very familiar to me. I also think it's an important tool when it comes to interior design. So lets get started :) 

Just a little background info to know - Sir Isaac Newtown developed the first color wheel in 1666...quite a long time ago. Color wheel and the term color circle can be used interchangeably. There are three categories which include Primary Colors, Secondary Colors and Tertiary Colors. Below I will talk a little bit about each one. 

Primary Colors: It all starts with the three main Primary Colors which are Yellow, Red and Blue. These 3 colors cannot be made by mixing any other colors together. Every single other color is derived by these three.

Secondary Colors: These include Green, Orange and Violet. These are derived by mixing primary colors together. 

Tertiary Colors: These colors are derived by mixing a primary color with a secondary color next to it.

Color Dimensions are important to understand as well. Hue is usually referred to as a color but more specifically a hue refers to the pure spectrum colors in the color wheel. The 3 color dimensions consist of a hues tint, shade and tone.  A tint is made by adding white to a hue, a shade is made by adding black and lastly, a tone is made by adding gray. I'm sure you've all heard those terms before but now you know their true meaning. 

Now that you know basic color theory, how do you use this information when choosing a color scheme?? If you don't know, that's ok, I'm here to help. I'm going to talk more about common ways to use these colors in my next post...Stay tuned :) 

Xo, 

(Sources: Hgtv.com, ColorMatters.com)

Color of the Week: Sand

One of Pantones Spring 2014 colors, Sand, is my color of the week this week. Why? Well, what other neutral can you think of that can go with pretty much anything or look amazing on its own? I say why not keep this as color of the week...every week? It is the perfect color to create a serene, classy look but can also look just as fierce and chic. Here is a mood board I created with some items that I think are worth checking out for this coming spring...and for the rest of the year ;) 

1 / Mykonos Throw Pillow / ZGallerie

2 / Diamond Jute Rug / Serena and Lily 

3 / Soho Tufted Corner Sectional in Sand Belgian Linen  / Restoration Hardware

4 / Sand Tropez / Essie

5 / Madison Christie Carryall in Saffiano Leather / Coach

6 / Franco Sarto

Xo,

In Love with Lacquer

It's easy to fall in love with the look of lacquer (try saying that ten times fast). This high gloss finish can be put on a wide array of home items - cabinets, dressers, tables, trays, jewelry boxes, lamps, etc. Lacquer originates from East Asia where tinted resin was used by artisans to decorate different objects.

It is a tough, durable and water-resistant finish. The best part is that it crosses between traditional and modern so lacquer usually looks great no matter what style you're looking for and can make an otherwise boring item look fierce and chic. It also looks amazing paired with textural items - For example, a lacquered coffee table next to a tufted sofa. Here are some of my favorite lacquer pieces - Enjoy!!

White lacquer parsons desk - A classic, chic piece from West Elm. I can picture this desk paired with a tufted linen or leather chair in a bold color.

One of my favorite pieces from Bunalow5 - the Jacqui Coffee Table. They have quite a collection of lacquer items from coffee tables to dressers to accent tables - if you want it lacquered, Bungalow5 will have it.

Like I mentioned, lacquer can cross between different design styles like with the Mid-Century 3-Drawer Dresser from West Elm.

This traditional dresser from Chelsea Textiles has an antiqued lacquer finish but still has a high gloss look.

This stylish drum shade chandelier comes in a funky design and black lacquer finish. Found at ShopCandelabra.com.

Lacquer can look fabulous paired with wood, texture and in these particular nesting tables from Jonathan Adler, with brass. 

This geometric mirror from the Redford Collection has a distressed, multi-layered lacquer finish and a hand finished look. I absolutely love the color as well. Found at LaylaGrace.com.

Also part of the Redford House Collection on LaylaGrace.com, this cottage chic chair also has a hand finished look created from a unique multi-layered, high-quality lacquer process. A bunch of these chairs would look amazing paired with a white lacquer parsons dining table - don't you think? Love it!

There you have it - some of my favorite lacquered pieces from traditional to modern to mid-century. I hope you love them as much as I do. Do you have any lacquer in your home or an item that you would like to have lacquered?

(Sources: ElleDecor.com, About.com, DIYNetwork.com)

Xo,

Greek Key: Trendy Yet Timeless

Greek key has been around but it has never looked so chic. Technically it has two meanings - A decorative border constructed from a continuous line, shaped into a repeated motif and the symbol of eternal love, life and friendship. The traditional greek key motif may vary from item to item but once you see it, it will stand out to you. Greek key looks fabulous on pretty much anything you can think of when it comes to your home - bedding, curtains, accent pillows, furniture, shower curtains and even wastebaskets...yes, really! Here are some of my favorite greek key items that you can currently find online. Even though this is a trendy pattern, when done the right way in your home you can create a chic yet timeless look. Enjoy!!

I'm loving this light blue throw blanket & it's super soft, too.

(JonathanAdler.com)

A little eye candy on a rather simple looking night stand.

(Houzz.com)

Gold legs with a navy laquer tray top PLUS greek key - score!

(WorldsAway.com)

These used to be the two colors in my teen bedroom growing up - still loving this color duo! 

(LaylaGrace.com)

A luxurious silk and wool area rug - would look beautiful in any room in your home.

(LaylaGrace.com)

I can picture this mirror as a beautiful center piece above a console in an entry way but is a quite versatile piece.

(Wayfair.com)

And of course a beautiful greek key waste basket..told ya so ;) 

(LaylaGrace.com)

Xo,

Homegoods Happy Finds

Homegoods seriously has everything you could need in your home when it comes to home decor. I took a trip to Homegoods yesterday to hopefully find some goodies for a DIY project for my valentine (I'll post more on that soon so I won't spoil the surprise!). While browsing the store I came across some items that stood out to me because, well, they were just so me. Some were this gorgeous hemlock color (which is one of the colors in Pantones Spring 2014 color forecast) so I thought I would share my happy finds with you. Do you have any Homegoods items in your home that make you happy??

This lamp has a gloss finish. The color and shape looks like a lamp you could find from Bungalow 5. 

I love, love, LOVE this knit pouf. It's white and gray so will match about any color scheme and look perfect in your living space. I picture one or two under a glass coffee table so they can be stored and then pulled out for seating when needed.

I always see mirror trays like this online especially on LaylaGrace.com which are a pretty penny but this one is only $24.99!

These hemlock and white patterned pillows are only $24.99 for the two! Great for indoor or outdoor use.

I love the look of natural materials and this hand carved basket is perfect. There were also stools and trays. 

What girl doesn't like a pretty jewelry box?? This one is a pretty cream/gold pattern covered in acrylic glass.

I'm such a fan of quatrefoil and have seen lamps just like this in Arteriors for a good chunk of money. This one is only $49.99!

For $12.99 this coral decor is perfect for a coastal look! The base is a beautiful hemlock acrylic glass. This would look great displayed on your coffee table or bookshelf.

I wish I got the price on this piece but if I can recall it was no more than $100! Such a cute little garden stool you can use outside or as an accent table/nightstand in your home.

I could spend hours in Homegoods and come out with a bunch of things I probably didn't even need but it would all be worth it! Don't ya think? :) 

Xo,

Crazy for Countertops

There should be at least one piece that acts as a point of interest in a space and then everything else should fall into place (cute rhyme, right?). When it comes to kitchens, I think those point of interest pieces should be your countertops. There are many different types for different uses and different people. So how do you find out which one is best for you? Countertops are just one of many finishes in a kitchen, but it takes up a lot of surface area and gets a lot of use which is why it is important to pick the right one. The ones I will mention are only just a few of the more popular choices - there are tons more! 

Granite 

- Comes in variety of colors & natural designs

- No two pieces are the same

- Comes in two finishes: Polished (shiny) and honing (soft & matte)

- Cost varied depending on the type of granite but can become very costly

- The lighter it is, the more likely you will need a sealer 

- Granite treated with resin may change color and usually darken and may react to sealer, for example making the granite darker

- The less calcite there is, the higher the grade and more expensive because of calcite being vulnerable to acids although this could be fixed with proper sealing

Marble

- Another natural stone like granite except a much softer stone along with limestone and soapstone

- Each piece of marble is unqiue, no two pieces are the same

- Require greater care and delicate use 

- Stains and scratches easily

- Need to be sealed periodically to prevent absorption from liquids 

Engineered Stone

- Comes in a wider variety of colors than natural stones

- Great for higher use, resists heat well, easy to maintain

- Usually are acid-resistant and nonabsorbent 

- Resists stains and liquids unlike natural stones

- Depending on what materials are made to create the engineered stone, the performance of the stone may vary (Example: The performance of engineered stone that is made with chunks of marble will be limited depending on the amount and size of marble in the stone)

- Despite being engineered and not natural, the cost  and look between the two is about the same

Recycled Glass

- Eco-friendly option

- Highly durable

- Glass pieces embedded in cement

- Needs to be sealed periodically

- Offers a unique look

- Resist cuts, heat and abrasion but may crack when a hot pan is placed on top

Concrete

- Can be completely customized

- Available in several finishes; Trowel (smooth), Ground (Sanded) and Pressed (Revealing of a marble-like look)

- Drastic temperature changes may cause concrete to warp

- Recommended to seal four times per year and waxed periodically to avoid stains from spills due to the porous nature of concrete

Butcher Block

- Perfect for warming up the feel of a kitchen

- Three types: Edge Grain (most common for counters, strong, stable and less expensive), Flat Grain (Less suitable for counters with greater use), and End Grain (Strongest and most expensive butcher block, great for surfaces with frequent use and cutting because of its camouflaging ability)

- Very easy to clean and can sand down scratches

- Ages well with proper keep up but may dull and crack without

- Must be oiled frequently to protect from water damage/stains

Laminate

- Most affordable countertop on the market

- Comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns

- Can scratch easily and scorch when a hot pan is placed down directly on the laminate

(Sources: Consumerreports.org, HGTV.com, Ask.com, Bobvila.com, Homesessive.com, Remodelista.com)

Xo,