A Most Fetching Friday

fetch·ing

/ˈfeCHiNG/

adjective

adjective: fetching

attractive.

synonyms: attractive, appealing, sweet, pretty, good-looking, lovely, delightful, charming, prepossessing, captivating, enchanting, irresistible

I thought I would bring back my A Most Fetching Friday series for the spring and summer season.  Today’s spring and summer fetching Friday kicks off the series with a collection of images drenched in color and seasonal decorating inspiration.

she-shed-garden-decoratingCountry Living

iced-teaSouthern Living

54c1c92c4f6f3_-_ed-peterson-4-xln-xlnELLE DECOR

Friday-will-be-fabulousRedbook

Lucille-BallHarper’s BAZAAR

MoroccoDomaine

Banana_Leaf_Wallpaper_in_Green_and_Pink_design_by_York_Wallcoverings_aa448458-675c-428d-ad2a-0baa567e685a_2048x2048Burke Decor

Venetian-Painted-Armoire1stdibs

Have a wonderful weekend!

enjoy-hydrangea

Inspiring Gray Rooms

The popularity of inspiring gray rooms proves the color crush on this interior design and decorating darling is stronger than ever.

Rooms vs. spaces.

What say you?

gray-cottage-pantry-with-gray-plank-trim

 Jessica Helgerson Interior Design

There’s been no break-up with or we’re done color revelation. In fact, most of us asked gray to move in and stay awhile.

Behr

Gray is experiencing quite the color your world love affair with many a living room, bedroom and kitchen.

Design and decorating relationships between a proven color base of space and go-to neutral is color palette perfection; one that beautifully creates flawless and inspiring gray rooms.

decorating with gray as a neutral colorBetter Homes and Gardens

“The tones of gray, pale turquoise and pink will prevail.”

-Christian Dior

gray-pink-green-wallpaper-throw-pillows

Mayme Baker Studio

Neutral colors are no longer being thought of as dull, boring or unimaginative home decorating, accents, paint and furnishings options.

As seen in the image above, gray is a strong neutral- a formidable color that refuses to simply fade away into the background of the wallpaper, chandelier patina, or the headboard.

Tones subtlety take control, guiding the eye to the prevalent and pronounced color pops.

Traditional-Oriental-Area-Rug-Grey

Traditional Oriental Area Rug Grey

Colors and patterns play so well together on this stylish playground.

dark-gray-wallpaper-on-back-of-light-gray-built-ins

 Lark and Grace Interiors

As the color foundation of the space, gray does not overpower nor underwhelm.  It this case, however, the different shades do command attention to detail.

Toronto Custom Home

Recognized in design circles as a space changing tour de force, a gray color palette exhibits the decorative power trio we all look for in design and decorative execution- drama, elegance and style.

gray-wallsArchitectural Digest

Accent colors take to the depth gray offers, proving its impressive ability for enhancing color and creating flawless gray areas.  

gray-mudroom-lockers-with-wood-and-leather-pulls

Chango & Co.

It is quite an amazing and appreciated foundation shade.  

extras-graphic-1

A-Street Prints Carriage House Wood Wallpaper gray

A-Street Prints Carriage House Wood Wallpaper -Gray

Uttermost-Saragano-Slate-Blue-Square-Mirrors-Set-of-2

Uttermost Saragano Slate Blue Square Mirrors (Set of 2)

Grey Resin Traditional Sculpture (Set of 2)

Grey Resin Traditional Sculpture (Set of 2)

Linon Cora Roll Back Tufted Chair

Linon Cora Roll Back Tufted Chair

Gray-Circles-Canvas-Wall-Art

Gray Circles Premium Canvas Wall Art

Gray is a stunning neutral, a color that has come into its own as both an elegant anchor and palette powerhouse.

Benjamin Dhong Interior DesignBenjamin Dhong Interiors

Complementing shades of gray frames the walls, marble floors and millwork as an interior design work of art.

gray-bathroomArchitectural Digest

Nine impressive shades of gray from Benjamin Moore paints proving as the base or simply as the focal accent color, gray is color capable.

Shades-of-Gray-Benjamin-Moore

Ashley Gray || Revere Pewter || Gray Owl || Silver Chain || Stonington Gray || City Shadow || Street Chic || Smoke & Mirrors || Perspective

If that’s not reason enough to consider incorporating the color gray in your décor take a look at the gorgeous image below.

Shades of gray, when paired with elegant accents in think outside the matchy-matchy box contrasting colors, give the space its personality and command a sublime reaction.

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I’ll Have A Blue Christmas: Decorating With Blue

The colors red and green remain the traditional contenders for the most recognized color palette combination of the holidays.

flocked-Christmas-tree-house-and-home1

House & Home

I’m not one who normally detours (much) from established, traditional, time honored, and proven design and decorating institutions, but there is a time and a space that calls for doing just this.

blue-crystal-beads

Holiday foundation colors complement home decor accents and accessories, and guide the directed holiday theme or pattern in decorated spaces.

ethereal-angel

Decorating with blue this holiday season drives my inspiration to invite this accent color to stick around after the holidays.

wreath-in-window

Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles

As it is the case in most design and decorating endeavors, color is the starting point for inspired creativity.

A new dining room paint color and a beautiful angel figurine in ethereal blue guided the decorative selections for our Louisiana French themed holiday tree.

French-themed-Christmas-tree-angel

There’s no denying the association between decorating with blue, French accents, and home for the holidays in Louisiana.

home-letters-blue

It’s a Joyeux Noël!

The power of one distinct color can inspire and transform an entire space, and when done right, can lead the way to a color aha moment.

 

Belham Living Silver Christmas Wreath

French Blue Velvet Ribbon

French Blue Velvet Ribbon

Fincham+Chesterfield+Recessed+Arm+Loveseat

Fincham Chesterfield Recessed Arm Loveseat

Manor Home Wreath Printed Pillow

Manor Home Wreath Printed Pillow

Fairytale Motif Blue Pillow

Fairytale Motif Blue Pillow

blue-bedroom-for-holidays-WERNER STRAUBE

Better Homes & Gardens – Photo by Werner Straube

Classic pieces trimmed in blue place the French accent mark on très bien!

1960's Traditional Armoire, Vintage Wardrobe

1960’s Traditional Armoire, Vintage Wardrobe

Veranda Upholstered Queen Anne Back Side Chair

Veranda Upholstered Queen Anne Back Side Chair

Knupp 75.5" Wood Floor Clock

Knupp 75.5″ Wood Floor Clock

Uttermost Torriana Antiqued Accent Wall Clock

Uttermost Torriana Antiqued Accent Wall Clock

Source and ye shall find Parisian perfection, decoratively speaking.

blue-dining-roomCountry Living Magazine – Tria Giovan

Evelina+Solid+Wood+Dining+Chair

Evelina Solid Wood Dining Chair (Set of 2)

Traditional greens of the holiday season frame the old barn doors and antique demilune window cupboard in tandem O Tannenbaum.

greenery fresh

 

Cora Washed Blue Linen Roll Back Side Chair

Cora Washed Blue Linen Roll Back Side Chair

Picket House Furnishings Regal Accent Chair

Picket House Furnishings Regal Accent Chair

historic-batman-print

Historic Batman Print

Girona Table Lamp Blue - StyleCraft

Girona Table Lamp Blue – StyleCraft

Art Print Blue Interior 9x12 on 11x14 - Blue Chairs by David Lloyd

Blue Chairs Print by David Lloyd

Decorating with home decor accents and accessories in new traditional holiday colors broadens our palette horizons and inspires the look long past the holiday season.

Love your style!

Isn’t That The Idea? Fearless and Fabulous Color

Reflecting back on 2013 and looking forward to things to come in 2014 takes center stage for a whole lot of people at this time of year.

Once I weed through the resolution staples- lose weight, get organized, get healthy- I get down to the business of business that is decorating.

With decorating comes hours of sourcing, viewing and discovering interiors.

Commercial complexes, residential homes, restaurants, lounges, chain and luxury hotels- I’ve never met an interior I didn’t appreciate.

The common denominator of design swoon and decorative admiration becomes more clear with each and every image.

Fearless and fabulous color excites the eye, races the heart and commands attention.

Isn’t that the idea?

Wynn-Encore-Interiors

If we insist on beauty and style and in our homes, why not factor that in when we select places and spaces to celebrate a special occasion?

Society CafeWynn Las Vegas- photo by Barbara Kraft

Color is at the core of detail.

Color excites, enhances and engages diners, travelers and celebrators.  I

t is a measured ingredient, sometimes in appropriate hit you over the head excess, sometimes in take you by surprise I didn’t realize I like that color discovery.

576px-DSC32219,_The_Wynn_Hotel,_Las_Vegas,_Nevada,_USA_(5364936159)Commons Wikimedia

My personal measure of fearless and fabulous color done right is when the balancing act of hue, tone and saturation come together to engage the eye in real time without sensory intrusion, but makes it’s biggest impact in memorable afterthought.

That’s a color your world impression, and isn’t that the idea?

fearless and fabulous colorWynn Las Vegas

Dave the Builder and I had the pleasure of staying at Wynn and Encore Las Vegas for our 25th anniversary.

The celebration and importance of the milestone could not have been better framed for a more memorable experience than by the impressive design and decor attributes richly bathed in color.

mosaic-WynnPinterest

The vision, creation and execution of  these memorable and notable interiors begin with Roger Thomas, Executive Vice President of Design for Wynn Design and Development.

Roger ThomasRoger Thomas ~ Home Accents Today

There is absolutely nothing common about the design and decor details of the common areas.

I do like and appreciate the tone down of color in the guest rooms.

At home or on the holiday road, decompressing and relaxing is so much easier when a space is done in a tasteful, tranquil palette.

Wynn-hotel-room

In the case of Wynn and Encore, the serene Californicated neutrality reserved for the guest rooms is a well thought out color application.

SLS South Beach

Switching gears and geographical locations to further the point is the fabulous guest rooms of the SLS Hotel South Beach.

Philippe StarckPhilippe Starck

Architect and designer Philippe Starck brilliantly succeeds in pairing quintessential South Beach elegance with French influences that fascinate the eye and relaxes the soul.

Let me ask you this:

How long did  it take to draw your eye straight to the pink accent pillow?

There are times when just a blush touch of color is all it takes.

Stark (no pun intended) white with a fearless hint or fabulous from floor to ceiling saturation – fearless and fabulous color has the will and the power to influence, inspire and impress.

Isn’t that the idea?

The Power of Color

Life often revolves around the color wheel, demonstrating the power of color.

The influence of color touches lives far beyond pattern, palette, and walls.

the-power-of-color

In the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary, I find I am more and more amazed at the power of color.

It’s no coincidence that color is closely associated with traditional rights of passage and milestones in our lives.

The pink or blue of a baby nursery,

The religious significance of white baptism robes and christening gowns.

Graduation caps and gowns in school colors.

White and ivory wedding dresses.

Black tie affairs.

Golden and silver anniversaries.

You get the idea.

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

Emilie Parker, Josephine “Joey” Gay, Grace McDonnell, and Victoria Soto share obvious and tragic circumstances, but choosing to define their memories by those circumstances is not fair to the lives they lead.

I am so struck by one particular detail, a shared commonality lovingly revealed and colorfully expressed.

We’ve learned how color defined their individuality and its impact in each of their lives, memorials, and funerals.

Josephine loved all things purple, Emilie the color pink, Grace claimed both as her favorites, and Victoria adored the color green.

purple-bedroom-with-bed-crownflodeau

Josephine “Joey” Gay’s family knows well Joey’s affinity for the color purple, straight from the spirited hearts of Baltimore Ravens fans.

purple-and-white-bedroomNew England Home

Purple balloons throughout their neighborhood paid tribute to Joey.

May the peace and warmth associated with the color purple comfort her family.

Addison Gallery

Big sister Emilie Parker  nurtured way far beyond her young years.

Comfort came to those who remembered her caring qualities by a simple and colorful request- to wear the color pink, Emilie’s favorite, in a united show of love and remembrance of the little girl who loved pink.

Elle Decor

Grace McDonnell’s mother talks of Grace’s love of peace signs and the colors pink and purple.

Her mother shared with Anderson Cooper how the family took part in a very colorful, deeply personal, comforting, and fitting tribute to Grace.

Grace colored the world with her artwork so full of vivid colors, wise subjects, and touching sentiments.

Color was not absent from her world, and her parents made sure it would never be via Sharpies and color filled tributes.

1stdibs

Victoria Soto simply adored the color green and pink flamingos.

That revelation crosses my mind when I source, select, and admire the color green.

Green has a calming quality and is said to represent safety.

From what we now know, Victoria Soto died offering to the best of her ability the qualities of her favorite color.

Pinterest

Isn’t it beautiful how color is a sweet and strangely comforting testament to the creativity, imagination, and strength of Grace, Victoria, Josephine, and Emilie.

Color gives hope through the green and white ribbons that stand strong with Sandy Hook and the citizens of Newtown, Connecticut.

Unity echoes through music, small voices, and somewhere over the rainbow colors in support of the families and in remembrance of Charlotte Bacon, Daniel Barden, Rachel Davino, Olivia Engel, Ana M. Marquez-Greene, Dylan Hockley, Dawn Hochsprung, Madeleine F. Hsu, Catherine V. Hubbard, Chase Kowalski, Jesse Lewis, James Mattioli, Anne Marie Murphy, Jack Pinto, Noah Pozner, Caroline Previdi, Jessica Rekos, Avielle Richman, Lauren Rousseau, Mary Sherlach, Benjamin Wheeler, and Allison N. Wyatt.

My Idea Of Halloween: Decorating With Black And Orange

Decorating with black and orange reaches beyond traditional Halloween colors.

IDF Studio

IDF Studio

decorating-with-orange-and-black (1)

Scalamandré-zebras-orange-black

Scalamandré Zebras Wallpaper

From the dramatic divine to subtle yet striking hints, decorating with black and orange welcomes spectacular and spooktacular reviews.

Kimpton Fitzroy London

Kimpton Fitzroy London

bath-black-orange-wallpaper

Elle Decor

RD Architecture, LLC

RD Architecture, LLC

I’ve used this image in another post to illustrate the undeniable decorative impact of the color duo black and white.

black-orange-curtains1Skonahem

I could not resist using it again to stress how stunning a space can be with the choice and pairing of orange and black.

orange-black-Chinoiserie-fabric-upholstered-chair

Jardin du Luxembourg Wallpaper

Jardin du Luxembourg Wallpaper

orange-and-black-dining-room-colors (1)

Jenn Feldman Designs 

orange-and-black-deck-orange-outdoor-trellis-rug-black-lattice-railing

 Megan Winters

When the primary palette stands as the focal point of the space.

Adrian Wilson interior photography, NY

Adrian Wilson interior photography, NY

Select one as the primary color and let the other serve as the accent- the result a treat for the eye.

decorating-with-orange-and-black

House Beautiful

Refined Haystack

Refined Haystack

These gorgeous rooms, accents, and accessories do not rely on tricks- only decorative and stylish treats for the eye.

Darleen-signature-love