Kitchen Color On The Rise

Are you an early riser who springs right out of bed full of energy and ready to take on the world?

Well, I’m not.

Yes, the jig is up and the secret is out.

I am an early riser, but one not so full of energy or immediately ready to take on the world.

My morning involves a strong cup or two (or three) of coffee, a Visine moment for my computer weary eyes, and five minutes of peaceful meditation and prayer.

The enthusiastic voice of an exercise routine weighs in, so I pick up the coffee creamer container and use it for a quick strength training session.

That’s about as good as it gets most mornings.

Morning routines are the pace car of our day.

A peaceful environment is a plus, hopefully setting the tone for the rest of our day.

Unfortunately, it appears fast, faster, fastest is the morning mantra of the masses (number one reason I drink instant coffee).

Accept it- we go-getters are a hurried group.

This is the reason I embrace the first few moments of my morning routine.

As I sketched out the design for our kitchen and breakfast area, the main goal was to create a visually pleasing space.

Enjoying coffee time, mealtime, or downtime in a kitchen designed and decorated with color, comfort, and convenience in mind is a plus in the slow it down column of life.

Some of us need all the help we can get to get our mornings started.

Colorful kitchen elements and accents add the pop o’ the morning to the space.

Cheerful colors evoke a feeling of warmth and coziness.

Good morning, this is color calling with your wake up call.

Love your style!

 

 

 

images: Erdreich Architecture, P.C., Better Homes and Gardens, Southern Accents, HGTV, Hermitage Kitchen Design Gallery/Steven Long Photography, Sroka Design, Traditional Home, A CASA Design, J. Stephens Interiors

Match Game: Matching Paint Colors

Matching paint colors to our favorite collections and collectibles is one way to carry out a personal treasure theme.

Game Shop Utopia

When a client, friend or family member enlist my services in the color selection process,  it often begins like a Kohler faucet commercial.

I am shown an item and asked to design or decorate around the color(s) of the collection.

Let the match game matching paint colors magic begin!

matching-paint-colors

I’ve been introduced to new blogs this week via fall/autumn link parties, with one particular fall mantel display immediately captured my attention.

The author used pieces of blue and white French china from her personal collection.

Another blog showed how a beautiful collection of leather books influenced the color scheme of a space.

Decorating inspiration comes from many different influences.

I realized I am among those who have been, and will continue to be, influenced by items they collect or hope to start collecting.

I also thought it might be informative to play a round or two of Match Game: matching paint colors to items known to be collected for future decorative reference.

turquoise-box-white-ribbon

Probably one of the most recognizable colors in the world, iconic Tiffany Blue® was the referenced example used time and time again when selecting the paint color for our bedroom.

Sweet Rhapsody by Behr is close, close, close.

Behr-Sweet-Rhapsody

Little Blue Box by Sherwin Williams is my second choice.

sherwin-williams-little-blue-box

Gone With The Wind remains one of the most watched and loved Hollywood classics of all time.  

green-dress-Vivien-Leigh

I fell in love with the movie when I was six years old, and it still comes in as an all-time favorite.

GWTW-Scarlett-portieres-paint-colors

Vegas Green – Valspar
Mecca Gold – Olympic
Offbeat Green – Sherwin Williams

Blue & white porcelain and pottery collections are both popular and stylish.

blue-and-white-porcelain

Traditional blue and white wares of Chinese, English and Italian origin merge well with modern patterns to create beautiful displays.

The varied shades of blue play well off of each other and the result is a visual treat.

blue-white-china Pinterest

Olympic-bluesOlympic

Blueberry Buckle ||  Rainbow Bright ||  Annapolis Blue || Stunning Sapphire 

benjamin-moore-blues1

Benjamin Moore

Prussian Blue ||  Blue Suede Shoes ||  Delphinium ||  Stratford Blue

SW-blues

Sherwin-Williams
Loyal Blue ||  Georgian Bay  ||  Commodore  

Staffordshire dogs are highly collectible ceramic items.

Dating back to the 1700’s, Staffordshire figurines were made in pottery companies located in the County of Staffordshire, England.

Authentic Staffordshire figurines are rare beauties with proper and notable markings.

staffordshire-dog-figurineAntique Staffordshire King Charles Spaniel dog

Vintage Staffordshire dog figurines can be valued in the hundreds of dollars.

Staffordshire inspired reproductions or in the style off knock-offs are less expensive copies, making ownership more affordable.

ralph-lauren-palazzo

I’ve come to love authentic Staffordshire spaniel figurines, and some of the better quality reproduced Staffordshire dog figurines.

Benjamin-Moore-Old-Navy

Old Navy – Benjamin Moore

Coins come in as one of the top ranked collectibles.

Years ago when my parents were big time Vegas visitors, my mother would bring back silver fifty cent pieces as souvenirs.

half-dollarGreat American Coin Company

My fascination with the metallic paints began right then and there.

The fifty cent pieces are long gone and spent, but I’m rich in my love of the colors silver and copper.

French-Silver-Behr-paint

French Silver – Behr

US_One_Cent_Obv

Behr-Maple-GlazeMaple Glaze – Behr

This iconic example speaks for itself.

The-Beatles-Green-Apple-Sticker

Sherwin-Williams
Tricorn Black ||  Caviar ||  Paradise  || Overt Green ||  Nervy Hue

It’s no surprise that matching paint colors to collections resonates with the decorating choices made by collectors.

Love your style!