Often when looking to nature for color inspiration we lean to green, blue, yellow, or even brown. Purple is typically the forgotten color, but when we describe different hues within the purple family we use natural associations. So why not use them as our inspiration for interiors.

One determining trend factor I look for are colors that can break down barriers. When a color usually connected with one industry, group, or gender begins showing up across the board and changes how someone from another area perceives the color, then you’ve got a successful color direction. Purple has successfully achieved this status, especially influencing men’s fashion. Because of its sensual and spiritual connotations, purple has feminine appeal and women are most attracted to this hue. However, the popularity of purple has also gained attention by the male sex, who are growing more comfortable with wearing the color as an accessory or even an entire outfit. Along with this new found apparel acceptance comes a refined attitude for using purple in other areas of their lives, including interior décor! 

And this goes for women too!

So where is purple going next…well as blue gains popularity, purple begins to shift more and more towards the warmer red-violets making the range of purple more passionate, powerful, and hot. When it comes to interiors we will continue to use purple mixed with gray to create a grounded balance, and we will still see purples done in a complementary scheme (paired with it’s opposite), but what is really driving the purple trend forward is pairing this color in analogous (with colors that sit next to purple on the color wheel) or even diad palettes (purple plus another color two steps away).  Let’s take a look at those combinations through some visual inspiration.

Monochromatic

Complementary

And now for the freshest look for purple…

Analogous and Diad color combinations. The idea here is to pair purple with the warm color that sits near it on the wheel, especially purples with reds and oranges, HOT!

And if those spaces aren’t quite colorful enough for you. Try expanding your color palette beyond just 2 or 3 colors and go for an Analogous scheme with 5 or even 6 colors. Beware: these are tricky, but when done with the right color proportion, temperature control, and addition of neutrals for balance, they can be really beautiful and in both of these rooms (below) the purple is what ties everything together. When using multiple colors like these two shots (below) from Rohm and Haas, don’t forget to give special attention to that inspiration color!

Here is a view of the current East Room from the White House website.  Mark suggested a refreshing aqua blue and stately gold scheme.

Aqua and gold is the scheme in my bedroom and I love this combination but don’t see it used too often.  I’m sure if the White House has an aqua and gold room I’ll be seeing more of it elsewhere.

I think it would be a wonderful scheme for the East Room especially if they take the aqua onto the ceiling as Mark recommends.  This would really open up the room and give it a much more up-to-date look.

Charles suggested yellow for the walls and yellow with peach trim for the drapes.   Here’s a picture from the White House website of the State Dining Room

A very elegant look that would work beautifully in the White House and has an upbeat feeling that reflects the Obamas optimism about the future of the country.

Nicely done Mark and Charles!

To see what several other designers suggested see these articles:

Will the Obamas turn the White House green? in the Miami Hearld

White House: Change coming to the Executive Mansion decor from AP

What colors do you think the Obama White House will be decorated with?

This Thursday I’ll be speaking at Apartment Therapy Offline and the theme is Color @ Home: Problems and Solutions. I’ll be joined by two other designers and AT founder Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan.

So if you’ll be in NYC this Thursday, October 2, 2008 6:30 PM I’d enjoy having you come to the event. It will be fun and best of all it’s FREE!

The event is listed on NY Design Meetup.

DWR SoHo (new location)
110 Greene St. New York, NY 10014

I hope to see you there!

Many of the interior designs in this industry are what I call ‘aspirational’.  The designer has expertly pulled together every detail to create a look and mood that many of us would like to duplicate in our own homes.

But why wait for these trends to hit our favorite restaurant or resort?  At the recent Hospitality Design Expo many designers including our own Color Maven Denise Turner had a chance to see all of the latest and most fabulous elements available to them when they create their next sensational interior.

Denise shares what inspired her at the HD Expo…

I loved it in this room from the Washington Design Center but this color can work in a more traditional setting as well and looks beautifully at home on these cabinets from Boulder Kitchens.

Resources:

• Visit Farrow & Ball’s website
  
• Do you have a color dilemma? Post it in the Makeover Gallery at RoomVues.com and you could be the next reader to have your color question answered on the Color For Your Home blog.

**Please note: Due to individual computer monitor limitations, colors seen here may not accurately reflect the paint colors. Please refer to an actual sample of the paint for an accurate rendition of the color.

Stephen Drucker, editor in chief of House Beautiful magazine, was joined by top design professionals and I was honored to have been included in such a wonderful event.

With his unending wit and charm Drucker opened the event. “Paint is like sex,” he said, speaking to an overflow crowd. “There is an endless fascination with the subject.”

And fascination there was as readers had an opportunity to mix and mingle and talk color. It was a day of ideas and inspiration for all who were there.

Next stop Chicago. Please join me at the House Beautiful Color Institute on May 7th.

I hope to see you there! More information is availble at The Merchandise Mart Design Center.

Whether you are a minimalist who loves retro styled prints or traditionalist who desires the classics, there is a floral to suit your need.

Historically, stylized floral patterns have dominated fabric prints before the 17th Century. The first illustrated book of drawings and paintings of flowers was printed in 1586. This spurred more publications of books of this nature and proliferated floral prints in design.

The four most prevalent flowers found in antique fabric documents are lilies, roses, tulips and chrysanthemums.

Take your cue from nature…energize a room with a polychromatic approach using a bit of yellow, pink, blue or green to achieve a rich saturation of color, or subtlety in your decor.

Get blooming…indoors!

Shanghai wallpaper from Jaima Brown Home

Red creates the perfect accent for any space when paired with timeless neutrals like brown or cream.

In the 18th century red garlands and scarves were part of cultural wedding ceremonies. Chinese brides wore a traditional Kwa; a heavily embroidered formal wedding gown in red and Greek brides wore red veils, which is still customary today.

In ancient history, wearing a red painted amulet, ruby or garnet supposedly made one invincible. Red signifies love, fertility, strength, good fortune, and happiness. We often see red front doors on the outside of homes across America, instilling the influence of Feng Shui.

Persia wallpaper from Jaima Brown Home

RED demands attention, revitalize your home with the dramatic allure of color and pattern through the magic of wallpaper using a design like our lively Shanghai and Persia designs.

Find inspiRED wallpaper and home accessories at Jaima Brown Home online

From Courgeaous With Color–

As the Earth sleeps, blanketed by the travails of icy weather, we alternately bundle up and hunker down — awakening to shivers and daily doses of brittle air, blustering winds, brutal temperatures and barren landscapes. Dark skies and hard rains also dampen spirits, causing mudrooms to fill with wet boots and overcoats as gloves and hats sporadically adorn every part of the house.

Rather than waiting for the clouds to part, ward off bleak, colorless days and the sense of “blah” that gloomy weather inspires with interiors awash in vibrant hues, taking refuge in bright spaces designed to lift moods faster than a warm, spring day.

Psychologists and color designers say color is one of the biggest influences on the human state of mind and our language regularly references the emotive connection. After all, we “see red,” we’re “green with envy” and we feel “peachy.”

Read the rest of the article…

Disregarding color trends and surrounding yourself with favorite, feel-good shades creates rooms guaranteed to lift your spirits. Pictured: walls painted in Sherwin-Williams’ “Blackberry.”

Resources:

• See Solutions At Home Magazine Online…
• Find your local Sherwin-Williams retailer

**Please note: Due to individual computer monitor limitations, colors seen here may not accurately reflect the paint colors. Please refer to an actual sample of the paint for an accurate rendition of the color.