Today, I visited with my friend and colleague Jenny Hite, owner of Wee Dreamscapes in Rockwall Texas, where she graciously hosted our monthly meeting of the Interior Design Society.
Two years ago, Jenny opened Wee Dreamscapes, offering nursery furniture and bedding. A wonderful boutique filled with everything to “Deck out the Nursery”. Continue reading…
The color blue is one of the most popular colors today.
In fact, it’s been a popular favorite for many years. It can be found everywhere!…in fashion, bedding, art, and of course everything that is home decor.
Here are a few pictures of a recently completed project where blue played a key role.
Accents in soft shades of robin’s egg blue provide an updated feel to a traditional decor.
The shade of blue I used was inspired by the area rug. What’s wonderful about this room is that, if the homeowner wanted to freshen the look after a few years, she could simply replace the blue items with another color in the rug …and get a totally different look.
For now, though, this elegantly casual room is loving the BLUE!
Hope I’ve inspired.
Alba
Monograms are personal signatures that have been around since 350BC. It’s a form of personalization that continues to be extremely popular. I absolutely love them, but I think they should be used sparingly for major impact. Although, today you can monogram just about anything, here are some of MY favorite items to stamp as your own…
Towels. This is one of those small details that makes a huge difference…making you feel special on a daily basis.
And what guest would not feel special to use a towel that has been placed there specially for them!
I don’t actually use a bath robe, but if I did, I would definitely get it personalized. I think it would make me feel like if I was on vacation every day!
Furniture is another popular item for monograms. But again, restraint is important. You don’t want to overdo it. I love this iron bed below with a single initial monogram. It’s simple, classic and elegant.
Pillows are the perfect venue…and I’m particularly partial to monogrammed dining chairs. SO elegant!
One of the most versatile items to personalize is the drinking glass, especially if you entertain. But also, they’re perfect as gifts for ANY occasion.
…and you can serve the drinks with personalized napkins.
Here are the basics of 3 initial monograms:
The three-initial monogram is probably the most common format in use today. Typically, the last name initial is placed in a large type at the center of the monogram, flanked by the first and middle initials in a smaller type. For example, a monogram for Jane Marie Doe would read as follows: jDm. This is generally referred to as the Victorian format.
Another format for 3 initial monograms is using all capitals. In this case, the first name, middle name, last name initials are placed in order using the same size font for all three letters. Example: Jane Marie Doe is JMD
Of course, these are just guidelines, part of the fun is creating a unique look that is all your own.
I have to say though, that my favorite item to monogram are note cards.
This one below is my current note card. My sister bought them for me as a gift and I absolutely love them. Probably cause it has an animal print (which I also love in moderation), and because it came from her!
Inside THIS particular note card I’ve written…
Thank you to all of you…my dear clients, for your continued support of my talents!
Till Next Time,
Alba
Tangerine Tango….is Pantone’s 2012 color of the year.
“Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it”, said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.
“Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”
From fashion and nail polish, to everything that is home decor…
To arrive at the selection, Pantone considered global color influences from areas including the entertainment industry and films that are in production, traveling art collections, new artists, popular travel destinations and other socio-economic conditions. Influences may also stem from technology, availability of new textures and effects that impact color, and even upcoming sports events that capture worldwide attention, according to a company release. (Article from Home Accents Today January 2012)
As you can see, it doesn’t take much Tangerine Tango to make a big statement…a pillow here, an accessory there…
When I visit Market each year, I always pay attention to the Global Views showroom. They’re always on the cutting edge of new and upcoming trends. Above was there front-and-center display this year…Tangerine Tango!
And, in case you’re wondering, Pantone’s past colors include:
Hope I’ve inspired you to Tango this year!
Till Next Time,
Alba
The color red stimulates me. It’s bold, cheerful, energizing, powerful and hot! I’ve used it in my decorating a million times….and in just as many ways. Here are some of my favorit ways to infuse red in your decor.
The sofa. How can you not love a red sofa? It’s definitely a statement piece, but the level of FUN that a red sofa brings to the room is more than payment for any commitment you may feel.
This is what I mean about FUN! Doesn’t this sofa make you smile?
I love these chairs. They show that going red doesn’t mean that you have to go BOLD.
As I’ve said before, the chest of drawers is one of the most versatile pieces of furniture EVER! They can be at home in ANY room…making it the perfect piece to bring in some RED.
Here’s a “trick-of-the-trade”: To make the kitchen island look like a stand-alone piece of furniture, paint it a different color than the cabinets. In this case, red. Stunning!
And not just the island, in this kitchen, paint alone makes this cabinet appear to be a stand-alone….again, done in luscious red.
Sometimes, a splash of red is all you need. When using any color as an accent, a general guide is that it should appear in at least 3 items in the room.
The throw pillow is one of the simplest, most economical ways to infuse fabric and color into any room…and the perfect way to test out red in your space.
Second only to the sofa in boldness…window treatments in red!
And, of course, red for the outdoors.
Are You Smiling Yet?
Hope I’ve inspired….
Till Next time,
Alba
If you’ve ever picked up a catalogue from Restoration Hardware, you’ll recognize the “look” immediately…white-washed, distressed woods in tones of grays, taupes and tans…with an unmistakable Industrial Flair. Today, this look is EVERYWHERE!
As a designer, I yearn to design a room around this look. I love it’s vintage yet modern and classic feel. And I’m particularly partial to monochromatic schemes. They tend to be very soothing. But you don’t have to go total industrial to incorporate this look in your home, a few furniture pieces and some well-chosen accessories can give you that vintage flair.
Industrial decor is inspired by elements found in warehouses and factories, featuring metal, casters and wheels.
Of course, I am very drawn to this gorgeous desk and chair from Restoration Hardware. Vintage Aviation…riveted sheets of metal softened with luxurious leather. How stunning is that!
The Vintage Toledo Barstool, also from Restoration Hardware, is a perfect reproduction of a vintage draftsman stool. Man-made of industrial steel and a tobacco finish wood seat. Each piece is unique.
Here are 2 perfect examples of integrating this industrial look into your existing decor. An unmistakably industrial coffee table gives a touch of color and interest, to this otherwise drab room.
Even though this room is filled with classic traditional furniture, it’s been given an updated feel with the use of industrial elements: light, distressed woods, tans, taupes and grays…not to mention the plank coffee table with metal wheels.
Yes, I would LOVE to go industrial…so, if you’re out there, and have decide to update YOUR home, and incorporate a touch of this industrial look, DO give me a call. 🙂
Till next time,
Alba
…and on the chair, and on the lamp, and on the sofa…..
I love the vintage look of script, and today, this vintage design is popping up in everything that is contemporary.
Mixing old and new is always tricky, but much like paisley and animal prints, script is timeless. The cript uphoulstry “softens” the hard lines of this contemporary armless chair….
…and yet, it’s also right at home on the more traditional frame of this dining room chair.
A unique and fabulous alternative! Forget stained wood…forget painted pieces, this cript chest is sure to spark interest in any space.
Of couse, accessories are the perfect way to bring a little script to your home decor, and throw pillows top the list.
Remember that lamp shades can be purchased seperately and are priceless for updating your existing lamps. Try a script lampshade for a bit of fun. Small storage ottomans are also fun and practical.
You can even find script on trashcan liners! 🙂
Till next time,
Alba
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Silver has been around for centuries.
And lately, this classic metallic finish is showing up in everything that is home decor!
No other metal brings glitz, glamore and sophistication to a room better than silver. Check out some of the latest silver trends in home accessories.
Mirrors: This cyclone mirror from Uttermosthas a silver champagne finish with a light gray glaze.
Furniture: The Morocco Hexagonal Side Table from Worlds Away. It’s silver leaf finish and antique mirrored top create a decidedly upscale accessory.
Lighting: Silver finishes on lamps and chandeliers continue to dominate the world of home decor.
Tip: Gray and silver are a perfect pair for a monochromatic color scheme. Incorporate a third color to boost the energy level. In the above picture they have used black, but any color will do.
Bar Accessories: Set your drink down on a Biscayne Coaster from Z Gallerie. A rich brown crocodile pattern adorned with polished silver studs.
Area Rugs: The Yasmine Rug, also from Z Gallerie. An exotic design in silver and charcoal raised viscose.
Tip: As with most things, moderation is key! Don’t go overboard incorporating silver in your home decor. A few key items go a long way.
Candleholders: I LOVE this stunning candle holder from Uttermost.
Tip: Combining different metal finishes (i.e. silver and brass) in the same space is perfectly acceptable. However, it DOES required a little planning so that both finishes work in unison and don’t compete with each other. If in doubt, its a good idea to get a non-bias opinion from a friend or professional.
Vases: When it comes to accessorizing, vases are a main staple. And today, you can find them in all shapes, colors and styles. These beauties are Rumba vases from CB2.
Remember, changing your accessories is one of the simplest and most economical ways to change the look of your rooms. If you’re looking to make that change, give me a call or Send Me an Email…I’d love to help.
Till next time,
Alba
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