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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……..

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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.

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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:




Posted by Kathysue at 1:00:00 AM 20 comments

Monday, August 8, 2011

Mint or Seafoam? What do you call it?


There is a color that seems to have reinvented itself from the late 80’s. Back then it was called sea foam green.

Remember peach and sea foam green of the late 80’s?

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I was never a big fan, but I knew plenty of people that jumped on that Trend Train only to jump off after a short time.


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Oh My Goodness! Seriously?!!

I think the picture says it all, don’t you?

All we have to do is change it up a bit, give it a new name, and it will become the new kid on the block. It now has a new name, MINT!!!
It has been darkened a bit, and now paired with a different partner.
This is what I have been noticing lately…….



Here you see a newer version with a pop of, not peach, but orange.








For those of you who have followed my blog for any length of time, you know I am not a big fan of orange. However, I am a fan of black and I have been seeing mint (as it is called now) paired beautifully with black……




I think it is the touch of black with the mint that seems to make it more current.


This lovely home is much more sophisticated in its appearance because of the addition of black.












Personally, I like the way the black seems to ground this color we now call mint.




It can look quite cool and relaxing when mixed with creams or whites.

















Isn’t it amazing that when a color from our past comes back with new life it becomes more palatable?
I also think the more we see it in the marketplace, and in magazines or blogs, we gain a new appreciation for it.












This room shows mint mixed with turquoise and other greens. Very interesting. Let me show you mint paired with other colors……


A pop of turquoise and bright pink makes this a very cheerful and fun nursery.


I would have never thought of this combination, and yet, I find it quite appealing and sophisticated.



Are you ready for a  bit of preppy combination's. Nothing like pink and green!


I would not have thought of using this combination except for Christmas and yet it is fresh and crisp!!




A little dash of hot pink, bordering on almost red, with mint.




I adore this look and I would totally wear this minus the skinny jeans. In fact I use to have that jacket, but mine had the dynasty shoulder pads, remember those, Oh my!!


I am loving this combination. Navy with mint and that pop of cobalt as a back drop is wonderful!!

So there you have it!!! MINT! What do you think? Do you see yourself using the color in the future? It appears to be the new kid on the block. It has been showing up throughout blog land and magazines for awhile now.
I personally will not be jumping on this color phase, but it will be interesting to see how well it evolves in the design world. What is your opinion?

“Enjoy the Process” Of:

Looking at an old color in a new light!!

Kathysue
Posted by Kathysue at 1:00:00 AM 30 comments

Sunday, August 7, 2011

My Answer To Friday’s Question Of The Day!!



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Fridays Question of the day was basically asking how do we know when we are making a wise purchase for our homes? How do we know what will have longevity?


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We have all been taught that if we buy  a classic piece it will have longevity because it has stood the test of time. That is all well and fine, but what if you don’t like any of the classics? Will it have longevity in your own life? I personally say No!!


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I believe it is always good to study, and explore all different types of design. I think this is very important to do if you are just starting out in the creation of your home.


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If you are only exposed to a small portion of design choices you will truly never be able to expand, and know what good design is. Always keep in mind that good design will be subjective. What one person love's, another person will find distasteful to their design aesthetics.



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What was once the new kid on the block can quickly become the latest has-been!!



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We as consumer’s, in this economy must make our purchases carefully. When working with my clients I always spent a great deal of time analyzing what they truly loved, not what they thought they should love because they had seen it in someone’s home, or in a magazine. I tried to get to the core of their design personality. Then and only then would I make a suggestion on a purchase for their home.



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If I had to talk in generalities I would say we all should take a good look at our homes every 7-10 years to give it new life and freshen it up.This can be done with paint, and maybe some new accessories. Worn items should be replaced, and outdated items need to be re-purposed, or replaced.


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I will make the suggestion that you keep your main pieces such as sofa’s and chairs in a neutral. This neutral does not necessarily mean beige, but it could be a color that you love, and have always loved in your home. A  color that can mix easily with the addition of different color and patterns over time can be a neutral no matter what the hue is. In my own home blues and greens can be my neutral. I have found these two colors go well with all the colors that I enjoy working with.



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I recently helped a friend with her living room, and her neutral is a beautiful soft blue. Another client of mine loves red, and has loved this color her whole life, so red is her neutral. See how it works?



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Study the classics, by reading  design books  and going to museums. Look at the silhouette of the pieces. Study the lines of the furniture. Keep those silhouettes in mind when you go shopping. Modern day manufactures will often use the classic lines to make our furniture pieces for today.



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Bottom line is…….. If you love it, and have loved it for more than 5-6 years it can become your own personal classic. My best advice is to be honest with yourself about what you truly love and stick with it. Try not to let the marketplace, or a friend, or even a designer sway you. If you do become swayed, you will inevitably choose a piece of furniture that  will give you regrets within two years or less.

  • Purchase what you love! 
  • Purchase the best quality your can afford.
  • Purchase your main pieces in a neutral.

Thank you to all of you who generously gave your opinions in the comments. I think all of your comments will truly help this reader!

“Enjoy the Process!” Of:

Discovering your own personal classics!!

Kathysue
Posted by Kathysue at 8:25:00 AM 24 comments
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