I’m not a purple person, sorry purple. But this time of year, lavender I can wrap my head around.
from www.inspiredbride.net
May 13, 2010
from www.richardpowers.co.uk
Taken with these images from photographer Richard Powers. Powers is a self taught photographer, specializing in architecture and interiors. When asked what the most important thing is for good photography, he says, “balance is key – what and what not to include is as equally important as the shadows and highlights”. Loads more inspiration on his website.
Categories: in the house.
April 23, 2010
“….what is good taste and is it a quality worth noting in a person?… Taste is different than trend. Trend is current and fun. But taste shows you know what things mean, where they come from, why they exist, and what they represent. Very few young people have great taste – it takes too much wisdom. I once heard that wisdom doesn’t come with age, it comes with experience”.
- Cobi Ladner (previous editor of H&H magazine in a tribute to Nancy Jane Hastings, freelance contributor), 2002
I’m planning to take my rental walls from off-white to white this weekend. It was more difficult that I thought to find a white that wasn’t pink, blue or yellow. I think the fear with white paint is that it will create a cold, sterile effect which is why the dingy yellow-ish white usually prevails. White reflects colours from the contents of the room, and plays with light, creating a variety of coloured shadows as the natural light changes. By and large, of the real white-whites I’ve seen a lot of “cloud white”, “simply white” and “decorators white”, all from Benjamin Moore.
The winner so far is “simply white”, although I’m tempted by the name “cotton balls”. There is a phrase from a children’s book (which one?) that appeals to me for a room’s mood, “quieter than a cotton ball”. Full report to follow.
from Benjamin Moore's online fan deck
Categories: in the house.
April 15, 2010
Did somebody say paint by numbers? Spiny sea creatures? Bright tropical prints? Out of my price range, but a little admiration never hurt.
Spiny Lobster Rug – cute for a kid’s room no? / You Are Here Rug – careful, I might be tempted to colour in the blank spots / Batur Rug, Balinese Flowers – I see white walls and blue ocean. Available in a really cool 2.5′ x 9′ for $288 at Anthropologie.
Batur / Spiny Lobster / You Are Here
> blogroll
Categories: in the house.
March 23, 2010
from www.vicentevillarin.com
Admiring Vincent Villarin’s Spring 2010 collection, White Elegance. The muted colours are like a West Coast spring day. What makes these designs even better is that they were inspired by Bisazza, the art of glass mosaic, and the roman baths. I’ve always wanted to get my hands on a tile mosaic project, especially after visiting Shangri La.
from www.bisazza.com
Categories: eye candy.
March 1, 2010
image from www.stylemepretty.com
I call it “Mellow Yellow Wedding”: “Mum’s Ray Yellow”, “Groom Grey”, and “Gracious Green”.
Categories: it's graphic.
February 24, 2010
dresses by Holly Stalder
I’m inspired by this fashion designer from Portland, Oregon. Stalder’s designs begin with her favored raw materials: salvaged antique fabrics and trims. Modern designs with a hint of the past, and what great photography for an independent designer! Her Etsy Shop and website.
Categories: artsy.
February 15, 2010
Yesterday in Victoria was amazingly warm and sunny for this time of year. Got me inspired to spruce up my small space dining area with fresh infusions of spring.
from www.storminteriors.com
From the book Living With White
from FFFFOUND! www.fffound.com
from my old files
Categories: in the house.
February 1, 2010
“Signs of life are good design elements”, says Daryll Carter in his book The New Traditional. It can be a challenge in our high-tech society to find a human trace. I think it’s always important to bring any design idea back to the basics, put pencil to paper, use your senses and work with what inspires you.
Carter also makes a statement that rang true with me regarding client relationships. “I always know when my clients and I have reached the defining moment in our relationship. As in any relationship, you have to feel out your partner…. What a relief it is when everyone finally gets comfortable. Nothing is more liberating than truthful, fluid dialogue. The first time a client says ‘I hate it’, I know there is trust. Nothing is more counterproductive than gratuitous deference.”
I think the fireplace treatment above (scanned from “The New Traditional”) is a concept worthy of a new home or a clever way to cover up an unsightly existing fireplace. I’d like a firewood nook to go with it, please.
Categories: in the house.
January 21, 2010
Colour palette inspiration from a match made in heaven:
Single serving COPA Di Vino Charonnay
Hyatt at Olive 8 in Seattle
Copa Olive Palette
Check back for more inspiration from my recent jaunt to Seattle, Washington.
Categories: it's graphic, on the road.
December 15, 2009
Images from House & Home magazine (L), and www.stylemepretty.com (R)
After this post on Friday, the colour of “escape from the everyday troubles of the world” has been popping up everywhere. Most interesting is the inclusion of last year’s orange tone in the mix. Out with the old and in with the new. Coincidence? I think not.
Image on the right from today’s post at Style Me Pretty, a daily read during my wedding planning phase. One of the best places for event planning inspiration out there.
Categories: it's graphic.
December 11, 2009
Colour of the Year
Hello turquoise? Pantone has unveiled the Color of the Year for 2010: PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise. I must admit I was a little more excited about 2009’s PANTONE 14-0848 Mimosa. Hopeful, sparkling, versatile, and representing both a cocktail and a beautiful tree (I have one in my yard!). What could be better?
From Pantone on Turquoise: “Combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise evokes thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a languorous, effective escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of wellbeing.”
Ok, I’m sold. Full story here.
In honour of my friend, Pantone 14-0848 Mimosa, I remind you of this sparkling cocktail, perfect for the holiday season. It doesn’t get any easier than this: part OJ, part bubbly, and you’re in business. Best enjoyed in your 2010 turquoise jammies.
Categories: happy hour.
November 16, 2009
Kuler
Kuler:
Probably the most useful. Kuler is a community driven web app that lets your browse color palettes created by others. You can also create your own by using the color wheel, harmony rules, and color sliders. Love the names of the palettes. Today, the most popluar templates include “Christmas Help” and “Orange County”. Also helpful if you’re searching for a paint colour to go with that cushion.ColoRotate: Instead of using two dimensional viewers, it presents color palettes to you in 3d and in real time.
Colour Scheme Designer: You can actually preview what a web template might look like.
Colour inspiration can come from anywhere – nature, your favorite sweater, or a particular mood. I was taken with the palette generated from these J.Crew shoes from their November catalogue. I’ll be putting this image in my back pocket.
Categories: it's graphic.