Color Buzz

Cheerful Effects of Yellow

By Michèle Coppin

Vincent Van Gogh once said, "How wonderful yellow is. It stands for the sun." For Vincent, yellow represented happiness, love and hope. Many of his paintings have an abundance of yellow. He was fascinated with color and its effects, often experimenting with different ranges of tone, like in his famous Sunflower painting.

  

Completed in 1887, this painting was eventually sold in 1987 at an auction at Christie's in London for a record $39,921,750!

Indeed, yellow is cheerful, warm and uplifting, which is why I love this yellow house:

In a drab city street, this yellow stands as a celebration to light, an ode to color, a testimony to the owner’s cheerful composition, and happiness. It also seems to be contagious, as the neighbors’ color choice for their curtains and window flower boxes are becoming more daring.

They have also painted their tiny courtyard yellow, decorating it with Mexican tiles and plants.

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.

La Belle Vie

By Veronique Habermann 

Some people struggle to decide on a color for a room. Others get it right the first time; they seem to know exactly what they are looking for.

My friend Nona opened her first SPA (hair salon) a few weeks ago. It is a place she has dreamed of and worked hard for. The location is small, but after choosing the right wall color, she has made it very warm and cozy. It’s a place where you won’t mind spending a few hours with foil on your hair. Besides her warm staff, the expertise of her stylists and the wine, I think her color choice for the space has a lot to do with the relaxed atmosphere.

It seems like she had no hesitation with her choice. She knew what she wanted: a warm, pleasant, intimate and sensual place. But she also had an exact color in mind.

Nona grew up in St. Petersburg and her favorite place to visit there is the Yusupov Palace, a beautiful, long, yellow building on a quiet stretch of the Moika River. The palace was once the residence of the wealthy and respected Yusupov family and was the site of one of the most dramatic episodes in Russian history, the murder of Gregory Rasputin.

Nona has always loved the "red room" there, and while picking colors from a Valspar deck, she found the exact color: Jeweltone. She also used wild lavender for the hallway, and with the help of her very talented contractor, Sevdi Veliu, she chose a textured sandstone paint to add depth.

The wall color, in addition with her choice of dark chocolate wood, really achieves the goal she had in mind. And with a name like "La Belle Vie"...Bravo!

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Now that spring is finally here, what item at your home is most in need of a fresh coat of paint? Plase, check out the right sidebar to cast your vote!

Of Bees and Honey

We at Beehive Studios are very fond of bees and honey. Bees are the most important pollinating insects and are even known as symbols of immortality. Their social structures and work skills have fascinated mankind for centuries, making them the emblem of industry and the inspiration for our blog. They also inspired Napoleon, who included the honeybee on his personal crest.



Beekeeping is also one of the oldest forms of animal husbandry, as bees were kept in beehives since antiquity. Indeed, Greek honey is delicious and quite famous.



Golden, sweet honey has always been held in high regard. The Bible refers to heaven as the "Land of Milk and Honey." In ancient times, honey was considered the food of the gods and the symbol of wealth and happiness. In the Middle Ages, honey was fermented and made into mead, one of the oldest alcoholic beverages.

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!

Results of 1st Color Buzz Poll - Living Rooms

From our first readers' poll, we learned that many of you would place your living room first on your "to paint" list.  Living rooms are a great way to make the most of your painting time and money because they are the public space of the house, where you entertain friends and family. From cocktails to children's play dates, this room is the stage for so many of life's enjoyable moments. Putting a fresh coat of paint on the walls can make a big difference.

For most of us, we want a cozy or maybe rustic living room where we can unwind. To create a cozy space, try a deep, rich color that you can incorporate with fabrics and rugs. A red could go nicely with colors of sand or stone. For a bold statement, try a red like Oatlands Upholstery Red 1008-3A. Staining the ceiling a bone color keeps a sense of lightness in the space.

If you prefer light and airy, try lighter shades to make a room feel more spacious. In this living room, the creamy whites play off each other and the soft neutrals give some dimension. The charcoal coffee table anchors the space. When working with whites, try to find ones that have a bit of brown and gray to them so that the color isn't mistaken for a pastel. To achieve this look, try Snow Cap 7003-8 or Romano 7003-15. 

The third living room we wanted to share pairs a rich, warm gold with fabrics of subtly lighter shades. This gives the walls more drama, but maintains the sophisticated atmosphere, while the blue accents add some kick. The room appears bigger as the eye moves out into the hall to rest on the gray-blue matting of the bird prints.

There are many ways to approach this very social room. Let us know how you treat your living room and what colors and textures are of interest to you

Prairie Home Colors

By Michele Coppin

For years, I have been fascinated by a little place in the great Northern Tundra called Lake Wobegon. Every week, I tune into "A Prairie Home Companion" on NPR to hear Garrison Keillor tell stories about this magical hometown where "all the women are strong, all the men are good looking and all the children are above average.”

I would like to know which colors inspire these characters.

To find the answer to this question, I traveled to the great state of Minnesota to find out. Minneapolis is a bustling modern city complete with lovely museums, the University of Minnesota, the famous Guthrie Theater and many parks and lakes.

When I arrived, the city was sheathed in frozen snow. I wondered around the downtown area and through the beautiful neighborhoods surrounding Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun to get a feel for the predominant colors local homeowners prefer.
 
It seems Minnesotans are inspired by the "Great Outdoors," when it comes to paint choices indoors and out. I found an elegant array of earth-tone palettes, all reflective of the nature within the city.

Pine green hue, reminiscent of the Great North Woods.

Straw yellow hue, reminiscent of the tall lake shore grass.

Water and sky white hues, reminiscent of the icy waters of the Great Lakes.

I then visited the famous Minneapolis International Market Square where more than 60 showrooms showcase furnishings, fabrics, paints, accessories and more. This excursion gave me a sense of what colors are popular in Minnesota interior design. Similar to what I saw on the outside, I discovered many earth-tones in the displays. Neutrals are very practical because they pair well with bolder colors. Many neutral tones are associated with natural materials, such as stone, wood, straw, sand or more artificial materials such as metal, glass and concrete. Neutrals can be cozy or elegant, and serve as a good background for combining different decorative styles. For example:

 

Java EB  36-2, Limestone EB 36-3 and Shore EB 12-3

Winter Wheat EB 46-3 and Almond Oil EB 46-4

Even though I discovered that Lake Wobegon is a fictional location in Minnesota, I was able to get a sense of what colors the Prairie Home Companion characters would have liked. I was also able to meet the nicest Midwesterners, who are all so friendly and easy going. I experienced their gentleness and love of nature, which is beautifully reflected in their choice of colors; subdued, elegant, laid-back and comfortable.

Color of the Week - Spun Honey

Last week's Color of the Week was Spun Honey, a beautiful, warm, buttery yellow that fits right in with the longer sunny days at hand. This is a great color for a kitchen. Try it with accents of Lyndhurst Celedon Green and Cantaloupe Smile. For trim, try Pontoon White, which has a touch of gray in it that brings out the warmth of the Spun Honey.

                           
       Spun Honey 2008-2B             Lyndhurst Celedon Green 5004-1B  

                           
    Cantaloupe Smile 2007-2A              Pontoon White 7006-13

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!

Finding Your Color Voice in Color Combinations

By Megan Leblond

                                     

Having trouble deciding on a color combination for your home? Sometimes we over-think such decisions. If you find yourself agonizing over paint chips at the store, try a different approach. I suggest tricking your mind into finding its way naturally. Take some of the pressure off of your specific color selection and visit a fabric or upholstery store to find combinations in the various patterns that speak to you. Switching gears and giving yourself a fun way to approach colors can help reveal colors in combinations that you could live with. Once you have a few fabrics selected, ask for clips to bring home to add to your paint chips, and see what starts to work best.

I recently visited Aura Fabrics, a fabric and upholstery in Effort, Pennsylvania. I perused the aisles and waited for my eyes to latch onto something fabulous. I was particularly drawn to purple, gold and brown fabrics, as well as some lime-green and yellow combinations with hints of red. I was able to find two distinct color combinations that I really liked without trying.

                 

I asked Ursula, a fashion designer from the Philadelphia Textiles School and owner of the store, how she helps clients with color choices. She said that many of her customers are usually drawn to one particular color to start, maybe the color of a couch or window treatments already in the home. With this starting point in mind, Ursula works with the client to find a fabric that will work well with the existing walls, drapery, and flooring of the home. 

I asked Ursula if she has noticed any current trends. She noted that she find clients are carrying a color combination throughout the home, because of more open design plans in newer architecture. However, she prefers to style a home so that each room can have its “own life.”

                   

I totally agree! We looked at the color combinations I had selected and decided that the greens and yellows were energizing and the purples and golds lent themselves to a more dramatic and elegant look. When choosing color combinations, be sure to keep in mind the tone of the room you are redecorating. This can also help guide your choices.

Hopefully this fun field trip will bring you closer to your color choice, and you might arrange for some wonderful pillows or upholstery to bring the room together. If you have any color combination questions, please let us know. We would love to see any successful final projects too!