2010 Color Forecast

Sunday- January 31, 2010

Last week I attended a class put on by our Sherwin Williams representative. It was called Colormix and was their color forecast for 2010. The colors palettes have taken inspiration from the past to determine the future color trends. It was very a great seminar and very informative. They also put together paint swatches that go along with each of these colors (stay tuned for Tuesday as that will be my Top 10). The 4 color trends are detailed below.

Simplified

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." That timeless wisdom from Leonardo da Vinci is now a modern mantra. Less is clearly the new more. But the aesthetic is artful rather than austere, with well-tailored lines and sheer, translucent materials that reveal shape and structure. Clarity and integrity are critical. We need to know and trust what we're bringing into our environments. The hues are calm, subtle and nuanced, with undertones that shift according to their surroundings, for easy versatility."

Refreshed

"Tropical blooms. Sunny days. Playful exploration. It's time to take a vacation and let our cares melt away. Happy spaces are here again, bringing fresh florals, bright juicy colors and exuberant combinations. It's the kaleidoscopic spirit of the '60s married to the jewel tones of the '80s, with a global twist. Cultural influences and motifs mingle freely, creating a bohemian mosiac that sings in perfect harmony."

Treasured

"A throwaway society? That's so yesterday. We're now making savvy, resourceful use of what we have, discovering untold stories in exposed, painted layers. From flea-market finds to artisan-made pieces, imperfections can lend rich character to our environments. The palette reflects the beauty of natural aging, mellowing and weathering, evoking quality materials that have stood the test of time and become heirlooms."

Rooted

"It's human instinct to seek the safety of the tribe. In today's complicated world, there's something deeply satisfying about re-exploring the world's oldest, most enduring cultures. African, Aboriginal and Native American influences are converging to create a new tribal style with a drumbeat all its own. The colors are rich and earthy, with a hint of mystery. The appeal is as natural as the elements."

Photos: Sherwin Williams, Robert Allen

Tile

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Tile is an important part of the home and can really make a strong impact. A number of projects I'm working on right now include tile design so I have been searching for unique ideas. I thought the picture above was a very neat look. This was used in a sun room but I think the application could be used in a number of areas. The intricate design in the tile makes this room really spectacular! Have a great day!

Meghan

Image: Traditional Home

Tuesday's Top 10- Mirrors

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

10) Beachhead Mirror, Curry & Co

A beautifully crafted mirror, the driftwood adds a great earthy feel!

9) Mirror, Arteriors Home

The style of this mirror has long been a favorite of mine. I really like how this mirror hangs!

8) Sunburst Mirror, Encore

This mirror is absolutely stunning in person. It is hand carved in mahogany mirror and has a convex mirror. The size is 54" which is pretty good sized and makes it quite stunning!

7) Oval Convex Mirror, Global Views

The shape & dimension of this mirror make it very unique!

6) Phoebe, Made Goods

I love this mirror because of it's unusual application! A told tone chinoiserie style tree gracefully branches through four individually framed panels.

5) Perlini Mirror, Hickory Chair

The size & shape of this mirror makes it so versatile. It is a lightly antiqued round mirror, surrounded by more heavily antiqued mirror.

4) Erastos Mirror Made Goods

A scrumptious piece! Warm aged velvet is hand beaded in a classic Greek Key pattern making it a very unique mirror!

3) Dauphine Upholstered Mirror Hickory Chair

This mirror makes the top of my list because of the many applications you can do with this mirror. The border on this mirror has the ability to be upholstered in any fabric or leather you wish to apply to it! This makes it a go to mirror in my book! It is inspired by classic antique paneled mirrors.

2) Constellation Mirror, Baker Furniture

This has long been a favorite mirror of mine! It is shimmering and really beautiful in size and material! The antiqued mirrored discs vary in size and are woven onto extending gold threads making the sunburst pattern.

1) Gorka, Made Goods

This mirror makes the top of my list for many reasons but the top one being it has such a beautiful presence. This mirror can go in any type of room and make an incredible statement! It is an ethnic masterpiece. A dramatic wooden frame that is covered in silver metal. The metal is hammered and etched with intricate floral patterns. It is then antiqued and polished! This mirror is a true jewel!

Photos: Curry & Co, Arteriors Home, Encore, Global Views, Made Goods, Hickory Chair, Baker

Antlers In Interiors

Monday January 25, 2010Everyone has hobbies and one of my husband's favorite hobbies is to go hunting. His favorite animal to hunt is deer. He hunts them with a bow and arrow and to him it is a sport. Late this fall he got a really good sized buck. It was a 9 point buck and has been the highlight of his hunting career. Since this happened everyone asks me, what are you going to do with this deer? Are you going to allow it in your home? Well.... the answer is no as we don't have enough space to do this buck justice, not to mention I don't feel I can have a deer starring at me. Someday if we have the hunting cottage David dreams about I might reconsider. For the time being I don't mind antlers in the home and feel you can make an interesting collage with them. They make for an eclectic room and give the space a special presence. I love the idea of using them as a coat rack or painting them white and hanging your jewelry from them. Here are a few pictures of antlers in homes that I think work well! Do you like the idea of antlers in your home?

Best,

Meghan

Photos: Lonny, Barclay Butera, House Beautiful

Beautiful Bathrooms

Friday, January 22, 2010

Today I went over to my sister's house to help her with her master bathroom. I have spent many hours at her house but rarely go up to her master bathroom. Let's just say I was pretty blunt about the horrific color she has been living with since they moved in. Her reply was, "no one ever see's this room". I then continued with my lecture telling her that just because this is a far back room and rarely seen by anyone, it still deserves as much attention as your guest bath. I feel very strongly about this because this is an area where you begin and end each day and it should be an inspiring place. Think about how much better your day might be if you could enjoy getting ready in one of these bathrooms everyday. Enjoy!

Meghan

Beautiful & Bold!

A clean modern bathroom. The bathtub takes center stage here!

More stripes, but so fresh and uplifting!

Love the pink!

I really like that you can't even tell this is a bathroom.

Blue is always so soothing!

I think this is a very nice application of tile.

Photos- House Beautiful

Tuesday's Top 10- Ottomans

Tuesday January 19, 2010

Today's TOP 10 list is one of the most versatile pieces in the home, an ottoman. I love ottomans because you can tuck them into so many different areas. They are very multifunctional as you can use them to put your feet on or top them with a tray and set a drink upon them! Here's my picks for the Top 10 Ottomans:

10) Drum Ottoman, Lee Industries

This circular ottoman makes for a great cocktail ottoman as it's size is really nice. I love the nail heads, I think it is a nice detail. This ottoman comes in a few different sizes which is always great for a designer who needs options.

9) Ottoman, Century Furniture

This 3 cylinder ottoman makes for a beautifully shaped stool! The wood base really makes for a nice platform!

8) Storage Ottoman,

This beautiful ottoman is also very functional as a storage ottoman! It's always nice to throw some magazines, kids toys, or blankets in the inside!

7) Topkapi Ottoman Baker Furniture

This large cocktail ottoman beautifully adorned with decorative bouillon detail and yet very functional. It's really nice because it can fit really nicely between 2 chairs, especially when your tight on space!

6) Rolland Ottoman, Hickory Chair

I love this ottoman because of it's clean transitional lines. I think the tufting on this ottoman is really quite wonderful! The other reason I really like this ottoman is it is part of Hickory Chair's Made to Measure line, meaning we can make this ottoman any size! It is just as beautiful small as it is large!

5) Italian Ottoman, Baker Furniture

I love the unique shape of this little ottoman. These are so versatile and look wonderful as a pair! They work great to pull up into a room when you are needing a little extra seating!

4) Regency Bench, Baker Furniture

A great ottoman to use with a lounge chair. It also works as a nice accent in other areas of the home. The Regency bench is inspired by the early Egyptian okladias or folding stool with a leather seat, both well-born Greeks and those of humble beginnings, favored a simple stool with cleverly crossed legs.

3) Star of India Ottoman, Pearson

This ottoman can make for a great statement in the center of a room! Not only is the shape very interesting but it has the capability to really be interesting with a bold fabric! This ottoman is a star in my eyes!

2) Cocktail Ottoman, Pearson

Just like the name of this ottoman says it makes for a awesome cocktail table! The shelf below is very functional and the fretwork adds to the beauty of the piece.

1) Anatasia Bench, Hickory Chair

This ottoman was introduced last fall from Hickory Chair and I have loved it ever since! The bench was designed by Suzanne Kasler and was found on one of her trips to the Paris Flea Markets. The beautiful carving & unique scallops make this a very unique bench in any room!

Photos- Hickory Chair, Century Furniture, Pearson, Lee Industries, Baker Furniture

All ottomans are available at The Mansion

Painted Floors

Monday January 18, 2010

An easy way to add interest to your room or update your look is by painting the floor. Simply paint it a fun color or an interesting design. Another bonus, painted floors are really low maintenance too. Scratches... no problem in many of these rooms the worn look is part of the room! A fun weekend project for you home!

Our favorite color turquoise! I really like how this room has no other color but the painted floor!

The classic checkerboard pattern. I really like how they brought in the cabinet color on the floor.

A fun way to accent a entry. The large diamond pattern makes for a

The soft blue color makes for a nice accent to this bedroom.

A popular trend right now is white painted floors. I'd love to sit here on a sunny afternoon.

Photos: House Beautiful, Coastal Living

Turquoise Interiors

Friday, January 15, 2010

It's a busy Friday for me so please enjoy the beautiful turquoise interiors! Have a wonderful weekend!

Photos: House Beautiful, House & Home

My Inspiration

Thursday January, 14 2010

I have been thinking about this post all week! Mainly because I am living through a cold winter and long to go back to this beautiful place. As I have been saying all week, Turquoise is one of my favorite colors. I think partly because this color brings me to beautiful places, memories, & treasures. I love the ocean and all the wonderful things that go along with it. The warm sun, beautiful waters, & the wonderful sea treasures. I sometimes wonder why I don't live by the sea as I get such a wonderful, peaceful feeling that I can't find anywhere else. To me there is nothing better than waking up and going for a walk on the beach and of course collecting a sea shell or two. So for me personally when I see turquoise it brings back all these wonderful feelings for me.

The way Pantone describes this color of the year is so right when they say " Turquoise inspires thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a comforting escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of well being. Wether envisioned as a tranquil ocean surrounding a tropical island or a protective stone warding off evil spirits, Turquoise is a color that most people respond to positively. It is universally flattering, has appeal for men and women, and translates easily to fashion and interiors. " So you really can't go wrong with this color.

Today's post is a very special one to me as it was my Honeymoon. David & I were married in September and took the most fabulous honeymoon to the islands of Turks & Caicos. We stayed at the most wonderful boutique hotel, The Gansevoort. The islands had the most amazing food and we enjoyed the incredible waters! So please enjoy the photos from our trip and the inspiration I found from the adventure! The picture above is the view of the pool out to the ocean at this wonderful place.

This was our walk to the beach everyday! Not too bad!

The interiors at The Gansevoort were wonderful! Our room was amazing!

One of the many outdoor lounges! Why not combine turquoise with the other hot color Orange!

The two above pictures are from our room! Every detail & amenity at The Gansevoort was superb!

The wonderful restaurant, Bagatelle's, was one of the many great restaurants on the island.

David & I on our deck after a wonderful evening out. Thought I would share this one in my turquoise dress.

This was were we sat everyday. It was great for us because it was their down season so it was no problem getting these wonderful lounges everyday! It was so relaxing to watch the sunset!

One of the days we took our rented car to wandering roads and came across this secluded beach with fantastic views. The houses were amazing as you can kind of see in this picture. I wanted to go take a tour!

I took this picture in the lobby of another hotel & restaurant. I loved the application of the skirt under a traditional table. What a lovely desk!

I loved this sculpture and might need to re-create one at some point!

David & I as we embark on an amazing snorkeling adventure. We were toured around to different areas & snorkeled in the 3rd largest coral reef in the world! It was amazing but I was a little scared, especially when I saw a barracuda that I thought was a shark!

Here I am wandering the sea. ( I'm sure I was trying to find a treasure!) I love collecting sea shells and the beauty nature creates by the water! I came home with a pretty good collection of Conch shells as David can attest carrying them through the airport. I love seeing the vast amount of beautiful water in this picture.

My wonderful husband and his catch of the day! Our snorkeling guide caught this barracuda with a single hook, some fishing line, and his bare hands!

I'll leave you with one final image. This is the view that we began & ended each day! I hope you have a wonderful day while you imagine the ocean breezes!

Credits: Gansevoort Hotel, Pantone