Visual Taste; Biting into Color

What better way to expand your design “taste” than to peruse the yummy flavors of paint inspired by, and named for, delicious foods? Paint manufactures must have realized that a great way to market their paint would be to also appeal to one of the other five senses in addition to sight! Some of these creative paint names can cause your mouth to water as you pour over your options; so deep in thought you may wonder if you’re deciding what to eat instead of what color to paint your walls!

Not for the faint of heart, paint colors made with fruit in mind capture the bold, vivid colors often found in our favorite produce. Although fruits and veggies may be seasonal, Behr’s Kumquat or Benjamin Moore’s Crushed Berries paint colors can keep your home feeling like its in-season all year round!

For those of you looking for a more substantial visual meal, check out Bread Dough or Lobster Bisque, both of which are new colors in Lowe’s Martha Stewart line. These warm colors evoke the same feeling in the pit of your stomach as a steaming bowl of soup or fresh bread straight from the oven! Or, if you want a lighter fare, try adding a flavorful accent wall using American Cheese by Benjamin Moore or Behr‘s staple, Peanut Butter.

 

If you’re not drooling yet, move on to the last course- dessert! Feast your eyes upon Behr’s Fudge Truffle, reminiscent of the silky-smooth, melt in your mouth sensation that comes from biting into a decadent piece of chocolate. Or, if your tastes goes more toward a refreshing palette, check out Benjamin Moore’s Lemon Meringue or Lime Tart. These colors will make you pucker with delight!

Whether through creative thought, or just shameless marketing, naming paint colors after our favorite foods was a smart idea that appeals to our stomachs as much as our eyes. And as they say, the fastest way to someone’s heart, is through their stomach! So take a well deserved snack break and find your favorite paint flavor today!

Birds of a feather flock together......in design?

Birds and bird motifs can be a significant addition to the design of your home. Aside from the pleasing visual aspect of the silhouette of a bird, many birds also hold significant meanings to many cultures. By adding certain birds or bird inspired patterns, you bolster the Feng Shui of your home. In traditional Feng Shui, birds can symbolize new opportunities even in difficult times, as well as love and commitment, abundance and good luck.

Specific birds can add significant meaning to your designs. Owls signify wisdom and that of protector. Peacocks signify affection, feelings of love, the status that of royalty as well as beauty and protection. Joy, celebration, nesting and happiness are all attributed to the image of magpies; which can also alleviate personal obstacles in career or love.

Lightness, inspiration and good luck are all attributed to incorporating birds in your home environment. There are more and more home décor products coming to the market that afford you the opportunity to bring birds, and the positive effects of birds in design, into your home.

Have some fun by adding a brightly colored bird statue, vase, or even a bank to an empty table top. Or add a throw pillow or throw rug with a playful bird pattern. There are wall appliqués that represent birds sitting on branches or wall decorations of brightly colored birds to hang up on display. Take it one step further with a chair upholstered in a bird-inspired toile from Pier1, or an entire bedspread decorated with branches and bird silhouettes. 

 Finding creative uses for bird cages, or even using patterns inspired by "bird prints" (ie: peacock feathers!) can be a unique way to flavor your home with birds while not quite reverting to statues and physical silhouettes.

There are so many options for home décor pieces representing birds or fabrics with a bird motif, that you can take your time selecting pieces that speak to you emotionally and symbolize the significance you desire, thus opening your home to the Feng Shui affects of the specific bird of your choice. So spread your wings and start designing!

Mixing Patterns; Right or Wrong?

Many people, along with a fear of "color" also fear the dreaded label of "tacky" when mixing patterns. This leads most homes to become a neutral palette of solid colors with nothing more than boring layered on top of lifelessness!
Well, make today the day you spice up your life! Adding color and pattern into any room can seem like an obstacle not worth tackling, but if you take the step towards patterns, you will not only brighten your room, you'll brighten your life! Patterns add vibrancy and happiness to your emotional state. Your brain is forced into activity to register the focal point of a pattern and your emotions follow suit. So enjoy spicing up the rooms you live in to create a visual "pick-me-up" for yourself.

Start by picking a pattern that you are drawn to. Start out slow. Choose one pattern to introduce to your neutral palette. Whether it's a floral patterned side chair (30% off at Target this week!) or two matching striped throw pillows; add one small element to your room that you find fun and leaves you smiling.

Then, mix it up. So you started with striped throw pillows, you've lived with them for a while and now you are addicted to patterns! Find another, different pattern that you love; maybe a classic damask print in coordinating colors, or an area rug with sophisticated oversized pattern. Remember;  don't choose another stripe! Leave that first pattern fulfilled and venture to another. You can create layers of patterns within your rooms by mixing different patterns. There are so many to choose from; stripes, damasks, florals, geometric patterns and even prints. And it always helps to take a sample of your first pattern with you when selecting your new element.

Keep in mind, the most important step while choosing a second pattern is to make sure the colors are similar in tone and family. As long as you have one strong color running thru both patterns, along with matching undertones, the patterns will coordinate together nicely. For example, try pairing the orange and white damask side chair with an orange, white and light blue area rug. With the matching oranges as the most vibrant color, the patterns will compliment one another  without competing visually. Or, go wild with an animal print! When used in small doses, like this cheetah print pillow, it can add the perfect touch of whimsy to a vintage french salon chair upholstered in baby blue damask.

Combining patterns takes a bit of finesse and a bit of thought. When all else fails and you cant seem to find the right combination, dont be afraid to ask for professional help. It will be worth your time to to ask for a little advice!

Feel free to post your own pattern predicaments below!

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