Color Buzz

Artichoke Colors

By Michèle Coppin

The Artichoke - of delicate heart erect
in its battle-dress builds - it's minimal cupola;
keeps stark - in its scallops of scales
...
So you have it - a vegetable, armed - a profession (call it an artichoke)
whose end is millennial
we taste of that sweetness - dismembering scale after scale
we eat of a halcyon paste
It is green at the artichoke heart.
(excerpt from “Ode to an Artichoke,” by Pablo Neruda)

The glorious artichoke is the large unopened flower bud of a plant belonging to the thistle family. It originated from Southern Europe, around the Mediterranean, and there is evidence of artichokes being cultivated in Naples in the ninth century.

Castroville, California is the artichoke capital of the U.S. In 1948, it crowned its first artichoke queen, a little known starlet named Marilyn Monroe.  In her honor, the Norma Jean cocktail was created, containing Cynar (the bitter artichoke liqueur), gin, lemon juice, sugar, crushed ice and mint leaves, a delicious and refreshing sundowner.

Low in calories and nutrient rich, artichokes are an excellent source of fiber and vitamin C, and also rich in foliate, magnesium and antioxidants. My favorite artichoke recipe is simply boiled with a little lemon juice. The leaves are removed one by one and dipped in hollandaise sauce, vinaigrette, melted butter or more lemon juice. The heart is eaten after removing the inedible hairy choke.

The beauty of this long process is that you can admire the vegetable at each stage of undress, like an interactive kinetic art piece. The artful artichoke transforms with each step, from its coarse outer purple leaves lined with silver, to tender moss green leaves edged with delicate pink, each one unique and delicious.

Indeed, the colors of the artichoke span many tones and shades of green, purples and pinks that blend together naturally and can be a great source of inspiration.

                                  
 Lyndhurst Castle Sand 5008-1C       Lyndhurst Celadon Green 5004-1B
                       
                                 
                                   Pale Orchid 1003-6C

Wedding Colors Part II

By Michèle Coppin

In Monday’s post I explored the role that color played in weddings throughout the ages. As I mentioned, in the last few years, colors for weddings tended to lean towards soft shades of pinks, greens and lilacs. Although soft pastel color schemes are always in fashion, experts agree that bright, bold colors and even exotic combinations are the new trend.

Here are the hottest wedding colors for 2009:

Red and Orange: vibrant, fun and exotic.

Red and Pink: exiting combination mixing romance and passion.

Red and Yellow: Modern and hip

Orange: Elegant and radiant with shades of peach and ivory.

[Courtesy of Kim Fuller Photography]

Yellow and Turquoise: Summery and tropical.

 
Green and Yellow: Fresh and young.

Green and Lavender: Soft and sensual



Brown and Pink: Elegant and sensual  - one of 2009's hottest combinations.



I also questioned wedding photographer Kim Fuller for some additional insight. She noted:
 
"Purple is in! The jewel tones seem to be back in fashion this year for bridesmaid dresses. It makes for great photos, especially when you add a bold-colored flower to really make the color pop. Brown and pewter are still popular for the Fall, with a touch of orange or pink as an accent.  Both color palettes go well with most skin types, which is nice."



For more photos and ideas, please check out Kim Fuller Photography’s website.

Poll Results: Where Do You Find Color Inspiration?

The recent poll shows that a lot of you are getting out into the great outdoors and finding inspiration in nature. I find endless color possibilities every time I go outside. From colors of flowers, to all the greens of the trees, to the subtle colors of minerals in the rocks, there is so much to draw from.

Here are three color palettes that I have recently seen around my home. They each take their cues from vibrant flowers that have bloomed this spring.

This first palette is inspired by the geraniums I picked up from the garden center. The oranges are from a tree in my backyard that recently had a burst of fruit. This color combination would be so much fun in a teenage girl’s room...maybe I can convince my daughter to give it a try.





This next palette comes from the one last remaining forsythia bush still in bloom. In the past, I’ve had a hard time decorating with yellow. It was always a strong, demanding color, but recently I’ve warmed up to it and find it very cheery. This combination could look great in a kitchen. It’s a happy palette to help you start your day.





This third palette comes from two places. First, the gorgeous lilacs growing down my street. The other point of inspiration comes from a recent meeting I had at the new offices of William Sofield. They had the most beautiful color purple on the walls, trimmed out in a gray-green, which complimented the purple so nicely. Ever since then, I’ve been looking at that color combination.





In a few weeks, there will be a whole new set of colors out there...I’ll keep you posted on the season’s evolving color schemes and please share yours with us as well!

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We recently posted a new Color Buzz Poll and we'd love to hear from you. What's your greatest grievance when thinking about taking on a painting project? Check out the right sidebar to cast your vote!

Color of the Week - Radiant Pink

Radiant Pink was last week's Color of the Week. It is a warm, dusty shade of rose that would look gorgeous in a bedroom. It would give the room a calming beauty. Try it with a gray that has a touch of green in it to off-set the pink. A color like Modest Silver or London Coach would be a great choice for trim and accent coloring.

                    
   Radiant Pink 1007-8B        Modest Silver 4002-1        London Coach 1002-1B

Spring Inspiration: Magnolia Trees

By Megan Leblond

The magnolia trees were blooming in Philadelphia when I recently visited. It was a joy to see them softly blowing in the sunshine.  When the magnolia tree is in bloom, there is little green on the tree and it is mostly white/pink and dark grey/brown. So beautiful!

Whenever I see a blooming magnolia tree, I cannot help but marvel at it. The large round blossom and strong 3-dimensional quality of the petals paired with deeply blushing pink captivates me. The flowers seem beautiful and strong, and sitting under one of the trees in dappled light has to be one of the best ways to spend a springtime morning or afternoon—or evening for that matter. Just don't forget a cardigan and camera and maybe a book of poetry or a friend.

Mississippi is known as the Magnolia State. They adore the flowers so much they are featured on the state's quarter. It certainly seems appropriate that something so gorgeous would be deemed valuable.  

If you are like me and are truly intrigued and in love with the magnolia tree, here are some colors that may appeal to you. Paint a room white and trim in a dark sumptuous pink. Create a color wash blending dark pink into the white room gently at the edges of the trim. Trim the room with a dark charcoal or gray. 

What other springtime flowers inspire your design choices? Let us know!

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We recently posted a new Color Buzz Poll and we'd love to hear from you. What's most important to you when selecting paint? Check out the right sidebar to cast your vote!

Cheerful Color Combinations - First Installment

                   

With all of the uncertainty out there, one thing's for sure—you can wash away the blues with a fresh coat of paint! We've all been feeling down about the economy, and many of us are hunkering into uber-nesting mode. Now that it’s spring (thank goodness!), it's only natural to want to revitalize ourselves and our homes.  Why not let color lift your spirits?

Reaction to color is very personal. One person's joy is another person's headache. Some of us liven up around bright crisp colors, while others are comforted by soothing muted tones.

Keeping both of these groups in mind, I've put together two directions of color combinations that will hopefully address these mindsets. In this first installment, I include bold, bright and vivacious colors that are considered happy and cheerful. Later, I will explore more subtle color combinations.

When searching for bold colors, look for clean and clear hues that aren't complicated with browns or greys. Once you have your selection on the walls, bring in more complex colors to give visual balance. Let's start with a few of my favorite combinations:

Orange and Pink
I have loved this combination since I was a little girl. It reminds me of sunshine, oranges, flowers, fruit juice and candy—all things I love. I used to have an orange shag carpet, white walls and pink trim and I totally loved it. These days, however, I would rethink the approach. 

To play these colors right, you can go in two directions. You could saturate the room with both colors and add structural elements of a cool neutral like grey to hold it all together. The other direction is to paint the entire room a warm ivory and have punches of orange and pink throughout.  Again, I would add either silver or gray to off-set the warmth of the saturated colors.

I recommend Orange Toffee with Flower Girl, balanced with a tan like Cincinnatian Hotel Hannaford.

                                                
                Orange Toffee 2007-1C                      Flower Girl 1005-1C

                                          
                              Cincinnatian Hotel Hannaford 3007-10C

Yellow and Grey
Anther blues-busting combination that is totally hot right now is yellow and grey.  Yellow is a funny color. I used to dislike it immensely, but there's something contagious about it—now it makes me giggle! It's light-hearted, warm and inviting and when played right, very sophisticated.  When pairing it with grey, yellow plays the role of the star and grey as the supporting actor. I recommend yellow walls, light grey trim, and white accents like Tangy Lemon with Orchid Ash.

                                    
               Tangy Lemon 3006-2A                   Orchid Ash 4003-3B

Blue and Green
Light blue and citrus green is another mood-enhancing color combination. It reminds me of the beach. Try a clear blue with a hint of purple and a green with a healthy amount of yellow. These colors look great in many different rooms. In a kitchen, for example, I would paint the walls blue and the cabinets white. Then I would add accent fabrics that add the green. 

Another great way to combine these colors is to paint stripes with them. They lend themselves well to this treatment because they are both harmonious and cool.

Try Garden Fresh and Dewdrop.

                                   
              Garden Fresh 6008-7B                     Dewdrop 4006-7A

Here's an expanded collection of these bold bright beauties:

Greens
Gleeful 6008-7B
Garden Fresh
Lime Mousse 6008-9B

  
  Garden Fresh 6008-7B


Blues
Dewdrop 4006-7A
Encounter

  
    Encounter 4008-7B


Yellows
Lemon Twist
Like Butter 3005-2A

  
  Lemon Twist 3006-2B


Oranges
Cantaloupe Smile
Autumn Gala 2004-1A

  
Cantaloupe Smile 2007-2A


Pinks
Flower Girl 1005-1C
Pink Ribbon

  
   Pink Ribbon 1005-1C


Purples
Whipped Plum 4002-9B
Lavender Quartz

  
Lavender Quartz 4001-9C

This has been one of the most enjoyable blogs to write. Just thinking about these makes me happy. I can't wait to get some of them onto the walls!

Check back for part II of this blog entry and in the meantime, let us know what colors cheer you up!

Also, please don't forget to take our Color Buzz Poll mini survey and let us know what room in the house you would paint today!

Color of the Week - Grand Hotel Geranium Pink

Even though Valentine’s Day has come and gone, we wanted to share with you one of our favorite pinks...Grand Hotel Geranium Pink. It's a great way to bring a joyful color into your home. Try one wall of it and pair it with a warm off-white like Whitewashed Oak. A nice toasty color like Mark Twain House Peach is a great accent color.

                                 
    Grand Hotel Geranium Pink 1005-1B    Whitewashed Oak 7006-23

                                       
                              Mark Twain House Peach 2006-6A



                 

The Colorful Runway: New York Fashion Week

Looking over the runway shows of Fashion Week, you see lots and lots of layered, muted tones. Purple, royal blue, jade green, red and ochre pop out from time to time, but classic black decisively reigns.

Diane von Furstenberg is on the move with clothes that are wonderfully wearable. Her cocoon coats look like they would wrap you up and keep you safe from harm. Her hats are a joyous crown of pompoms. Who could be dour with that on top? She had one piece that has deep plums, fuchsias, and ochres percolating up from below the surface

                      

Mark Jacobs seems to have brushed off the current economy’s doom and gloom and instead decided to play. He continues his jump back into the 1980s with bold color blocks of hot pink, electric yellow, clear green and electric blue, each matched with black and gray foundations. He also takes this look to a more subtle and sophisticated level (which is an accomplishment in itself!). He transforms the 80s palette and makes it his own with golden ochre shimmering from below charcoal leather with a cool, off-white coat and gun-metal gray tights. 

                  

To create a room with this palette, I was thinking of accents of Grand Hotel Geranium Pink, Purple Stripe and Tidal Wave. These are all bold and deep colors. To make them work, I would try a soft warm beige-gray on the walls like Woodlawn Misty Morn. This warm tone allows the others to pop. To bring in the deeper color from this dress, try Italian Leather. It actually has a lot of green in it, which again lets the bolder, purer colors pop.

         

Friday Project Series - Say it with Roses

By Megan Leblond   
   
                           

Giving the gift of roses can have special meaning, depending on the color of the flower. Generally, a gift of roses communicates intimacy and love, often to a friend, family member or significant other. The color of the rose adds a more personal message:       

                       

RED—Love, Romance
PINK—‘Please believe me,’ Gentleness, Grace, Elegance, Sweetness, Poetic Romance
YELLOW—Joy, Friendship, 'Remember Me,’ 'I Care,’ Jealousy
WHITE—Innocence, Purity, Honor, Reverence
ORANGE—Desire, Enthusiasm
LAVENDER—Enchantment, Love at First Sight
DARK PINK—Gratitude
LIGHT PINK—Admiration, Sympathy
YELLOW W/ RED—Falling in Love
PEACH—Appreciation, Sincerity, Gratitude
CORAL—Desire
TEA ROSES—‘I Will Never Forget You'

                

I decided to paint a simple 'rose wall' with various rose colors in a lighthearted pattern. I painted the wall a light green base coat (Valspar’s Sprig of Mint) and chose various hues for the tops of the roses. I arranged the rose stencils to look as though the flowers were being tossed in the air. I was very pleased with the look I achieved.  

                                        
                                       Spring of Mint 6004-7B

                

                          

If you are planning to complete a colorful project and you would like to test a few different colors, remember that Valspar has very small 'paint-tester' cans available. These are great because there are so many colors available and they are very inexpensive. Should you choose to paint an adjoining wall or space, you can also find a color that is a perfect match to the existing space.

We Love Pink

By Michèle Coppin

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and pink, the universal color of love, is everywhere. Pinks vary from pastel to fluorescent to rose-colored to flesh-toned. Pink is a hymn to femininity, hence its popularity among girls' bedrooms. . . and women’s lingerie. Lately, however, pink is infiltrating more masculine space, particularly in fashion with more pale and grayish tones.

According to Greco-Roman mythology, pink comes from a romantic and tender exchange between Cupid, the god of love and beauty, and his mother Venus, goddess of love. According to tradition, the color pink was born from a sweet smile or kiss Cupid gave his mother....much more toned-down from the passion it is now often associated with!

The color pink is very comforting and if often used as the symbol of happiness. The French  expression "la vie en rose" means perfect happiness.

Until recently, hot pinks were fashionable. Think back to the bright colors of the 80s and 90s! However, today’s pinks are calmer neutrals, soft and pale.

Reflecting appeasement and tenderness, pink works especially well in bedrooms. In Feng Shui, it is believed that pink has the power to bring harmony to couples because it soothes and fills the heart with love. Combined with creamy beiges and pale grays, pink is gentle, romantic and relaxing.

                                  
                       Utterly Pink 1003-2C    Woodlawn Bedroom White 6004-1A

However, a more vibrant pink paired with a pistachio green or a chocolate brown is modern and fun. These combinations work well in living rooms and kitchens:

                         
       Rosy Cheeks 1005-2B     Delicate Frost 6003-2A        Forest Trail 1005-9C