Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Blasters and Sleepers!!





On Monday I did a post about the color MINT which I have seen creeping into our view through blogs and magazines. It made me stop and think about how some trends come out with a blast and others just slip their ways into our hearts and homes.


Have you ever thought about how long it takes the general public to warm up to certain color or design trends? I have a theory.  It is not a theory in which I conducted any kind of scientific analysis, or even one that I asked a group of people their opinion. It is rather  a theory that I have watched evolve over my 30 some odd years in the wonderful world of design.



I might be totally off base, so realize it is just my opinion……..

color wheel (158x175)
I know that there is a color board that decides on what colors will be popular for the upcoming year for our clothing, homes, and even our cars. In fact, I read once  that we should take note of what the new car colors are and those are the colors we  will start to see emerge in clothing and interior design elements.

(By the way, be on the look out for this color combination in the upcoming year, just my opinion.)




I think  some new colors, or designs are immediately taken in by the masses, and some are sleepers that work their way into our lives.

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Sometimes it will take us about two seasons for us to notice these colors in the market place, by the third season we start bringing it into our lives. By the fourth and fifth year we are totally invested, and the colors are no longer in vogue, and we can not find anything to go with what we have. Sad but true, the design world has moved on without us on board.

home,interior,living,family,rooms,blues,clean,classic,living,room-ad5480b60d65c11235880bb41abc42d4_h (489x500)

I remember when yellow became in vogue. The reason I am using this color as an illustration is because I have loved soft maize yellow for over 40 years. I remember so many people, and clients saying how much they did not like yellow at all. Until……. and only until they saw it being used in a new way, and then EVERYBODY wanted yellow!!! Six months prior to that I could not have sold that color if my life had depended on it.

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Why am I having all this dialogue about colors and trends? I am mentioning it because I want all of us to be sure of what we truly love before we jump in with both feet.


Designing a home is an emotional experience in our lives, and it is also a very costly experience in our lives. Just because a design element, or a color  is popular now, doesn’t mean it will be next year, or the next.

If you don’t really love it, you will want to get rid of it. If you truly love it, it won’t bother you that no one has a red dining room, and you do, or no one has a denim sofa and you do.




If you love it keep it and enjoy it!! Make  your new color choices in paint and accessories. Keep your main pieces in the style and the color that you have always gravitated towards. If you do that you will never feel guilty for purchasing a few new pillows, or a can of paint.

Trust me, if you jump on board with a look, or a color that you never liked before it became the color of the year, you will always regret the amount of money, and effort you put into a room that has now evolved into something you don’t even like.

“Enjoy the Process” Of:

Really coming to terms with what you love in colors and design elements.

Kathysue

BTW: I am guest posting with some other bloggers in a series  on Amanda's blog, We will be discussing our own personal favorite paint colors!! Here is the line-up of bloggers that have contributed to this post. What an honor to be in this line-up:




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20 comments:

  1. AmandaAugust 10, 2011 at 6:13 AM

    Some great advise about choosing colors!! For years I swore I'd never have blue in my home- and well here I am with blue in almost every room! And it makes me smile! I also think that keeping your main color neutral allows you to "go with the trends" when it comes to accessories & pops of color- without breaking the bank. And Im the 1st to admit- I get sucked up into the trends-Im a "want something new" kinda person. I get bored with the same-ole same ole.

    Thanks again for participating in the Favorite Paint Color Series!

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  2. Taylor GreenwaltAugust 10, 2011 at 6:43 AM

    Kathysue,
    Great post! I find that everyone has colors that their comfortable with and that feel good to live with. I have learned that I always have a little blue, red,and soft creamy yellow mixed into my home. I also have a tad of black to ground the rooms. I think back to all the crazy trends and these are the colors that feel right to me in my home. I guess they are my colors.

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  3. quintessenceAugust 10, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    I tend to pick the same thing over and over so I know what I like and I'm comfortable with. If my tastes change, it happens gradually and is because My whole persona is shifting, not because I see that a color is hot this year. I do not follow trends in decor except with accessories. It is much more important to me that my home reflects me than what is happening in the design world.

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  4. Lauren@BaylorSays...August 10, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    Too true, you must must must choose what you love!! It is difficult in blogger land not to make decisions with 'what's cool' in the back of your mind...but you know what? I don't LIKE suzani and I don't care who knows it! :-)

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  5. The Buzz BlogAugust 10, 2011 at 1:29 PM

    Kathysue, you always have such thought-provoking content and I do think think colors take a long time to come into "vogue". I remember seeing a lot of deep indigo blue at the Paris Maison & Objet show three years ago and think that this color might just be one we'll see next spring... Do you any thoughts about people who say "I'm a blue person" or "I'm a yellow person"?
    xxoo

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  6. NanaDianaAugust 10, 2011 at 2:10 PM

    You are SOOO right about that. I have followed trends for all these many years and about 10 years ago I decided to not follow ANY more trends but to buy what I loved and wanted to live with forever. What a difference it makes. I no longer worry about getting "with it" because I already "found it"-the thing(s) that make my soul smile...the chair that envelopes me every time I sit in it and is a color/pattern I will love long after it is passe.

    Great post today- I am newer to your blog and having fun following you- xo Diana

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  7. SHERRY HARTAugust 10, 2011 at 2:10 PM

    I am not opposed to any color as long as it is the right hue in that color....make sense? Like yellow for instance...it can look shocking if not done right...the more buttery the better...soft. Good thoughts Kathysue!

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  8. Stacy CUrranAugust 10, 2011 at 2:11 PM

    As always, you are so, so right! It's taken me a long time to realize the colors i like, and I'm sticking with them! I AM using the blueish/green that is popular now, but I've always used it and will always love it. This was a GREAT post! Thanks for your help on my post, too
    xo Stacy

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  9. Diane @ At Home in ArkansasAugust 10, 2011 at 4:51 PM

    Such great advice! And it is always interesting to see, as you say, how some trends/color creep in and some jump in with both feet. As to that outfit you posted, I agree, it's a palette to watch. And I'd wear that in a minute!

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  10. Beautifully Seaside // Formerly Chic Coastal Living August 10, 2011 at 4:56 PM

    Great ideas! I love every room! So inspirational!

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  11. mel@georgicapondAugust 10, 2011 at 6:24 PM

    Thoughtfully considered Kathysue, and well advised. It's temping to want to jump on the bandwagon of fashionable colours and new trends, which generally aren't new anyway, as they've always been bit before a one time or another. So it's just that old merry-go-round of fashion, be it clothes or interiors, and everything old is new again. But I agree, stick with what you love and you'll always be happy.

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  12. Ann from On Sutton PlaceAugust 10, 2011 at 7:08 PM

    I don't really follow trends...but my likes and dislikes have shifted just a bit and I think it's because I have been exposed to so many new things through blogging. I'm ready for a more casual look. I'd like neutral furniture and paint with color coming from the accessories. Right now I have so not neutral furniture! I'm working on it though...

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  13. Karen August 11, 2011 at 7:13 AM

    After blogging and blog reading for so long I've determined that the region where you live has a big effect on people as well. I'm from the midwest and there are color palettes that I'm sure won't make it to my area for a couple of years. The designer who worked with me on choosing paint colors for my home mentioned that she hasn't had a single client paint a single wall black-that's what made me want to do it myself, I like to be ahead of the curve!

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  14. Marcus DesignAugust 11, 2011 at 1:22 PM

    Wow, these are really great theories Kathysue, it is true that some things just creep up!! Or sometimes I feel like I am looking for a certain color/trend and can't find it ANYWHERE until 6months to a year later and FINALLY the local shops catch on. Great post full of thoughtful ideas! I'm off to check out your guest post now!
    Nancy xo

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  15. Splendid SassAugust 11, 2011 at 7:08 PM

    Kathysue-
    I agree with your trend theory. I am so happy with the present color trend and I hope it is in style for a while!
    Beautiful images. Remind me of the guest posts.
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  16. JessieAugust 11, 2011 at 9:20 PM

    Great advise as usual, Kathysue! For me, I don't really follow trends, I usually buy what "speaks to me". Quoting from someone famous who said this, " Trends come and go but style remains forever." Very true, isn't it? Love your beautiful images, too.

    P/S: Come join my giveaway for a chance to receive a $75 gift card from Arcadian Lighting. Don't miss it. :)

    Jessie
    www.mixandchic.com

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  17. Mary Ann PickettAugust 11, 2011 at 9:56 PM

    I remember seeing pink in Parisian home stores five or six years ago...way before here...now lavender is big. I think many of the color trends start in Europe. I don't think there are any colors I really do not like.

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  18. UnknownAugust 12, 2011 at 1:57 AM

    great images i love that light fixture in the 3rd image its gorgeous i want one

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  19. ReginaAugust 12, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    I was very unhappy for several years when earth tones were the trend. I look horrible in brown and I find living with brown rooms is depressing - like living in a cave! I love dark wood furniture, however.

    I only buy what my husband and I absolutely love for the house, because mistakes are so costly.

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  20. K&B by the SeaAugust 13, 2011 at 6:58 AM

    Purple has been my favourite colour forever, and I'll never get tired of it! It's scattered throughout our house in accessories and pillows, and we have two purple rooms.

    On the other hand, I don't like yellow (sorry!) and that's the only colour that you won't find in my home and in my closet. Even if it was trendy, I wouldn't use it for the exact reason you mentioned - I'd definitely regret it.

    I say go with what you love, even if nobody else loves it. It's you're home, make YOU happy :-)

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I would love to hear from you, Kathysue