An Olympic Inspiration

If you follow this blog then you’re probably aware that I am always on the prowl for inspiring color and style ideas. I also love a good party (especially ones filled with interesting and creative people). When these two occasions merge you can say I’m truly ‘living in full color’ !

So it should come as no surprise that when I recently received an invite that included the words paint, palette, The Audubon Society and inspired by the colors and beauty of nature- it took no twisting of this blogger’s arm to get me R.S.V.P-ing YES right away.

The occasion: a colorful party hosted by Olympic Paints to celebrate the unveiling of Olympic’s Audubon Collection, 8 palettes inspired by the beauty of nature, drawing upon the vision and artistic tradition of the National Audubon Society.

With the works of renowned photographer Tim Fitzharris and painter John Jay Audubon himself as inspiration, these 8 Olympic paint palettes (in 48 colors ranging from the softest pastel to the deepest rich hue) virtually come to life before your very eyes, as if they were (sorry Great White Egret- I have to say it) plucked directly from the canvases.

Best part-Olympic Premium Paints (available exclusively through Lowe’s nationwide) are zero VOC , low-odor and- coming in at below $25 a gallon, quite easy on the decorating budget.

It was all sounding to my inspirations-loving-self, a bit too good to be true.  So I invited my pal Mary (a colorful interior designer in her own right) to tag along with me to The Bryant Park Hotel to get a closer look.

We arrived on the 25th floor of the hotel to be greeted by not only a spectacular view of the city but by a spectacular art project as well.

It was so fitting that Mary and I would be there together since we are soul mates in our love of paint-by-numbers. (She’s going to kill me for revealing this but Mary’s phone screen saver is actually a paint-by-number she did of her dog)

We jumped right into the evening’s festivities and began testing out the palettes and displaying a little bit of our own painterly skills.

our goal

and our Olympic palette

I told you we are professionals, check out Mary’s skill-level…even balancing a glass of wine she’s able to stay well with in the lines!

Throughout the room images of Tim Fitzharris’s amazing (and I mean amazing!) landscapes were on display with snapshots of rooms decorated in the colors inspired by his photographs.  The colors in these pictures are so breathtaking.  If you aren’t familiar with Mr. Fitzharris’s American landscapes check out his site.  If you are a new student of photography-like me, he has collaborated with the Audubon Society on what looks to be 2 great books geared towards digital camera users ( just added them both to my Xmas list).

This board shows a bedroom inspired by Olympic’s Majestic palette.

Here’s a better close up of the room from Olympic’s website.  The palette is said to ‘embraces the red canyon depths to distant horizon’s cast’.  I’m totally feeling it. I love the pop of frosty blue (the paint version is First Frost B52-1) paired with the warmer hues of cherry, clay and creams.

Nothing brings the outdoors in quicker than a palette of blues and greens.  Mary and I were both obsessed with the Grandeur palette.  Especially the deep saturated colors of Teal Zeal B58-5 and Guacamole C68-4. The Fitzharris images that go along with this palette include a picture of Bowling Ball Beach in California- which has to be seen to be believed. I’ve had the palette’s brochure open on my desk all week.  Being a bit stressed, I actually think that gazing at it has helped to zen me out. (My family thanks you.)

“Olympic Paint’s new Audubon Collection allows consumers to bring the brilliant hues of the natural world indoors, providing a connection with the landscapes that inspire them”,  Sandy Pinot, The Audubon’s director of licensing explained to us.  “Our relationship with Olympic is well-aligned as connecting people with the beauty of nature: and giving them the power to protect it is at the heart of what Audubon does.”

(A little bit of a side note: I have to mention how intrigued I was to learn some of the fascinating history behind the Audubon Society, like that it was started over a century ago right here in the heart of New York City-who knew?  The more I’ve been reading their site the more I think everyone should become a member or purchase an Audubon product for someone they love this holiday season and help support their tireless commitment to protecting nature, but I will go further on this in an upcoming post)

I also learned (thanks to Olympic’s own Kathy Boytim) of Olympic’s long history and passion in creating environmentally friendly, affordable paint options for consumers and have been doing so for years now. Way before ‘green decorating’ became the buzz- I must add.

Basically, I loved how passionate everyone involved was feeling about these beautiful palettes- the excitement was contagious!

You can experience all of the palettes at Olympic’s ‘Color’s of Inspiration Centers’ as featured in your local Lowe’s. They even have 3″x4″ chip cards of the collection and 8oz. sample cans, making it easy to try a little mysterious, glorious or tranquil colors in your own home.

Or if you are a ’shut in’ like I’ve been lately, thanks to dropping temps here in NY.  Then check out the company’s online paint tool, upload your pix and experiment with the colors right from the coziness of your own home.

With such a spectacular range of colors- I’m guessing there’s a palette for just about everyone.

In fact at the party we discovered that we all had our own palette.  Okay, truth be told I forced everyone to stand next to what I thought could be their personal palette.  Luckily everyone was a good sport about my pushy commands.

Andrea Husarova, graphic designer extraordinaire is perfectly chic next to the Tranquil hues of Crashing Waves (B56-2), Shy Violet (C41-2) and White Smoke (C10-1)

Olympic’s Kathy Boytim perfectly matched with the Majestic colors of Mexican Moonlight (C28-4), Pink Clay Pot (B35-3) and Fortune Cookie (B17-1) in her own stylish version of frosty blue

The Audubon Society’s own fiery Sandy Pinto is serenely matched with the Harmonious shades of “Serenity” (B52-2), “Lovely Lilac” (B46 -3) and ‘Filigree” (D54-1)

While Ketchum Public Relation’s Julie McNeal is camera ready in her modern earthy hues surrounded by the colors of Grandeur (fyi-that’s that image of Bowling Ball Beach!) “River Reed” (C11-2), Turquoise Mist (B58-3) and ‘Parchment Paper’ (C16-1)

Okay, I know Mary will never be my ‘event date’ again if I don’t put a picture of myself in this post- so here I am with my new colorful gal pals Sandy and Andrea.  Oh, yeah and Mary’s purse found it’s own palette as well!

And speaking of Mary, I think she was feeling a little jealous that she has yet to be asked to create a fabulous palette.  So she took it upon herself to create her own- inspired by her glass of wine and the delicious catered spread.

After a good giggle, we realized this was probably the time to say our good-byes (Mary and I DO have the tendency to shut down a party when we are together!)

Thanks to everyone (esp. you Sylvia from Ketchum PR) for having us along on such a fun, color-filled, inspiring night!  We had a blast! xoxo

p.s. Please let me know when you try out any of these Audubon Palettes in your own home, I would love to hear all about the beautiful results!