Seasons Blog

A New Season of Color

It is so exciting to see the rainbow of bright colors being featured in the Spring 2013 magazines for fashion and home decor. Last year's hottest color, Tangerine Tango, has been trumped this year by Emerald Green. Add a bit of sunny yellow and bubblegum pink, and you can't help but smile.

Crisp Linen Pillows detailed with pintucked pleats available in 6 bright, saturated colors.

 

Sofas, chairs and accent pillows in a mix of fun patterns and bright solids.

 

Flatweave wool rugs - the perfect way to give an instant update to any room.

 

 

Grecian Bangle Bracelets with bright colors and gold accents.

 

Scout Tote Bags in fun, fashionable prints.

 

 

Heart Shaped Napkin Fold for Valentine's Day

 

Add a romantic touch to your Valentine Table with a heart-shaped folded napkin. It is also perfect for any heartfelt occasion, such as Mother's Day or a wedding reception.

 

Directions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bring the top and bottom edges of the napkin to meet in the middle.

Now bring the bottom edge almost up to the top, leaving about 1⁄2 inch exposed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Place your finger at the center bottom, and fold both sides up to meet in the middle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turn the napkin over, keeping the point toward you.

Fold in each of the four top corners to form the top of the heart, pressing the final folds helps keep the shape.

Flip the napkin over.

 

 

 

Thanksgiving Tablescapes

Here are a few creative ideas that will inspire you to create your own beautiful Thanksgiving table!

Pantone Colors for Fall 2012

We are in love with the new color palette for Fall 2012! The neutrals - French Roast, Honey Gold and Titanium work beautifully with contrasting pops of color from pinks and purples. Tangerine Tango, a popular color from the previous Spring, is still holding strong and it brightens whatever it is paired with.

Some of our favorite combinations are:

- Titanium with Rhapsody, Pink Flambe or Tangerine Tango

- French Roast with Bright Chartreuse, Olympian Blue or Ultramarine Green

- Honey Gold with Olympian Blue or Tangerine Tango

 

 

It's easy to update your current wardrobe or home decor with these new colors for Fall.

For Fashion, add a splash of color to your neutrals with a colorful scarf or jewelry.

   

 

For Home Decor, add new pillows, a comfy throw or a colorful frame to update the look of your room. 

       

Update Your Furniture with an Easy DIY Project

If you are looking to update a plain piece of furniture, you will love O'verlays - lightweight, decorative fretwork panels that come in many patterns and sizes. They are paintable, and easily attach to furniture, mirrors, walls and glass. Some of the sizes are compatible with popular IKEA pieces and will add that instant upgrade. What a great DIY Project!

Samples of the fretwork designs:

 

Samples of Finished Projects:

Decorating Inspiration: Memorial Day Celebrations

 

 

 

 

 via pinterest

Apothecary Jars

Glass Apothecary Jars are still one of our favorite decorating accents. Modeled after those used for centuries to store dried herbs, these containers are available in a wide array of shapes and sizes. They become a decorative focal point in a variety of settings - on a kitchen island, countertop, hall table, fireplace mantle or in a bathroom.

It's always a fun project to change out the contents with each season, and we are always coming up with new, creative ways to fill them - sand and shells, bath salts, soaps, acorns, pinecones, faux fruits, ornaments, candy... the list is endless.

 

            

For Halloween, we created a whimsical assortment of jars filled with candy. To keep with the traditional colors of the holiday, we used candy corn, black licorice, white & orange gum balls, and ghost & pumpkin peeps. Most of this candy can be found in your grocery store - just be open minded, pick your color pallette and have some fun!

Color Trends for 2012

As in fashion, home décor follows color trends that are always evolving. These ever-evolving colors often reflect the feeling of what is happening in our environment and in our world. Here is a short summary of the trends for the coming year that will help you with your next decorating project.

• Black is the new black

• The palatte is similar to the “Escape” trend in 2011, but a bit bolder for 2012.

• Neutrals will be cooler – grays and slate colors

• Pink and purple undertones will be strong

• Camel & Khaki become the new neutrals upon which richer hues can be layered as accents

• Metallics and pearlized colors will continue to be strong

• Gold will begin to make a comeback, but with more of a satin finish

• Bronze and silver will remain strong

Paint color can have the most dramatic effect on your space, and it is the least expensive way to update your home. Benjamin Moore has added some intriguing new colors to their 2012 paint palette. Here are some key color-family trends along with the Benjamin Moore color name.

Red: Walls and furnishings may see a range of feminine reds and oranges, all the way to softer vintage pink tones (soft, blush). Some highlighted Ben Moore colors: Candy Cane Red, Potpourri.

Yellow: The 2012 yellows will be sunny and golden, sometimes even in a lacquered shine vs. the previously seen matte finishes. Luminous blonde tones, honey and gold will also emerge. Look for colors like Baby Chick, Hollywood Gold or Metallic Gold at one end of the spectrum and more neutral tones like Subtle, Buttercream Pearl and Turmeric or Bronze Metallic.

Green: Beautiful green will move to crisper shades, some teal-tinged but also safari and camouflage tones. Forecasters are pointing toward colors like Fresh Scent Green, Pear Green or Winchester Sage to Dark Olive and Harbour Town.

Blue: The blue story will be one influenced by water and air... but more saturated than in previous years. Look for charcoal and blackened navy hues. A few colors of importance: Palm Coast Teal, Old Glory, Serenata and also deeper tones like Deep Ocean, Mysterious and Gentlemen's Gray.

 

 

Print out this blog and take it with you as you have fun planning your next painting and decorating project.

Make Your Guests Feel at Home

When your friends or family are staying at your home, there is nothing more welcoming than a perfectly appointed guest room. Below are some tips to make your guests feel as pampered as if they were staying in a fancy hotel!

Use crisp, attractive bed linens that are fresh and clean. Extra pillows add a nice touch, and make sure you have a hypo-allergenic option.

The dresser drawers should be empty and lined with decorative paper. Place plenty of hangers in the closets. A couple of plush white terrycloth robes hanging the closet would be a nice surprise!

A small iron and a tabletop ironing board keep a guest from having to go in search of these items. Rowenta makes a nice, compact iron.

A luggage stand (or two) will be perfect for those people who prefer to live out of their suitcase.

A decorative tray on the dresser top or other table will be a great place for your guest to place keys, jewelry and other small items so they will be easily found.

Be sure there is a mirror in the room, floor length if possible.

It's also nice to make a small "guest basket" with a new toothbrush and toothpaste for each guest, mouthwash, small travel size soap bars, a bottle of shampoo, a bottle of conditioner, hand lotion, nail file and cotton swabs - all placed in a pretty container.

Make sure the bathroom has a stack of fluffy fresh towels, tissues, and a blow dryer.

Electronic equipment such as an alarm clock, a reading lamp, a radio and a nightlight will be appreciated by your guests. If the room also has a TV, give them a current TV listing and remote to go with it.

Place a small stack of good books and an assortment of current magazines on a table. Collect some travel brochures from the area to include as well, such as sightseeing brochures and fun places to shop and go for entertainment.

 

Place a small bouquet of fresh cut flowers in the room.

Consider a few bottles of spring water, glasses and a tray placed on a table near the bed. (Some cookies or fruit will be a nice treat too!)

If the room is large enough, place a comfortable easy chair in the room so your guests don't have to sit on the bed.

Leave some note paper and a pen near the bed.

Add a beautifully candle with a scent that is cheerful and uplifting - try our Guest Room Candle from our House and Home Collection!

Take your guests to your kitchen and show them how to get coffee, tea, breakfast, snacks and other goodies. Many people are early risers or love a midnight snack. Make it easy for them to help themselves.

Remember, it doesn't take much to ensure your guests feel totally welcome and appreciated.

Mirror, mirror on the wall...

Every home needs at least one mirror – it gives us the ability to see ourselves, can make a small space appear larger, lighten up a room by reflecting light, and even disguise a wall that is not in good condition. Mirrors come in every shape and finish, and can be hung on a wall, perched on a shelf or placed on the floor.

If you have a small room that feels a little closed in, try using a large mirror that will create the optical illusion of added space. Remember a mirror should always be positioned in a way that an average size person can see him/herself in it.
To brighten up a room, place a mirror on the wall that is perpendicular to a window, This will allow it to reflect the natural light from the outdoors, increasing light all around the room.

Mirrors are truly magical when it comes to decorating – they add light and life wherever they are placed!