{color-biz-design-art-life}

The word ombré seems intriguing to me but it is the beautiful graduations of color that capture my heart every time. The light to dark or one color fading into another is sometimes referred to as a dip-dye effect because of the technique used with fabric to create this effect.

The simple dying process has inspired everything from ombré dyed hair to icing for wedding cakes and faux finished wall. I explore how this pretty use of color has found its way into our hearts and home and beyond in my blog post Viva La Ombré.

There was a time when I thought that when it came to home decor the only reasons to not leave pastel colors in the 50′s was when decorating rooms for those newborn to about age 15. For anyone above that age the person’s personality would have to be feminine and as sweet as the colors themselves.

That way of thinking vanished long ago. If you’re still stuck thinking that pastels are only for children’s nurseries or for girlie-girls let me show you some rooms that I think will change your mind. See how often overlooked pastels can be beautiful option for your home in my latest blog post Pinks, Blues and Other Pastel Hues

In November 2008 Domino magazine profiled J.Crew’s creative director Jenna Lyons in her Park Slope Brooklyn brownstone. Every architectural details and item furnishings the townhouse reflected her personality but what drew the most attention was the color she choose for her walls–matte black! At the time black was not a choice many had seen anywhere other than the bedroom walls of a rebellious teen. It created a huge buzz in the blogsphere

Today charcoal black and other deep, dark colors are lining many fine homes. There is still a certain drama in something as unexpected as black and any dark wall gives a room formality but as Jenna told the magazine at the time, “there is a certain ease you don’t usually find.’

I think that is what is seducing more people to try black or very dark color in their home. In my post for Wayfair’s My Way Home, I talk Black Magic and give you tips on using black and other dark colors in your home. Head on over and take a walk on the dark side of decorating.