17th Nov. '08 • Category: Fashion & Beauty • Tags: color inspiration, orange, purple
Authored by Kate Smith
As if this orange coat from JCrew isn’t fabulous enough on the outside check out the lining details.
The bias stripe binding is gorgeous in the lining seam and the two tone purple detail at the waistline is just perfect. It makes it hard to decide if I like it better on or off.
What brilliant color inspiration!
19th Jun. '08 • Category: Home & Garden • Tags: color scheme, garden-design, green, purple
Authored by Kate Smith
I could sit for hours inside the US Botanical Garden and just inhale the beauty and magnificence nature affords us. Last weekend I headed over but before I even made my way inside the landscaping at the entrance stopped me in my tracks. It was so simple yet captivating.
The entire garden was brimming with flowers and foliage in green and purple. The greens ranged from a dark, muted green gray to a vibrant yellow green. The purples were in the range from
4th Apr. '08 • Category: Fashion & Beauty • Tags: menswear, purple, runway, womenswear
Authored by Kate Smith
The Spring 2008 collection from Swedish menswear and womenswear designer, Carin Wester caught my attention when she referred to a legend about the creation of color.
The Spring/Summer 2008 collection called ‘Purple of Mogador’, is inspired by an African legend about the black alchemist Amogador, who as legend goes, discovered how to create the color purple. (more…)
18th Feb. '08 • Category: Fashion & Beauty , Category: Messages & Meanings • Tags: amethyst, birthstone, jewelry, purple
Authored by Kimberlin Brown
Why is it that you either love or hate amethyst? Is it what the color purple connotes? Do we associate purple with Donny Osmond’s socks, wizard robes and disco sequined tube tops? A color choice for over the top theatrics- Prince and the God Father of Soul both had a penchant for purple. Personally I love amethyst, and purple in general.
Behold one of the most flattering colors in the spectrum. From the lilacs we will see this Spring and Summer to the rich aubergines coming in Fall, purple is the sophisticated color of choice. Amethyst comes in varying shades, so it will fit nicely with the seasons and your taste. (more…)
14th Dec. '07 • Category: Fashion & Beauty , Category: Home & Garden • Tags: blue, color-forecast, color-trends, purple
Authored by Kate Smith
The gorgeous hue Blue Iris was chosen as the color of the year for 2008 by Pantone a global authority on color.
The color of ocean and sky, blue is perceived as a constant in our lives. As the collective color of the spirit, it invokes rest and can cause the body to feel calm and isn’t a feeling of calm just what we are seeking as the world around us becomes more complex?
Purple gives Blue Iris a sense of mystery and luxury. It takes blue from tried and true to new and intriguing.
Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute shared with me that they chose this blue-purple blend because it is a color that represents the overall color direction Pantone sees for fashion, cosmetics and home products in 2008.
Wellspring palette from the Pantone Home Furnishings Forecast
While blues and purples are shown across the eight Pantone palettes they make an especially strong showing in Wellspring a palette described as, “Universally understood as cleansing and clarifying and as the world’s most precious commodity, water provides the Wellspring that literally supports and sustains life.”
“Blues and aquas clearly define the liquid’s cooling and more soothing qualities, highlighted by a glimmer of effervescent undersea green, violet and indigo. The undulating tones of mother of pearl and sandy shades of the shore bring a beautifully warming balance.”
More on Pantone’s color of the year on Color Pro…
10th Nov. '07 • Category: Fashion & Beauty , Category: Home & Garden • Tags: color-trends, fashion, pink, purple, violet
Authored by Julie Hoylen
Isn’t it funny how sometimes you find yourself so incredibly drawn to a particular color?
Well if color can become an obsession, then this fall for me it has to be a color I thought could best be described as violet.
It all started simply enough- I was savoring one of those rare perfect summer days in July when I first spotted the color in the form of a simple sun-dress on a women across the lawn at my local beach club. She was standing next to a perfectly weathered white Adirondack chair on a lush green lawn, with the deep blue sea behind her.
Spring House View by Daniel Pollera shows a similar setting
When I first saw the color the word violet came immediately came to mind. The warm purple-pink of the dress “popped” out amongst the surroundings, the color virtually sang out to me and an color obsession was sparked. Whatever the reason, since that day I been on a quest to possess this color.
Quickly though I discovered finding this perfect shade was not going to be as easy as I thought. Upon both my physical and virtual shopping journey I discovered that not everyone agrees on calling this hue that I desire” violet”.
Some designer’s versions of “violet” are way too pink, some too blue, and some that I think are absolutely perfect are called by another name such as tuberge or magenta.
Suddenly I found myself in a real color conondrum. The color violet was the first word that came to mind when I saw the dress- but could I have been wrong to label it so? Did I need to rethink my fantasy hue’s moniker?
One quick google search for images of real violets and I had my answer…
Two different species of violets- two very different petal color
So, which plant blooms a true shade of violet?
Will opposing opinions of the answer lead to a feud campaign between designers?
Will we spot Valentino sporting a “Team Clive Groves” t-shirt while John Galliano wears one that reads “Team Baronne Alice de Rothschild” in the same vain as a fan pledging their alegiance to “Team Aniston” or “Team Jolie”?
I doubt it. But still, it’s sort of fun to see what side of the debate labels would be on if one actually existed.
I’d would most definitely be wearing a “Team Clive Groves” t-shirt to support my vision of violet. My fellow teammates would include Marc Jacobs, Carolina Herrera, Valentino, Prada and Manola Blahnik
While the designers from Kenneth Jay, Christan Dior, J.Crew, Target, Nars and OPI would proudly be showing support for”Team Baronne Alice de Rothschild” .
So, which is your vision of violet?
9th Apr. '07 • Category: Home & Garden • Tags: flowers, garden-design, purple
Authored by Kate Smith
There is nothing like hyacinths for a burst of color and sweet fragrance to chase away the memories of winter and make room for fresh thoughts of spring.
Masses of star-faced bells come in a range of colors including deep purple, red, pink, orange, white, and many more beautiful colors.
Dutch hyacinths are the most popular. Put a few in pots near your patio door or at nose level on a wall or deck and enjoy not only the color, but also the scent, every time you pass them.
14th Dec. '06 • Category: Messages & Meanings • Tags: automobile, black, blue, brown, color-meaning, gray, green, orange, pink, purple, red, vehicle, white, yellow
Authored by Kate Smith
Silver? Black? Red?
Find out what your color choice says about your personality…
If you were able to buy your dream car in the perfect color, what would it be?
29th Aug. '06 • Category: Fashion & Beauty • Tags: color-trends, fashion, purple
Authored by Kate Smith
Purple continues to reign as the color of choice on the red carpet. Tim Gunn, who “makes it work” on “Project Runway,” cited aubergine as the hot color trend for the Emmys.
Evagline Lilly, Ellen Pompeo, Leah Remini, and Cheryl Hines were among those showing off their lovely curves in this royal hue.
All photos Kevin Winter/Getty.
21st Aug. '06 • Category: Fashion & Beauty , Category: Home & Garden • Tags: color-trends, fashion, home, purple
Authored by Kate Smith
Purple, from soft violets to lush orchids to deep blue-purple, is a color that has won over designers this year. It has been called the hottest color on the fashion runway, and in home decor, purple is being used prominently.
Purple is a color that can take on many moods - from soft and feminine in its lighter tints to deep and mysterious in its deeper shades - making it a color that has broad appeal.
Many people are commenting on purple:
Purple Moves in on Pink. “We’re starting to see a decline in pink. It’s been a prominent color, but it is heading more toward violet and orchid. Some of the paler shades of purple will start to replace pink…” -Aimee Desrosiers of California Paints in an interview with HGTV
“The new black. The new beige. Call it what you will, but purple is the
hottest neutral on the home-fashions runway these days.” -Mary Graff
of iVillage
“Purple is Top Pick for Homer Laughlin in 2006. New Heather Fiesta® Adds Warmth and Excitement to Tabletop Décor.” -Dan Williams of Homer Laughlin China
“The cultures of continental Asia come together for a rich, creative and luxurious feeling. The colors are composed of rich ochers and purples tones inspired by the sunrise and sunset of an exotic mountain range. Patterns of tapestries and embellishments in all-over treatments reference far-away lands.” -Promostyl Fashion Key Trend Report
Style.com has included the purple chunky-heel platform from Gucci (shown in pic) in their top ten fashion looks.
Leslie J. Harrington, principal of LH Color, of Old Greenwich, Connecticut recognizes purple’s proven staying power, indicating that it is no longer trendy. “It’s a usable color that has served us well and is hard to let go.”
Moving forward, she foresees deeper colors evolving like rich orchid and blue-purple.
