GREEN ENVY

I have always loved emerald green.   With the design world's lean back to warm metals like brass, gold and copper, I went  into my old photo clippings to find some examples and decided that no matter when emerald is used with warm metals it WORKS!!

Here are some examples:

Living room is upholstered in emerald green velvet.  So sumptuous!

Grand living room emerald green sofa, black/white marble floor, chinoiserie panel

Miles Redd's Chinoiserie Pagoda bedroom 

 There are some amazing examples of emerald green in nature like Peacocks and Malachite.

Here are some beautiful replica fabrics that are available:

Malachite Fabric from Spoonflower

Robert Allen Malachite fabric http://www.robertallendesign.com/trade/fabric_detail.aspx?product=226

Here is an example of green/white landscaping accented with black metal furniture that is so beautiful!

klismo table dining table and chairs from Restoration Hardware

Hurricane lanterns from Restoration Hardware.

White marble buffet table with green moss back drop.

New Find! - Bamboo Bar Cart and Vintage Ceramic Zebra

It has been quite sometime since I have blogged.  Life gets in the way.  My boys are now driving which leaves me more time (much more) for things like blogging, interior design and more interests.   The job of a full-time mom is fulfilling and yet, empty as you move through certain stages.

I would never have done it any differently.  I have the greatest boys that are happy, centered and loving.    We have raised boys that are polite, respectful, considerate, empathetic and ambitious.  Feel lucky!

Now onto the post...I found the greatest bar cart!!  One of my favorite blogs "Chinoiserie Chic", posted her find and I was bound and determined to find one for my home. http://chinoiseriechic.blogspot.com/2014/01/homegoods-football-and-chinoiserie.html 
When I want something, I become focused on that goal.  (Dog with a bone??)  I WILL hunt it down!!!
So, I went to every HomeGoods within 20 miles of my house for two weeks.  AND yes, it did pay off.

After two weeks, I walked into HomeGoods and there it was waiting for me.  I scooped it up!  I put it in a corner of living room along with my 50's ceramic zebra I found at a local consignment shop.

Show and tell - easy way to give fresh cut hydrangeas as a bouquet

In my previous post, I showed that we have an abundance of hydrangeas on our property.  I like to give them away as hostess gifts and bouquets.  However, hydrangeas are a very thirsty flower.  Once cut, if they do not have water, they begin to wilt very quickly.  The other day, I came up with a solution to this dilemma. I wanted to give a bouquet to a young girl that was starring as the lead in "Little Mermaid".  I knew the flowers would not get water for over four hours so...

I took a puppy pee pad in blue, soaked it with water and wrapped it around the base of the flowers. 

Then, I took a blue organza ribbon that matched the color of the puppy pee pad and flowers and braided it around the base.

Here is the end result!!! Flowers were a massive mound that made a gorgeous statement and never wilted.

Hydrangeas!! and More Hydrangeas!

When we moved in our home seven years ago, I hired a landscape architect that I had admired in some local magazines.  When she came to the house, I was planting hydrangeas in a bed that borders our pool house.

When she saw that  I was planting hydrangeas (and one of my favorites because of their vivid color), she said that it was ridiculous to plant them there because this area got too much direct sun.  At the time, I felt really small and doubted my plans.  However, they were freshly planted to I decided to see what would happen.

Well, the joke is on the professional landscape architect because they grow like weeds!!!

They are growing so much I keep trimming them back from the pool house Dutch Door.  I love Dutch doors!

Finally, I shot a photo of an old fountain that I planted for the summer.  It is coming along nicely!

Hope you are having a great summer!

New Beginnings

Okay, so I took a looo....ng break.  I am back to blogging again.  I got discouraged and needed a break to think about blog content. It is difficult to have original blog content when there are thousands of blogs!

Lake Waramaug, Warren, CT

However, I do enjoy blogging.  It helps look at the world through an aesthetic lens and catch the beauty of your surroundings.  Even though you may think you life is not that interesting, it may be to others...simply photos from different parts of the country and how vastly different lifestyles can be. So, here I go again.  I want to strive to bring different photos, topics, etc. in the design arena as well as lifestyle.

A Great Spring Find at Payless - Isabel Toledo Striped Vamp and Kitten Heels

Just in at Payless Shoes are these adorable black and white heels from Isabel Toledo.  They are perfect for Spring!!!!  So reasonably priced!!

Kitten Heels

Womens - Isabel Toledo for Payless - Striped Vamp Sandal - Payless Shoes

Vamps

Au Revoir! for now.

"Give Me Color!!!" Let Your Freak Flag Fly in 2011!!

Okay...I have to say....I have appreciated the neutral palette that has been all over the blogs in 2010.  Whether you called in a Belgian influence and Urban Simplicity or any other term for it.

I am so done!!!!   After all, I named my interior design business COLOR &LIGHT Interior in 1996 because I love color and how different aspects of natural and luminescent  light effects the overall interior.  I have always loved color, muted, saturated, pastel and more.

I think 2011 should be the year to ask yourself what colors reflect your personality and USE them...do not be afraid to be different!  Fly Your Freak Flag!! I hope my clients in 2011 will be more free with their choices.

2010 was a year of a lot of fear and uncertainty for most.  If you follow design trends for both apparel and interiors, national moods and personal fears will always play into design decisions.  Let's make this 2011 the year of a rainbow of color and happiness.  Express yourself and your gratitude in your surroundings!!!

Happy New Year to all!

Here are some inspirations:

Mary McDonald's Happy Office 

 Suzanne Kasler, not always know for colorful palettes, but she used a hot pink on one wall that made a huge statement.

Ruthie Summers used brilliant, happy green to the living room and a great red study.

Lynn Von Kersting of Indigo Seas and The Ivy fame in LA did a wonderful home in green, red, pink and yellow.

Always loved these curtains in this photo from Victoria magazine many years ago.  Love the bold and unexpected combo of yellow and pink.

Jasper Johns Artwork takes a traditional room over the top! by Jamie Drake

Love the oriental seating in yellow silk! by Jamie Drake

Unusual and expertly done by Jamie Drake

These last photos are the work of a master in color - Jamie Drake- no one is as fearless as he is ...well, perhaps, Miles Redd.

Both designers are the true standard of great design with bold color.  It is time to think out of your comfort zone.  Be different in every way in 2011!!!  

That is my goal!!

Au Revoir for 2010!!