Color & Motif Trend: Coral (Yes, still!)

Ah… coral motifs.  I have to admit I just can’t get enough of them. When their vibrant colored silhouettes first began popping up a few years back…my red/orange loving self was thrilled.  Their color was the perfect foil for the greens and jewel tones through out my house… slowly but surely tiny pops of their mysterious shapes and shades made it into my home.

Coral Melamine dinner plate from William Sonoma Home

But with all things that become popular in our fast moving society I feared that coral ( though a classic motif for sure ) would perhaps become overexposed and fizzle away…. but this is the case of a trend that just keeps getting stronger.

And funny…. it also is perhaps a color trend that first got hot for home and then moved into fashion and beauty ( usually it tends to be the other way around)… the trickle down effect of trends, fascinating- right!

Embroidered Coral Pillow from William Sonoma home and DVF dress from Intermix.com-  separated at birth?

So why are these bright colors of the underwater world gaining even more strength as we move into summer 2009?  I’m guessing that 1. with the economy still down people are drawn to colors that have an ‘uplifting’ effect , much like why citrus tones are also very popular right now.  And since the color and motif of coral has proven itself to have staying power- for some that may lead to it’s appeal as a good classic bright color to invest in.

And 2. with a growing awareness of the destruction of coral reefs worldwide ( caused by not only the harvesting of it to sell… but also by the residue of sunscreens coming off of swimmers in the water ) their importance in the eco system has been in the forefront of news as of late.  So this summer make sure that you surround yourself with faux-coral only and always wear an organic based sunscreen when on the beach!

A bevy of coral delights from William Somoma ( who is calling Coral the ‘Color of the Season’) and Pottery Barn ( keeping the motif fresh by pairing it as a splash of color alongside neutrals.)

For fashion I’m loving coral even more! One key piece can be used so many different ways throughout your wardrobe.  It can give neutrals like gray and khaki a ‘little kick’, put a fresh spin on the classic combo of black, white and red ( or better yet navy, cream and red ) or look super chic paired with unexpected colors like bright aqua blue and violet.

Coral loving fashion by Chris Benz, Herve Leger and Carolina Herrera from Style.com

Coral hues are also making a splash in beauty as a sunny alternative to dark red…

Nars blush in Cactus Flower, In Style picks coral lips paired with golden eyeshadow their summer fav( here Shiseido lipstick in Day Lily and Nars eyeshadow in Night Sun ) and Rescue Beauty Lounge polish in Coral

Told Kate I was posting about Coral today ( she is quite aware of my obsessive color behaviors ) so I asked her to throw in her 2 cents about her favorite combos of this intriguing hue for home.

Kate’s Picks for Coral in home interiors

Julie has always loved coral for home decor and I became a huge fan of this color when I chose a muted coral for my kitchen.  I have loved this color from the minute the painters started putting it up and plan to use even more of this color in my next home (more on that later).

When Julie asked me to add a couple of examples of how this color works in the home it was easy. All I had to do was open my design idea file that includes several pictures I had saved from my favorite shelter magazine, House Beautiful.

Here’s a few different color schemes that include coral.

The two-color scheme of coral and golden yellow really bring this sunroom to life.  It’s sunny scheme has year-round appeal because as designer Ashley Whittaker shared with Frances Schultz of House Beautiful, “A colorful cashmere throw over the back of a sofa or on the arm of a chair adds instant warmth to an otherwise summery room.”

I can just imagine sitting in this room writing in my journal every morning.   I bet it would be filled with nothing but happy thoughts.

From the same home, this dining room caught my eye when I first spotted it in House Beautiful and I still love it.  The drapes and wallcovering are in one of the colors I love to have around me…cool, watery blue-green and the lush, coral fabric invites you into the room.  I have always liked this complementary color scheme.  Add to that the table includes hydrangeas…one of my favorite flowers and you’ve got a room I where could easily feel at home enjoying any meal.

One of my favorite coral color schemes is the diad harmony of red-orange/yellow-green/blue-violet and in this room by John Willey that was featured in House Beautiful this palette is perfectly executed.  In the magazine he says, “This is a guesthouse, and it’s meant to be fun, to be a bright, cheery departure from the usual Nantucket blue and white interior. The invitation was to let go.”

Thanks Kate! Love the rooms and the color wheels!

What’s your favorite use for this lively color- Coral?

Look who else is talking Coral trends this week- one of my favorite blogs Franki Durbin’s Life In A Venti Cup!