If you lived back in 1856 the answer would be “why yes my good chap, for sure!  You see the man pictured above– proudly displaying his freshly ‘maulvine’ dyed wool– is non other than Henry William Perkins.  Perkins is known throughout the world of textile dyeing as “The Man Who Rocked It”.

You see, he discovered the first ever synthetic dye. Prior to Perkins, things were always done “au natural”.

And though this pix depicts the scientist as being a bit long in the beard- the actual discovery of his mauve colored dye from coal tar came when Perkins was 18 years old, home goofing around over Spring Break from college (apparently in 1856, Fort Lauderdale and Cancun had yet to be discovered).

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Since then the technology behind color making-has certainly come a long way baby!  One of the coolest and most prestige sources to learn all about the process and history of textile coloring is The Society Of Dyers And Colourist in Bradford, England.

The society which celebrated its 125th Anniversary last year is a cornucopia of color knowledge and happenings.  Always on the lookout for the next great ‘dyer and designer”, the society holds a rather colorful competition each year.  I recently received this info and thought I would share it with LIFC readers:

Countdown continues as Society of Dyers and Colourists’ search for UK’s next top designer

The search is well underway to find the globe’s most creative young talent as the deadline nears for entries to the Society of Dyers and Colourists’ (SDC) annual International Design Competition.

As the leading educational charity dedicated to advancing the science of colour worldwide, the Bradford-based SDC, which celebrated its 125th anniversary last year, encourages the creative use of colour in fashion and textile design and is a committed supporter of the next generation of young designers.

The competition, which is sponsored by Clariant, the Clothworkers’ Company and the Dyers Company, is open to undergraduates registered on fashion/textile design courses and asks students to submit a piece which demonstrates the creative, imaginative and original use of colour in either fashion or textiles.

This year, the students have been asked to demonstrate socially responsible thinking in their approach to their original design or written statement which accompanies the submission and explains the designer’s inspiration or theme behind their piece.

The 2010 International Design Competition is expected to draw around 100 entries from 30 colleges and universities across the UK. The UK finalist will be announced on 7th May and will go on to compete against winners from Australia, Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Singapore and South Africa, at the grand final which will be held in London on 5th October 2010 at the historical Clothworkers’ hall.

Each of the finalists’ work will be exhibited at the event and judged by an industry panel including leading retail investor, entrepreneur and chair of the British Fashion Council, Harold Tillman.  The global winner will receive the SDC Colour Design Award 2010, with a cash prize of £1000, plus the Veronica Bell Trophy.

winner of the award in 2008- how cool is that trophy!

Comments Susie Hargreaves, Chief Executive of the SDC: “The Society has more than a century’s worth of knowledge and experience working within the fashion and textile industry and we are especially proud of our role working with young people on the science of colour. There have been huge changes in the industry during this time but the science and beauty of colour remains fascinating. This competition is a good way to explore the innovative ideas and new techniques used by some of the best student designers who really embrace the use of colour in their designs.

The Society has a long-standing relationship with educational institutions across the world and in addition to the International Design Competition; it awards bursaries and grants and sponsors various industry awards including the new CSI Colour Award 2010.  To introduce students to the technical world of colour and, in particular, to the practical issues involved in putting their creative skills to best use, the SDC runs a College Membership Scheme providing knowledge, information and insights to help students convert colour creativity into colour application.

A full design competition brief is available from the Society with a list of regional contacts to whom enquiries regarding country-specific briefs should be sent. Alternatively, the competition briefs and various related document can be downloaded from the SDC website.

Let the dyeing begin!!!!

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

No two stars showed up in the same dress ( a phenom that has been happening at a few events as of late- though Toni Collette and Drew Barrymore came pretty darn close!) so the chatter was mostly about the amazing array of saturated colors. Most hues made it out in full force except of course for my favorite Orange.  I really do think a deep shade of Pumpkin was missing from the night’s fashion lineup. The perfect color for either a fashion forward starlet like Drew or Chloe or ravishing on Jenna (whom I would love to see in more color at these things) or better yet worn as a refreshing and unexpected color on ’still cute as a button’ Sally Field.

Instead Reds and Purples seemed to rule the carpet, with glitzy grayish white taking home the award for looking the most modern. Cobalt Blue was replaced this time by Teals and a Navy Blue so dark it read as black.  A few Golden frocks made it ( perhaps a shout out to sunny CALI) as did a stream of classic black that almost felt a little boring next to all the other bold color.  Except of course on Heidi who rocked her midnight gown like only a super model working a 4th baby bump could- now take a maternity leave, Heidi…your making it really hard on the rest of us mommies out here!

There were plenty of spray tans very few necklaces, instead bangles, drop earrings, structured clutches and a few chunky brooches seemed to be the accessories du jour.

all images from NYTimes.com

My 2 personal fave color matches of the night:

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Sandra Oh is no stranger when it comes to getting well meaning advice after an event as sometimes she doesn’t always get it so right.  This time though I thought the dress and it’s golden color paired with her sheer makeup and easy hair were spot on style!

You can tell from the pictures that she feels totally comfortable with her look- and she should cause I’m thinking it may be her best outing ever.   Metallic gold can be a hard color to pull off in pictures- her Marchesa dress is super flattering both to her skin tone and hair color.

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I’m well aware that Mary Louise is being named by the fashion police as being under dressed.  But I think she looks incredible in this multi-purple hued number by Zac Posen.  She’s got both the one shoulder and big bow trend working, as well as the coolest sparkle sling backs I’ve ever seen.

I love, love her in these jewel-like tones. Purrrfect for her coloring and personality.  And come on, her body is just so INCREDIBLE- how can you blame her for not wanting to hide it under some long, stuffy dress!

Who do you think got it colorfully right?

]]> http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/orange-feels-left-out-from-sundays-emmy-awards/feed/ 1 http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/color-inspiration-a-grey-gardens-garden-room/ http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/color-inspiration-a-grey-gardens-garden-room/#comments Fri, 08 May 2009 02:06:01 +0000 juliehoylen http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/?p=3582 I love to be inspired by films.  The sets, the costumes, the makeup…even the movie posters outside of the theaters intrigue me.

Every film has a palette, the set designer, costume designer and cinematographer all work together to create it.  A well designed palette helps the viewer in their journey to ’suspend ‘ belief- if not but for a few hours.  Color plays a starring role in the action of ‘movie magic’.

One particular movie palette that has always stayed with me over the years is the faded colors of the cult classic documentary-Grey Gardens.  Like a wilted flower or a cedar shingle whose colors are slowly draining away – this movie always brought to mind equally faded hues.

Like most fans I was super excited to learn that the Grey Gardens was being remade into a feature film- especially when I caught wind that Drew Barrymore ( Little Edie ) and Jessica Lange ( as Big Edie ) were to star.

When the movie poster was finally revealed- I was blown away by how a change of color could change my perspective.

While the original film and poster documented Big Edie and Little Edie surrounded by the ruins that their seaside paradise had become, the new version reminds us of how grand and colorful their lives and home had once been ( just like the new poster says- ‘true glamour never fades).

Love the palette of the poster…especially the color of the famous aqua stairwell and the denim-ish blue together with that brilliant pop of red and yellow…the stripes of the American flag mimicking Big Edie’s sun hat…it’s all good.

f.y.i. – if you’d like to know everything there is about the Grey Gardens house, and I mean everything! – check out this amazing post from Cote de Texas

The colors of the poster are very similar to that of the dining room in the updated movie ( I need those red chinoiserie chairs!).  Set designer Kalina Ivanho is a genius in using color.  Kate wrote a fun post about another movie whose sets she designed- Little Miss Sunshine.

So, in honor of my new perspective and the poster’s updated palette… I figured I’d create an eclectic, modern day outdoor space that might just please my two favorite Edie(s) if they were still with us today – lounging outside their amazing home in all of it’s original glory.

I figured I’d throw in a place for one of their many ‘pets’ to rest on and a mini grille to replace Big Edie’s hot plate!  And for Little Edie my favorite icon of headwear-a beautiful Hermes scarf with a beach-y motif…. in shades Gray, of course!

Marais A56 chair ( DWR $275 ), Shady Lace Parasol ( Conran $495 ), Palm Tree Lantern ( Conran $85), Celia Round Table ( Maine Cottage $990), Bucket Grille ( Conran $39), Confetti Tumbler ( Conran $4), Longervity Plate ( Pearl River Mart $4), resin flatware ($85 for 5 piece place setting from House Beautiful.com)

Bella Dog Bed ( Maine Cottage $225), August Rocker ( Maine Cottage $990), Zelda Sofa ( Maine Cottage $2190), Red Garden Bench ( Horchow $1500 ), Bean Bag Coffee Table ( West Elm $179), Teak Croquet Set ( DWR $498 ) and Bullet Planter ( DWR $165 )

Libre silk scarf ( Hermes $375)

But that combination got me thinking about the fact that green and orange with an accent of white ( and a little red mixed in for good measure) is already one of my favorite color combos…. one -I realize- I’m already using all over my own house.

It’s a very pleasing palette- why else would my boxwood shrubs look so yummy in their terracotta pot or this faux coral bowl pop out against the green in my kitchen.

My dining room is green and orange- Benjamin Moore’s Crisp Khaki and Caramel latte…I pine for this red/white Dedar print fabric that will one day dress the windows…soon, I hope.

I even have orange pillows on my pale green velvet couch- I think I need to go into orange/green rehab!

A touch of pink thrown in gives the combo a feminine feel like in the photo from House Beautiful.

I’m loving these fabrics from Calico Corners together.  Blossom cotton ( in cinnabar ) and a nubley linen deep, mossy green for a sophisticated sitting room ( or home office…. which I need so much more).

A photo from Domino featuring a great outdoor room palette from Conran.

Again from Calico Corner’s Aviary ( in tangerine ) would make a great accent against a lambs ear inspired soft grayish green for an outdoor table setting or play it the other way and let persimmon cushions be accented by this kiwi colored silhouette print.

Pulled this picture of of GardenDesign& More… boxwoods and canna lillies- see nature always gets it right! I could be happy here, that’s for sure ( see how nice that touch of red looks- told you!)

Now wearing green and orange together can be a little tricky.. you don’t want to look like you are dressed as a pumpkin… but using one as the main color and one as an accent works nicely.  I love the idea of a bright orange dress with a turquoise green and blue necklace….

while just a touch of orange in the swimsuit by Milly livens up the mostly green print- coral earrings would be super cute ( tan not included).  All piece available at Intermixonline.com.

And what new green, white and orange will I be adding to my life- well right now painters are painting that same Crisp Khaki in my den ( keep your fingers crossed- I will post photos when it’s done) so now that my house is covered- it’s my wardrobe today that is lacking….

Have white jeans…would love to add this Chloe bag….

…but am guessing Chanel’s newest spring polish in Orange Fizz is a much more of a realistic reality ( but guess what color they just showed on nails for their Fall 2009 collection last month in Paris to follow up this pretty orange-  why, jade green of course!)

]]> http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/color-inspirations-the-irish-flag/feed/ 7 http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/bring-back-midge-aka-barbie-turns-50-part-1/ http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/bring-back-midge-aka-barbie-turns-50-part-1/#comments Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:12:16 +0000 juliehoylen http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/?p=2109 Like any girl born within the last 50 years or so, playing with Barbie dolls was a huge part of my childhood. I remember afternoons spent with playmates filled with adventure, laughter and of course- hundreds of Barbie wardrobe changes.

And though some don’t agree that Barbie is the best icon for a little girl to grow up admiring ( too thin, too unrealistic, too anti-feminist) I don’t ever remember her having any negative effect on my girlhood- except of course the time my brothers’ G.I. Joe took one of my Barbies hostage and attempted to blow her up with a firecracker… that memory I must admit will forever be etched in my mind.

For me Barbie was what being a girl was all about in the 1970’s….feminine, capable and driven by the dream that a girl could have it all. Barbie sure did… she had a dream house , cool car, fun best friends and the best accessory a girl could have- Ken, a boyfriend who was always there for her when she needed him and never hassled her when she just wanted to hang with the girls or asked him to get dressed up just to go for a drive through the backyard.

How much would Barbie’s three story Malibu home be worth today? Check out this fun article from Forbes.com about the world’s most expensive fictional homes

When I realized the other day that Barbie was turning 50 this year… my thoughts went straight to color ( what a shock-right)… what a fun way to look back at how colors have changed over the last half of a century via Barbie’s hair, makeup and wardrobe.. because if Barbie is anything- she’s a genius when it comes to being on trend.

Introduced to the world in 1959 as the ultimate ‘teenage model’-Barbie spent most of her time in the 1960’s finding her identity…I was shocked to discover how many different incarnations she went through in just one decade!

When she first hit the scene she was classic in black and white.  Her lips and nails bright red, her sunglasses and eyeshadow both tinted in the palest blues to showcase her ‘come-hither’ side side glance. Her critics said she was ‘too mature’ and that little girls would not relate ( thus why you should never pay attention to critics!). Sold with a choice of hair color since the beginning- throughout the decades though blonde Barbies have out sold there darker counterparts 5 to 1.

Her first wardrobe was inspired by Parisian Couture and in 1960 when the ‘bubble cut’ hairstyle was all the rage Barbie shed her signature swirly high ponytail ( already Barbie was the ‘ultimate’ trend follower/setter’) for her own version. (Though with this Jackie O inspired hair- Barbie passing as a teenager takes about as much suspended belief today as it took me to believe that Stockard Channing was of high school age in the original movie of Grease.)

Right away-I couldn’t help but notice that the signature ‘hot pink’ we associate with Barbie today was not really part of her wardrobe in the early years… I would say that actually the colors blue and red were the most commonly used color- red especially for swimsuits ( which they were mostly manufactured wearing) of the earliest dolls ( Ken, Skipper, Midge et all ).

And speaking of Skipper and Midge… since I had much older sister’s ( sorry I just had to mention that, heh, heh ) as a child of the late 70s- my arsenal included all of their 1960’s hand-me-down dolls.  And though the fellow 7 year olds of my youth knew who Skipper was- I can assure you ( at least in my hood ) that none were aware of Barbie’s best friend Midge.

Midge was very important to me because 1. she was red headed and freckled faced and 2. she was Barbie’s original best friend… but after the 60’s Mattel stopped production-what happen to her?  Did they have a falling out?  I beg Mattel to bring her back…a woman turning 50 needs to be surrounded by her most cherished lifetime friends-don’t you agree ( who else will take her out dancing to ring in the big milestone- Ken?- I think not.)

Okay I’m done venting- back to color.

Wow if you didn’t think the British Invasion changed the face of fashion before… check out how different Barbie changed in just a few years.  Silver go-go boots, metallic greens and sherbet pinks, a mesh bathing suit…from couture to mod practically overnight-

-perhaps it was Mattel’s choice to give Ken the ability to talk in 1968 that lead Barbie to need to feel a little ‘free-er’… what every the reason Barbie’s 60’s wardrobe was an explosion of at times ‘clashing colors’.

Out with 60’s and in with the 70’s… a time when a golden glow signaled a ‘healthy lifestyle’ and Barbie officially becomes independent when she moves from her hometown in Wisconsin to Malibu.

I have to say Malibu Barbie is really the image I think of in my mind when i think “Barbie”… she’s the prettiest-her fresh face and straight long hair influenced an entire generation of girls wishing to emulate her ‘California cool’ lifestyle and how fab is that high necked bathing suit!

to be continued….

Barbie images from Mattel at BarbieCollector.com

Barbie clothing images from Fashion Doll Guide.com

So cozy up with me by taking a quick, colorful peek into a few of my favorites issues….

“Soft hues of Gray and Beige are making a comeback this season”…notice how Harper’s Bazaar used these “new neutrals” for their cover shoot of Uma.

Lucky has a really great spread about mixing “rich, bright colors into your winter wardrobe”…”a peek of baby pink sweetens the vibrant tomato red of this jacket; gray pants an a cream turtleneck make everything that much more refined.” I absolutely love tomato red… I never would have thought about combining it with a soft pink… I will definitely be trying this!

Wouldn’t Elsa Schraparelli be proud “They Went Magenta-Way”. According to InStyle all you lilting-lilac girls, antique-rose sweeties, blush babies and cotton candy cuties get-outta-da-way because here comes a powerhouse pink that takes on all comers when it’s a match and takes no prisoners when it’s not. You’re either meant for magenta or your not.

House Beautiful asked top designers: Which paint color do you always come back to?…Keith Irvine listed Benjamin Moore’s Dark Royal Blue 2065-20 “I’m mad about this dark inky blue, as it gives great vibrancy and depth to a wall- especially if you put a topcoat of good varnish over it. That’s what we did in Rex Harrison’s Manhattan apartment in this fabulous little dining alcove.” Read more….

In a really fun issue O at Home showcases talented readers/decorators… “Winter White…It may be cold outside, but the design climate right now is warmer than ever-welcoming a slew of styles, from modern to rustic to downright baroque. So how to tie last year’s woodland craze into this season’s rococo revivial? A unifying dose of the ultimate neutral.”

Hmm, Elle Decor was on a similar wave-length… “Winter White…As crisp as a fresh snowfall, the color of the moment strikes an elegant pose, from an alabaster lamp to plush fabrics to a wintry ensemble.”

The “Color you need to now” according to Southern Accents… “peacock blue... One of those old-school colors that makes you think of grand hotels and beautifully appointed dining cars, peacock blue covers the wall of libraries, butler’s pantries and other spaces where intimacy and a little intensity seem appropriate.”

Metropolitan Home looks to brighter side with a “colorways” report on “Unmellow Yellow…. The color forecast this winter calls for a bright sunshine with a twist of lemon” I love those little stoneware hot/cold drinking cups!… they would brighten up my daily teatime, for sure.

Home’s latest is chock full of great color knowledge and ideas… This was a spread on a East Hampton house by designer Jamie Drake. I love Jamie Drake so much that whatever color advice he’s giving… I’m listening! “Drakes recipe: first choose a main color you love, then add a complementary shade, and finish with two dollops of an accent color. Voila!

New kid on the block, Vogue Living’s winter issue, featured these cool colorful rugs by Miami designer Gene Meyer. “I’ve been able to lose myself in color,” enthuses Meyer, : I’ve always loved it. I am a child of the sixties. Color then wasn’t the exotic thing it has become today.”

The cover of Martha Stewart Living features cool, sunshine yellow kitchen accents, but it was this article about houseplants that caught my eye… “The upright, linear effect of the snake plant, is emphasized by tall windows, while planters echo their verdigris colors.” I love what a color statement a common house plants can make in the right planter.

Coastal Living’s “Island Hopping… to chase away the winter chill, head somewhere tropical. Dress the part with accessories in warm tones of faux tortoiseshell and shades of golden sunshine.”… good idea, let’s pack our bags right now!!!

Read any fun color advice or discovered a new color trend you love this month?…. Let me know!