Color Collage: Coral

Today I put together some inspirational images in tones of dark coral. This versatile color is classic and dramatic. It is full of fun without being trendy or cheesy. It is not too young, not to old. Vibrant, stunning, and flashy (in a good way)!







For clothing, you could wear a simple black dress or white blouse with jeans - add a bold coral sunglass, bracelet, or scarf - and you are transformed. It works beautifully in a home as well. You can see the dining room where the walls are drenched in this bold hue, but it also looks great on an accent pillow. There are a few varieties of flowers that naturally grow up to embody this tone which would all make a gorgeous addition to any event (think peonies, godetia, roses, and poppies)!

Things Are Looking Up

I am not sure where this is from (probably Martha...), but I love love love it - every single one of these.

Vibrant and cheerful fresh citrus dotted with petite and fragrant stephenotis blossoms (plus a few glossy green leaves) has always been one of my favorite combinations for centerpieces - like the top right picture. As for flowers - I am huge into gobs of texture (like the bottom right photo) - this is such a fresh take on an otherwise traditional arrangement.

The bold yet soft orange is so crisp against the clean white backgrounds, vessels, and cakes in these set ups. This is definitely leaves me feeling inspired!

Color Collage: Teal and Sky

I have majorly been slacking on putting together inspiration boards, but I am going to make an effort to get back into it. It is such a great creative outlet for me (especially in these slow times of work)!

So - I have really been loving this combination of rich deep or vibrant teal with soft robins egg or sky blue. I think it looks stunning and decadent when paired with black and gold, but it can also look bright and cheerful when combined with white.

Today I wore a bold teal tank under a black sweater and draped a light blue pashmina over it. There are great subtle way to incorporate this palate into your home or wardrobe (like I did today), but I really love when I see rooms completely clad in deep hues like this. My whole life I have been attracted to this side of the color wheel and have always hoped to have a completely teal room one day...we will see...

Color Collage: Gray

Every where I look lately I am noticing these soft gray tones. I have really fallen in love with them. Gray is such an interesting color as it can be crisp and cool or it can be soft and warm. It matches up so well with all the peach and nude tones that are so hot right now as well. You can see in the images below that it looks gorgeous on clothing items, stationary, cakes, flowers, and interiors. Enjoy!

Minty Martha

Martha Stewart Weddings has a gorgeous feature on crisp and soft green tones combined with clean white.  This is such a refreshing and current combination, and of course - leave it to Martha to put these hues together so elegantly.  I love every single one of these pictures, from the handsome neck ties to the sophisticated china to the fluffy floral bouquet.  This definitely has me inspired!

Think Pink

I have been really into touches pink lately for some reason. It is femine and timeless when used correctly. I don't think I am very good at pulling it off in my wardrobe, but I do have plans to paint the wall behind my desk pink (can't wait!). I am working on putting together some good inspiration images, but for now - here is a photo I found on flickr that I just love.

Color Collage: Gold

People might say it is out of style, but I am still loving rich shimmering gold. To me - gold jewelry, decor, and dress are glamorous and timeless. As I was pulling images I found that gold took on a decadent richness when paired with black.  In contrast - put against white, it can take on a more clean and delicate appearance. Swoon.

Black and Tan

I love both of these pictures so so much. The first is a room designed by famous and talented Nate Berkus. I am continually impressed by his impeccable taste and creative ideas.

The second is from a designer that I recently came across. Her name is Katie Leede , and this is a photo of her in her own home taken for C Magazine.  This room is so glamorous!  The winding staircase, the floor to ceiling photos, and of course the fresh palm fronds - It all just comes together so well!

Both of these rooms perfectly incorporate rich black details (from the rug to the leopard print stool in the first - and the wrought iron scrolled railing as well as frames on the wall in the second) combined with glistening gold touches (the mirror and adorable coffee table from Nate and the chandelier from Katie).  Ahhh...A girl can dream, can't she.

Living Like Betsy

OH! I love this room. It is an image of the boldly stylish Betsy Johnson's living room. I have been holding on to this picture hoping to have a theme or an inspiration collage to include it in, but I love it so much that it deserves a post of it own. I have a definite affinity to things that are tone on tone monochromatic - but leave it to Betsy to take it to this extreme.  I love the classic and girly touches (like the fresh flowers and the over stuffed sofa) combined with modern elements (from the light fixture to the iconic womb chair in the background).  Even the ceiling is pale pink!  Oh man, I want a room like this.  If this is what she is surrounded by in her own home, I can see how her creative mind just keeps on going.  I would love to curl up on that couch with a steaming hot cup of tea and a good book.

Color Collage: Citron with Neutrals

Lately I have been loving the combination of vibrant citron with a whole variety of neutral tones. The color itself is something like a mustard yellow with almost a hint of lime to it - and it has this perfectly retro vibe. It pops beautifully against black, white, soft grey, warm grey, and chocolate brown as well as metallic silver and gold!

I am currently working on the design of two separate powder rooms that sit side by side, and the plan is to use the two different wall papers that you see below. The ceilings will be painted a shiny metallic silver, and the various accessories in the rooms will be chocolate brown and crisp white. I can't wait to see them finished!
















































The two wall paper shots are from Graham and Brown, and many of the interiors are by the amazingly talanted Kelly Wearstler.

Color Collage: Orange

This bold splash of sunny orange is so cheerful and fresh. It looks dreamy with deep glossy green leaves as well as crisp white. I can't wait for Spring/Summer!!!

Color Collage: Orange and Black

I love this combination of rich luxurious orange tones with dark black accents. It works in clothing, intricate patterns, as well has home decor. Plus it is a great way to add a fun pop of color with out making it silly or too feminine!

Color Collage: Bisque

The peachy, nude color is so timeless and elegant. My favorite is that rufffley Versace dress worn by Penelope Cruz on the red carpet last year at the Oscars and that setting that is the living room of my dreams.

The above wedding photo was taken by Pen Carlson. The savvy husband and wife duo shot this at Chicago's iconic Water Tower (the only structure to survive Chicago's historic Great Fire in 1871). 

Color Collage: Orange

Today's inspiration color is true crayon orange.

I love how the vibrant walls accent the bold fuchsia and yellow chairs throughout that room setting, and when I was in France I saw a field full of delicate poppy blossoms like the one below. Additionally, who doesn't love a painting from the abstract work of Mark Rothko, and I always love bright colors in unexpected places (like this old door!).

Color Collage: Apricot

I am obsessed with color and color combinations. Here are a couple collections of pictures from various websites in soft apricot, cantaloupe, and pale orange tones.