It seems that time and time again I learn of people trying to choose a paint color FIRST before they decorate and accessorize a room. Inevitably they are disappointed in the color and wish they had done something a little differently. They find themselves getting more and more frustrated as they shop endlessly for the perfect bedding, side chair, or sofa. This feeling of disappointment in a chosen paint color CAN be avoided.

FIRST, pick the major pieces for the room (i.e. sofas, flooring, and other large ticket items). Try to keep these pieces in the neutral tones and patterns whether they are in warm or cool colors. By doing this they can last the any changes in your style and preferences over time. SECOND, choose a color inspiration item. This inspiration item could be the area rug, a throw pillow, a piece of art, a sculpture, or even a personal item that will reside in the room. THIRD, build your paint color palette from this inspiration item.

I feel like I am repeating myself and perhaps I’ve discussed this process in the past. However, I cannot say it enough…do not pick your paint color and THEN try to decorate the space around this color. It is far more difficult to match bedding, artwork, and accessories to a paint color on your wall than it is to choose the paint based one of these items.

For example the fabrics for the upholstery, curtains, and accessories as well as the rug are selected for a room as follows:

Based on these selections I would recommend a few different options. For a warm and cozy room pull the dark brown out of the patterned upholstery. For a cooler or fresher feeling pull the light gray out of the floral patterned upholstery. For a color palette that leans toward a monochromatic feeling (with a few color accents) select a shade of green that is somewhere within the same color family as all the shades of green found in the fabrics. And finally, for a more neutral selection a warm shade of creme found in the base of the floral upholstery would be the best option.

Hopefully this advice I am offering helps you…at least a little bit. If you aren’t sure and find yourself stuck in choosing a paint color simply send me an email at questions@theidesignbox.com with a digital image or link to an accessory that you are using as the inspiration item in your room. I’ll offer a few recommendations to point you in the right direction.

Happy Painting!

When I use the word “paneling” we all think of the faux wood paneling of the 70’s commonly found in lounges coupled with shag carpeting and polyester upholstered furniture. Well, the wood paneling I’m sharing with you today is far from that era. In fact, it goes back even further to a more rustic time.  We’ve discussed rustic influences on color trends for this year (Didn’t see this post? Check it out at Treasured). Today I’m sharing an architectural element that is finding its way back into our homes…this element is known as wood paneling.

Influenced from a time gone by yet relevant in today’s architecture the use of paneling can add a uniqueness to your home that is also reminiscent of the Arts and Crafts period. It adds a custom feeling that your home was hand-crafted in a way that will withstand time and the elements.  These cabins designed by Bromstad Hoedemaker are a classic example of  paneling as an interior architectural element in homes being built today.

Paneling also creates a cozy sense of warmth in vast spaces that could otherwise feel unwelcoming. Nicole Hollis accomplished this by using different finishes to highlight specific areas of the room using the paneling to create visual texture and pattern.

My favorite use, or should I say re-use, of paneling is this application of Antique Gray Barnwood. By applying the paneling to the vaulted ceiling it brings the ceiling down to create warmth and a comfortable space.

This rustic trend of using wood paneling in our homes again certainly is not the stereotypical 70’s style we think of and it may not be your style today. However, you have to admit that it is a great way to show craftsmanship in homes that can seem mass produced and typically look just like the neighbors.

Valentine’s Day is Sunday…where does the time go? It was just Christmas! If you are feeling like me and haven’t been able to plan ahead for this Valentine’s Day here are a few last minute Martha Stewart gift ideas that are soft on the pocket book and full with sentiment from the heart…

This heart shaped bookmark is great for the avid reader in your life. Easy enough to do and only requires a few simple items available from the craft store or the nearest Target. For How-To instructions go to Heart Bookmark from Martha Stewart 

A great idea that carries through to spring are these lunch bag  plant holders. Fun for the kids to decorate! For How-To instructions go to: Valentine’s Day Plant Holder from Martha Stewart

For the tea lover in your life I found these heart tea bags to be sweet and simple. For How-To Instructions go to: Heart-Shaped Tea Bag from Martha Stewart

I’m a sucker for a beautifully wrapped gift. I found this poetic gift wrapping idea to be classic, simple, and definitely stylish. For How-To Instructions go to: Poetic Gift Wrapping from Martha Stewart

Happy Valentine’s Day Everyone!

It is my quest to share with you that color can create an inspiring, desirable, and welcoming space. So I set out to see what the everyday person, may or may not be a designer, is doing with a space that does not include the color beige.  After browsing the top rated rooms on the HGTV website Rate My Space I found the following rooms to be very inspirational.

New York City Apartment: I chose this room for it’s creativity with wallpaper and pattern in a small space. What works is the simple color palette of three colors, repetition of print and decorative elements (i.e. bold graphic wallpaper, curtains, and pillows), and the use of a white sectional as the largest element in the room.

Spicy Kitchen: The next space is a winner for its use of spicy color in the kitchen. Shades of red increase the appetite and also create the psychological desire to linger over a long dinner. The unexpected element in this room that I found inspiring is the ceiling treatment. The linear lines create a grand sense of space and the fact that it is wood brings coziness to a welcoming family kitchen.

Contemporary Home Office: If color is still a little overwhelming to consider for your home, I highly recommend shades of gray as a neutral backdrop (in place of the common builder beige). This home office is successful for its soft palette of gray and white. The unexpected element that brings visual texture and, lets face it, excitement is the graphic zebra rug. The versatility of a rug is a great way to experiment with color and pattern in a room because it is a simple change you can make on a whim.

Artful  Home Office: Another inspirational home office and example of good use of a small space is this room. Repeating the art along the one wall adds a visual to the room that creates the illusion of a larger space. Keeping the color palette simple and use of repetition in the space makes the room feel larger. My favorite elementi s the throw pillows on the guest chairs. There are a lot of hard surfaces and square edges in the room and the pillows add a touch of softness.

Little Girl’s Bedroom: Last but not least, and most likely one of my favorites, is this sophisticated little girl’s room. While it is meant for a baby girl she can easily grow into this princess bed. The one element I am so glad is missing is the literal use of princess themed items. The soft colors, use of multiple patterns, soft surfaces, and grand chandelier makes you think of a princess without the actual presence of a tiara or cartoon character.

I’d love to see how you are using color in your home. Send photos to me at darcy@theidesignbox.com and I will share them in a future posting!

The fourth, and final color trend, in the series of Colormix 2010 from Sherwin Williams is a little bit of a throwback to the bright colors from the 80s with a 60s influence yet flirty, fun, and playful. The new color trend you will see this year, Refreshed, brings the feel of warm and sunny tropical days lying on the beach while enjoying a fru-fru drink with an umbrella. It’s easy to appreciate this trend while we are in the depths of winter.

The Refreshed color trend is perfect for a child’s room with its butterfly colors. There is a sense of optimism with a hint of a bohemian spirit. Additionally, three to four of these pallets of colors may be used at the same time as you can see in this child’s bedroom. 

While not specifically the exact shade of coral I couldn’t resist sharing this amazing octopus print fabric. It’s fun, a little bohemian, and the styling of this chair is straight out of the 60s just as this trend is also influenced by this period.

You will see tropical floral prints and graphic geometric patterns as found in this Jamaican Villa designed by Meg Braff. What I also appreciate about Meg Braff’s design is the exceptional use of this color trend yet the interior environment isn’t overwhelming with its bright colors. The use of this trend can still provide a sense of relaxation we psychologically associate with a tropical space.

Bright and juicy colors simply make you feel good, Refreshed, and may even inspire the desire for a great getaway. While we may not all be able to escape to a villa in St. Martin or Jamaica…perhaps infusing these colors into our bedroom, kitchen, or another relaxing part of the home will bring a smile to our face while we enjoy a little stay-cation where we live.

For more about Colormix 2010 from Sherwin Williams go to.

It has been rumored in the design community that gold is a new trend in 2010. We have seen shades of metallic return and evolve in various ways in our interiors over recent years.  However, gold has not been the the front runner…until now. Could gold be coming back due to the fact that 2010 is an Olympic year? Or perhaps it is simply because it is perceived as an uplifting color and in the wake of natural disasters like the earthquake in Haiti, a bad economy, and other signs of difficult times we could all use a little uplifting. Surrounding yourself with gold (i.e. a shade of yellow) can bring a sense of joy, vibrancy, and a feeling of promise. According to basic color theory it just makes you feel good.

I set out to look for shades of gold in readily accessible design and though I had to dig a little deep I was surprised at what I found. Just as we have infused cooler shades of  metallic into our homes in recent years you will find that gold and warm shades of mustard will appear in 2010 in the form of subtle accents.

A single piece of furniture…

A bedside lamp…

And even in our dinnerware and table linens…

Not so ready to commit to a metallic gold? This trend can also be seen in a return of shades of mustard and earthy tones of yellow…

As with any trend, it is easy to mix the new gold into your space if you keep it to the accessories and extras that add a little touch to your interior environment. Whether or not you like the new metallic trend of gold or a more subtle shade of mustard yellow it is sure to lift your spirits, bring a smile to your face, and even provide that little bit of winning attitude that goes a long way.

The third in a series of four Colormix color trends for 2010 from Sherwin Williams leans more toward the classically sophisticated side of things. The new color trend, Simplified, is mindful of classic art but not plain, dark, or too simplistic. You will see clean, tailored lines and materials that evoke a bit of softness to what could potentially be considered a style that is stark or cold.

Structure, shape, and the integrity of design are important to this color trend. There is an absence of ornamentation and definite attention to form and design.

Fashion often translates to and influences what we incorporate into the interiors of our home. Calvin Klein is a classic example of a fashion designer that influences the Simplifiedtrend. His ever present clean lines with the blend of current colors, materials, and the ability to understand good form and structure is why Calvin Klein style is forever a classic.

The colors are calm, soothing, and adapt well to their environment. Texture and shape add interest and there is an illusion of breezy volume.  Natural materials can weave their way into this trend as well.

All-in-all the Simplified color trend is connected to classic lines, art, with the added feeling of being current for the new decade. A nod to classic artist and Bauhaus school of thought on design the Simplified color trend is a perfect fusion of old and new.  

For more on Colormix 2010 visit Sherwin Williams.

There is no reason that you can’t surround yourself with beautiful design when traveling. The next time you take a vacation or a business trip try checking out a boutique hotel or other notable hotels for their design and style in your destination city. Not sure where to start? Check out Hoosta Magazine for boutique hotels worldwide.

If you are looking for mysteriously unique my favorite is the Night Hotel in New York City. I love the pillows and drapes in this room:

For simply classic design I appreciate the James Hotel in Chicago. I find this space calming and serene…quite possibly my favorite:

And the most artful in my opinion is the Gladstone Hotel in Toronto, Ontario. I find these rooms whimsical and fun: 

Doesn’t make living out of a bag seem so dreadful does it?

The second set in the Colormix 2010 color series that forecasts colors which will be prevalent in 2010 has evolved from what we know and treasure from our past. Once again in tough times we often find ourselves reflecting on “better” times in the past. These reflections are connected to heirlooms or vintage pieces found in flea-markets and second-hand stores. They may look a bit worn but are really what we consider to be character. The colors inspire all things that are Treasured. We treasure the stories behind the stories that are invoked by a vintage piece of family china or perhaps a found object from the neighbor’s yard sale.

The connection between the past and the present and the desire to move away from a “throw away society”. We spend our dollars wisely and intend to keep and treasure classic pieces that will carry through into the future.

All things that are authentic but also paired with contemporary pieces.

The “Treasured” trend of colors is a softly layered palette. Layered with age, time, inspiration, and stories that are only connected with the things found in our environment. Soft, classic, and a bit romantic is indicative of this trend.

What connects me to this trend and draws me in is that it lends itself well to my eclectic style. I’m often classic and mildly traditional with a bit of quirkiness infused into the space. Classic prints, clean traditional lines, topped off with a ceramic peacock found at a yard sale. These colors and the vintage traditional style that goes with them are truly meant to be Treasured.

To learn more about the Colormix 2010 color trends go to Sherwin Williams.  

There are four major color trends that we will see in this New Year and for the month of January on Color Trend Tuesday from The I.Design Box we will review those established by Sherwin Williams.

The first in the Colormix 2010 series is “Rooted”. These colors are inspired and influenced by African, Native American, and Aboriginal tribal colors. Rich and warm and rooted in the earth you will find a sense of vibrancy and life in these colors. 

Color trends and inspiration for our homes are also influenced by fashion, what is on the catwalks, as well as other sources of the design world. An example as seen from Tiffany Amber in fall of 2009…

Tribal crafts,  textiles, and prints will be popular home accents for 2010. Influences from African, Native American, and Aboriginal tribes will be prevelant.

The “Rooted” trend of colors is earthy and full of intrigue that can only be found in the history of our natural environment. Urban yet earthy will make its way into our homes in our paint, accessory, and other decorative selections.

What I love the most about this trend is it is a solid neutral yet vibrant base that can be built upon over time and will remain classic in its own right. After all these colors are “rooted” in our global history. 

A special thanks to Laurie Clark of Sherwin Williams who presented this series of trends at a Colormix 2010 presentation in Denver, Colorado.

Go to Sherwin Williams for more on the Color Forecast for 2010.