Nate Plus Eight…colorful tips!

Okay so I’ve been using this Twitter thang for about 3 weeks now –and already I’m (obsessed) and have found myself caught up in the most sensational (and virtual) “designer dish” session ever!

To catch you up in case you don’t tweet, today in the design- loving blogosphere is officially “Nate Day”.  A whole host of bloggers have decided to come together to honor the oh-so- cute-as-a-button and uber talented interior and product designer/author/and soon to be television host: Nate Berkus. ( fyi-Nate’s new television show launches September 13th, hooray!)

Nate’s wonderfully stylish and colorful home furnishing line via HSN.com-he always so purrfectly matches his palette don’t you think!

For my part in this celebration, I’ve decided to scout out images of Nate in action and to see what Nate has to say about a subject that I hold near and dear to my heart: COLOR of course!  (Umm..with one or two extra bits of decor advice thrown in…basically so I could get to the number 8 since I could not pass up on the opportunity to use that title!)  So here we go:

Nate’s Colorful Words To Live By

(Nate) Painting: Before you buy samples, keep in mind the lighting and size of your room (a chocolate wall in a darkly lit living room might be more moody than trendy); the feel of the room (do you want lively or relaxing?); the surrounding rooms (will this paint coordinate with the adjacent spaces?); and your furniture (how will it work with the red couch?) (source)

(me) I could not agree more on all points, Nate. Not knowing the “whys and whats” you are trying to accomplish with color before you begin will only take precious time and $ away from your project.  Explore yourself, your life, your likes and dislikes, how your family lives, the colors that you love and the ones that aren’t going anywhere (i.e. furnishing you won’t be replacing).  Color IS personal- for goodness sakes–to thy own self be true!

I’ve always thought Nate has such a great hand when it comes to using color.  He uses it to create the most wonderfully moody rooms.  My personal favorites are when he challenges himself to basically use a monochromatic palette.

Why? Well, because I’ve always thought that creating a monochromatic room that has a distinctive personality is sometimes the hardest color trick to pull off.  Nate is the master of taking one predominate color and “rocking it”

Color is a very personal thing. You need to make sure to choose a color that makes you happy. But I don’t recommend accent walls—choose a color you can live with on all four walls. (source)

I’m sure like me, Nate will agree there is a time and a place for an accent colored wall.  I think what he is saying here is don’t get caught between two colors and thinking that in order to incorporate them in the room you need to put them both on the wall.  If you love the idea of using say a bright red or deep blue to spice up your interior, maybe instead of going for white walls with one intense colored wall- why not take that color in it’s lighter version for all the walls (i.e. a mix of the color and white) and use the intense, deeper version of the color as accents (fabrics, throws, pillows) around the room instead (just an idea).

Here are some examples of rooms where Nate took basically the same classic color combo (blue/yellow with gray/gold) and used the colors in varying degrees of intensities to create visual impact.

Use Pops Of Color-For those of us who might not be ready for huge doses of color- try smaller pieces like accent pillows or throws to drape on the back of a sofa, since a little goes a long way. (source)

For me Nate’s color palette usually leans towards being very masculine (lots of browns, blacks, deep blues, neutrals)- so I love it when he throws in an unexpected color like a chartruese-y green or a pop art yellow into the mix to soften it all up.  For me it makes his rooms comfortable, natural and never feel overly ‘planned’ out.

Be Bold. A splash of color or pattern—an end table lacquered in raspberry, a leopard-print throw for the sofa—adds a bit of surprise to any spot in the house. (source)

I was reading that Nate listed “recycling what you have” as one of his must-dos for 2010.  I am a big fan of this Nate!  Trade it off to a friend, barter it for something better or better yet- dust it off and re-invent it with a coat of lacquered color!  How amazing (and fresh) is this dresser “dressed up” in bright blue.

For Me (Fabric) Patterns Are Best For Pillow, That’s Where You Can Really Make A Statement (source)

Prints and color can freak people out sometimes. Pillows are a great place to get-as we like to say around here-”your graphics and colors on” while not breaking the bank or putting you into color panic mode.

Say you love the colors Purple and Orange and are knocked out by graphic Black and White prints, but can’t figure out how you could ever use them together in a room without making a busy mess?  Viola Nate figured it out below via some smart accessory choice. See, in the right balance to the room any color combo can work. Now (insert your favorite color and prints here) and go for it!

Lighting is one of the easiest ways to modify any room. “Overhead lighting is harsh – it’s horrible and it makes everyone look horrible,” Nate says. “Find really cool lamps. It’s very easy to do and it changes the entire feeling of the room.” (source)

I’m so happy to hear you say this Nate.  I thought I had some kind of disorder, because overhead lighting actually puts me in a bad mood.  I love scouting out lamps (my favorites are completely unusual or anything in a pair).  Nate uses a color trick that will help make any lamp fit in to your decor-switch out it’s shade and replace it with ones that pick up the mood and color of its surrounding room.

Bring the outside in-incorporate organic elements into your space to bring the feeling of the outdoors into your home. (source) Every room should have a piece of sea life (source)

I second the notion, Nate. Basically I have so much sea life (shells, coral, sea grass) spread throughout my home, some days I feel as though I might need to install a filter!

This truly is wonderful advice-especially color-wise.  The colors and textures from nature are calming, grounding and relaxing- feelings we all crave in our homes.  Pick your favorite season, discover the colors that you love seeing those times of year and- -run, don’t walk–add them into your home. You’ll be amazed at how good you’ll feel all year round!

Use Accents Of Gold And Aged Brass. These kinds of finishes weather well in your home (unlike polished chrome or lacquer, which shows wear-and-tear much easier). Adding a lamp base, candlesticks, or a grouping of vases or bowls in a warm metallic shade make any room feel so much more sophisticated (source)

As a lifelong fan of gold (nothing against you my silver friends) I agree totally! Just think how different these rooms would look if Nate had used silver accents instead.  Cool palette + Warm Accessories= Glamour everytime!

Every room has to have one great odd chair. And here’s the tip – the chair does not have to match everything else in the room. “The room will be much, much more interesting if it doesn’t.” (source)

Okay I have to admit I included this tip selfishly as a way to get one of my own ‘colorful problem” off my chest.  You see Nate, I have one ginormous and odd Purple chair that has been perched in my living room for the past 10 years.  It was purchased completely on  impulse during a time I can only describe myself as ‘beyond hormonal’.  There was no color rhyme nor style reason as to why I bought it.  All I knew was that it was just too unusual (and thank goodness comfortable) to pass up.

Years later, still trying to justify what this baby is doing in the room (at least in my own mind) your sage advice have given me so very much comfort today! I suppose we all need a boost of color and style confidence every once in a while!:-)

Okay- Thank you Joy and Janet aka Moggit Girls for including me today! Be sure to indulge in all the other wonderful blogs posting about Nate today!   A friendly list is HERE.

Also last year I wrote a post called Palettes Of The Pros, where I take a look at the colors designers use for their homepage.  Since Nate’s home site is down for renovation right now- you can have a gander at what his original site looked like.  Nate can’t wait to see if your colors will change!!!

Are you on Twitter? Let’s “Viva La Couleur!” together, you can find me  @liveinfullcolor. Cheers!