An Eye For Detail

THE BLUES II and more

    So you know:  I am ALWAYS on the lookout for stories, and follow-ups to stories!

I went to a bead show on Saturday, with my friend Roberta who makes the MOST gorgeous jewelry. She was there to buy, and I was...well, just there. But of course, always taking pictures, and knowing I was doing the B L U E story today, I couldn't resist adding these to the story.

Have  you ever been to a bead show? It's great; the colors and textures are unbelievable! The only downside with this show was that I arrived, took out my camera, and realized I had NO MEMORY CARD in it! I knew that would happen some day.... I had downloaded pictures just that morning and forgot to put the card back in the camera. But there is always the trusty IPhone! These really aren't bad, considering that is all I had: 

      

 

TRENDY MONDAY: THE BLUES

There has been a veritable flurry of news about B L U E ! No, not the Pantone Turquoise Color-of-the-Year kind of blue...but just plain B L U E. I shouldn't call it 'plain'; it is anything but. Elegant, feminine, pretty, rich, exotic, ethereal, practical, trendy, old-fashioned: it is all these and much more!

House Beautiful magazine, just in case you haven't already seen it, has a entire issue devoted to the color  B L U E. Check it out here.

Then, there is the Blue Chair story in New York; more on this at  "Live in Full Color".

          Here's my favorite chair:

 

And from ICI Paints, their Colour of the Year 2010:

"An airy and optimistic blue. Airy light blues are recognized as being refreshing, soothing and liberating. The color speaks of hope and clarity--the clear, new horizon of tomorrow".

 
 

Here is our new B L U E trend board:

Different kinds of blues in lots of different products; these are all new and on the market NOW.
 

 

Using the colors from the images above here is what you get: 

 

And here is a new palette from Designers Guild for their "Chinaz" moire fabric line:

Somehow this palette struck me because the names are so perfect, and evocative. Often you find the names,    especially of solid colors, maybe don't quite...fit the actual color. Not so here:  perfect fit!

  

<Maine Cottage>

 

From Zoffany: "Provence Prints"

 

<VivaTerra>

  

 

From JonRobshaw

    
<Vivienne Westwood> 
 

and my personal favorite..... from Serena & Lily! 

"WHEN DID YOU FIRST FALL IN LOVE WITH FASHION?"

    This was the bold headline in the latest Chico's catalog. It went on:    

     ".....With spring? With the palest colors, the most sophisticated neutrals, and the way they look on     you?"

    So, it made me think: When did you first fall in love with decoration, with details, with color, with the concept of home?

    For me, I have always and always always been in love with interior spaces! First, it was my bedroom growing up "No, don't you DARE sit on the bed, I just made it and it's all smooth; can't you SEE that?" I would say to my sister... This, in the bedroom where I had been allowed to choose the wallpaper and guess what? It had ballerinas all over it! I loved it. A boy had been in that room before me and the wallpaper had submarines and destroyers; quite a change!

    Years later, when I finally (after many long...years of roomates) had my own apartment, in New York: yellow, yes, it had to be yellow. To this day, yellow is one of my favorite colors. But yellow was hard to do in that apartment: the bathroom had pink and black tiles! Well, there was no getting around the fact that yellow towels simply WOULD NOT do. Ah well, let's just go with pink, but then have them monogrammed! 

    I was married and our first apartment was in a charming brownstone. The living room: well, it had yellow and white upholstered sofa and chair, and then a wonderful floral chintz on another chair and pillows. A dusty rose rug and wonderful bamboo blinds completed the very 80's look! 

    So, on it goes... my love with interiors and color. Some of you will remember my post of January 1. 2010 on lighting. One of the lamps I featured was from Pierre Deux. Well, I DID IT! I bought it, in yellow, of course, and here it is in our living room looking oh so perfect on an antique table:

 

              
 

 Of course, I am so very fortunate to actually have to USE color in my work! I design for ceramics, rugs, textiles and paper.

     Pantone color guides are stacked up next to my desk; 

  

      my file "color" is overflowing;

     I know the difference between RGB and CMYK;

     the table in the middle of the studio is tomato red;

     I actually speak the language of color! 

I'm working on a post of all the things i.e. details, I use in my studio. We all take them for granted, of course, as over the years they become part of us. Technology has changed so many things (do I really need those huge flat files any more?) but has also added such fun things as Wacom pads, wireless keyboards, CD's (!), file backups. The list goes on and on. I'll take some pictures this weekend.

Have a nice weekend everyone!

TRENDY MONDAY: SPRING FLOWERS

         THANK GOODNESS: IT'S MARCH !!!!

    What we all need is a good dose of SPRING! Have you been to Target lately? Even in the snow bound Northeast, they are showing row after row of bathing suits...so, of course, if you don't go and try one on right now, while you are pasty and white, then, well, you just might miss out on your first choice! 

    In the spirit of all things SPRING, I give you some new flowers in all kinds of designs and products:

    Here are the pinks, blues, lime greens. Note the splash of coral in the palette at bottom.
 

Here is a slightly stronger palette, including some black and white:

 

    Last week there was a discussion in the blogoshere about trend boards: what they are and how designers do them. They are usually thought of as a tool for interior designers and decorators as a way to show prospective clients, either retail or residential, ideas for a project.

    My background is a variation on this: I am the product and/or print designer and in that capacity I have to present to my client, the manufacturer, my ideas on how a certain print and its coordinates will work for his/her specific product as well as for other related products. If it's presented to a ceramics manufacturer, they may also want to see the collection expanded to, say, paper products, or bath etc. It is surely to my benefit to step out the program to other products.

   Given that background and transitioning into the world of blogs:  How do I do these boards, you ask? 

    We start with a list of "Trendy Monday" topics: right now this list has maybe ten ideas on it. We (I mean Sophia and I) begin to gather ideas and images for some of these Trendy Monday projects. We use a program called "Evernote". I came upon it recently and it works ok most of the time...but we have also had, as in all things computer, real glitches. We each have "notebooks" for each category and add all sorts of images, with the URL source code, to each notebook. 

    This "SPRING FLOWERS" project was a tricky one. Yes, there are lots and lots of flowers out there, but, of course, we had to narrow it down.. both in prints and products selected. Here are several of the early boards, and ultimately, rejects.

 

    I had wanted to do some sort of patterned background: top left. We tried it small scale, then tried this oversize scale. It couldn't compete with the images on the board. I still like it, but then, when I dropped in the black:  BINGO! it worked. Same with the yellow at top right. It is actually a scan of a grasscloth paper. We tried scaling it down and then blowing it up. Nope. 

    In the end, these boards are really a personal choice. The items at the bottom of the last board didn't make the cut: we already had something similar, or they just didn't fit.

    The boards are definitely a work in progress! You will see changes every so often!

    Anything you would like to see us research? We're open to any and all ideas!  

ok, ok, a few more images for an almost Spring day:

<from companyC>

<zoffany>

   <cole & co.>

 

PANTONE FASHION COLORS 2010

Are you ready? Pantone has just come out with their new fashion colors for 2010: this takes a minute to start loading,so be patient.

 

I've added their description of these colors with nice big swatches....

Now, I know, this is fashion; but we all know how closely it is related to Home Furnishings and how short a time the transition takes from one to the other. Will we be seeing these in interiors soon?

Crisp ENDIVE:" a revitalizing yellow-green, adds freshness to the season's top ten"

GOLDEN GLOW: "an earthy, deepened shade of yellow, creates a retro look with Purple Orchid or Woodbine."

  

LIVING CORAL: "a softer, more inviting orange with a hint of pink undertone"

 

LIPSTICK RED: "a deeper, more dramataic sensual red, makes its imprint on fall, particularly in cosmetics"

PURPLE ORCHID: "a purple leaning to fuchsia, an unexpected choice for fall, imbuing a bit of magic and vibrancy"

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE: " evocative of delicious treats, is a rich brown with piquant plum undertones"

 

LAGOON: "guaranteed to add a tropical splash"

WOODBINE: " takes last season's neutral greens to a whole new level, and when mixed with Purple Orchid and Chocolage Truffle, results in a stunning combination"

OYSTER GRAY: "a classic neutral that grounds the palette; a lighter take on the traditional fall gray"

ROSE DUST: "a flattering beige, offers an ethereal, romantic, wispy option to span the seasons"

    
   
   

COLOR THROUGH THE SNOW

Love love love the colors here! Imagine painting your house these colors... and to have my D.C. friend capture it in the snow. Wonderful.

 

 

And Rock Creek Park;

 
 

TRENDY MONDAY: TURQUOISE

TRENDY MONDAY

The color TURQUOISE:  Pantone Color of the Year 2010

What is it about this color that is so appealing and seems to fit almost everyone and every product? Here is what some have said:

   Luxist,  “dedicated to covering the best the world has to offer on a variety of luxury and fine living topics” says this color choice “marks another year of distinctly cheery hues,” It is both calming and colorful at the same time… and pairs well with white for the bridal market.

   Transporting is a word widely used here, especially by Leatrice Eiseman, Director of the Pantone Color Institute. Turquoise reminds us of the beach and has a calming effect. A bit of escapism? And it also reminds us of the jewelry of Central and South America and American Indian: all coming from warmer climates that bring to mind: vacation!

     Pantone itself said, upon releasing news of this color: “Turquoise evokes thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a languorous, effective escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of wellbeing.”

This is what I call the "soft color" trend board. Here are the beachy blues, pale turquoise, soft whites, and peachy pinks. These can be both fun/informal but also formal in ceramics or a pattern of swirled florals.

 

A second version of turquoise is the "saturated" look: the peacock feather anchors this look with its deep, vibrant blues and greens with a touch of shimmer.

 

I couldn't resist just a few more, last minute ideas!

Note the great blue desk at bottom: I'm working on a story of the wonderful company that does this vibrant, stunning painted furniture. Stay tuned....
 
 

I want to introduce the newest member of my "team": Sophia. Sophia hails from London and is now living in the Hudson Valley. Her job title is "research assistant"... but she is more than that! This new column, Trendy Mondays, would not be possible without her: thank you Sophia!

COLOR PULSE 2011

                IFDA seminar:   COLOR PULSE 2011

As presented by Doty Horn, director of color and design, from Benjamin Moore

The four major themes are:

1)Balance

    Balance is all about a return to the earth and the farm. Milk (we see this later when whites become milky whites), cows, hay, farm tools, hopsack and burlap textural fabrics, the use of yarn and rope, patchwork and gingham. Cows, you ask? Yes, haven't you seen the black and white cow "hides" in fabrics covering furniture? Of course.

Tools? Yes,  take a look at some of the farm tool implements used as hooks in the home.

Burlap: this has been seen on many a fashion runway. Yarn and rope: remember those potholders you knit as a child? Well, they have been taken to the next level as HUGE, large scale knits in rugs. I couldn't find any pictures of these...they are just TOO new...but they were wonderful: enormous scale knit stitches as area rugs; very cool indeed!

    So, what are the colors associated with these themes?

    Vegetable brights! Think deep eggplant/aubergine and browns from the earth. Try a brown and vibrant citrine for great effect.. That milk white from above: pure white softened. Butter yellow: mixed with a tomato red or eco green.

please note: these color palettes are my own, based on what I heard, and not on the actual color swatches, as yet not available, from Benjamin Moore.

2)Order

    Order is, yes, ordered. Stacking boxes, whether in  building cubes or stacking shelves. On the runway it is a Mondrian type of outlining. Think stripes: in chairs, fashion, carpet, walls, fabric. Circles used in all kinds of lighting.  Color blocking which also becomes a sort of pixel show: there are pixels, clean or blurred on sofas and walls and carpet.

 

    The black and white story here is strong, especially combined with red. Look at some of the new Marimekko prints. We also see primaries which really lend themselves to an ordered and clean effect.

3)Escape

    Let's escape to "Alice in Wonderland"! This movie, yet to be released, is already having quite an influence on the runway and in the home. Lots of translucence; pales, frosted and veiled surfaces, a sheer watercolor effect, ombres. The feminine undertone is present in the pearlized deep rose colors.

    For a new color combination try a cosmetic carbon with feminine pink, or black with a feminine lavender, or peach or pink translucence. The effect is ethereal and other worldly, like Alice...

4)Tribe

    Tribe is where the ME meets WE. The human body becomes an art form to be used in furniture shapes and groupings. We see modular shelter, the communal table for restaurants, the city map used as a design element on a tote bag, all kinds of lettering used on the walls, in paper products, on handbags.

 

    The colors here are urban/ethnic: cinnamon browns mixed with deep reds; khaki becomes camel; an important trending of fuschia; a teal accent used with browns and naturals; those vegetable dyes again.

If you want to learn more Benjamin Moore is offering FREE webinars for "Color Pulse 20011": the next one is February 24th.

TRENDY MONDAY

To celebrate the new year (a month late..), but certainly to celebrate the new month of February, 

we  are starting a new series for you:

 “Trendy Monday”

What IS Trendy Monday? It is a presentation of the many and varied trends from the world of home fashion and accessories; things that I'm seeing either in print, at trade shows, or at retail. Maybe all three venues will converge; maybe not. There are new products to see and each trend sheet will have a definite color story with tabs included. The two trend stories below appear a little small.... sit tight: we are working on this! Next Monday will be even better..

To start this series we have :   Birds and Branches

We are seeing birds all over the place! They are silhouettes, which can be graphic, and they are part of a collage with multi-layers. They are tossed, all overs, and they are botanicals. They are realistic and they are fun and whimsical. The greens here have been a story for quite a while, and combined with the chartreuse, and then a touch or purple, they become even newer. Purple/plum/mauve, if you will remember, was seen at Maison et Objet last September and just last week it was one of the dominant colors at the show , once again. 

 

Here they tend to be a little more serious, as seen in black and white. They are on branches, in trees, holding your jewelry, and anchoring curtains. Black and white, of course, is an on-going story...but here also we see the touch of mauve, and then the light pink. Very feminine and light!

 

    From bedding to wall art, to pillows: the birds are here to rest for a while!

    So tell me, have you seen birds around? Where? What colors? Do you like them? I'm off to the New York Gift Show tomorrow and will let you know what I see!
  
    
 

COLOR IN JANUARY: and lots of it!

       It's January: it's winter, it's dark and there is no color, right?  Wrong! Here is what I found yesterday at my local farm/garden market. Moral of this story: always carry your camera!

These below were my absolute favorites: from Italy. The colors, the graphics and even the SIZE of the package is fabulous. As designers, we are always told to remember the color on the shelf: that is a large part of what sells a product. And here it couldn't be truer. Now, also, take a look at the contemporary graphics: the veggie icons are, quite literally, outside the box. In each case, they extend outside an inner box, and also bleed off an edge or two. Scroll down to see some seed packets from the 1930's: we've come a long way, baby!

     

 

I had bought a huge collection of these at Brimfield 

And they became a set of dessert plates! (combined with crate labels)

   

How about these gourds? I had never seen anything like this! Great idea for some craft projects....

 

Moving right along down the aisles: even the accoutrements of gardening are colorful!

     

 

And finally, for a totally different take on color: some neutral cachepots.