I love the first two opening pages (shown below) and the ideas expressed.  Off to a good start.

I pulled up my birthdate first.  Although I’ve never really been attracted to the color ‘Blush’ the write up about personality traits seemed to fit.  Here’s a couple of highlights:

YOU love to learn and explore new things especially if there is an artistic or organic slant to the subject. [Yep, that's true]

Although you get along well with others you have a strong independent streak.  You want a partner with whom you can share your life, but one who doesn’t require all of your energy. [True again & I don't think I could have said it any better]

Now I know my sister Julie pretty well so I decided to see if it seemed to fit her personality traits.

There is something about your physical presence that is commanding yet likable. [Commanding wouldn't be a word I would have used but Julie does have a presence and is easily likable so I'd say this rings true.]

You have an artistic ability and a great sense of style. [No question here.  Julie is very artistic, creative and has an innate sense of style.]

So far so good but but I wanted to look up at least one more so I looked at Kiki’s birthdate.

Many people born on this day have a propensity for writing. [True, and I'm so happy about it since we regularly co-write articles, classes, and now books]

Your mind is very active so it is important for you to communicate both creatively and physically.  Sports, dance or the arts are all activities that can bring joy and help you relax. [I'd say this is very true.  After all Kiki is very creative and did dance with the Minnesota Ballet/Stage Door Performing Arts for 15 years!]

Okay, three for three.  I’m not sure if it is just a lucky coincidence or that there really is something more to Michele Bernhardt’s Colorstrology but it sure was fun.

Why not find your Colorstrology color and then leave a comment and let me know if what your birthdate say about you is on target.

So it’s Wednesday night and I have just discovered the most beauti-mus kitchen within the Grange Showroom (NYDC 200 Lex. Suite 201).  Traditional Home magazine is hosting the event, a bevy of talented designers have created vignettes throughout the showroom depicting ‘Chic Chateau Family Style’ and the little voice inside my head is starting to speak with a slight French accent.

I have just had a quick catch up with Sabine who let me in on the fact that Eddie Ross was not only ‘in the house’ but ‘in the kitchen’.  Having met Eddie months back I couldn’t wait to say ‘Hi!’ and find out if and when he would be hosting another flea marketing day in NYC (since my pal Mary and I are still obsessed with shopping alongside him). Plus I know wherever Eddie is, yummy treats and great style is sure to follow.

Eddie’s kitchen vignette did not disappoint. Packed to the rim with pots, pans, herbs, oils and everything you could ever desire in the warmth and welcoming kitchen of your own private chateau.

I am so loving the gray walls and gray back splash together.  Don’t you think it’s so unexpected, but works so beautifully together!  The accents of Black and White with the Coppers, the wood tones, the dark appliances and the Creaminess of the cabinetry and stove really help to warm up the Gray. Think how different all stainless steel appliances or pure White cabinets would have looked.

Sherwin Williams

In this case the color Gray feels serene, unfussy and contemplative. And while yes this room would make a lovely backdrop for a family and friends gathering, I selfishly have to admit my favorite time to be in my own kitchen is when I’m all alone.  Sometimes the only time I get to think straight during the day is over the breakfast dishes or prepping for dinner. This is a palette I can see myself happily surround in as I fiddled about with a warm cup of coffee or even better-a big, full glass of wine.

Okay, fast forward back to Sunday afternoon and now for the explanation behind the gratuitous picture of Jude Law at the beginning of Part 1.

As a special surprise fellow LIFC maven April treated me and Kimberlin with tickets to see the Broadway production of Hamlet (inspiration-30% to fulfill our cultural desires/ 70% to be able to say we were all in the same room as Jude Law).  None the less, my lazy rainy Sunday morning had left me well rested and ready to experience an afternoon with Shakespeare and my favorite girls!

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Unknowingly the color Gray would show up yet again to color my mood.  This time around in the form of a vast, cumbersome set and a little updated styling.

Designer Christopher Oram, who originally created the sets and costumes for the company’s London run, understands a thing or two about the psychology of color.  With only a jolt of bright red carpet in the Great Hall, a brilliant sheer white curtain ( to give the illusion that we are spying in on the scene where Hamlet confronts his mother) and spots of pure, bright white lighting and fluffy white snow that cast a blue glow- the entire staging was pretty much a monochromatic homage to Gray.

Even our poor troubled hero and his fellow cast of doomed character’s are clothed only in Grays, with bits of black, purple and white thrown in for dramatic measure. The drabness of the stage and costumes helping to set a chilling mood as we watch our sweet prince embark into madness and pain.

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Now I am by no means a theater critic or a Shakespearean expert, but I truly enjoyed Jude’s performance. His compelling rendering of the Prince of Danes was both physical ( who knew he was so gestural?) and emotionally impressive.

By the Second Act the starkness of the Gray set and the sadness of the characters was beginning to get to me.. I wrapped my coat around me a bit tighter as I was even beginning to feel slightly chilled.

The color Gray was most certainly used to ‘unsettle’ in this case. I suppose too much of a good thing- can truly be too much!

After the curtain fell, we spilled out into the streets of Manhattan abuzz with fellow theater goers and began our search  for the closest cold beer and pizza.  Moments later high above the Gray city setting, heavy dark clouds moved in and the sky opened down upon us once more.  It was at that moment that I realized how much the color Gray had been coloring my own life throughout the last 7 days.

Too much of a good thing…and as I made my way through through a soggy Time’s Square in my favorite high heels- I suddenly began to pray for a new color- Yellow ( in the form of an empty cab, that is!)

Check out what other bloggers are hooked on today over at Hooked On House’s and The Inspired Room’s Friday blog carnivals

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I quickly discovered I was not alone in my psychological rain dance.  Everyone I chatted up on Saturday seemed to be waxing poetic about even the slightest possibility of a rained out day.  No sports, no markets, no Fall festivals…a free pass, a few hours to do nothing more than catch up.

It wouldn’t be until later the next rain soaked (hooray!) day that I would realize that the color Gray had in fact been very much on my mind the entire week- and not just in form of clouds.

The color Gray is often referred to as the perfect neutral color.  This is why gray boards are used by designers as a background color. I like to think of Gray as a polite hue, secure in who it is… no need to effect or force itself on it’s surrounding colors.

If Gray had an astrological sign I bet you it would be a Libra!

This is also probably why Gray is considered to be the color of compromise (sitting perfectly in the middle of black and white) and balance.  Dignified, authoritative, classic are all words used to describe our friend Gray.

Yet the physical affect that Gray has on our emotions might better be described as being slightly bi-polar (uh-oh, no offense Libras!)  With the ability to both ‘unsettle’ and ‘create expectations’ perhaps Gray’s personality truly is in the eye of the beholder and how this neutral makes us feel is elicited by the very context in which it is being used.

For me the effect of my lovely Sunday Gray morning was quite balanced indeed- unsettling my busy routine while creating the great possibility of me actually getting a moment to organize my messy life. But Gray did not in fact represent itself in such a two-sided way earlier in the week….

A quick step back in time to exactly one week early. A lovely Sunday walk through Central Park just to people watch (my absolute favorite) had revealed that the color Gray was everywhere as far as fashion goes.

Surpassing the typical urban camouflage of Black-I made a mental note to write about Gray being NYer’s new favorite color for ‘out-and-about weekend’ garb. Under some catchy title like ‘Gray Reigns Over Sunny Skies In Central Park’,it was bound to be a good post…but of course thanks to my busy week it never went farther than being just a good idea.

And no I did not snap this picture.  I swiped it off of the Sartorialist’s amazing blog- this fashionable gray loving NYer is admitingly way cooler than anyone I was able to catch on film that day.

And though no doubt Gray isn’t a new color on the city block when it comes to NY, what I did find interesting was how many people were wearing Gray and it’s many moody shades from head to toe and not just as a neutral with other colors.

To me the look is not only super cool, but almost blank slate-like.  The perfect backdrop to life.  Much like how the Grays of the metal, glass and concrete that make up Manhattan’s skyline create the ultimate backdrop for the colorful world that is our beloved city to me these individuals were dressing with great expectations.

Fast forward to Wednesday night. I’ve made my way to the What’s New, What’s Next@200 Lex event.  I was there to hear House Beautiful’s Newell Turner and Benjamin Moore’s Sonu Matthew talk about ‘Colors You Never Get Tired Of’ ( it was wonderful- and much, much more on their presentation to come very soon).

Flipping through the evening’s program I spotted that Traditional Home magazine was also hosting their own stylish event a few floors down at The Grange Showroom.  Being a total francophile when it comes to decor (and having recently spent one of the best nights of my year with TH’S own Sabine Rothman) it didn’t take much twisting of my arm to get me heading quickly to the elevator once the HB event was over ( and after I got in some great private time color talk with Sonu and Newell- but again more on this soon).

Once there, all I can say is I would happily move into the Grange showroom.  If there is a ‘la toilette’ and shower somewhere on the premises- I’m set.

The ‘Princess Lounge’ by designer Marica Harris is one of the many fantasy vignettes featured during the festivities ( FYI- the vignettes will remain on view through October 31st inside Grange’s New York Showroom- New York Design Center 200 Lexington Ave. Suite 201)

The wall color of my fantasy lounge is a custom mix- but I’m told Benjamin Moore HC-108 is a very close match.

The furniture, the colors, the stylish vignettes depicting ‘Family Style Chateau Chic’ created that night all had me internally crying out ‘oh-la-la this is the life for me!!!!’ I was transported into a world of warmth, style and sophistication.  Beautiful, traditional form meets modern day function- why is it that the French always get this blending so right?!

And though there were many colorful rooms to admire and aspire to I immediately realized that it was the two set within a stage of Gray that really caught my eye.

In fact its when I turned the corner and saw the showroom’s kitchen with it’s rich Gray walls, shiny copper pots and creamy cabinetry that my bags were indeed officially packed.  When I caught site of who was pulling out a tray of delicious smelling cheese puffs from the Aga oven within my new found digs , I knew deep within my own gray matter that this night was only going to get better!

To be continued…

Read I Prayed For Gray: Part 2 Here

I figured a little colorful feng shui, chromotherapy and colorastrology could be just the ticket to jump starting  my self-professed Autumn renewal plan.

First thing was first. Before I could fully understand how color could help me, I would need to discover who I am right now- at this very colorful minute in time. So taking HB’s suggestion I clicked over to ColorQuiz.com- to partake in their speedy little 5 minute test.


What I thought was to be a fun, light synopsis based on a few random color choices turned out to be a stream of results that literally left me staring at my screen, holding my morning coffee- utterly speechless.

a pretty good depiction of me before the results- source

The analysis-a no holds barre look at not just what’s good about me but what is wrong with me as well.  (I guess I should have figured by there pre-quiz disclaimer that ‘they are not providing therapy- that you should seek a professional for that’,that this in fact might get deeper than I was prepared for this morning)

Two quick rounds of color choices and I had it all in front of me…in not so colorful gray, black and white:

1. Your Existing Situation- Pretty right on.  A few things I will admit to- a few I won’t (at least publicly).  But basically I would have to say yes, they are on the right track.

2. Your Stress Sources-Gulp! OK, this is weird. I looked around nervously…how do they know that?  Has ColorQuiz.com been reading my emails, listening in on my Skype- bugged my house.  Paranoia sets in.

3. Your Restrained Personality- Uhm..this is basically everything I have ever feared.  You know how we are taught to ignore those little voices in our heads that secretly whisper negative quips inside our brains…well, apparently my little demons got a hold of a keyboard- because I’m staring at a well edited, written out list of them before my very eyes.  I think I just shrunk an inch…

4. Your Desired Objective- Okay, at least my intentions are good.  ColorQuiz finally throws me a bone:

“Highly optimistic and outgoing personality. Loves to learn new and exciting things, and craves new interests. Looking for a well-rounded life full of success and new experiences. Does not allow herself to be overcome with negative thoughts or self-doubt. Takes life head on, with enthusiasm.”

That’s right. In your face #3.

5. Your Actually Problem- “Fights resistance or limitations, and insists she is free to develop in her own way. Rewarded by accomplishing things on her own, with little to no help from others.” Is this a problem?  I’m feeling a little ‘ I am woman hear me roar’ right about now.

6. Your Actually Problem #2- I should have known better-but of course there’s a flip side! Gi-normous Gulp!!!..

I knew I shouldn’t have picked that color third! Jack Nicolson’s voice is now in my head saying ‘the truth? YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!’…OH,NO! it’s all true and way worse then I could have ever thought…could this just be an inner colorful cry for help?  Do I need Feng Shui or Sigmund Freud?

I will now step away from the computer and spend the rest of the day quietly searching for a pair of rose colored sunglasses.

Okay, Is it just me?  Take the quiz and let me know your results- I think I’m feeling a colorful  support group coming on.

For many it is preferable, perhaps because picking peridot for a bit of panache will not empty your purse.

Peridot is the translucent green gem stone variety of the abundant mineral olivine. It forms during volcanic eruptions. Small pieces of peridot can be found scattered along the beaches in Hawaii. Folklore tells the story of how they are crystallized tears from the Goddess of Volcanoes, Pele.

Ancient Greeks and Romans admired this beautiful stone. Most of the pieces found among their ruins were from the island of St John in the Red Sea. It use to have an abundance of a highly prized dark green variety. Today, the most desirable colors are bright lime greens – the more vivid the better.

This simple setting with a flattering cushion cut peridot, showcases the clear lime green color and luminosity.

You don’t have to be green with envy.

The price is pleasing, making peridot plausible for everday pizazz!

In what felt like a Hollywood scripted ending- the ‘against all odd’ horse and the jockey with a ‘heart of gold’ came from behind in the final stretch of the race…and literally left the competition in their dust.

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Mine That Bird becomes the 2nd biggest upset in Kentucky Derby history coming from behind to take home the roses at an astounding 50-1 odds!

I love the pageantry and the tradition of the Kentucky Derby.  The hats, the roses, the mint juleps, the bugle player tooting out that familiar race jingle and the sound of the horses as they rush out of the gates… it’s all good.

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Okay, maybe these two are taking tradition a bit too far

And since I also love the thrill of a good wager, I always take a hand at picking a ‘race favorite’- which is usually based on which horse I think is the prettiest or has the coolest name.  ( We’ll get um next time Chocolate Candy!)

Perhaps my process could use a little tweaking- as usual my less-than-scientific methods left me an OTB loser.  Though this year I find myself in pretty impressive company- after all the professional odds makers didn’t fair much better.

As I was watching the replay this morning of yesterday’s events I notice something very interesting about what jockey Calvin Borel was wearing as he galloped around his victory lap, arms in the air, screaming out in his oh -so charming Louisiana drawl- basic black and white.  Amongst the sea of colorful jockeys… his ‘no-name’ horse’s silks were equally ‘generic ‘.  How fun!  ( click on the link to read all about the history of horse racing silks)

An accent of ‘racer’ red on his cuffs and the light pink number 8 gate banner were the only colors this jockey needed to win it all

I realized I have never before factored the horse’s silk colors into my choice…after all the Silks worn by the jockeys are just as much a part of the tradition of horse racing as is the announcing of ‘and they’re off’ at the beginning of the race.

So I did a little color sleuthing to see if perhaps there were any possible colorful clues to picking an ultimate winner and I discovered something very interesting- the colors that surrounded the last Triple Crown winner Affirmed back in 1978 were seemingly similar.

black, white, pink with just a touch of red on his boots…hmmm, interesting indeed

Could this be a precursor…after years of almost Triple Crown winners… could the sport of horse racing finally have a racing hero on their hands?

I looked back at the three horse that have almost taken home the title as of late and noticed something colorfully interesting about them as well.  As they each took home the second jewel in the coveted Triple Crown- winning the Preakness, they were all surrounded by shades of red, white and blue.  Maybe I am on to something here!

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Big Brown- in 2008 he won the Derby and the Preakness ( as seen here ), but fell way short in taking home the final jewel at the Belmont Stakes…perhaps if he had switched out the blue stars for pink on his silks he could have won?

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Smarty Jones was the Derby and Preakness winner in 2004 but was beat out by Birdstone ( who just happens to be Mine That Bird’s dad- hey that’s another good sign for our little ‘can-do’horse)  in the last race of the crown.

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Funny Cide also won the first two titles in 2003 and then went on to lose the Belmont Stakes- I do though have to admit I love this color combo of deep red, gray, bright blue and white.. Funny Cide your colors are a Triple Crown winner in my book any day!

Okay,okay maybe my color theory is a little silly… but you have to admit it is intriguing.  So on May 16th as the racing world turns to Black Eyed Susans and Pimlico I will be cheering for and betting on the gelding from New Mexico- Mine That Bird.  I’m all for ‘the Cinderella story’.

The only catch… if he doesn’t draw the number 8 gate again ( which happens to be the pink gate) then Calvin I implore you to consider perhaps wearing a pair of pink socks on racing day because when it comes to colors and luck- as my mother always says-’it’s always better to be safe than sorry”.

]]> http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/is-winning-the-triple-crown-a-matter-of-colors/feed/ 2 http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/pearls-green-garden/ http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/pearls-green-garden/#comments Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:57:35 +0000 juliehoylen http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/?p=2563 The color green is said to relax the mind, soothe the nerves and provide a feeling of renewal. It’s no wonder tending to a garden or a long walk through a park helps to clear one’s mind.

In spring the color also symbolizes rebirth… and as these times of economic unrest have loomed over the entire world throughout the winter- I believe that every bud, sprout and awaking tree can bring with it a sense of hope, strength and stability- if we only take the time to notice and revel in it’s wonderment.  It can help to remind us that no matter what happens- nature and time keep moving forward- and so should we.

I myself have been very inspired by nature over the past few weeks- I just repainted my living room and family room in hues that I’d hoped would help to bring the beauty of the outside world more into view ( It did!) and as we’ve been ducking in and out of cold weather here in the Northeast- there has actually been a handful of beautiful afternoons I’ve been able to reacquaint myself with my sleepy garden.  I feel as if I’m anticipating it’s return so much more this year.

But it’s not just color inspiration that I seek right now… it is life- path affirming inspiration as well ( you know to tame the little annoying voice that pops up in your head to say ‘why are you spending so much of your time on pursuits of creative pleasures and not enough time worrying your head off as the world seems to be falling apart around you!’ )

So when fellow LIFC blogger April emailed me last week to clue me into a documentary called ‘A Man Named Pearl’ about a self taught topiary gardener that she said would ‘inspire and change my life’ I was intrigued.  I viewed it on HGTV this past Sunday night and I have to say his story knocked me right out of my garden boots!!!! ( They are replaying it on April 3rd at 4pm so set your DVRs now!)

The son of a sharecropper, Pearl Fryar is a man who set out to create a beautiful front yard for himself and ended up creating a green paradise that  has inspired not just his community but everyone who has every learned his story.

If these trying times have you believing that your dreams and desires seem impossible right now… check out how one man with a vision and the strength of his convictions to ’shape’ nature is helping to ‘reshape’ other’s perceptions of what is and isn’t possible!

check out Pearl’s favorite plants to shape here on HGTV.com

and more about the film at amannamedpearl.com

According to a recent study published by the Journal Science, it may be so.

600 people took part in a recent study conducted by researchers a the University of British Columbia to determine if indeed color ( in this case a test administered on a red, blue or neutral colored computer screen ) had any effect on cognitive performance.

The New York Times reports that those asked ” to complete the detailed-orientated task of learning and then later recalling 35 words’ -did so better when the words were presented to them on a red computer screen… while at the same time when asked to perform a creative task- in this case “thinking of as many creative uses as possible for a brick’ the answers deemed more creative was awarded to the group who was presented the question on a-you guessed it- blue computer screen. ( Interestingly it appears as if the ‘neutral’ screen group fared right in the middle both times)

So what gives…why does red help us to memorize and absorb information, while blue frees our minds into creating great ideas ( at least according to these findings).

According to the Times:

Experts say colors may affect cognitive performance because of the moods they engender.

“When you feel that the situation you are in is problematic,” said Norbert Schwarz, a psycology professor at the University of Michigan, “you are more likely to pay attention to detail, which helps you with processing tasks but interferes with creative types of things.”

By contrast, Dr. Schwarz said, “people in a happy mood are more creative and less analytic.”

Many people link red to problematic things, like emergencies or X’s on failing tests, experts say. Such “associations to red — stop, fire, alarm, warning — can be activated without a person’s awareness, and then influence what they are thinking about or doing,” said John A. Bargh, a psychology professor at Yale University. “Blue seems a weaker effect than red, but blue skies, blue water are calm and positive, and so that effect makes sense too.”

Check out the entire article….. it mentions some other really fun color studies ( this cocktail party one that looks at spatial color in design is my personal favorite….Note to self *must remember to tell my brothers to paint their restaurant yellow) that may have you thinking a little bit more about how to use the power of color in your own life… now I’m off to figure out a creative way to stretch my monthly budget  ( sitting out on my blue sunporch using a bright, red pen of course! )

All about the color red

All about the color blue

photo from House Beautiful

danger sign photo from Flickr

Ocean photo from lifeboat.com/images

Astrology has been playing a big part of my life lately… Last week for the first time I had my astrology charts read ( a gift from my awesome sister Pat ) and am discovering all kinds of interesting ways the planets effect who we are and where we are going- I know not everyone believes in it, but I thought it was a really cool and insightful way of taking a fresh look at my life.  I actually felt lighter and more energized…. there’s something so mystical yet reassuring about the idea that our life is already written out in the stars.

In the East reading charts is serious business.  Through out Asia, major life events and decision are based on the fortunes and misfortunes foreseen in the upcoming year based on each person’s zodialogical birth sign.

In the west our birth signs are base on the date of the month that we are born, in the East however birth signs are determined by the year in which one is born.  12 signs in all, with 60 different variations of elements and colors.  This is why a ‘golden’ or ‘white’ year (2000 was the golden dragon, 2007 the golden pig ) are considered so lucky….the color gold represents good fortune in Asia and a golden year pertaining to each animal sign only happen every 60 years!

I’m a  brown earth monkey ( with metal being the monkey’s fixed element ).  I’m not sure what that means, but I think it will make my kids laugh- especially since my son is a golden dragon which I have to admit does sound way cooler.

Each year comes assigned with it’s own element- 2009 is a brown earth ox ( whose fixed element is water )…. I’m not sure what earth and metal made the year I was born, but I doesn’t take a lot to figure out that earth and water make mud- so already this obvious element forecast is not sounding so good to me.

So out of complete fascination I skimmed the web to find out more about my upcoming year…. eastern style.  Right away I discovered the whole purpose of reading the charts is to find balance in the five elements of life ( metal, water, earth, fire and wood)  and oh- yeah even though my birth year is brown monkey my birth date makes me a black water snake- and yuck! I can’t even begin to even tell you how much I hate snakes… I quickly became confused and with every passing website I almost feel my Yin and Yang getting more and more out of whack just trying to figure it all out. Perhaps I should scoot down to Chinatown, have my tea leaves read and call it a day.

What I did find out though ( and why I’m writing about this ) is that like our own Astrological signs each animal year has a flower, a stone and colors associated with it, but unlike ours- or at least that I’ve ever seen- they also represent a time of day and season.

Wow could this give us some insight into what colors and styles best represent us?  Can we combine our Eastern Astrological signs colors with our Western sign colors for added benefit?  Should we decorate our homes to best relate to our season? And does our ‘time of day’ dictate which room(s) would best benefit from these colors and styles?

Who knows but it could be fun to find out…. check out below and see if the rooms and colors that correlate to your birth sign feel ‘right’ to you…. for an added bonus picture the room with an added accent of your Western birth sign color and let me know what you think!

•Rats (hard-working, thrifty, quick-tempered, neurotic): 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008

Interesting Rat Facts:
Zodiac Stone: Garnet
Special Flower: Narcissus
Best Hours: 11 pm -1 am
Season: Winter
Horoscope Colors: Black, White, Purple

•Ox (patient, self-sacrificing, jealous, rigid): 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009

Interesting Ox Facts:
Zodiac Stone: Aquamarine
Special Flower: Carnation
Best Hours: 1-3 am
Season: Winter
Horoscope Colors: Green, Yellow, Black

•Tiger (lucky, courageous, vain, undisciplined): 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010

Interesting Tiger Facts:
Zodiac Stone: Sapphire
Special Flower: Violet
Best Hours: 3-5 am
Season: Winter
Horoscope Colors: Green, Blue, Yellow

•Rabbit (ambitious, unflappable, aloof, private): 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011

Interesting Rabbit Facts:
Zodiac Stone: Pearl
Special Flower: Jonquil
Best Hours: 5-7 am
Season: Spring
Horoscope Colors: Grey, White

•Dragon (intuitive, influential, demanding, judgmental): 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000

Interesting Dragon Facts:
Zodiac Stone: Amethyst
Special Flower: Sweet Pea
Best Hours: 7-9 am
Season: Spring
Horoscope Colors: Black, Gold

•Snake (calm, intelligent, lazy, possessive): 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001

Interesting Snake Facts
Zodiac Stone: Opal
Special Flower: Passionflower
Best Hours: 9-11 am
Season: Spring
Horoscope Colors: Brown Gold, Green

•Horse (entertaining, powerful, selfish, rebellious): 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002

Interesting Horse Facts:
Zodiac Stone: Golden Topaz
Special Flower: Rose
Best Hours: 11am-1pm
Season: Summer
Horoscope Colors: Orange, White, Yellow

•Goat/Sheep (well-mannered, altruistic, insecure and irresponsible): 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003

Interesting Goat Facts
Zodiac Stone: Emerald
Special Flower: Larkspur
Best Hours: 1-3 pm
Season: Summer
Horoscope Colors: Green, Blue

•Monkey (independent, enthusiastic, unscrupulous, childlike personality): 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004

Interesting Monkey Facts:
Zodiac Stone: Peridot
Special Flower: Gladiola
Best Hours: 3-5 pm
Season: Summer
Horoscope Colors: White, Violet, Green

•Rooster (resourceful, adventurous, short-sighted and impractical): 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005

Interesting Rooster Facts:
Zodiac Stone: Citrine
Special Flower: Aster
Best Hours: 5-7 pm
Season: Autumn
Horoscope Colors: Orange, Green

•Dog (attentive, loyal, stubborn, guarded): 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006

Interesting Dog Facts:
Zodiac Stone: Diamond
Special Flower: Marigold
Best Hours of the day 7-9 pm
Season: Autumn
Horoscope Colors: Silver and Red

•Pig/Boar (sincere, cultured, non-competitive, gullible): 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007

Interesting Pig Facts
Zodiac Stone: Ruby
Special Flower: Chrysanthemum
Best Hours: 9-11 pm
Season: Autumn
Horoscope Colors: Purple, Red, White

Add to that a smitten of the color often times most associated with your Western sign ( I based these suggestions on people that I know and love… but any accessory in your color would do! )

Pisces- dreamy and intuitive…. a  turquoise cashmere throw

Aries- pioneering, independent… a red, metal desk

Taurus- realistic, determined… a large green house plant

Gemini- curious, clever… a yellow velvet couch

Cancer- nurturing, emotional…. a family heirloom silver tea set

Leo- loyal, faithful….an orange silk carpet

Virgo- meticulous, neat… white built in bookcases

Libra- cooperative, friendly… a bouquet of pale yellow flowers

Scorpio- magnetic, intense… deep red, violet drapes

Sagittarius- outgoing, enthusiastic ….a set of purple patterned china

Capricorn- serious, objective…. a pickled gray sideboard

Aquarius-trendy, inventive… electric blue throw pillows

So I’m a monkey and an Aries… hum, I would love a red metal desk however it wouldn’t quite work with my Wisteria draped backyard…. but a glass of red sangria would- Yes!!!! I think I’m on to something here!

photos from: House Beautiful, Domino and Elle Decor

Info and pix from Time.com and Horoscope.com

My personal astrology chart reading by Kay Sturgis

It’s the one universal color that the color authority believes best sums up the hue that will define our feelings and desires for a fresh new year.  So as we leave 2008 and ‘Blue Iris’ in our wake ( but don’t despair blue- we will still continue to love thee) we welcome in ‘Mimosa’:

“The color yellow exemplifies the warmth and nurturing quality of the sun, properties we as humans are naturally drawn to for reassurance,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute^®. “Mimosa also speaks to enlightenment, as it is a hue that sparks imagination and innovation.”

“I think it’s just the most wonderful symbolic color of the future,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “It’s invariably connected to warmth, sunshine and cheer – all the good things we’re in dire need of right now.”

Inspired by the abundance of the billowy, bright yellow flowers on a mimosa tree and the feel-good indulgence of a morning ‘Mimosa’ cocktail… the future looks bright…. as seen on the spring 2009 runway at Carolina Herrera….

Zac Posen, Micheal Kors and Badgley Mischka to name a few… as yellow continues it’s trend as a fashion forward favorite.

A citrus colored couch from Conran and a sunny spot for a festive brunch, both recently featured in House Beautiful magazine speak to our desires to bring brighter tones into our homes.

While no longer for taxi cabs- could Mercury’s 2009 Eclipse’s solar color help to make bright, sunny yellow a hip alternative to the standard sporty red?

How do you feel about their prediction-  Does yellow speak to you for 2009?