Just in time to shoo away post-holiday blues and winter doldrums- we’re sharing our first favorite trend of the year…BRIGHT, BOLD COLOR!
Colors with names like pixie green, citrus yellow, berry crush and blueberry fizz are showing up on everything from designer bags to king size beds.
Super bright hues lit up the spring runways of 3.1 Phillip Lim, Diane Von Furstenburg, Balenciaga and Louis Vuitton
Similar to the neon-inspired pieces that grabbed attention last year, these brights pack a punch whether combined with neutrals, whites or fellow brights ( but in our opinion are much easier to live with!)
Splurge on a bright pair of shoes or a coat and suddenly the long, gray days of winter feel a little warmer! Pick up a few accessories or one new piece of furniture in a bright, bold hue and instantly change your home’s mood.
The fun really begins when you dare to mix two or more of these brights together. For easy inspiration take color cues directly from brightly colored floral fabric, which are also a big trend this spring.
Bazaar magazine looked at the trend of Hollywood starlets wearing brights in their December issue… how do those savvy fashionistas always seem to stay one step ahead?
Ads for resort collections always bring hope to my winters… this year both Gucci’s and Chanel’s Resort campaigns feature brightly dressed models.
I was happily surprised to discover that J.Crew paired bright dresses with equally bright shoes in their latest catalog
The newest campaign from The Gap says “it’s all about the blue”…. but for me this yellow coat and the bright colored accessories around the store are what caught my eye on a recent visit.
Signature handbags from Louis Vuitton and Coach get a splash of bold color for Spring.
From Micheal Kors to Manolo Blahnik to Tory Burch…. even the faintest of “color heart” can appreciate the dare devil spirit of a bright pair of shoes.
Adding a bright piece of furniture to your home has never been easier. The Cleo chair from Anthropologie, the Jacqui tea table from Eboniste.com or even an aqua blue felt bed frame from Bludot.com are all places to start.
Marimekko bedding from Crate and Barrel, a Dwell Studio pillow from Target and this awesome chandelier by Thomas and Vine that I found through Domino Magazine show that…
…a little extra color in your home is one only bright accessory away.
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31st Dec. '07 ·
Julie's Daily Tips
·
Authored by Julie Hoylen
If you are lucky enough this year to be going on a winter escape vacation to a warmer climate, it’s best to start planning for it a few weeks early. Chances are your bikini and favorite flip-flops have been stored away since the end of summer, your bottle of SPF 30 is nearing empty, and your tootsies are less than beach perfect. So save yourself last minute travel stress and think ahead.
Make a plan of what you will pack, what you need to buy and what you need to schedule to have done before you leave.
If you are going to a new destination, familiarize yourself with the dress code of the resort and it’s clients. A concierge can typically help in this department. Even in the most casual of settings- i.e. living in your swimsuit all day, it’s best to plan on being properly dressed for dinner. So pack accordingly.
Which shoes to pack should also be taken into consideration, as much as you don’t want to give up valuable luggage real estate to your sneakers or comfy walking shoes… bring them. Most activities ( tennis, horseback riding, hiking, boating) at vacation spots require the right footwear, and you would hate to be left out of any vacation adventure. I learned this lesson when I was the only one in my party left out of a deep sea fishing adventure in the Bahamas a few years back… the boat’s captain didn’t seem to agree with my choice of platform sandals as proper boating shoes!
Get double use out of your vacation- by using your upcoming trip as a motivation for a healthier you. If you live in a cold winter climate, like me… your body has probably been hiding itself behind plenty of layers for the last few months. Make changes in diet, exercise, and skin care now… then when it’s time to walk out on the beach for the first time- you’ll be ready to relax and take advantage of your time away from the stresses of everyday life.
As far as clothing budget goes, buy yourself at least one new piece to bring on vacation just for fun then set some cash aside to buy yourself something once you’re away. A local sarong or beach bag can be used right away and will bring back warm memories once you return home to colder weather.
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Last week I took a look at the trend of the color gold being used in holiday advertising… this week in honor of the countdown to the new year…. I can’t help but notice gold is having it’s moment-so to speak- in the spotlight of women’s fashion, as well.
A Valentino runway stunner - Fall 2007 couture from Style.com
In fact I would say it’s been the month- and perhaps even the holiday weekend- of the LGD ( little gold dress ). From starlets to fashion spreads to fashion opinions, the little gold dress it seems, is the trendiest sheath of the season.
So if your looking to add a little timely sparkle to your year end/beginning traditions, perhaps a little gold number is all you need…
In Style’s website suggest two different LGDs as the perfect party dress for the holidays.
Vogue gave gold dresses an entire spread in it’s December issue.
Baazar spotlighted gold sequined and embellished dresses in their December and January issues.
Both December covers of Lucky and Bazaar feature starlets in a LGDs.
Elle.com choose a photo of Kate Moss in a one of a kind Top Shop LGD for their look at the 25 best dressed of 2007.
Coincidentally Style.com choose the same pix of Kate Moss for there look at what to wear this New Year’s Eve. Wow, fashionistas sure love Miss Moss in this dress!
Today’s “Fashion Faceoff” on People.com just happens to feature Carrie Underwood and Kim Kardashian wearing the same Jovani gold sequin dress.
While Us magazine picked this metallic gold Alexander Wang Dress to as their “Who Wore It Best?“ for this holiday weekend.
People.com takes a look at the trend with images of Eve, Hilary Duff and Vanessa Hudgens all wearing LGDs on the red carpet.
And what will I be wearing this New Year’s Eve?… Will I partake in this trend…
Well- no doubt I’d love to show up wearing this 3.1 Phillip Lim dress on Monday night, but with a $625 price tag ( and a very tired post-holiday credit card ), this little gold number from Forever 21 is more of a reality!…. I love the idea of pairing it with dark grayish/blue tights…. I may just try this look at home ( minus the hair crimping, of course.)
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It happens every year- you’re left with that one person on your gift list that has you completely stumped- perhaps it’s a brother who has everything, an overly picky best friend who never seems satisfied or a co-worker whose name you picked for the office gift pool- but you barely know… whoever it may be, the big question remains- “what do I give”?
Well I found myself recently in this same gift conundrum-(let’s just say to be fair, my friend has high standards !) What could I possibly give her that would possibly wow her without breaking the bank? I discovered it was as simple as using a little color knowledge, to turn a practical purchase into a spectacular gift!
Start with a simple gift that anyone would be happy to receive- a beautiful ball point pen, a warm, cozy scarf or an ipod case for example- in a color that best represents who you think that person is. Then on the gift tag, explain to the lucky recipient why you choose the color.
For example…. you gift your brother with a red ballpoint pen, the message being ” Red represents action and confidence, it increases enthusiasm and stimulates energy…. just like you do everyday for your family!”
A yellow leather post-it note holder for your co-worker’s desk with the message-”yellow represents optimism and creativity… just like you bring to all of the office meetings”
And just so you know…. my picky friend will find herself opening a lovely, soft winter scarf in the perfect shade of purple because- “purple is the color best worn by those with mystic and royal qualities”- a true fit for her “inner- princess”!
Read more about the messages and meaning of color- you’ll never look at gift color choice the same way again!
and just in case my gifts might work for you, visit…
More fun gift ideas in a spectrum of color choices…
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We’ve been writing a lot about the popularity of metallic colors over this past year. Whether it be fashion, home, garden, technology or automotive- the shimmery hues of pure metal truly appeals to designers and consumers alike.
Elle Decor’s look at the trend of metallics
So I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that advertisers and retailers gravitated to this trend for the holidays. After all it’s glitz is both sophisticated and festive.
But while silver seemed to be on everyones minds this summer and fall ( remember those silver ballet flats that were on everyone’s must-have list), gold seems to be the hot metallic to ring in the new year!
Everywhere I look lately there is a golden glow- as Gold is the color du jour for fashion, home decor and even advertising.
Just take a look at how these companies are enticing shoppers to “go for the gold” this holiday….
Gucci choose a golden palette for both their jewelry and newest fragrance campaigns.
Macy’s featured an all gold accessories campaign for the holidays.
Donna Karan named her newest fragrance Gold, while the ads for both Sarah Jessica Parker’s Covet and Fendi’s Palazoo seemed to be dipped in gold dust.
Burberry choose to feature their iconic trench in gold for their winter campaign, while Coach followed suit- showcasing a golden version of their famous signature C motif.
Bebe and Arden B., known for their spicy apparel use gold to rev up the sex appeal even more- in a Studio 54 kind of way.
Mikimoto’s golden pearls and Neiman Marcus’s gold clad model exude to consumers a desire of pure materialistic luxury!
The newest ads for American Express feature a jet-setting Beyonce decked out in all gold- Do you suppose she coordinates with her gold American Express card?
Have you noticed a golden glow in ads lately?
Some of what we’ve said about glamorous gold recently…
Metalics at home
Metallics in garden
Metallics you wear
Liquid Gold
Glamorous Gold
Gold shines as “Color of the Year”
Next, I’ll be taking a look at the trend of gold for holiday fashion and home decor…
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Anyone that knows me well, knows that I am a magazine junkie — my husband, my mailman and even my friends who are more than happy to bypass their recycling bins to hand their read subscriptions over to me.
When I open my mailbox to find a brand new sparkling issue, I swear my serotonin level doubles- it’s kind of a sickness.
But some good can come from this obsession of mine…. I’ve decided each month to do a wrap up on what my favorite magazines are saying about color- a quick flip through the trends and ideas that keep us inspired each and every month.
“Red is not a color for sissies, but you can’t go wrong with this orangey red that reminds me of carved cinnabar boxes from China. It’s warm and cheerful with chintz. Or add a coat of gloss for a lacquered effect and the room will feel like a glamorous jewel box. go out and buy two buckets of red and change your world in a weekend.” designer Todd Romano talking about Farrow and Ball’s “Blazer 212″- “Color For Coziness”… House Beautiful
“The allure of jet-setter style is irresistible: graphic black and white against a polished interior best exemplifies the globe-trotting gourmet high life.” Elements of a Room/ Chalet Style… House & Garden
“At it’s best, plum evokes royalty and is as rich and elegant as it is interesting, adding an unexpected dimension to upholstery or even tableware. Plum is every-where these days, and it’s utterly classic when done right.” The color you need now… Southern Accents
“Shades of gray…a pair of deep, gentle hues, combined with bright-blue accents, create a dreamy, restful retreat.” Paint palettes… referring to Benjamin Moore’s Rushing River and Nightfall… Domino
” I’ve realized going to the extreme with one color is fun when you play off different textures.” fabric designer Kitty White talking about decorating her own home… Cottage Living
“I choose my menu based on color a lot of times. I love a colorful plate of food, but not necessarily a colorful plate. If I’m serving on fiestaware, I might not put as much thought into the menu as I would if I were serving dinner on Russel Wright white plates, for example.” actress and author Amy Sedaris talking about the affect color has on appetite… Metropolitan Home
“Metallic- Get ready, get set, and go for the gold- not to mention the silver, bronze, copper and more. From fabrics that shimmer to wall coverings that shine, there is a mine’s worth of precious metals out there guaranteed to put a gleam in your eye” from Trend alert…Elle Decor
“All is bright- for her annual Christmas Eve dinner, Gael Towey ( chief creative director of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia ) dresses her New York City brownstone in an unexpected holiday color- pink… the table, dressed in rosy pink linens and bejeweled with pink roses and shining lusterware plates”… Living
“Usually strict evergreen loyalists, we fell in love with this cotton-candy-ish conifer. It’s unabashedly festive, and you don’t have to strap it to your car to bring it home. Traditional trimmings wouldn’t cut it, so we wove jumbo lights in and out of its branches, then dangled glass globes and plastic balls, which have the sheen of soap bubbles “ from Glow and Behold- holiday decorating… Blueprint
“Gifts Galore… shades of coral, winter whites, peacock palette, candy colors” holiday gift ideas… Town and Country
“I like to give my friends the royal treatment with gifts of sparkly metallic finishes and crown motifs.” Mary Emmeriling on what she will be gifting this holiday…Country Home
“Hot colored appliances- it used to be that purchasing an orange or yellow mixer constituted a commitment to colorful decor in the culinary zone. But now, with manufacturers introducing major appliances in vivid shades such as cobalt blue and deep burgundy, you can make a statement from the kitchen to the laundry room”. from Fresh Faces: New this season… Home
“Juicy News, Ripe tangerine and turquoise are bountifully in season” Elle Fashion Trends… Elle
“I think the color is a translation of all the energy that’s in London,” says David Saunders, a fine-art-print designer who put together his bright, geometric first collection under his David David label this season. State of the Union, Sarah Mower spotlights the most optimistic, color crazed collections to come out of London in years…Vogue
“Pearly Whites, pristine and cool, a frosting of pearls gleams on a quilted bag, silk shoes and an angelic necklace.” Scene Stealers accessories… In Style
“Equal parts playful and ladylike, jewel-toned pieces add the perfect jolt of color to my winter wardrobe.” Hope Greenburg, fashion director from- what I want now, editor’s picks… Lucky
“It was a year of rainbow brights. Style setters worked the room and the photographers in bold blues, steamy reds, and fiery yellows.” from Best Dressed 2007- Primary Colors… Harper’s Bazaar
As a quick note, before I close my first post on the subject, I must mention my personal sadness upon learning that House & Garden’s December issue would be their last to print. I absolutely loved that magazine! I read Dominique Browning’s editorials each and every month and devoured every beautiful issue. Their website, blogs and art direction were a huge inspiration to us as we were developing this site. Our best wishes for a successful creative future to all those involved!
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26th Nov. '07 ·
Julie's Daily Tips
·
Authored by Julie Hoylen
Hitting sales racks at the end of each season is a great way to pick up classic pieces for the next year. But before you swipe that card, take time to understand the stores return policy on sales items. Many boutiques and online vendors offer sale items as “final sale only” deals and while larger department stores may have a more lenient policy about returns, often times there is a time constraint on when the items can be returned. Keep this in mind and make sure the piece perfectly fits on you and into your wardrobe before you buy.
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14th Nov. '07 ·
Julie's Daily Tips
·
Authored by Julie Hoylen
A personalized “style budget” can keep your shopping habits on track. First estimate the amount you can honestly spend each season, then take some time to think and write out a shopping list. On a sheet of paper, make separate list of Wants, Needs and Essentials for each season. Examples of what to include are beauty-grooming habits- including all salon and spa visits, as well as updated seasonal products on your essential lists. Any items that have top priority to buy, such as a new winter coat, swimsuit for an upcoming vacation, formal wear for a black tie event should be placed on the needs list. Then the want list is simply a fantasy list of things you would love to buy, but don’t necessarily need. Once you get a clear overview, you can budget each category accordingly. Once you get used to doing this each season you will begin to think before you buy…. Saving money here so that you have more money to spend there. It’s a great habit - because shopping debt is never in fashion!
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Isn’t it funny how sometimes you find yourself so incredibly drawn to a particular color?
Well if color can become an obsession, then this fall for me it has to be a color I thought could best be described as violet.
It all started simply enough- I was savoring one of those rare perfect summer days in July when I first spotted the color in the form of a simple sun-dress on a women across the lawn at my local beach club. She was standing next to a perfectly weathered white Adirondack chair on a lush green lawn, with the deep blue sea behind her.
Spring House View by Daniel Pollera shows a similar setting
When I first saw the color the word violet came immediately came to mind. The warm purple-pink of the dress “popped” out amongst the surroundings, the color virtually sang out to me and an color obsession was sparked. Whatever the reason, since that day I been on a quest to possess this color.
Quickly though I discovered finding this perfect shade was not going to be as easy as I thought. Upon both my physical and virtual shopping journey I discovered that not everyone agrees on calling this hue that I desire” violet”.
Some designer’s versions of “violet” are way too pink, some too blue, and some that I think are absolutely perfect are called by another name such as tuberge or magenta.
Suddenly I found myself in a real color conondrum. The color violet was the first word that came to mind when I saw the dress- but could I have been wrong to label it so? Did I need to rethink my fantasy hue’s moniker?
One quick google search for images of real violets and I had my answer…
Two different species of violets- two very different petal color
So, which plant blooms a true shade of violet?
Will opposing opinions of the answer lead to a feud campaign between designers?
Will we spot Valentino sporting a “Team Clive Groves” t-shirt while John Galliano wears one that reads “Team Baronne Alice de Rothschild” in the same vain as a fan pledging their alegiance to “Team Aniston” or “Team Jolie”?
I doubt it. But still, it’s sort of fun to see what side of the debate labels would be on if one actually existed.
I’d would most definitely be wearing a “Team Clive Groves” t-shirt to support my vision of violet. My fellow teammates would include Marc Jacobs, Carolina Herrera, Valentino, Prada and Manola Blahnik
While the designers from Kenneth Jay, Christan Dior, J.Crew, Target, Nars and OPI would proudly be showing support for”Team Baronne Alice de Rothschild” .
So, which is your vision of violet?
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*For links to the numerous websites mentioned in this article, please see the end of article.
The line between indoor and outdoor style is getting a little blurry!
Today’s hottest exterior furniture, fabrics, and accessories are taking their color and style cues directly from the “looks” that are classic and trendy for your home’s interior decor. In fact, these high performance, weather resistant marvels look so much like their interior counterparts, that you won’t be surprised when your neighbor does a double-take at your next soirée.
Horchow leads the pack of retailers creating outdoor pieces that look shockingly like their interior counterparts…making me rethink my whole outdoor living decor. I’m loving the idea of Chippendale chairs outside!
This melding of interior/exterior style is by far my favorite trend this season! Being someone who has always dreamed of existing in one of those fabulous “outdoor rooms” you often find perfectly styled on the glossy pages of magazines, I’m utterly thrilled!
Living on the muggy, cold East Coast, I had years ago resigned to the fact that my stylish outdoor vignette dream was just that - a dream. Obviously, such a dream could only be attained by those lucky “70 degrees and sunny, Southern California” dwellers.
But alas, this summer outdoor living additions of my favorite catalogs began showing up in my mail, my coveted home magazines all began to mentioning more and more of these all weather fabrics and furnishings, even my favorite go-to for instant gratification store - Target - had their own wares. Suddenly, my dream was beginning to seem more like a reality!
So what’s a girl to do? Scour the internet and magazines for inspiration, of course.
But the wealth of products out there can be daunting, especially if you’re starting from decorative scratch. So to help narrow down my search I first take into consideration the exterior colors of my house and property.
At Sensational Color, we like to refer to these colors as constants, since they are the colors that are not easily changed. Constants include the exterior colors of your home and surroundings. Mine are bluish-gray siding with white trim and reddish-brown doors, a slate gray roof, and a blue-stone patio that has tints of terracotta throughout. My landscape blooms purple and white in the spring, yellow, warm pink, deep red, and white in the summer, and weathers to sea grass bronze, deep red, and dark greens in the autumn.
The amount of sunlight is also an important factor in outdoor color choice. Since colors can be used to warm up or tone down, give this some thought, as well. A shady location, like a covered porch, can handle brighter colors, while a patio in full sun may need a quieter palette. It all depends on your home’s and your personality.
My back patio is an awesome space that just cries out for a make-over. It’s in the shade most of the day, with sun in the late afternoon. With this in mind, I think a mix of subtle and eye-popping colors would be fun.
A beautiful, antiqued, bronze-colored table and chairs that seat six will stay, leaving me about half the patio to work with. Since I have a place to dine, what I really desire is a comfy place for guests to perch. So I set out on my virtual quest…
The Malibu Sofa from Walter’s Wicker fits the bill as my fantasy outdoor couch! I think its chocolate brown color and timely fabric would fit in perfectly.
These outdoor sofas from Pottery Barn could work, as well. They’re great examples of a company taking a successful interior design and recreating them for exterior use.
A ceramic stool from Mecox Gardens could easily be moved inside for winter, while this ultra-cool outdoor Moroccan motif rug from Laneventure would stay fabulously chic outside all year long!
A round iron table from Wisteria would blend in nicely with my existing dining table and pick up the pattern from the sofa’s upholstery. I’m gaga for chinoiserie motifs inside my house, so I flipped when I spotted the Mandarin Bench from Horchow…I think it would be simply delicious placed in the far corner of my garden!
This outdoor faux-bois table from Crate and Barrel would look so fabulous inside my house - it might not make it all the way out to my backyard. If it does, it would make an awesome bar! Nesting tables are great both in looks and function; this set from Pottery Barn is ultra-hip and would fit right in. Boxwoods planted in these Eden Park planters from Smith and Hawken could sit in the corners around my patio and would give the whole place a Parisian flair.
One of my favorite finds on this quest has got to be this oil-like outdoor painting from Target.com. It would look so cool hanging on the base of my brick chimney or, for a more surreal look, I would place it at eye-level on my giant chestnut tree.
An outdoor mirror from Crate and Barrel could hang above my outdoor sofa and reflect the colors of my garden. A pair of copper wall sculptures from the same place would be cool mounted on either side of my back door and would pick up on the copper finish of my fantasy planters.
Two Louis XV chairs from Sutherlandteak recovered in this funky outdoor print from Duralee could do double-duty, pulled up to either end of my table as extra seating. I love the pops of color throughout this fabric - the blue is the exact shade of the morning glories that grow along my fence! I’d top everything off with some throw pillows made out of this coral inspired fabric from Lulu DK…I’ve been worshiping this swatch for months and have been itching to use it somewhere!
With the pillows in mind, maybe I could change out my off-white market umbrella for the coral-inspired number in the middle.
I love the mood that outdoor lamps create. This cool bamboo floor lamp from Lowes could really add some evening ambiance. Once I get around to putting up my dream pergola over the table area of the patio, two of these Moroccan-inspired outdoor pendants from Pottery Barn could hang over the table. Meanwhile, an antique stone candle holder from Vivaterra gives the space a sense of history.
With so many choices, you can easily continue a color theme and style that matches your home’s interior decor, creating a seamless transition between lifestyles. Or, if a new color or style trend has recently caught your eye, your patio may be the perfect place to give it a try.
Do a little bit of research…scan magazines, catalogs, and the web for style inspiration. Then take throw pillows, stylish objects, and even beloved artwork from inside your home to the outside. Test to see how their colors play against your exterior backdrop and then go from there.
Most companies are happy to send you fabric swatches, which is of utmost importance. My beloved Lulu DK fabric read “bright red” in both magazines and on their website, but showed up at my house looking very orange. So don’t commit to anything that can’t be returned until you have at least a sample in your hands
This outdoor canopy bed from Janus et Cie is just one of the awesome pieces featured on the company’s site (it would be perfect outside my fantasy beach house - don’t you think?).
Other favorite websites to check out for inspiration include…Laneventure, Brown-Jordan, Restoration Hardware, Horchow, Pottery Barn, Mecox Garden, Sutherland, VivaTerra, Wisteria and Smith and Hawken.
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