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Thursday, March 15, 2012

What Colors Will YOU Be Using On Your Easter Table?

  



It all started with laundry. Yes, you heard right. I was doing laundry, and I had just put my sheets on the kitchen table to fold them.

I stepped away for a moment and looked back at the table. I immediately became inspired by the color combination I was viewing.
                  

I have the softest, palest set of blue sheets. The backdrop was my green and white striped wallpaper.



The picture that was painted by this color combination was so pretty, soft, and soothing to my eye. I immediately said to myself, “ This is the color I am using for my Easter table this year!”
I told you I am drawn in by color.

I discovered this a couple of months ago. The next step is to gather inspirational images to inspire me further. Here are some of the images that I have saved………..


Look at all the variations of blue in the natural color of these eggs.



Beautiful eggs from Araucana chickens. Blues and greens are always so soothing aren’t they?


Source: bhg.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

More blue and green! What a darling garland for Easter. Simple not too  much going on, just simple colors, lines and texture!! Lovely!



More simplicity. Soft blues and linen colored eggs, beautiful!



Blue green eggs, wood and moss tones of a nest, glimmer of silver and the elegance of simple white flowers.



Soft green cupboards with beautiful domed blue and green Wedgwood cake plates.





Rough hewn wood table, pewter egg cups with covers, and eggs nestled in some spaghnum moss.


Source: bhg.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

I really like these framed bird eggs. Again, blue, white and green, very pretty indeed.

Source: bhg.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Blue and green eggs with flowers added to the mix, so fresh and inviting.



Love lots of white with the pale blue.
Let’s see if I can find more of all blue and white, because I am kind of liking just the two colors of blue and white……


Very, very pretty, maybe a vase or two too many for my taste, but I do enjoy all white flowers in a pretty blue vase.













Easter is April the 8th this year so we only have 24 more days to get ready!!

Yikes, I might have started thinking about this early(2months ago), but I had better make some concrete plans if I am going to get it done!!!
So will it be pale blue, white and green?



OR
Pale blue and white?


What colors will you be using for your holiday table this Easter?

I will do more post about what other elements I will be adding to my tablescape for this years table. Come back and read what I am thinking!



“Enjoy the Process!” Of:
Designing a beautiful holiday table for your family to enjoy at Easter!

 
Posted by Kathysue at 1:00:00 AM 11 comments

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Where Does YOUR Inspiration Come From?

 





If you were to ask ten different people where do they get their inspiration you might get an answer like…….

“Everywhere, I look everywhere for inspiration!!”

I think that is a safe answer, but I think it actually goes a little deeper than that.



In working with clients for over 30 years I have learned to watch their facial expressions, and body language when talking with them about design.



I have watched what makes my clients light up, or become inspired. Sometimes I will see that light turn on when I am describing a room to them, sometimes it is when they see a picture of a room, or an actual object.



On shopping trips when I show my client a possibility of an element for their room, they will either light up like a kid on Christmas morning, or look at it with a tilted head, as if to say, "It is Okay!Sometimes  they will glaze over as if to say, “Well, she is the designer so I guess it is a good piece.”



As a designer you always want your client to light up, and become inspired. It is important to understand body language, and your client in order to best serve them in the design of their room.

You as a homeowner also need to be in tune with what inspires YOU!. 

What makes you smile like a kid at Christmas when you see it? What draws you in to take a closer look? Basically what inspires you?!!

Are you inspired by color, texture, shape, pattern or style?





I would venture to say it is probably one, or two of the above words that  will first draw you in, or inspire you. 


Personally I am almost always drawn in by color first. Once I establish that I love the color I will then look at the pattern, and then the style of the object, or room.


I discovered this early on in my teen years when shopping with my Mom.

As the day would go on we would start to notice that everything we really liked, or were drawn too that day would be a particular color. It would be a blue day, a green day, or a yellow day. One color would stand out among all the others.


Have you ever noticed what draws you into a room design, or a particular an element in a room?

 Next time you go shopping stop, and think about what drew you to certain items.


You know how it is, you are walking throughout a store, and all of the sudden you see, “IT!” you immediately have to go and look at it closer. What was it that drew you in?


I have a friend that is always drawn in by the texture that is a room, or an element. If it has texture, and looks like it could tell a story she will be drawn to it.



Another friend  is drawn in by the color red! If it is red she will have to go over,  pick it up, and examine it!


Source: google.com via Julie on Pinterest

If I go shopping with another friend, she will inevitably be drawn in by the smooth gleaming texture of porcelain pieces.


Pattern is another element that will inspire people. One friend in particular is drawn in by anything paisley or plaid. Ralph Lauren is her man!! We all know how well Mr. Lauren uses plaids and paisleys.



What do you notice yourself being drawn in/inspired by, color, texture, shape, or style? I think if  you really stop and think about it you will be able to zero in on one of the above elements.



Once you discover what draws you in, you will have one or two of the key elements that is important for you to have in your interiors.

In all of the above images which key elements drew you in the most?

“Enjoy the Process!” Of:

Becoming inspired by:

 COLOR, TEXTURE, SHAPE OR STYLE!!
 
 
Posted by Kathysue at 9:23:00 AM 19 comments

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Do You Have A Name For Your Design Aesthetics?

 


  I Do! and you can too, just keep reading on to find out how I came up with the words to describe my design aesthetics.


SIMPLE- UNDERSTATED- ELEGANCE





Do you usually think of Simple, or Understated when you think of Elegance?

If you have read my blog for very long you will read the term, Simple Elegance or Understated Elegance allot.

I thought I would define what that means to me and show you some examples of what it looks like. Of course this is just my opinion, but it is a look that I am always trying to achieve in my own home.
When we think of simple we don’t usually think of elegant.

Simple means: having few parts or features; not complicated or involved

Elegant means: luxurious or opulent in a restrained, tasteful manner.

You will notice that both definitions have something in common, restraint, uncomplicated, tasteful. I think these are the words that best describe what
 Simple- Understated- Elegance means to me.

I am going to show you some images of rooms that display Simple-Understated-Elegance. I understand that design will always be subjective, but I also feel that it is important to understand what types of design and why we are drawn to a particular look.

The look I feel most drawn too looks like the following images:


This first image has a wonderful simple design in its straight lined furniture pieces, and yet it has a soft elegance to the room by having a soft curve to the upholstered pieces. 

It also has beautifully framed windows, and millwork. The  sophisticated artwork also adds to the elegant feel in the room. This room has a serene feel to me. How does it make you feel?



A lovely little nook. Simple? Yes! Elegant? Yes!!
Simple in its uncomplicated straight, and simple lines and colors. Elegant with its oval window with curved grill work, and the beautiful, traditional brass sconces. Simple Elegance at its best.


This works space has a rough hewn desk and natural finished floors. How could this possibly be elegant? 

Look at the windows, the curve of the simple chair, the lovely vase of flowers. The soft lavender colors also add to the elegance in this image. Soft, subtle, simple, understated elegance.


T
his room has a simple, and casual elegance. The table, and chairs have simple lines as do the two matching chest on each side of the fireplace.

 A plaid rug will always have a simple and casual feel, so what are the elegant elements in this room?  Look at the mill work, simple straight lines, but it offers up a bit of elegance.

 Notice the mirror frames, they definitely give a nod to elegance. The chandelier has beautiful elegant curves. This room has the best of both worlds, Simple- Understated- Elegance!!



Checks, rough hewn beams, the coffee table all very casual in feel. The gentle curve of the settee and the stately curve of the wing back chairs give this room its feel of understated elegance.

 The jewelry of the room, the chandelier, is graceful and elegant in its design.

The Conclusion:
You will notice a common thread throughout each  of the rooms description I have given you.

As I am diagnosing each room I am learning something about my own design aesthetics.

  • I like straight lined mill work with a nod to the past. I want my walls, and windows and doors to have some kind of mill work. 

  • My furniture pieces need to have clean, simple and sometimes curved lines. 

My elegant elements will be brought in with the lighting and mirrors. Fabrics will need to be solid or simple lines such as checks or stripes. 


What You Can Do To find your own definition:
 
    Are you learning anything about what you require in your own rooms to make them perfect for your own design aesthetics?

    It helps to define your style, give it a name like I did.
    Make it  two-three words that define it.

     Now go  look for rooms that visually describe those words. Make a collage.

     Pinterest is a great place to do this. Step back, look at your collage, and analyze the elements in each room that you like. 

    You will start to see a pattern, just like I did in describing each of the above images.

    If you had to describe your design style in 2-3 words what would your words  be?


    “Enjoy the Process!” Of:

    Defining your Design aesthetics and giving it a name!

    BTW:

    If you would like to see more of what I consider Simple Elegance you can go to my Pinboard HERE!

     
    Posted by Kathysue at 12:40:00 PM 14 comments
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