Color Buzz

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.

Lilac Festival

By Megan Leblond

Lilacs are one of my favorite flowers. The spring fragrance is so very pleasing—a deep, soothing floral. I can remember being mesmerized by a friend’s backyard tree when I was quite young and I am so fortunate now to have two established trees of my own. When they bloom, I can’t help but bask in their splendiferous color and fragrance.

    

This past weekend was the annual lilac festival in my town. The event showcases the abundant variety of the plant and produces a wonderfully perfumed palette. From sheer white to the slightest tints of purples to dark, warm violets, there was so much beauty and color on display.

Decorating with purple can bring delight and gentleness to a space. Purples can be strong or gentle. Here are some lovely colors from Valspar’s extensive purple collection, a tender floral lighting element from Modern Poverty and a pillow sham available from Rosenberry Rooms. Put them together to create your own lilac sanctuary.

                   
   Lilac Whisper 4003-9A       Sassy Lilac 4003-9B        Imperial Lilac 4003-9C

                                
                    Quite Lilac 4003-10A           Berries Galore 4001-10B

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

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!

Design Dilemma: Kamonda’s Guest Bedroom

Hi!

I am having problems deciding on a shade of purple for my guest bedroom. The pictures below are of the sham. The bedspread is the same pattern with gray/blue, olive, gold, purple and beige. You’ll also see a picture of the headboard - the wood has a cherry finish and the metal is black.

             

             

             

It is a small room, so I wanted to paint one wall a deeper shade than the other three to make the room appear larger. But I am open to using one color throughout.

The two colors I picked were Valspar Plum Burst, on the wall with the window and bed, and Purple Gala on the other three walls. 

     

Plum Burst 4002-10B   Purple Gala 4002-10A

After reading how hard the color purple is to use in design, I'm second guessing myself and really need some direction.
 
Please Help!
 
Sincerely,
Kamonda

…………………………………

Dear Kamonda,

Don't despair; you're on the right track. We’re really happy you've chosen to go with the deeper color on the windowed wall. Can you center the bed under the window? I could see the room looking very elegant with the bed there and floor-to-ceiling raw silk panels in a camel color. For a shade, try a light champagne color. What color is your trim? You may want to go with Cream in my Coffee or Hopsack. 

                

Cream in my Coffee 3003-10C   Hopsack 3033-10B

Let us know how it turns out!

Thanks,

The Beehives

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!

The Winter Blues

By Michele Coppin

Winter blues are beautiful. Just think about the water, sky, ice, shadows, and snow. Shades of blue can be mysterious or crisp. I find most blues to be a true source of inspiration.

        

Many people consider blue as their favorite color. Blue is often the color new mothers choose when they are expecting a boy and it is often the color preferred by men (although some may argue!). Reminiscent of the sky and water, representing freshness and purity, blue creates feelings of calmness, serenity, peace, tranquility, safety and order—qualities we need in these tumultuous times. It is a spiritual color that stimulates the imagination, inspires our dreams and helps us focus during meditation.

Russian painter W. Kandinsky was once quoted as saying, "The inclination of blue to depth is so strong that its inner appeal is stronger when its shade is deeper. The darker the shade of the blue color, the stronger is its call to the infinite, the stronger the yearning for purity and finally the transcendental."

Indeed, blue encourages self-knowledge and inner search. Blue is also an invitation to travel, a call to adventure. Because it is the color of the vast oceans, blue suggests voyages, discoveries and distant horizons.
 
Blue can be a cheerful color, but it is usually regarded as calm and relaxing, creating a sensation of clarity and spaciousness. In Feng Shui, blue is the symbol of tranquility of the mind. The color encourages positive thinking and is often used to decorate offices because blue promotes productivity and concentration.

Blue is a good choice for bedrooms because its serene, soothing nature facilitates sleep. Because blue is often associated with water, hygiene, freshness and cleanliness, blue is also a favorite in bathrooms. I enhanced my blue bathroom with a combination of blue and white Mexican tiles:

                    

The only room where I would not recommend using blue paint is the kitchen. There are very few, if any, foods that are blue and the color does not stimulate our hunger. Because blue is not the most appetizing color, it is recommended only as an accent in kitchens.

There are many colors that pair well with blue, but as a general rule, you can’t go wrong with white or gray.

Pale blue goes well with yellow and creamy beiges.

                                 

                           Celestial Blue 4003-5C   Champagne Tickle 3001-2C

Teal and turquoise go well with browns and earth tones and pinks.

                                  

                           La Fonda Teal 5007-8B     Berry Brandy 1005-9B 

Navy blue goes well with red, strong pinks and white. 

                                           

                        Atlantic Schooner 4004-6C   Fabulous Red 1011-2

Purple-blue go well with greens.

                                      

                  Oatlands Velvet Night 4001-8B   Meadow Wind 6005-7B

For more on the history of blue, I recommend checking out Michel Pastoureau's gorgeous book "Blue, the History of a Color.” 

 

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.

         

Michelle Obama’s Inaugural Fashion

By Veronique Habermann

   

Although this might seem frivolous in these harsh economic times, I would like to add to the online discussion predicting Michelle Obama’s inaugural dress. There are several blogs and news outlets all over the country, including New York Times and the Boston Herald, that are devoting lots of coverage to the First Lady-to-be’s wardrobe. For me, what makes this so interesting is the fact that Michelle Obama is a trend-setter who has shown a refined, unique sense of style throughout the campaign, often pairing J. Crew cardigans with couture designer items. Many are asking if she will be the next Jackie O.

                         

With the inauguration just a little over a week away, she has a tough choice ahead of her: What to wear? With so much emphasis built up about her clothing choices, she will have to choose wisely on this very special day. She will have to look great, but she certainly won't be able to wear an outfit that is too expensive looking. I wouldn't want to be in her shoes right now!

 

For fun, I asked my 15 year old son, what he thought she should wear and his immediate response was a dress in a dark shade of red. What do you think Michele should wear?

*Check out another post on Michelle’s fashion from the Democratic National Convention.

2009 Color Trends

Last week I had the opportunity to contribute to one of iVillage.com’s House Calls blog posts on color trends. Since 2009 color trends seem to be on everyone’s mind, I thought we’d provide some of our top picks for the year. It’s always interesting to see how home décor follows fashion about a year or so behind. That’s why it’s no surprise that yellows, greys and purples are big this year – they were prominent on the 2008 spring runways and in 2008 fashion.

As we’ve blogged about before, Pantone has selected Mimosa as the Color of the Year, further cementing yellow’s place as a hot color in 2009. People have embraced yellow with its warm and happy glow, and its energetic feel symbolizes optimism and hope - a great thing in today’s economy. Yellow was popular in fashion last year, it began popping up in home décor throughout 2008, and we see it brightening up 2009 as well.  It can be paired beautifully with greyed-out, lilac neutrals, or you can create a cool graphic look by pairing it with navy. And don’t be afraid to try it on an accent wall with a bold yellow like Chickadee, or a nice buttery yellow like Lazy Sun.

                                  
                    Chickadee 3002-1B                  Lazy Sun 3006-6A

Fellow Beehive designer and blogger, Michele Coppin, wrote a great piece on greys a few weeks ago, and I recently spoke with Stacy Downs at the Kansas City Star about grey’s “triumphant return” as the new neutral. Greys and greyed-out tones have shown up in fashion all year, as an alternative neutral in Marc by Marc Jacobs's Winter 2008 Collection and silvery tones in Bottega Veneta’s Spring 2008 Collection. Grey is a soothing color that can be romantic and sophisticated, ranging from soft lavenders to cool, misty greens and complex blues. Despite its many shades, greys are easily matched and Michele offers a good rule of thumb on pairing greys in her blog entry.

                    
  Orchid Ash 4003-3B          Plump Grape 1003-7A   Churchill Hotel Ecru 3002-10C

Finally, purple continues to gain popularity and was named the “must-have” color of the year by the Color Marketing Group. Here at Color Buzz, we have been talking about purple all year - how to update purple and avoid the “disco ball” look, pairing bold purples, purple’s versatility and the love/hate relationship many have with purple. Purple ranges from soft, grey-lilacs like Orchid Ash, to delicious plums like Plump Grape, and can be the perfect complement to many yellows and greys, as mentioned above. Pairing purples with silvers and warm off-whites with a touch of grey in them, such as Churchill Hotel Ecru, gives a sense of balance and freshness, while letting purple be the star. We saw purples in different forms on the fashion runways, including Michael Kors’ lilacs and greys, and Cynthia Rowley’s lilacs and smoky mauves. Even though mauve had a disastrous finish in the 80’s, it is making a reappearance in warm and sophisticated shades, and can be quite elegant when paired with complex colors. Try Lilac Buds with Cream Delight and Smoked Almond for an updated arrangement.

                      
   Lilac Buds 1004-8B          Cream Delight 7002-14      Smoked Almond 1006-9A

To Love or Not to Love: Purple

Purple is back in fashion this year, big time. There are so many purple accessories out there! I think there are three kinds of people in the world: people who love purple, people who love or hate purple according to the current trends, and people who just hate purple.

I think I belong in the second category. Purple is a color I love to hate. To be more precise, it’s a color I hate to love. Purple is a very strong color, very emotional. Due to the fact that it’s a combination of the warmest red and the coolest blue, it can really vary. It can range from the softest hues in the lavender family—closer to pink—to the more aggressive purple, with a lot of blue hues, that can be seen everywhere in fashion this season.

Purple has passion, I have to admit. It’s a teenager color. A little girl often goes from pink to purple as she grows older, and boys go from blue to purple. In that sense, it is a young color, a color reminiscent of puberty, when hormones get crazy and identities are in the making. The most fascinating side of purple, due to its challenging emotional side, is that it can be so beautiful, for everybody, even purple-haters.

We just did a room for a teenage girl who was ready to move on from the plain lavender room of her  preteen years, but still couldn’t move away from purple completely. She wanted a purple room that didn't scream purple, but was still purple. A room that was more sophisticated, more grown-up. To me, the trick with purple is brown. We chose two colors and mixed them on the wall with a technique called a wash. By doing so, we gave the purple more of an earthy, late-fall-sky feel. From close up, it looks more like a taupe brown than a purple, but the overall effect of the room is still purple, just softer, more grown-up, more sophisticated. She loves it, and her mom got rid of the purple and pink lamps in the room and replaced them with a very pretty leopard-print lamp. They will continue to bring in more details of browns throughout the room.
                     
When in doubt about purple, I think it is good to think brown. And if you are a purple-lover, go ahead, keep the blue and, oh yes, don't forget the green! Go for it, I would love to be you!