The Beauty of Gray

Gray doesn't always have to mean grim. Gray can have the most elegant and subtle effect in a room. Check out the entry hall in designer Ned Marshall's home in New Orleans. The note in Traditional Home says he began with silver radiator paint (love that idea!) and then used a glaze over it to create this amazing effect. You could easily take this in a very traditional direction or a very contemporary direction.

I do think you have to use gray with care and you must have a great sense of color (or hire a professional) to help you use it correctly- especially when using other colors in the mix. I've seen gray used in a light warm tone as the neutral in a nursery- it was amazing. The few selected bright colors popped against the softness of the gray. I wish I had a picture to share with you.... it's in my brain and I'd love to create my own version of this one day.

One of my favorite shades of deep gray is Martha Stewart's "Goose Down". It's very deep and warm- almost a gray-brown. Benjamin Moore's "Iron Mountain" is also great. Which is the right gray? It depends upon the room you're creating and the level of sophistication you're aiming to create. Here are a few more ideas:




I love this masculine bathroom. This photo shows only one portion of the gray built-ins, but they look great against that wool, mens-wear inspired wall. I have to say that I am not a fan of any kind of wall-to-wall in a bathroom though.




Gray walls with white trim always seems to work well. The raised panels and the fireplace mantle in white help to bring some extra life to this deep, almost purple shade of gray.

Black As An Anchor

I've gone back to this image so many times for several different reasons. I can't remember what appealed to me about it in the first place... because there are so many things. This isn't a black room, by any means, but the brilliant use of a few black pieces really grounds all of the other light celadon and chartruse pieces in the room. Take a good look at the crisp white vases in the black cupboard. The only other color in the cupboard is chartruse. The shelves themselves are very contemporarily styled yet are in a fairly traditional piece of furniture. I love the way the whole look comes together feeling very fresh. I'm not so sure I would love it as much without the touches of black....

Lee Jofa in Blue & White

Blue & White Fabrics

I've frequently said that if I had to choose just one brand of fabric to work from it would be Lee Jofa. With it's umbrella of brands and many designer collections (Kelly Wearstler forthcoming this year) it works in so many situations.

I've been talking about blue & white a lot, so I've pulled a few of my favorite blue and white fabrics from Lee Jofa.

Blue & White Bedrooms

Blue & White Bedrooms



The above bedroom by Charles Faudree epitomizes the soft sophistication you can achieve with blue and white. He uses multiple prints but tends to use the same one on more than one thing, which helps tie the look together. It may seem simple, but it's not as easy as it looks. (Neither is a monochromatic room, no matter what anyone tells you). This room has the characteristic French feel of Charles Faudree designs.... lots of fabric but still clean. I love that the canopy panels just hit the floor.



The room above has that beautiful shade of blue with a lot of red in it... it almost goes slightly purple. I love it. Again, the blue and white feels fresh and crisp and the multiple patterns work well together. I have to speak up here though, and I don't normally do this... I really want to ditch those lamps and anchor this room with a nice feeling nightstand and a substantial and appropriate lamp. My apologies to the designer/stylist.



This small view of a blue & white bedroom reminds me of a the apartment of a friend in New York. She had a small studio that felt so big because it was well done and simple. The blue & white here are anchored with dark wood and neutral/gold curtains and flooring. This room feels like New England to me....




Blue & white doesn't have to be traditional and buttoned up though. I love the drama of this bed. The lines are so beautiful and gracious and it's covered with a traditional toile.... but it says modern to me. Mix blue and white with your favorite non-traditional pieces... I bet you'll be surprised. Coming up soon: my favorite blue & white fabrics.

Blue & White

Blue & white as a color scheme is about as classic as you can get. No matter how it's combined or exactly the shades, it works and it feels fresh and crisp. I instantly think Ralph Lauren & Aerin Lauder. And while blue & white has never actually fallen out of style, I'd have to say I've seen more and more of it lately. Everywhere. In so many styles.

There is so much to show you that I'll begin with the place settings and transferware pieces that seem to inspire the color scheme. If you look for it, you won't believe how often you see it.

Above is an exquisite setting from William Yoward as seen at Charlotte Moss. (I did finally make it to New York and was blown away by the Charlotte Moss Townhouse... my detailed review is forthcoming).

Below are two sides of a well-stocked china cabinet featuring so many of the well-known brands of blue & white transferware. This year Ralph Lauren teamed up with Burleigh to produce a collection (I've only seen the pitcher) with a pattern similar to the pitcher on the top left of this image.



You may think that this blue & white transferware is too traditional. Or you may not want to purchase antiques. But wait... it can be so chic and so soft.

Check out what Barclay Butera did in his own home with blue & white. It reoccurs throughout in many dramatic ways. I believe I've shown you one of these images before, but it just fits here.



Blue & white doesn't have to be the central theme, although it can really rock when done with drama. If you prefer just a touch, check out the room below. There is blue & white porcelain in the fabric on the window and a few small pieces on the table below. Looks like a great spot to spend the afternoon.


Because blue & white has been such a predominant theme lately, I'll post again this week about another of my favorite uses of blue & white: the bedroom.

A Touch of Black

A Touch of BlackMy Mom has always told me (well before I was old enough to figure it out on my own) that a touch of black in every room grounds it and helps to make it “complete”. I’m not just talking about contemporary spaces either. My experience to-date has proven my Mom’s theory, which I’m sure should actually be attributed to a world-renowned designer, I’m just not sure which one. Here are a few examples of how black can anchor a space… even with just a little touch. Above is a perfect example of how a nice little black night stand absolutely makes the setting.




Above: check out how the black coffee table grounds this otherwise light and colorful room in Florida. Notice the fireplace surround is also black.... Image courtesy of Traditional Home Oct 05



Above: Again, a black fireplace in one of Aerin Lauder's rooms adds just the right touch.




Above: This image is from a feature in House Beautiful about a guest house designed by Marshall Watson. The entire space feels like a jewel box. While it is mostly light and warm, there are a few touches of black to bring it all together.




Here is proof that it doesn't take much. Two candlesticks in the midst of a sea of blue and cool tones. A touch of black can make a room.

Pink

Pink


I love a dash of pink now and then. Especially hot pink. I did have a male client who purchased a home that was entirely pink- top to bottom. Needless to say, it was our first order of business to paint. Perhaps a little pink can be a good thing though…Check out these rooms.





Pink always looks good with a touch of black. I love the color combinations in this bedding ensemble. Photo Courtesy Traditional Home Sept 06





Designer Mary McDonald adds dash to this entry with pink in a very traditional sense.... and a touch of zebra to keep it fresh.




Designer Fiona Newell Weeks brings sophistication to hot pink by grounding it with chocolate brown. Photo Courtesy Southern Accents

Lavender Part 2

Above: Image from a Max Mara print ad.

In case you doubted that lavender is everywhere, check out the 3 (of about 2 dozen) images that I found with this lavender/purple shade in fashion. Harper's Bazaar says that bright colored dresses, including these and others that are "sorbet colored" are a hot item this summer. As I said, a little touch of lavender......

Image Above: Dresses by J. Mendel. Image Courtesy of Harper's Bazaar.


Above: A Michael Kors print ad.

In a late edit: I found the following image of Aerin Lauder in what appears to be the dress in the above Micheal Kors ad. May I be so bold as to say that he should have hired her to model for his ad. She brings an unmatchable class to the entire ensemble! Image courtesy Town & Country Magazine.

Lavender

Lavender is regal... let's face it, it's in fashion now and it's so dreamy at home. Here are a few options to consider bringing the color into your home. Think about contrast when using lavender; blue, gray, and white are clean and crisp combinations that bring the lavender to life. Use it in moderate doses such as artwork and accessories or a single upholstered piece. Above: Designer Angie Hranowsky used lavender in a stunning way throughout her mother's home. This was featured in a magazine issue about color recently, and I made the error of not making a note of which one. If you remember, let me know.

Above: A beautiful lavender velvet sofa toned down by surrounding blues, grays, and light pastel pillows. Design by Myra Hoefer. Image source unknown.



Above: a group of fabrics we're working with for a bedroom design. The central print is from Lee Jofa, as is the lavender velvet in the upper right corner. Image Jenny Bova Associates.


Above: Not feeling so brave? Add instant pop to a bath or entry way with a small tightly arranged group of fresh flower. Notice how lovely this arrangement looks next to the blue/gray/seafoam tile. Image courtesy of Southern Accents.