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Friday, September 9, 2011

Another Color Palette From Mother Nature

Shall we take another look at Mother Nature for some lovely Fall color combinations. If you remember from my last post I am trying to find some fun combinations that don’t include all of the typical Fall/Autumn colors of gold, brown and rust or orange.

Just look at this lovely Fall image……..








Are you ready to see Fall colors through different eyes?









This post is for all  you turquoise and aqua lovers. We are going to darken it up a bit, add a splash of gold,and maybe a touch of brown in the form of espresso or tobacco to get a perfect Fall look for your home……….







In the above image the teal comes in the form of the grass cloth and velvet seat cushion of the chair. Gold is in the form of the metals used in this lovely vignette.
For those of you that a little braver, how about  a little darker and brighter teals and gold?………..




I think an arrangement of simple wheat or even sunflowers would really complete this dining room for a fall look, don’t you?




Do you have any furniture pieces that could take on a whole new look with a coat of paint? How about a touch of dark teal for your project with soft gold chairs?…….





I think this color combination would be so perfect for a beach house. By just making your favorite colors in a darker value you can have a whole new look for your home.






I know we have all seen a French provincial coffee table like the one above. It has been given a whole new life as a bench and it is now wearing a nice deep coat of teal paint.


Teal grasscloth is so stunning!











Keep open to new color combinations and cozy up with some dark teal and gold………







“Enjoy the Process” Of:

Adding a touch of teal and gold for your Fall look!


Kathysue

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Looking At Fall Colors With Open Eyes!!


I am a self proclaimed, “Spring Girl.” I love the weather and the colors of Spring.
As much as I love the cool crisp air of the Fall I do struggle with incorporating Fall colors in my home. Because of this it has forced me to discover different color palettes that can be used in the fall.

I am not a big fan of earth tones for my home or even my wardrobe so I have to become a bit more creative when it comes to making my home look like it is ready for fall.
I love the colors I see in nature, and I marvel at all the different colors that Mother nature paints for us. There is one color I can appreciate in nature, but you will never see it in my home. Orange/Rust!! I don’t say this to offend any of you that love earth tones, but only to express how difficult it has  been for me over the years to decorate for Fall.
What I have done in the past is to bring in more black accents and darker values of my existing colors.
My home consist of:
  • Yellows that can  become gold.
  • Light blues  can become navy.
  • Lime green  can become moss.
  • Watermelon pink  can become a deeper pink/red.
  • Black and white accents that I will pull more of the black into my rooms.
    



    I thought I would explore along with all of you the different colors of Fall in my upcoming post.

    These might not be colors that I will be using, but I like to study how others pull together rooms for inspiration. I also always like to be on the learning curve!


    Today I thought we would look at this interesting combination of colors for Fall:







    Isn’t this lovely!? I would not call this a typical combination that you might think of for Fall, and yet when combined in the right manner there is no way you will mistake it for any other season. I like to look at what Mother nature has to offer for color cues. Here a fall fig is used as the starting point.




    Inspiration is all around us! Never limit yourself to design magazines or even blogs. Take a walk in the crisp air of fall and look around you. If your mind is open to color inspirations you will start seeing colors and textures you might have missed on a normal walk. When we open our mind to new possibilities we will truly see more of everything.




    Maybe, just maybe you will use a color combination that you would have never used before!




    This image shows medium and lighter values of the fig, and it pulls the gold in with the art pieces. The colors don’t have to be used in just furnishings think about how to use them in your accessories. Gold can also be introduced through metals in the room.






    Gold has been introduced in the finish of the mirror, and notice the antiqued brass quail on the coffee table.

    The accessories you choose to place in your room will be an important element while you are transitioning from your summer to fall look.





    We all choose our accessories carefully when getting dressed, and it is basically the same concept when dressing our homes in a new look.

    Paint can be your new best friend when choosing a new color for one wall as a great accent. Of course this recommendation is for all of you great DIYer’s that can pull out your rollers and paint and do it quickly on your own! Unlike myself, who would have to convince my hubby how great it will look and how easy it would be to paint just a small wall.(trust me this would never happen in my real life,but I can dream.)

    Instead of paint maybe a new comforter in a Fall color will do the trick in your home.

    However you choose to infuse the colors of  Fall into your home, keep your eyes open to the new possibilities that surround you in your everyday life.

    “Enjoy the Process!” Of:
    Discovering new color combinations for your Fall home!

    Kathysue


    Wednesday, September 7, 2011

    Embracing Fall!!


    My last post was on what I will miss about summer. I listed what I would miss, but I am a believer of embracing each new day as well as each new season. With the changing of the seasons there always seems to bring on a new feeling of anticipation what is ahead of us.
    .



    When I think of fall I am reminded of how the air changes to a fresh crispness that let’s you know changes are about to take place. From my kitchen window I have a view of a maple tree. I begin to notice the change in it’s color and how the leaves slowly drift to the ground below.



    I like to switch things up a bit in my home for the upcoming fall. I find that I gravitate toward a warmer and cozier feel. I have had many of my clients ask me, “When exactly do you start changing to your Fall look?” I had to stop and think about that one. I decided to observe my personal behavior to get a clue to when I feel the need to change things out.





    What I noticed was the first thing I start doing is pulling out more votive candles at night. It almost becomes somewhat of a candle lighting ceremony. I happily go throughout my living area humming and lighting my votives displayed on my mantel. I finally correlated it with the start of football season. From that point on I slowly start bringing in more of my black accessories, throws and candles.




    I have a friend that actually does her changes by the calendar. She makes sure her Fall changes are done for the first official day of Fall (it is Friday Sept. 23rd)!! She is highly organized and is more of rule follower than myself. I just go with my feelings!!
    When do you feel the urge to bring in the warmth and comfort to your own home?  What are the signs that make you start making your own changes in your home?
    Whenever you decide to start to make your Fall transformation, remember………..


    “Enjoy the Process!” Of:

    Embracing all that Fall has to offer!


    Kathysue