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Color theory tells us that when we see a hot color  ( like orange ) our eye naturally seeks out it’s cooler- across the color wheel compliment color ( in this case blue ).  The colors live as equals next to each other, balancing out and intensifying each other’s hues.

The Met’s shades of blue and orange are indeed intense next to each other- almost hard to look at.  Luckily the team’s uniforms are tempered by white ( home games) and black ( away ) backgrounds.  I’m pretty sure If the team hit the field in head -to- toe equal values of orange and blue I would have trouble focusing on David Wright as he hit a homerun or Jose Reyes run towards 2nd to steal a base.

Yet if attention is what you seek without clashing… than by all means nothing will achieve it quite like mixing together equal valued complimentary colors,  Funny enough as I sat at the game and looked over the crowd I realized how the Met’s team colors were so fashionable ‘in’ for summer 09.

Totes with a twist of color from Tory Burch and DKNY, polka dot dress by Monkee’s of Irving Park, blouse from Viktor & Rolf, shoes by Siergio Rossi

Notice how the gray, black, brown and white balance out the intense blues and oranges on the totes and shoe, while adding a lighter shade of blue and and introducing pink into the color mix have the orange and blue battling it out for your attention on the blouse.  Meanwhile the dress’s slightly lighter shade of blue allows the brighter orange dots and belt to take center stage.

The colors remain intense even though Dries Van Noten breaks up the pairing with neutral gray, golden tones and black, as does Marc Jacobs ( shown above)

Cameron Diaz hits the red carpet this spring in her own versions of the blue and orange trend. This time keeping the orange bright and the blue faded- black and white again balance out the scheme.

If bright orange and blue is too intense for you… than the classic pairing of a greener/blue with a reddish orange ( like the oh-so popular turquoise and coral ) may be more up your colorway this year.

greenish blues and orange are a knockout together when paired with brighter blues, paler oranges and gold

Runway looks from Jonathan Saunders and Pucci… bracelet from Intermix.com

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Drew Barrymore , always a fan of trendy colors, hits the red carpet last week in a white gown with accents of turquoise blue and coral beading

A current ad for Target uses a similar color scheme

And if you are in the market to go really bold this season, then pair the complement of blue and orange in an all new direction-

There really are some amazing color palettes with blue and orange happening out there, this runway look from Marni and a bench from Antropologie are two of my favorite schemes- I just love them paired with the unexpected shades of violet and green!

Hmmm, I wonder if the Met’s would ever consider adding just a little dash of purple to update their look?

Images Elle.com

]]> http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/color-trend-cheering-for-team-blue-and-orange/feed/ 3 http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/color-confidence-and-the-palettes-of-jeffrey-bilhuber/ http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/color-confidence-and-the-palettes-of-jeffrey-bilhuber/#comments Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:42:07 +0000 juliehoylen http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/?p=2825 When Kate returned home from Tuesday’s House Beautiful Color Institute in Florida the first thing I asked her was “how did it go?” and “did Jeffery Bilhuber say anything about the colors he chose for Anna Wintour’s Hamptons retreat?”

To which she replied “terrific!” and “no” — but Kate did say that he told a cute story about when he was working on Ms. Wintour’s project… one day she called and informed him that she was taking on the task of shopping for her own lamps (alone)- but upon arriving at a showroom and discovering a selection of hundreds of lamps ( for as far as the eye could see)- it was an endeavor, the queen of fashion later assured him, she would never attempt again. ( Phew! glad to know that even the most stylish amongst us get overwhelmed when it comes to this stuff)

Jeffery also talked about Mariska Hargitay presenting him with a random bunch of fabric swatches telling him that she liked them all and to make it work and of another client who when asked what colors she was thinking for her home simply answered him with a one word description- “Red”.

I suppose the fortune of working with a fabulous designer allows one the free reign to be a little demanding… all the while knowing you’re going to love what you get to come home to.

Jeffrey Bilhuber delivers to his lucky clients just that- homes that feel like homes.  Rooms that have that wonderful balance between designer touches and a comforting familiarity.  They are spaces that rightfully grace the pages of interior magazines- but happily they are the ones that you say to yourself- “I would love to live there”.

When I was perusing Mr. Bilhuber’s website and bio I couldn’t figure out quite what I was more excited about- his rooms, his client testimonials, ( I mean come on Anna and Elsa Peretti- that’s impressive!)  or the fact that he began his career working at the Carlyle Hotel and was inspired to become a designer by the late, great Mark Hampton who at the time was renovating rooms in the iconic New York hotel.  ( On a side note Mark Hampton’s designer daughter Alexa Hampton was the guest designer at the Color Institute I attended this past fall in NYC…she was so cool and funny and told these awesome stories about growing up in a ‘Hampton’ designed home- must profile her soon!)

Okay so back to Jeffrey,  “color is confidence, color is pattern”… were but a few things that he touched on as he presented to the audience a little insight into the design world of Bilhuber & Associates, the design firm that he began in 1984.  Kate was most impressed by his candid and refreshing reminder to the room ( that was filled to the brim with designers and color enthusiasts) that ‘being a great designer is 10% design brilliance and 90% business smarts.  Even the most inspired design can’t make up for poor execution — always be on budget and on time.’

His idea that  “color is confidence” came pretty clear to me as I began pulling images from his website,  his palettes are best described as just that -’confident’.  He has a innate knack for combining colors that you may not think would work together in the same room- yet somehow they do, and beautifully at that.

How awesome is that punch of blue and the touch of unexpected art- they add just the right amount of energy to the room ( isn’t funny that its a ‘cool’ color in a room of warm colors that’s adding the spark, plus check out the touch of purple quartz on the table… I have a sneaking suspicion he loves touches of purple).

Can’t explain how much I would love an entry with a round table and giant lamp ( by the way how does one deal with the cord in a pretty manner ?)… Love the heaviness of the blue velvet and fringe set against the lighter colors and fabrics- the formality of the dual ferns is speaking to my symmetric- loving self!

Icy pastels- mixed together-cozy?  Somehow yes…hey, there’s that purple again.

‘Modern History’ is one of the terms he uses to describe his rooms… I think that description best sums up this ‘Americana with a twist’ palette.

Who wouldn’t love to have a room to read, stargaze and escape the stress of the world in… I so love the deep stone fireplace and dark color on the built-ins that I’m eyeing my recently painted white living room bookcases and thinking maybe… just maybe….

And of course I couldn’t help but notice that his website’s color perfectly represents his work ( if you’ve been following my blog you know that I’ve become somewhat obsessed with the colors that designer’s choose for their own sites!)

If I ever get to meet him I’m going to have to ask him about that purple…. there’s a story there- I just know it….

FYI- Future House Beautiful Color Institutes are happening this year in Atlanta and Houston… check in at House Beautiful.com for dates… they are free to attend and the line up of speakers and events always make for a colorful, fun day!

More from the House Beautiful Color Institute:

Kate on her presentation in the Duralee showroom: Creating Moods with Color…

]]> http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/color-confidence-and-the-palettes-of-jeffrey-bilhuber/feed/ 15 http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/color-inspiration-mmmmacaroons/ http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/color-inspiration-mmmmacaroons/#comments Sun, 22 Mar 2009 11:49:50 +0000 Kimberlin Brown http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/?p=2512 There is the sweetest French pastry shop in my neighborhood called Madeleine (named after our favorite mademoiselle I presume)….

On Saturdays I treat myself to a latte and pan au chocolat. While the barista with the thick French accent prepares the coffee I always stare at the trays of macaroons. Authentic macaroons in delightful flavors and the most GORGEOUS colors.

Some are finished with a dusting of gold flecks. How decadent! I imagine them being served on polished silver trays in the parlors of Versailles and have enjoyed them at my studio apartment on mismatched china with friends.

I would love to see a room decorated in this palette, how warm and inviting would that be? Also a dream bag would be buttery soft suede, striped in all the hues. Tres bien, no?

To read about the flavors of these delights check out Manger La Villel’s post.

image of Madeline pop up book from Amazon

image from Marie Antoinette from IMBD.com

room image from Domino

Even the bright colors of the fruit and flowers seems brighter in the tropics.

This post is not to regale you about my trip, but to inspire all of us to bring the colors we love , home. The beach is my therapy…color therapy. There’s a reason that people all over the world go to the beach for relaxation. Obviously the warm sun and cool waves are magical and soul restoring, but the various palettes offer each and everyone of us an opportunity to CHILL.

I am always drawn to the bright colors first. I got a pair of bright pink Havianas for Christmas that perfectly match the flowers of pink and orange, as seen from the pool.

This is my blue view from the pool. I am amazed by the contrast in the blue of the sunny sky and the deep turquoise of the sea.

This was my breakfast view from La Samanna. Even the blue mats from the lounge chairs stand out from the sky and sea blues. The neutral sand highlights the darker thatch umbrellas on the beach.

Even the shadows are calming. This is a great example of back lighting a plant and how it could transform a corner in your living room or patio. I love how the blues, greens, and white really compliment each other.

Here’s a snapshot of my bathroom tile. A little accent like this could practically bring the tropics indoors, inexpensively.

I was so obsessed with the color blue and coconuts that I named our villa visiting temporary cat …what else but Coconut. She looks like a toasted coconut sundae and protected us from all things not wonderful.

No surprise that the color green is plentiful on an island but what a crisp clean happy looking palette.

The ferns and young coconuts are such a bright and sunny shade of green.

This picture keeps me from jumping out of my snow covered window. It’s my happy place.

These muted colors are tropical and easy to live with in any locale. I love the soft cool colors that seem to dictate relaxation on every level.

The golden hue and grayish light of this sunset would be a smart look for any room.

I really love the heavenly light of this blue and very gray picture …with a sailboat no less. This almost looks like an old masters oil painting.

Funny to see how beach and tropical include so many palettes. I hope these colors bring a little sunshine into your life and inspire you to bring bright new colors into your home. What vacation spots inspire you ?

So when I awoke this morning to the world outside covered in a veil of shimmery new fallen snow I couldn’t help but take the opportunity ( being a snow day and all ) to have a hand at being inspired.

So bundled up, with camera in hand, I went to re-explore my front yard-which had been a tease of green for the last few weeks… but was once again a sea of frothy, cool white.

Surprisingly the cold air almost felt refreshing in the quiet hours of the morning… perhaps with the first day of spring only a handful of weeks away I was somehow able to be little less cranky -than -normal about the snow’s command performance and was feeling a little more reflective of it’s beauty ( or maybe after actually getting a decent night’s sleep I was simply just feeling a little less cranky overall-what ever the reason I figured I ‘d just go with it).

The first picture I took was of my Japanese maple tree heavy with snow- my neighbor’s formal white house with black shutters in the background almost mimicking it’s stark beauty.  The sky and the snow were almost the exact same shade- even my dirty picket fence adds a tone of interest and breaks up the palette.  The reflection off of the snow, the blackness of the far trees and the ‘which way is up’ sky/ground combination of the early morning light felt modern to me… not rustic..( which I must admit was the style I had figured this morning might have made me think about!)

Funny, once I began to really study and digest the colors around me It was pretty easy to quickly hone in on just the type of decor that this image could inspire…( hum maybe I’m on to something here)  so I decided to take some more pictures around my yard, figure out what it was that ‘inspired’ me about the subject and pick a room I thought the palettes might work in.   I would then return into the warmth of my winter ‘cottage’ and search the web for a match- here’s how I did, let me know what you think!

I love the feel of this foyer featured in House Beautiful… it’s exactly represents the colors, the mood and the ‘reflective’ quality that I thought the surfaces in a room inspired by the maple picture needed to have.

An old urn in my kitchen herb garden holds a rosemary plant that has made it through numerous winters and has helped to season countless pork roasts over the years.  The pale white surrounding it’s peeling paint, the green of the rosemary leaves and the splash of blue ( via the tones of the stone and the siding from my house) made me think of a kitchen, that mixes a taste of old world charm and high gloss American style.

I loved the movement of the marble pattern, as it reminded me of the peeling paint of the urn.  Again the glossy finish of the white was the effect that the snow was creating in my mind.  The bead board on the ceiling keeps it casual while the stone back splash and Rohl faucet ( coincidentally I recognize it because I have the same one in my kitchen) give it a slight European feel.

I bought this little statue at a tag sale years ago… we call him ‘apple boy’ because you guess it- he holds an apple… apple boy is also quite weathered, but even in his frail state their is something romantic and classic about him.  His faded metallic paint looks so pretty next to the crisp clean white snow as he guards my climbing deep green euonmyus bush.  In the hush of the morning… it felt as if he might actually look up and smile for the camera.

This bathroom, also from House Beautiful, perfectly represents to me if the way apple boy looks today if he were to be translated into a dream master bath.  I love the choice of the golden/bronze hardware against the all white shiny palette.  The shape of the chair and a single stem of elephant ear are like a little line of music coming out of silence, a nice surprise in a sea of white ( just like little apple boy himself!).

I wish this picture was a little better… never before did I realize how many amazing colors lived within the bark of my cherry tree…and I’m afraid this image only barely touches on it’s shocking hues of greens, yellows and reds amongst it’s beautiful silvery gray exterior.

I loved this library from Domino.  I thought the feel and colors were spot on!… The rustic, knotty floors, silvery walls and slivers of brightly colored colored books create the same pattern and warmth as the image of my tree ( and even more so in person!)

Our bird house has played host to a family of Wrens for the past 4 summers ( which I hear is good luck ), and since I never have wanted to disturb it- it too is on the very rustic side.  It’s faded red paint and silver/blue tin roof makes me think of a kid’s room..

I love this room from Domino.  At first I wasn’t sure how the quietness of the snow would translate for a kid… but this room nicely addresses it.  The striped red and brown blanket… with that nice pop of blue give the room a cozy quality while the white walls, rug and furniture feel peaceful- not cold.  I even love the Calder mobile, to me it represents both the flight of the wren and the imagination and energy of boyhood- both simply need a safe place to rest to refuel.

Nothing is better than juxtaposition ( everyone who calls their home style ‘eclectic’ I’m sure will agree) and perhaps nothing better represents this idea in my front yard then a giant patch of sea grass covered in snow.  It’s curly plumes and sunny golden color seems to almost mock the snow and cloudy sky!  It felt strong to me- feminine and hopeful.  And since I can’t think of a boys room without thinking of a girl’s room as well, this seemed to be the perfect palette to inspire one.

I love this girls room, also from Domino.  The boldness of the yellow set against the pale white walls and accessories is such a fun and unexpected combo for a girl.  The toile, polka dots and butterfly prints feel youthful, not stuffy against the bright white… I can see a lot of daydreams and giggles happening in this room.

My rose trellis rivals the NY Botanical Garden every May… so heavy with blooms you can hear the bees buzzing around it from 100 paces.  I’ve always thought of it being just as beautiful in the winter… this morning in this light- it was truly spectacular!  It’s red and green branches reaching out into the winter sky- almost like it was having a nice stretch.  I have to admit though I wasn’t quite sure what kind of interior it could inspire… when I saw this room from House Beautiful.. I knew right away that this would be the one.

And it isn’t just because of the outstretched arms of the hanging shirt ( though that is a pretty funny way to illustrate the way I thought that the climbing roses looked)- instead I felt there was something ‘exotic’ about how different these very ‘proper English’ roses looked when they are bare and dressed in white.  I love the muted red/brown color of this chest… very much like the color of the rose’s stems.  There is a sense of history in this vignette.. with a touch of newness in the form of the glossy floors and pale walls…

Okay, here’s one to inspire you.. I don’t think there is anything prettier in the winter than a boxwood and an iron urn covered in snow! Is it a master suite… a garden room… or a new laundry room with a botanical twist… whatever it inspires in you- remember, it can be.

I’ve always told my clients that in my mind a beautiful, comfy pair of PJs are as stress reducing as an hour at the gym or an hour on the therapist couch… they are a treat we can all afford to indulge in- and should!!!!

So when a great new pair came into my life recently ( In this case a set of Chandler Pajamas from the adorable website The Pepper Kids.com)…and with it being so close to Valentine’s Day- how can I not share the love with all of the leading ladies ( and all the leading ‘readers’) in my life!

Plus with 29 styles and colors to choose from- I can custom pick the pair that I think would be simply puuuurfect for each and every one of them!

P.s.  they are a ‘free shipping’ item to boot!- take that downturned economy!!!!! ( Hey, I’m feeling better rested already. )

For myself, I picked the ‘Monica Pastel‘- I’m a sucker for paisley and I just loved the reds and sage-y blue greens together on a cream background.

And just so you know-I have lived in these babies over the past few weeks…. just ask my husband who commented only the other morning as I was wearing them for  the umptenth’ time in a row blogging at my computer while sipping coffee at our kitchen table- ‘Wow, you really love those pajamas, don’t you’- ( i.e. get dressed and get a real job….oh well, that touchy subject may truly be for the therapist’s couch! )

For our own Kimberlin Brown… I choose this lovely ‘Victorian Floral‘… so pretty with her long golden hair and blue eyes- plus I think it’s old fashion appeal will fit it nicely with her collection of vintage nightgowns.

For Tammy who lives on the Chesapeake Bay- lucky girl!…’Charlotte- Green‘ fits the bill… the colors remind me of her serene house and the ever changing water and it’s grassy beach -just a stone’s throw away.

For fellow maven April Clark ( or Aunt April as she is known to my children) the ‘To The Max‘ print.  Totally the colors of her NYC ‘Holly Go Lightly ‘ pad and totally as fun, energetic and wild as she!  I think she could actually host one of her fabulous soirees wearing these!

For my color mentor and site’s grand poo-bah Kate- this “Serengeti- print“.  I love anything these days with a bird motif but ultimately it was the colors that sold me as well…. in fact the background color looks so very similar to Kate’s signature color H2-AHH by Ellen Kennon paints…I’m hoping her blending into the walls of her at home office will give her the peace and time she needs to get all the million little things done that are shakin around here at Sensational Color!

For Pat the lovely ‘Canyon Iris‘… so fresh with her pretty green eyes and just the perfect shades of blue to keep it modern and serene ( just like her!).  Plus the green perfectly matches the teapot I gave her for Xmas… I can just picture her now, in her new jammies..sipping Yerba Mata watching her DVR with a big smile on her face- truly the gifts that keep on giving!

For MaryLou, whose favorite color as long as I can remember has faithfully been brown- so ahead of her time!  I love this ‘Patience- Brown‘ print for her with it’s accents of warm reds,pinks and blues… and as a mother of 6, I figure you have to go with the print with the word ‘patience’ in it.

For Kim M….” Lotus- Blue Green” .. perfect with her pale blue eyes and enough white to coordinate with her 2 West Highland Terriers that are so faithfully perched on her lap every night ( plus she will match Pat if they ever have a slumber party!)

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For my favorite little fashionistas Hudson and Tierney- ‘Monica Red‘.  Love, love the excitement that the purple brings to the bright red background… and of course since I love to ( or better yet ) attempt to make them my own little ‘mini me’s’ it doesn’t hurt that they are practically the mirror image of my own pair!

And for the newest girl in my clan… my friend Ana who shares my love of all things fashion and home… and was the first person who I’ve ever heard say ‘ You know, I’m sick of color… I’m sticking to my black, browns and whites”…I’m  thinking the palette of this ‘Chelsea French‘ fabric is just the right mix of ‘new neutrals’ she loves (-plus she’s one of the few people I know that can actually ‘rock’ the color yellow.).. I have a feeling that one night in these will get her back on the track to ‘living in full color” once again!

At the end of her ‘reading undertones lesson’ she pointed to a room designed by NYC’s own wonder designer Jamie Drake, funny enough as an example of how a beige couch with pink undertones does not look so pretty in a room painted clear, bright yellow.  Maria included a link out to his homepage. Now I have seen plenty of rooms designed by Jamie Drake both in person and in print, but I realized I had never visited his website… so of course I clicked over for a quick gander….

Well it did not disappoint…the palette and the punchy design looks very similar to a ‘Jamie Drake’ decor…obviously he had a hand in picking the colors on the site…and knowing from personal experience how much work and thought goes into that ( just ask Kate how many color combos we looked at for Sensational Color! ) …it got me thinking…

What palettes do other designers use to represent themselves via online… do they properly represent their unique styles and if you had the choice of picking to work with just one…  would the colors on their websites affect your choice…?

Take a look …. some famous- some simply my favorites:

Charlotte Moss

Nate Berkus

Kelly Wearstler

Thomas O’Brien

Amy Lau

Thom Filica

Nina Campbell

Vincente Wolf

Michael McKinnon

Laura Kirar

Celerie Kemble

White Webb

Victoria Hagan

Okay now here’s a little quiz… can you match this palette to a designer that has been in the news lately for overseeing the redesign of a very famous house?  Very pretty- no wonder he got the job!!!!

Do you have a favorite here or is their a designer I missed that you think has a beautiful color scheme on their site… let me know and I’ll build a palette for it and share with all of my readers!