Shades of Beauty

Who said gray is boring? To the contrary., it is an elegant and versatile color that's making waves in the decorating world. If you find you're intimidated by color, but would like to get away from those generic white walls, gray is an ideal transitional color. However, it can be rather stressful choosing the right shade. It all depends in the kind of mood you're looking to set in the room. A neutral color by nature, gray is the perfect backdrop for any other color pop. Here are some stunning images by Swedish photographer Petra Bindel for inspiration. Have a super duper weekend!!

Click to read more ...

In Living Color

Adding color to our habitats can sometimes be challenging, especially when planning to use more than a couple of hues. But that didn't stop architects from the firm Tham & Videgård Hanson when designing this outrageously colorful apartment in Sweden. Given carte blanche by the owner of this 4,036 square-feet home, the designers looked to architect Josef Frank for the primary inspiration in their color scheme. It only took close to 7000 multicoloured parquet tiles (12 different colors to be exact) to create the mosaic-like floors. Of course, with this much color the best way to furnish the rooms in this enormous flat was with crisp white pieces to avoid visual chaos. I'm sure it was quite a fun challenge – with great results.

Click to read more ...

Winter Whiter-land

Wintertime has officially made its grand entrance! By now, our homes are filled with shaggylicious textures, fluffy throws and soft down pillows to make our pads toasty and comfortable. But what a better way to embrace those long and cold days of the season than with warm winter whites. They're a great way of lifting up our spirit and help us enjoy this beautiful and peaceful time of year. Happy Winter!

Click to read more ...

A Brave New Color

Winter hasn't started yet and the new trends for next year are already on our doorsteps. Pantone has just named Honeysuckle not only as 2011 Color of the Year, but also as the defining hue for Spring. Courageous and confident, this reddish pink is a dynamic and uplifting color. “In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum.”

Click to read more ...

Soothingly Neutral

Images by William Waldron and Magnus Anesund (below)

From the Fall/Winter 2010 Pantone color report, Oyster Gray is one of the few neutral hues that made the list. This cool, clean and contemporary shade is ideal for home decor since it creates a relaxing and serene ambiance. Be confident when using gray. It works best when keeping a simple palette and restraining the use of contrasting colors. Soft pastels are great compliments, but bright primaries not so much.

Click to read more ...

A sunny disposition

Image by Richard Powers

Rich, bright, sophisticated and warm. No, I'm not talking about the perfect soulmate, but the attributes that describe the versatility of this magnificent hue. Being one of the most popular choices when it comes to decorating, Golden Glow (my second choice from the Pantone Fall and Winter selection) is a mood lifter as it's said to help the brain work better. It comes in an array of tones, from an intense gold to softer pastels...it all depends on your personality. Wherever you fall in the spectrum it will absolutely create a fresh and welcoming environment. It is definitely a fun color to live with and a ray of sunshine for your home – especially for those long and gloomy winter days we don't look forward to.

Click to read more ...

A brush of excitement

Image by Lucas Allen

After black and white, red is the most commonly encountered color in our lives. An interesting fact: not all languages have a word for green, blue, yellow or orange, but all have a word for red. Of all the colors, it's considered to be the most vibrant and stimulating of all. Lipstick Red, a gorgeous hue with a pinch of blue undertones, will certainly inject a bit of warmth and excitement to a room.

Click to read more ...

Didn't you get the memo?

Every year, Pantone Color System comes out with a gamma of colors that will set the trends for each season, both in fashion and home decor. For Fall and Winter they are offering a palette of ten beautiful and exciting colors with very vivid tones which have already been making a splash in most home decor shops.

Among them you can find Endive, a very crisp yellow-green with freshness and lightness. Golden yellow, an earthy shade of yellow that will give you a retro look when combined with Purple Orchid – the unexpected choice of the bunch. Lagoon is the turquoise for Fall which is an absolute complement to Living Coral, a combo that will give you a hint of tropical to refresh your space. If you want a burst of passion, then Lipstick Red is the perfect choice. Chocolate Truffle is a delicious rich brown with plum undertones that could be a perfect side dish to Purple Orchid. If you're a green lover then go for Woodbine, a calming grassy green. When it comes to neutrals Oyster Gray grounds the palette, where Rose Dust, a flattering beige, is the romantic option.

Click to read more ...