The Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum (an outpost of the Smithsonian Institute) is housed in what was Andrew Carnigie’s 5th Ave. mansion

April’s Feeling The Felt At The Cooper Hewitt post had caught their eye and they thought she’d like to hear for herself what a few of today’s most successful female designers have to say about juggling life, love and career.

They were so right- we were psyched.  The line up was fabulous.  Elle Decor’s Editor-in-Chief Margaret Russell playing host to this year’s recipients: (minus Josie Natori-too bad, I love her PJs!)

Charlotte Moss (whom the magazine also presented with their annual Vision Award)

Kelly Wearstler

Holly Hunt

and Michelle Nussbaumer

2. Margaret Russell must have some innate sense of direction. I quickly realized that these women represent not only varying styles and life stories, but when pinpointed on a map they also represent a crisscross of locations within our colorful country.

Moss (NY), Nussbaumer (Dallas), Wearstler (LA) and Hunt (Chicago).  Was this just a coincidence? Was Ms. Russell consulting an atlas?  Whatever the reason for their geographical alignment, I was thrilled. Feeling as if I’ve been suffering from ‘NY tunnel vision’ I was excited to hear about life as a designer beyond the Big Apple.

So I happily headed to the heart of Times Square to hook up with April outside of the hip and happening TheTimesCenter housed within the NY Time’s headquarters (wow, try saying that 10 times fast).

3. That TheTimesCenter is an amazing space inside an even more amazing building. Designed by architect Renzo Piano, The New York Time’s new headquarters is a 52 story marvel of glass and steel. It’s transparent facade allows outsiders to peek in and the day’s ever changing light and colors to shine back through.  Here’s a quote I found from the designer himself:

“I love the city and I wanted this building to be an expression of that. I wanted a transparent relationship between the street and the building. From the street, you can see through the whole building. Nothing is hidden. And like the city itself, the building will catch the light and change color with the weather. Bluish after a shower, and in the evening on a sunny day, shimmering red. The story of this building is one of lightness and transparency.”-Renzo Piano (source)

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The building really does change colors.  I remember it first caught my eye while I was driving in a cab up the West Side- it’s facade had literally turned the same amazing palette of crimsons and blues as the evening’s sunset.

I had yet to ever have the opp to be inside- as soon as we walked through the big glass doors we were struck by the space’s colors- about as close to Pantone’s color of the year for 2009 Mimosa as you can get highlighted with punches of a bright, true red.

When I walked into the auditorium and caught sight of the building’s interior moss and birch tree garden beyond the stage’s windows I was truly blown away. It’s no surprise to learn that Piano has become the go- to architect for museum redos throughout the United States.  The space has the same serene and contemplative feel you’d expect to experience in a modern day gallery or museum.

3. Networking is important, but when you are not in the mood very hard.  Luckily sometimes fate steps in. I was first and foremost there to listen in on the conversation between Ms. Russell and her panel of ‘designing women’.  But the cocktail hour at these events exist for one reason and one reason only- to quench your thirst, feed your hunger and fulfill your need to meet new people and provide your own answer to New Yorkers’ favorite question ‘What do you do?’.

But it was a Monday night and after a busy weekend I found myself lacking all social energy.  Besides I was having way too much fun egging April on to talk to the cute catering guy and playing the ‘Does where we stand effect the amount of hors d’oeurves we are offered?’ game to be bothered.

being this close to Holly Hunt, it probably would have been a smart move to say ‘hello’

By the time we were instructed to line up to enter the auditorium we realized we hadn’t talked to anyone other than each other.  Then as if on cue a lovely woman came up and asked if we were in line and an interesting conversation ensued.  Long story short she owns a ‘fringe’ art gallery and has a very exciting art show opening this month.  We ended up sitting together and now we have yet another interesting event to look forward! So sometimes being lazy does pay.

4.  That we must remember how awesome the founding mothers of modern day design are and that Margaret Russell is really cute in person.  Elsie De Wolfe , Dorthy Draper and Sister Parish were among the mavens mentioned in the opening slide show. It was fascinating to take a quick jaunt through history and see how much of an influence these woman still have on what makes for a beautiful home today.

rooms by Elsie De Wolf and Sister Parish (combining mauves and greens was a big hit for all 3!) and one of Dorthy Draper’s stylish ‘how-to’s’

Margaret Russell was quite poised, able to laughed off a few minor technical glitches and at herself -divulging us with her need to suck on cough drops due to a lingering cold. Once the panel was introduced and took their seats next to her in the living room like set, she charmingly referred to the evening as her own version of ‘The View’.  ( She however did not explain an ankle brace she was sporting with her LBD and heels but judging from her ‘gams and her guns’ I’m guessing kick boxing accident).

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5. That Charlotte Moss is hilarious. April and I of course loved her for the fact they she’s a Virginia girl turned New Yorker-just like us, but it was her plethora of feisty one liners that kept us chuckling throughout the evening.  When Margaret (or Peggy as Charlotte refers to her) asked “Do you care if you are called a designer or a decorator (since Elle Decor tends to use both terms in their magazine), Charlotte replied- ‘I don’t really care what you call me, as long as you pay my bill on time”.

I also admire that Charlotte is the only blogger out of the bunch.  Tete-A-Tete followers her latest musings and inspirations. (By the way none of the panel including Ms. Russell Twitters)

She was also quite candid about her recent decision to shut down Townhouse, her famed Upper East Side retail store. Saying that what seemed at first to be an incredibly hard choice, once made- was in the end one of the easiest she has ever made.  The demands of the store had taken ‘all the fun out’ of the other areas of her professional life.

6. That even the most successful of designers has a decorating skeleton or two in the closet.  When asked what the worst decorating mistake they ever made was.  Michelle Nussbaumer offered up that at a clients request she had slipcovered a desk- ‘You couldn’t even open the drawers’ she laughed.  While an entrance way  of six different colored stripes led to Kelly’s worst ‘decorating don’t’. Michelle also stated that she has mounted a stuffed alligator over a console in a client’s dining room (it’s a Texas thing, I suppose!)

7. That a good staff can organize your life and perhaps even polish up your fashion styling skills. Kelly Wearstler credits one overly zealous staff member with having the organizational skills of a pro, creating what sounds like an amazing clear bin system of all of her samples, memos and archives. She described it with such awe and appreciation you know it must be incredible.  Then Michelle let us in on the fact (after it was first brought to our attention by Charlotte) that she often takes her younger, just starting out in the business staffers shopping for their professional wardrobes. (Wow-really?  Again, this must be a Texas thing?!)

8.  That Holly Hunt believes success comes from taking risks.  She admitted to making many mistakes when she was first starting out in business, but that it was her risky decisions- like buying a showroom after her divorce and eventually signing on to partnership with designer Christian Liaigre that helped to define her career. I loved that she admits to being totally disorganized and even made reference to the many, many piles of papers that constantly crowd her desk (hey, Holly-me too!).  Plus even though she’s called Chicago home for many decades now, she has yet to lose her West Texas drawl- which I find very cool.

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the evening’s stylish crowd-we’re in there somewhere

9. A room’s atmosphere and energy is what a successfully designed space is all about. These were the keywords on everyone’s lips. How the room makes you feel, it’s comfort level and how a room can enhance your life are of top priority for all four women.

10. It was refreshing to know that even the most famous of designers don’t always have carte blanche when it comes to running the show.  Charlotte Moss was again hilarious in talking of the trials and tribulations of working with clients saying that she sometimes has to tell her clients “let’s step back for a moment and revisit why you called me in the first place’.

11. Kelly Wearstler believes its important to constantly surround yourself with inspiration-  Scouring bookstores, museums, movies and travel are some of her personal favorite sources. Charlotte makes sure to keep a notebook in every room and bag so she’s always on the ready to jot down an idea,  Michelle works with traditional inspiration boards as a starting point to defining the mood of a new projects, while Holly always keeps an eye open believing that good design ideas are all around us everyday.

12. That Michelle believes that in order to be a successful mother, friend, wife, sister and business woman it takes finding that perfect balance:  Since she manages to be a career woman and mother to four children, I’m guessing she’s found it.  I wish more had been discussed on this subject- perhaps she will start a blog…I will read it Michelle if you do:)!!!!

After a big round of applause we all made our way out to the lobby to say our goodbyes and the panel came out to mingle with the crowd.  As we were leaving, we caught sight of Charlotte Moss and felt it was imperative to give a ’shout out’ to the common bond of our ‘Old Dominion’ home state.

She was very sweet, comparing notes on being southerners in the city and encouraging us to ‘keep blogging’.  When we told her that she was the one that we voted ‘the designer we most wanted to go have drinks with afterwards’, she politely laughed and said’ Oh, yeah, well that’s good, I like that-but I’m off to dinner now” and away she went.

Rats! If only she had taken us up on it- what a fantastic ending to an already great evening we would have had.  Oh, well. Holly…. you’ll be happy to know we took a risk.

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!

Enjoy! (And donʼt worry, It was a philosophy of aesthetics class. My professor understood.)

All images compliments of Nathan Butala.

More about Pantone Color of the Year: Mimosa:

• Trend Tuesday: I Can See Clearly Now That Sunshine is Here…
• 2009 Color of the Year is Warm and Cheerful…
• Press Release from Pantone…

How very fitting, right ladies- it’s always what they say and how they move-not how they look that ultimately keeps us hooked!

Well regardless of why the peacock has such a spectacular showing of feathers, one thing is for sure their beauty has inspired countless artists and designers through the centuries.

Peacocks are spoken of in Ancient Mythology, The Bible and the Hindu religion. They are often used symbolically in literature and in folk art, often being depicted as looking back at their tails ( signifying renewal, since they drop and replace their feathers yearly).

Personally peacocks feathers always make me think of a time when Art Nouveau was actually ‘nouveau’ and of  lovely heroines caught up in some wonderfully heart wrenching Edith Warton plot.

can’t you just imagine using this Preening Pen ($20 from Anthropolgie) to scratch off a calling card to your family matriarch or passionately write prose dedicated to a secret lover!

This year peacock plumes are inspiring everything from evening gowns to eclectic bedding. A peacock inspired palette is one of the most vibrant themes happening in wedding trends as well.

Peacock plate by John Derian, Giambattista Valli gown from Fall 09, Matthew Williamson’s spring collection for H&M was influenced by peacock hues, a vintage peacock inspired umbrella, peacock top from Forever 21, art nouveau peacock slip on sneakers, peacock bedding from Target

Martha’s saying Peacock wedding hues is a ‘good thing’ this year

For home the colors inspired by the blues, greens and golden tones of peacock plumes have always been considered dramatic.

Whistler and the birth of the ‘Decorating Diva’ syndrome

My favorite is the very famous Peacock Dining Room, designed by the artist James McNeill Whistler for the art collector Frederick Leyland’s London home.  The story goes that Leyland intended to hang Whistler’s painting “The Princess From The Land Of Porcelain” in the room and asked the artist for a suggestion on what other colors to paint the rest of the room.

Leyland, away during the renovation was completely unaware that Whistler- unhappy with the way the room’s colors were clashing with his artwork – had taken it upon himself to paint every square inch of the space in gold and peacock blue ( it even has peacock feathers patterns on the ceiling).  When Leyland returned he was shocked to find his room had become a rhapsody in blue and gold.

He refused to pay Whistler the entire amount billed for the artist’s time spent as’ interior decorator’- Whistler later painted an image of two squabbling peacocks on one of the room’s walls depicting the conflict that ensued.  The room now resides in Washington D.C.’s Freer Gallery Of Art.

A brilliant blue peacock palette can also go a bit modern when combined with bright colors and white.  Kiki has a really great post about the trend of blues going green over on our blog Color For Your Home.

Her example of this bedroom by Kendall Wilkinson Design is my dream!

Overall though my favorite way to be inspired by a peacock’s colors for home is to simply look directly at the bird for color clues.  Multiple shades of brilliant blues and greens mixed with a little iridescent shimmer accented by shades of drab golds, browns and inky blacks.

If you have a room that basically browns and blues ( we all loved the choc-aqua trend), then an addition of another blue and some greens with golden accessories might be a great way to opulant- up the room’s overall look!

Or if you want to go very adventurous ( I know I do) then peacock blue walls with a metallic wash ceiling could result in a jewel box of a space! Doesn’t that sound so good- guest room redo, here I come!

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Benjamin Moore’s Baltic Blue, Mills Spring Blue, Hague Blue and Farrow and Ball’s Pelt all make an interesting foil to Benjamin Moore’s Paddington Blue ( a real peacock blue designer Robin Bell tells House Beautiful).

A quick palette just to get you inspired…now shake a tail feather and get styling!

I have to admit that the answer to this question was something I never really thought about until I began writing this blog.  I always felt I knew what I liked and that is what I liked.  I honestly was never really that concerned with whether I was wearing or had painted my bedroom the latest, greatest hue.

But once I began meeting more and more designers and talking with them about where they find their color inspirations I realized what an amazing synergy there is going on in the color palettes between the worlds of home, beauty and fashion design.

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Lavender showed up as a leading color trend in Pantone’s Spring 2009 Fashion Trend Report and as a rising color trend in Home as well- as seen here at the January 2009 Maison & Object Trade Fair in Paris

And while I don’t think that any particular trend(s) should direct you into changing your entire wardrobe or home, I do think that discovering how style makers find their inspirations may make a great clue into discovering your own.

So which one influences the other more?  Well I suppose I now have to say that answer is in the eye of the beholder.  I had always thought that fashion color trends typically had more influence over home color trends. I feel as if I have had more than one interior designer confirm that over the years.

I’ve written posts based on this belief- From The Runway to Pottery Barn a few years back was based on the very concept. It was hard to deny how many prints and color combos from their Spring catalog had been seen on the fashion runways the previous Fall.

When I interviewed Amy Lau about her recent Kip’s Bay Showhouse stairwell and the question came to the color of the wallpaper that she had chosen, she sited the most interesting mauve-y color that she was spotting in the windows of Manhattan chicest boutiques as having influenced her  choice.

But a chance encounter this week has me doing a little re-thinking of things.

Tuesday night I attended Designer Visions: 2009 Cinema Style at Soho Mews. It was a super fun evening packed to the seams with some incredibly talented people.  Soho Mews is a complex on West Broadway that most of us can only dream of living in…so it was quite exciting to get a peek inside. The theme of the night was for each designer to pick one of their favorite movies to use as their muse and create a space suited for modern day life.  In three almost identical duplex townhouses decorated to the hilt by Thom Filicia (for House Beautiful- “The Big Chill”), John Salandino (for Veranda- ‘The Girl With A Pearl Earring”) and Richard Mishaan (for Town and Country-Dinner At Eight”), the designer’s visions literally came to life.

First walk through I couldn’t help but notice how many different versions of Gray was being used.  When I mentioned it to Kate she said-’ Yeah, very cinematic”.  Hum, was that why?  It did make sense, very dramatic and moody.  I had always dreamed of living on the set of the Thin Man ( which by the way, would have probably been my muse)…was this what it would feel like?  I couldn’t help to think about what a huge color Gray has been in fashion over the last few seasons and how it looks to be a hot color yet again this coming Spring ( If you know me you know I often gauge a color trend by the very not-so-sophisticated method of what color polish Chanel is showing on their runways the season before- FYI for Spring 10 it’s a Dove Gray).

I figured that the Gray tones seen all over fashion these past few seasons perhaps had a bit of a hand in inspiring the palettes of  these rooms as well.  After all Gray has been hot in fashion, it only makes sense that it would explode onto the home scene- right?

Later in the night I had a very similar conversation about the heavy use of grays and complex neutrals with the cutest interior designer who had a much different take on who influences who. ‘Color trends always start in home and then move into fashion’, she exclaimed, ‘people always say it’s the other way around, but that they are wrong’.  Color is a much more serious decision when it comes to home, look at Gray for example.  Before a handful of years ago Gray wasn’t even considered a color.  It started to become used more and more in home interiors, at show houses, on the pages of magazines.  Now it’s a huge color in fashion- but it started in home.

She backed up her argument by saying that it is indeed fashion designers using these color trends first in their own homes, then into their Home Lines ( haven’t you noticed how it seems as if every fashion designer has their own line for home now- she asked.  I guess she is right you never do see it the other way around, do you…)  and then they bring these color to life on their runways.

Was she right?

I thought back to the minimalist look in home and fashion from the 1990’s, to simple neutral toned Calvin Klein sheaths and giant wood tables topped with gray and white table settings upon glossy white floors.  This is the time to me that Gray and it’s neutral cousins came into trend for me.  I remember back then Gray and Taupe and even White was considered very fashion forward after the opulent colors of the 1980’s.  So  which came first in this equations- did these colors hit modern homes or modern wardrobes first? Is my age showing?  Was Gray not considered a color until now? One thing is for sure, the minimalist’s palette and style that hit big in the 90’s is still having a strong influence over runways and homes today.

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When I mentioned this ‘ gray matter’ conversation to fellow blogger April added that perhaps the introduction of concrete as a designer touch in kitchens and baths that helped drive the trend of Gray in homes even stronger over the past years. Hum, good point…I suppose you could probably throw stainless steel in there somewhere, too.

And while I’m sure not clear as if the trend towards Grays truly did begin in home first-it’s no doubt that finding the perfect gray wall color was rarely a conversation you would be having with your neighborhood paint store a decade ago, let alone picking a gray toned polish for your manicure.

What ever the right answer is, my new party friend has made me aware that in the world of design and trends, it’s never quite an open and shut case- I go forward with my trendy mind and eyes a little more open.

When Domino magazine seized publication 8 months ago design junkies and hip DIYers let out a communal cry from coast to coast.  A favorite of the blogging world, the magazine and their online site provided much fodder and inspiration. The post I wrote about Jenna Lyon’s use of chalkboard paint in her Brooklyn townhouse as featured on Domino’s cover still gets hits on a daily basis, this many months later.

Domino struck a chord indeed. The homes, the apartments, the gardens, fashions, products and style ideas all seemed excitingly accessible. You admire and oh-and-ah them, but ultimately you say to yourself-”I could do that!”

Rumors had been flying about that there was an online magazine in the works, by the end of this summer rumors gave way to an actual launch day…and this weekend it has officially arrived.

LONNY is in the house!

Co-created by Michelle Adams and Patrick Cline (the name- a moniker of the two design mecca’s of London and New York),  the maiden issue is chalk full of so many beautiful images and tips, you’ll only be sorry that you can’t start tearing pages the minute you begin your virtual flip through. (Note to self- buy more printer ink).

With the homes of Eddie Ross, Grace Bonney and former Domino Magazine founder and Editor-in-Chief herself Deborah Needleman featured in amazingly beautifully shot spreads that are notably way grander in length than most print magazines, the chatter around the blogosphere no doubt has begun.

Here’s a few images that ‘rocked my houseboat’ the first go-through, just to wet your whistle- enjoy!

Take a look and let me know what color and style inspirations you will be taking home?  I’m totally copying Deborah Needleman’s round table full of green, growing beauty- already have a well lit corner picked out.

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NYC’s Spring 2010 Fashion Week kicks off with a shopping spree like no other: Okay, it really is too early to be naming next Spring’s specific color trends ( though Neiman Marcus’s Fashion Director Ken Downing did tell NY Magazine that we can expect to see lots of Blue), there is one definite trend already spotted as being shared by designers and retailers alike- a hope that fans will actually buy the lines.  To jump start the collective spending mojos 700 stores in NYC participated in yesterday evening’s world wide Fashion NIght Out by staying open late, hosting giveaways, rounding up celebrity guest, even pouring free booze…basically a fashionista’s dream come true. The shopping stimulus idea, co hosted by Vogue magazine and the City of New York, came down from the fashion czar herself Anna Wintour ( who even made it onto the scene herself way out in Queens- I suppose her time at the US Open got her accustomed to actually crossing that bridge out of Manhattan).

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A master’s palette restored and identified after a 25 year mystery at The Met: It’s amazing what a little sprucing and cleaning can do to your psyche.  If you’re a curator at a major museum in possession of a painting whose artist is not been clearly defined- a little elbow grease can do absolute wonders!  The NY Times reports that this is exactly the case at The Metropolitan Museum Of Art.  A painting entitled ‘Portrait Of A Man’ that was gifted to the museum in 1949, was said at the time as being a work by the Spanish Artist Velazquez.  Yet years later the painting ( which is thought to be an unfinished study) was downgraded by experts and the museum as actually coming from ‘the school of Velazquez’ not the master himself. Why? The colors were much darker than Velaquez’s typical palette and the brush strokes not so defined.  Yet it seems as if the last owner’s own handy work may have come into play in this colorful mystery…read more here.

Wedding inspirations for the bride with a designer’s eye for color: Everyone’s favorite color matching system Pantone has teamed up with the Dessy group to create an online means to get your pre-nuptial inspirations flowing. Complete with tools to create image boards, match your favorite hue to bridesmaid dress or wedding day accessory, take a gander at the latest color combo trends and even get 14 free swatches of your favorite Pantone colors ( to take along to vendors of course- after all you don’t want your flower arrangements clashing with your attendees’ Mango dresses!)

Southern Accents says goodbye:  After 32 years in publication the magazine devoted to beautiful homes, gracious living and a sense of place says goodbye.  Their ‘Colors You Need To Know Now‘ was always one of my favorite magazine features-from what I remember they were the first ones ever to put the spotlight on a single hue ( with coveted paint suggestions to boot!)  Check out their Picking Color Palettes 101 for some beautiful ideas- Southern Style.

I tend to find most of my inspirations this way.  Whether its something I wear or buy or even a color I might suggest to a friend or client- chances are something struck my eye and got me thinking that these colors would make a great palette for a room or outfit or logo or even a music video ( ok truth be told I’ve never actually done a music video, but I do think I could make an awesome cinematographer- so please do drop me a line if you’re hiring!)

Anyway, the point is-this is what originally got me thinking about taking the trend of metallics and moving them from my closet and makeup bag into my garden.

I can’t afford to put this Nina Ricci dress in my closet, but I can easily add a little of it’s opulent color outside of my front door

I loved the way the copper roof on my house looked when it was brand new- as it glowed like the holy grail for about a two weeks after it was installed.  A butterfly bush that turned the most amazing shade of bronze after it bloomed, the fading gold paint on my favorite yard sale find ever- apple boy ( as seen above) and even the unexpected return of a silvery Sage bush in my herb garden.

I was already obsessed with using iron urns and garden statues to give my yard the illusion of grandeur- I hadn’t realized how glamorous metallic plants could make a garden look as well  Heck! Truth be told, I hadn’t actually ever thought of plants in terms of having metallic colors in the first place.

So I sat myself down and wrote a little article for Sensational Color called Metallics In The Garden, giving some colorful advice on things to think about when adding a bit of glitz to your own little slice of heaven.

So visit our home site, Sensational Color to have a look at Metallics In The Garden and SHINE ON!

runway image from Style.com

steel pinwheels available from NYBG Shop In The Garden

There is also a second preview that includes lots of fun information including the full chart for the color numerology from Ellen Kennon that I mentioned yesterday.  See both previews at HouseBeautiful.com

Continuing with the color preview I want to mention some fun color finds that the September issue of House Beautiful highlights.

Chromotherapy Put on your rose colored sunglasses…or yellow…or blue to rev you up or calm you down.  At $14 a pair you can afford to alter your mood.  See a rainbow of choices on page

Mood Rings Slip on a mood ring.  Yep, they are back and circle your with their special powers.  Can these rings really detect your mood?  Slip one on and then turn to page 94 to see what the color reveals.

iPhone Apps I love my iPhone and it seems like there are more and more color apps being added all of the time.  House Beautiful mentions four of the best including ColorSnap from Sherwin-Williams on page 95.

Websites Worth a Visit Included in the list is our own Sensational Color (yes, we are thrilled!) along with four other color sites on page 96

To see more color tools, tips, and ideas, pick up the September issue of House Beautiful, on newsstands now!

Visit HouseBeautiful.com

Follow @house_beautiful on Twitter

Color Snap from Sherwin-Williams

Sunglasses from momentum98

]]> http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/hooray-for-house-beautiful/feed/ 6 http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/the-best-in-color-august-week-1-the-im-in-house-beautiful-edition/ http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/the-best-in-color-august-week-1-the-im-in-house-beautiful-edition/#comments Sun, 09 Aug 2009 18:03:45 +0000 Kate Smith http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/?p=5066 This week we are giving a Sensational shout out to our favorite shelter magazine House Beautiful and their spectacular September 2009 Color Issue!

This is the very best color issue ever and you can only imagine how ecstatic I am to have been included.  Now don’t go telling Stephen Drucker but if he had been in the vicinity when I saw this issue I probably would have kissed him.  That is,  right after I stopped jumping up and down and took that big silly grin off my face.  It’s probably a good thing for both of us that he was in New York.

I admit I’m excited about being included in this issue.  Wouldn’t you be?

And yep I’ll own the fact that I can’t wait for you to read my “What Color Says” blurbs.  Look for them as you read the articles about five homes put together by super talented designers-Windsor Smith, Eric Cohler, Sarah Scaglione, Allison Paladrino and Rob Southern- and the five color personalities their designs embody: Balanced, Rooted, Relaxed, Positive and Dramatic.

The colors people choose to surround themselves with in their home speak to me and tell me things about their personality that they may never reveal to me themselves.  In fact some of these rooms said so much about their occupants that my biggest challenge was in trying to sum it up in just two sentences.  Luckily Julie and I put our heads together and in the end came up with a couple of sentences that captured the color personality of each room.

Look for the white boxes labeled “What the Color Says” on pages 75, 79, 81, 87, 89, 98, 107, 111, 117, 119, and 121.

Special Pullout Color Chart On one side Michelle Bernhardt (author of Colorstrology) tells how to balance a home with color to create order, prosperity, calm, happiness and eight others.  Turn it over and see Glidden’s Top 10 Share the Harvest Colors. Be sure not to miss this. It is inside the front cover.  Isn’t that neat?

Ask a Numerologist I always enjoy talking with Ellen Kennon because we share both a love of color and an interest in its spiritual connections.  In this issue Ellen reveals how your name has a color energy that is linked to your color personality.  Go to page 94 for a chart that shows what numbers are associated with the letters in your name.  Once you have your number and color read Ellen’s insights into what they say about your color personality.

Also don’t miss Ellen’s quote in the Ask a Color Consultant section on page 97.  Three of the Best (Ellen along with Donald Kauffman and Scott Flax) tell you how to arrive at inspired color choices.

Find your Colortime For two decades my friend and favorite color guru Leatrice Eiseman has shown us how to use the Colortime system to find our perfect wardrobe colors and now she is expanding that thinking into finding colors for our homes.  Why not?  Many color consultants look into a person’s closet for clues as to what colors they might enjoy in their homes.  To find out whether you’re a Sunrise, Sunset or somewhere in between take the quiz on page 96.

Feng Shu The art of Feng Shui centers on balancing energy and since color is light and energy color is an important aspect of this ancient practice.  On page 97 there is a diagram that shows the recommended placement of colors within a home or a room to encourage health, wealth, happiness and more according to Feng Shui.

The Last Word We all love color quizzes and expert advice and this issues is overflowing with insights and fun ways to discover ‘your colors’.  Just before you reach the back cover (on page 152) you’ll find  20 color questions to get you thinking about which colors speak to you.   I love that this is how the issue comes to a colorful close, because after all when it comes to your Color Personality- you always have the last word!

This is one issue not to miss and there is so more to talk about but that’s enough for now.  Stay tuned all week as Julie and I share more Best in House Beautiful Color!

Visit House Beautiful online at HouseBeautiful.com

Discover more about the designers and companies mentioned above:

Windsor Smith

Eric Cohler

Ellen Kennon

Leatrice Eiseman

Michelle Bernhardt

Glidden Paint