Color Play

Noting that the French (courtesy of Art et Decoration) seem to be a bit more daring in their outdoor decor. 

Adding these color punches really adds character, don't you think?

 Love the cobalt blue

Hey- why not pink and purple? 

A multitude of colors here...

and here- an eclectic little area.

And to celebrate- lots of color!

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Spring Has Sprung

at least for now! 

Heading outdoors for the day to appreciate this gorgeous spring weather, 

which is a good few weeks ahead of the average. 

Enjoy!

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Into Blue & Green

Seeing the striking colors of Rock at Sea by Raymond Jonson, housed at the Cleveland Museum of Art, reinforces exactly why I like the color combination of blue and green together. Here they are brilliant and vibrant,

while here, blue and green are peaceful and calming.

The soft green plaster walls and blue shelf accents read charming, no?

 Who can resist deep blue hyacinths?

Beautiful shades of green are layered on this headboard.

I always love checking out the powder pigment colors with their myriad of possibilities.

A fabulous blue/green combination on this aged French door.

Do you do blue + green?

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Black & White All Over

Today I am in a black and white, graphic sort of mood. 

There are so many ways you can go with this...

 A striking black and white plaster design on a wall in Naples...

 Seriously elegant black paneling with a touch of gold...

or an all-out embellishment of gold to highlight the (charcoal) black doors and walls...

A contemporary room with a funky, aged wall finish in various tones of black and white and greige...

...heading all the way down to the floor with this oversize damask-like pattern.

For some fabulous floor ideas, many in black and white, visit Design Sponge's Best of Patterned Floors here.

Do you have black and white anywhere in your own home?

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On the Other Hand

While I will always have an affinity for the perfectly aged, I have also grown to love clean and contemporary. For various reasons.

Isn't this the most calming, serene room? Roche Bobois's marketing department is genius, consistently coming up with inviting design.

Still appreciating the aged patina along side their luxurious, new leather furniture...

and a striking painting. 

(I would love to know who the artist is...)

I think in my next life I shall have a townhouse in Paris, and then I will combine a smooth, sleek metallic wall with the original wood moldings that add so much character to the space. Speaking of townhouses in Paris, if you are visiting there before the 19th of February, 2012, be sure to stop by the Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine at the Palais de Chaillot (1 place du Trocadéro 75116 Paris) to visit their temporary exhibit, L'hôtel Particulier. Une Ambition Parisienne (The Townhouse. A Parisian Ambition). It looks so interesting and has had great reviews.

I would have to feel those walls!

When I am in the mood for bright and happy colors, I would love a space like this living room of Stila's creator, Jeanine Lobell and actor Anthony Edwards. The natural light and the various colors all say alive! to me.

Which way do you lean toward in your own home?

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Coming Around

What goes around comes around... and here comes the purple/lavender/amethyst again. It logically follows the perseverance of grey that has been with us for more than a few years now, but is slightly warmer and more spirited, especially in the northern climes where we must endure grey skies for days at a time.

I've always loved this vintage House & Garden cover, showing the best of the purple family with related accents.

So on we go, over to the current uses of purple.

Beautiful box of chocolates from Chapon

 Fine linens from Alexandre Turpault

 Love the linen curtains and tablecloth

 Katie Ridder 's new book, Katie Ridder Rooms, features this lovely living room on the cover.

Katie illustrates using lavender for shots of color... to cover the headboard,

 line the shelf backs and upholster the chairs.

Unusual kitchen tile selection

 Plop down on the purple perch

And last, but not least, Ladurée's Marie Antoinette cake

What say you? Do you do purple?

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Kitchen Bliss

Well, I think I found it. A kitchen made for us. In the woods.

Off the back of the house, since it would look just like this anyway!

Anyone for dinner?

(I'm not sure about that milk can, though...)

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Lavender Does

There is something about lavender...

Fantastic chair ... I wouldn't mind grabbing a good book and reading here a while...

Cute lavender love seat in a cute setting- how fun the wall is with the ceiling medallions!

A lovely chair...

 Karin's lovely lavender linen, which can be seen and purchased at her LaPouyette blog.

 And nature's beautiful lavender lilacs...

Rebecca Kutys, of Moontree Letter Press shows us how she created a lavender ink used for her striking letterpress printing.

 Do you like lavender?

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Nature's Way

Spending the quintessential summer day...

with my family, hitting the city's annual brocante (funny, we call them antique shows around here) and working in enjoying the garden. Our zucchini blossoms will be presented as appetizers tonight and the first of the tomatoes will be paired with bocconcini, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The crickets have arrived with their chirping. 

Don't you just love summer?

What are you doing today?

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Raw Finishes

These are the colors I am working with on my kitchen walls. Figures- it is taking a while to get the colors just right! I can go to a client's home and pick the colors out quickly; in my own home, it has been challenging.

Stone, putty and touches of ochre, cream and cocoa- my tumbled marble and ceramic tiles are suggesting the direction to follow. I am loving the lime wash paints of Sydney Harbour Paints. 

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Hoping to win the acanthus leaf fragment sconce over Zinc Studio's giveaway for the kitchen!

Sweet accessories

A limed wood carving, 
   a rusted sconce, 
      and an iron birdcage 
            = sweet accessories!

Art et Decoration



 

Blue and white classic

Blue and white, via Delft or Portugese tiles, is a classic in my book. 

Always appropriate and charming.

 Art et Decoration