We’ve all been in the white wall phase for a few years now and it’s time to add some contrast! The new photos on my Paint and Wall Finishes board on Pinterest will give you inspiration to add a dark wall -charcoal, navy, purple? You may need a second opinion (like a great interior designer!) as not every area will be enhanced by this addition, but in the right place it adds the wow! Add it to unify space in the hall with the great pop of color at the end. Powder rooms are often conducive to a dark contrast. Bedrooms become cozy incubators. And there is always the man-cave / office with an alternative to dark wood. Take a look at your spaces and go from boring to brilliant!
Archives for August 2019
The Joy of Yellow in Design
I have had a yellow room in my home during most of my adult years! This year every shade of yellow is big in women’s fashion. Which means we will see more and more of it in home furnishings. See some examples on my Paint and Wall Finishes board on Pinterest. A color often used to chase the gray of the Pacific northwest, it is a favorite of bright and sunny people no matter where they live! We have over 300 hundred days of sunshine in the Southwest but adding more inside just adds to the upbeat mood. It can be subtle: a light tint for a warmer off-white base color, a perfect backdrop for your blue and white dishes in the kitchen or dining area, a warm and inviting powder room or bedroom. With all of the gray tones currently in use, yellow is a perfect color to add. An accent pillow, a bowl of lemons by the bar or flowers on the table… the pop of color creates visual impact. It is also beautiful with white moldings. A classic! Always worth consideration!
Design Trends According to the Wall Street Journal
Last weekend’s Wall Street Journal (July 20-21) had an article about dated decor trends and, of course, I had to read that!
- Accent walls (Agree)
- Jetted tubs (Agree) But they replaced it with a shower only! Showers are, of course, the most used, but in luxury homes, the master also includes a tub. For those that love baths, this can even be the priority so locate it where you are comfortable for bathing Ensure the tub is not a hazard to enter! Showers? Make them large enough that no curbing is needed, just a glass panel.
- Vessel sinks (Disagree) They were always just a novelty! Undermount for minimalist and high use areas then mix it up with self-rimming sinks in the powder or guest areas.
- Tuscan yellow walls (Agree) But with 20’ ceilings all white is too boring. So mix it up with some variety!
- Yellow toned oak (Agree) Paint it out. It is so boring to have the kitchen cabinetry repeated anywhere else. Mix it up with compatible wood tones and paint.
- Trapezoidal islands (Agree) Anyone with design sense knows angles have no place in anything well done!
- Automation (Agree) If it doesn’t work most of the time, go back to off and on switches. You knew you were in trouble when you needed an installer for set up! If you can’t set it up yourself, you can’t keep it working.
- Shutters (Totally Disagree) Shutters afford you control of view, light, privacy. They last forever and insulate from heat. If you have a view, you can stack them on the sides, add draperies or drop-down shades of various sorts. But for many other situations, shutters are great!
- Stainless steel refrigerators (Agree) Blend that massive appliance in with the adjoining colors.
- Subway tile (Agree) Now that’s just boring!
Some good news!
- They have vintage rugs as the best option! We have been giving them away and I knew they would make a comeback. Hopefully you saved your favorites or picked up some additional rugs at great prices!