Some Spring Changes For My Home

   

When I posted about my two color picks for 2015 I had something in mind for my own home with these two colors.

With Spring right around the corner could there be any more perfect colors to add to your home than pink, and/or yellow?

In my own home the perfect room to add these colors to is my family room, with its black and white and blue and white base these two colors could integrate easily.

With these two colors in mind, I began to think of ways to add them to my room. Pillows were the obvious and easiest choice.

I went to Etsy to see what the offerings would be in fabric patterns that I like.

There were so many colorful choices that seemed as if they would work. I put different combinations together…..

My sofa is a classic blue and white ticking stripe and my chairs are white slipcovers, so you can see just about anything could work….

BUT!! Just because it looks good on paper doesn’t always mean it will work in person or for the person.

This is why I always get swatches and live with the idea of the upcoming change before investing money into anything new for my home.

You see, it has always been as important, or more important to me that my home maintains the, “feeling,” I have worked so hard to achieve. 

I require a fresh, happy, soothing, calm atmosphere in my home. So with that in mind I discovered that the color pink in this paritcular setting was not giving me the feel I wanted.

I did several mock-ups of different combinations, none of which was quite working for me.

As fresh and fun as it looked on paper, it still was not quite right for me, personally.

I want to bring up the an important point here….

Always stay true to yourself because in the end no one else will be paying, or living with your final choices but YOU!!

It looks like there will not be pink in the room this time around. Every combination where I added  pink felt jarring to my eye. 

I found that the addition of the yellow felt more like ME! Yellow transitioned into the blue, green, black color combination easily and smoothly.

Here is a line-up of the fabrics that I truly love….

I have been in the process of ordering samples and still have a few more to arrive. Once I get those samples I then feel I will be able to move forward. You see, I have lived with the idea of the change long enough to know that it will be easy to get the look and feel I want.

Then a very pleasant surprise came to me via my sweet husband. I was showing him a chair I had admired for a very long time (actually years) that happened to be on sale. 

I shared with him how I have had this particular style chair on my radar for awhile now. He said he like it, and nothing more was said about it.

UNTIL….. That evening  a few days before Valentines day he said , “ Go ahead, and order that chair!” 

To be honest I actually did not know what the heck he was talking about and asked, “What chair?” Then he told me and  said, “ Happy Valentines Day!”of course I squealed with delight. I still can’t believe it!!

So now there will be a new player in the upcoming scene in my family room…..

I have fabric samples coming my way. All are neutrals so it can slide into my room easily, or any other room for that matter.

There will be a bit more time that has to pass before I have all the swatches, and everything lined up.

NEXT, will be placing just the right pillow in just the right color on just the right pieces of furniture in my room. ( I sound like Goldilocks of design!)

 

 

Re-Inventing Today's Trends To Work For YOU!

   

In reading the trends for Spring 2015 I tried to look at each trend with an open mind. 

I love to study design for homes and for clothing. I have found to always keep an open mind in order to learn  something new. 

If after reading, and researching I find I truly do not like a certain style, or trend I can move on knowing I at least looked into it.

However there are some styles both in fashion, and in interiors  I have learned from life’s experiences, that will never darken my path.

A lesson I learned years ago is to not put myself in a box because we will never learn inside a box, no matter how pretty the box is wrapped. 

Of course my box is wrapped in black and white striped paper with a pretty loosely tied double faced satin bow! 

Sorry I got a little off track, I am a visual person as you well know!!

A lesson I learned a long time ago, unbeknownst to friend of mine was  when she made a comment about one of my visits to Carmel, California.

She said, “Oh, I don’t like Carmel, I can’t afford to buy anything there, and all the shops seem so snobby!” 

SAY WHAT!!!???? SERIOUSLY?

I could hardly believe my ears, for one thing.....

 “The Pacific Ocean!”

You see, she taught me how closed off she was to learning, or experiencing new things all based on her idea of what she could afford to buy, or what she liked at the time.

A lesson I have learned in my lifetime is to venture outside my box so I can learn, and re-invent something to suit my style, or budget. 

If you never experience the sight of good design, or taste a wonderful new food, and  see beauty in new things, how will you ever be able to add it into your own life within your means?

This long explanation is to tell you that when I saw a particular element as an upcoming trend for Spring I did not poo-poo it because it is not in my Classic Preppy style.

I ventured out to see if there was a way I could, if I wanted, to incorporate it into my wardrobe.

I also thought of YOU, my reader, and how it might open up your eyes, or way of thinking to new possibilities in your own life.

This  is an element I have always associated with a bohemian design aesthetic. 

I am not bohemian in any shape, or form, but I have always admired the ease, and the edge  of the style on others.

So today my dear Readers we are going to live on the edge, literally and talk about………

Remember what I said about staying

open!!

If you are like me you probably associate FRINGE with a look that is something like this…..

2015 Spring runways.

For a gal, like me that normally dresses like this…..

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How in the world could FRINGE ever come into my wardrobe?

Let me show you some pieces that I found that this Classic/Preppy girl would, and could wear…..

One similar in gray HERE!  In black HERE

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Fringe on a scarf without the torn jeans,  of course, that is one of those trends that I mentioned as never darkening my path. 

Most of my winter scarves have a fringe edge to them, and even some of my spring scarves. 

I already had fringe in my wardrobe and didn’t even realize it.

You WON’T find me in dropped crotch pants, but I do admire this woman’s adventurous spirit in her dressing. 

Now, for the sweet little cardigan with fringe. I WOULD absolutely wear this with a plain white T-shirt or blouse and my jeans, no problem there!!

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If this skirt were longer I would absolutely wear this entire outfit, hands down! Maybe I would wear it like this…..

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You can find this skirt HERE and it is on sale right now!

Another look that I have coveted that has fringe, not the long version, but still fringe is a Chanelesque boucle jacket.

 I have not found the perfect one at the perfect price point for my budget yet, but it is always on my radar when perusing the web…….

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Still looking!!!!

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Pink is really on-trend this year and this cute little jacket would be a fun addition to anyone’s wardrobe.

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This is such a simple silhouette to wear, and it has that little extra something with the fringe tasseled ties.

This is a darling little pullover sweater that I would wear with white jeans, and some flats, or maybe my patent leather booties, and a simple bag. 

However I think this looks adorable on this young lady, sans the ripped jeans.

A one last thing, don’t forget your accessories, there are some darling pieces with fringe/tasslels out there.

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I personally have a couple of long chained tassels, one as a gift and a couple I bought a couple of seasons ago. Keep your eyes open.

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This is a vintage piece I found on Etsy.

If I have not convinced you to wear fringe yet? 

I am in hopes that I have at least opened your eyes to viewing things with an open mind, and imagination.

Try it, you will like how it opens up new things in your world!

 

 

Effortlessly Styled vs. Contrived Room Designs

 

 You are about to embark on a study with me in order to determine what is your own comfort zone in a rooms design. 

Does everything have to match, or do you feel more comfortable with a surprise element in the mix?

con·trived

(kən-trīvd′)

adj.

Obviously planned or calculated; not spontaneous or natural; labored:

In the past I have used the word, “CONTRIVED!” many times when I was consulting with my clients. 

I did not want their rooms to look, too planned, too obvious, too matchy, or  as I like to say, “SMATCHY!!” (definition: where the room matches so much it smacks you in the face!!)

What I did want was a well designed room.  A room that looked like it took time, a process that evolved, easy on the eye, a room with a good visual flow. 

There has to be nothing that is jarring to the eye in a room, but one that will create a smooth flow that the eye will gently move across the room to view it in it’s entirety.

Opposite words for contrived :

unforced, honest, unstudied, true,

unaffected, instinctive, natural, 


 realistic,

unplanned,  easy, smooth, unrehearsed,

authentic,  sincere, , real, effortless.

This subject opened up to me again as I was in the middle of planning the addition of some new Spring pillows, and an addition of yellow in my  family room.

Since I am a planner I have to go to great efforts in order to make my rooms not look too contrived. I realize there is a level of effortlessness that we all have, and it will vary from person to person.

We all need to find our comfort zone. Some people require symmetry, and everything to match in order to be comfortable in their home. 

However, an effortlessly styled room can be much more interesting  to others.

In my researching of rooms that mixed patterns, and colors beautifully I began to notice there was a definite line that marked an effortlessly styled room vs. a very contrived room.

Today I am going to share with you some of my discoveries. These will be my own observations and opinions on how the rooms made me feel.

I will try to dissect them for you in order for you to understand why I feel they are effortlessly styled, or contrived. However, try to be your own judge, since all of us will have varying opinions.

The object of this lesson is to teach all of you to be more observing about the designs you see and love, or dis-like and to know why.

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As lovely as this room is it feels contrived to me. Let me tell you why. 

All of the pillows are repeats, same patterns and same colors, there is no surprise here. 

The rug matches the gray in the pillows, the side table matches the turquoise in the pillows. This is a room that really matches.

To make this more effortless in style I would switch out the turquoise table for a nice big  round log table. 

The rug would be switched to a patterned rug that would introduce one of the main colors, which happens to be blue. 

I would add a large scale pattern pillow to replace one of the striped pillows.

For some this room would be perfect and it is perfect, but that is part of it’s contrived personality, it is too perfect.

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You will notice right out of the gate, the patterns in this room are quite varied. 

What is making them all work together well is there common ground in the color of indigo/navy. Not one single pattern is the same, and yet this room has a gentle flow to the eye. You do not jolt from one element to the other.

I will admit there is some thought, planning, and talent that takes place in making a room look effortless in its styling, but with research, and studying of what you like and don’t like, anyone can do it.

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I absolutely love the colors that are being used here, but this is contrived because of the use of the same two colors repeatedly.

The artwork matching the turquoise, and green color scheme is making it look too, “SMATCHY!” 

Something with a scene that had a fresh look to it would have been more interesting.

The window treatment is picking up on the same color as seen in the pillow and the artwork, again a bit too matchy. 

A nice natural light wood tone, matchstick blind would have tied in the armoire, and added some much needed texture, and warmth to this room.

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I wanted to show you this next image because it is only using the same two colors over, and over, navy and turquoise, and yet this room looks effortlessly styled to me. 

So what is the difference between this room, and the last room that I pictured?

The varied patterns in the pillows, the textures in the room. The rough painted beams, beaded chandelier, various sea shells and a touch of shine with the mercury glass, bottles and glass top tables.

All of these varied textures keep this room in the interesting category.

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Another home at the beach! I absolutely LOVE the patern on the chairs, and the bright cheery yellow fabric on what appears to be a distressed wooden chair. The nail-head trim add another bit of interest and texture to the room.

This room has a yellow rug, yellow chairs, yellow trim on banquette, yellow pillow, and then another pop of yellow in the flip-flop art.

My eye is jumping from one yellow piece to the other.

Now picture the room without that yellow pillow, and in its place another indigo/navy pillow in a different pattern but still in keeping with the blue and white.

I would take away the yellow napkins, and blue dishes, and use white dishes and a soft linen napkin in a blue and white tiny stripe.

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I would imagine by now you recognize this room as feeling contrived to me. Again, love the colors, but my eye is jolting around the room to pick up the yellow and cobalt elements.

The wood accents are a great choice because they give a nice warmth and texture to this room. 

The other smart choice was to vary the blue in the base of the little breakfast bar area. 

If they had not put the yellow dishes in the glass front cupboard, but kept them in the blue and white family this room would have had much more of an easy on the eye flow. The yellow plates in the cupboard make my eye jolt over there instead of flowing easily.

When using a bright, dark or contrasting colors in your room designs make sure that they are placed in strategic areas in the room in order to make a nice visual flow. 

If you find your eye hopping from one colorful element to the next you then will know you do not have an effortlessly styled room, but one that just might feel a bit contrived.

This post was not a post to be critical of any one person’s design or their choices, but rather a lesson in observation.

Design is an ever changing, vast subject, and one that we can always learn something new from. 

I hope that this post opens your eyes to new possibilities and you start viewing your home or any new projects with an open mind.