My Design Secrets

Color Trends are tricky.  Fashion-wise I play it safe.  Whether it’s leopard spots or shades of purple, I pick a few key accessories, pair them with my old classics and I am good to go.  But colors for home decorating can make your head spin.  The words “long term investment” and “short-term love affair” come to mind.

I just popped around to a few websites to see what the experts are saying and the predictions are often contradictory.  One “expert” says that greys, blues and greens are going to make us feel safe and grounded during uncertain times.  Another chimes in that red is the “go to” color and Pantone claims that the color Mimosa ”Embodies Hopefulness and Reassurance in a Climate of Change.”  I don’t know about you but a Mimosa is a brunch drink not the color of my walls

This pouf (ottoman) from West Elm is the perfect accent to this room. The bright color and soft look are a great pairing.

All of these predictions and forecasts are interesting and help us develop new color palettes.  But they are certainly not the hallmark of good decorating taste which brings us to my simple advice when it comes to color trends…

The colors that embrace you, inspire you and charm you are the ones you should use in your home.

So, what’s the best way to use color trends to your advantage?  I have one word and it’s… ACCESSORIZE!  This is especially good news because it’s an economical approach to freshening up a room.  Think of some of your favorite “off beat” wardrobe items that you only wear on special occasions; the red beaded necklace, the emerald green clutch or your patent-leather pumps and apply the same principles to your room.  Small thoughtful touches of color and texture in a room are a great way to freshen the look with lasting results.

Gourd lamps have a retro look that has been popular for a few years. The updated colors make them the perfect way to update your palette.

How to Punch Up Your Color Palette with the Latest Trends

A color palette is a range or scheme of colors used on a particular project or in a room.  So you can replace one color in your palette or completely start over.  But first a few tips:

• If want an accent color to stand out use warm and cool colors in your palette. (Red & Green, Blue & Yellow)
• Use what you have.  An old chair is an old chair, until you paint it white and add great upholstery :-)  See some great Before and After’s here.
• Be bold in the living room.  Let a colorful ottoman replace an outdated coffee table.
• Artwork allows you to bring color and favorite themes into a room.
• Lamps in the latest shapes and colors update a room instantly.

It’s fun to bring a new color into your home and color forecasts are great sources of inspiration.  But on the whole, give the most consideration to the colors you feel comfortable with each and every day and caustiously approach those that are developed by high-paid marketing teams.  After all, you know what’s best for your nest

~Lorrie

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These eco-friendly wall panels by Inhabit are a cinch to install and are removable. Instant texture and drama in a snap.

Today I am dedicating my post to those of you who had your first dusting of snow this week.  I know it’s bittersweet; so pretty and peaceful but also the beginning of the truly cold weather.  I used to live up North so I can sympathize.  So in the interest of optimism, let’s celebrate winter with a glimpse of beautiful items all dressed in white.  They are modern, crisp and beautiful any time of year but small accents can freshen up the interior of your home, where you are bound to be spending a good bit of time in the next few months…

I love these White Birch Branches from Nettleton Hollow. A cool new way to decorate for any holiday. Three branches for $12.50.

This marble top end table from Layla Grace is a French antique reproduction that would make itself at home in the bedroom or living room. On Sale for $475.

The Amelie Pillow from Blissliving Home is not pure white but I could not resist the misty forest image.

Le Klint pendant light from Lightology. Made of white PVC, it glows like a wonderful ball of ribbons. Don't be a afraid to throw a little mid-century modern in with your traditional pieces!

Remember that white adds great contrast to any color and a small dose brightens up any room.  A little dab will do ya!  Enjoy your weekend:-)

~Lorrie

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I have seen many chests that are "all mirror." I like the balance of combining the painted finish with the mirror. Neiman Marcus $1589.

A little bit of Silver adds some sparkle and life to most any room in your home.  Dressers, light fixtures, accessories and mirrors all fit the bill; and this is not a passing fancy.  Silver furnishings have been featured prominently in well-designed interiors for many years.  Antiques and originals can cost a pretty penny but there are also many companies producing pieces that are affordable and eye-catching.  

Gilded Twisted Ball Finials & Rod in Silver Leaf from Restoration Hardware - They are on sale right now starting at $7.99.

This Lilac and Silver Chain Stitched Pillow from Beautiful Pillows and Home would make a lovely accent on an ivory sofa. $184

Some simple tips:

• Re-frame a favorite piece of artwork with a silver frame.  Go with polished silver for a contemporary look or antique silver for something more traditional.
• Change the knobs on your dresser with something sparkly.  It’s an easy fix with a lot of impact.
• Choose a silver drapery pole and rings which draws more attention than stained wood. 
• Accent tables are meant to be just that, accents!  Why not select one that stands out?

These gilded bamboo look nesting tables from 1st Dibs are beautiful and would surely come in handy. $720

These coral prints from Shades of Light with mirrored frames achieve a great balance of simplicity and old-world charm. $248 for 4.

This wall sconce is based on a design from Federal times. The mirrored back reflects and multiples the light. From Shades of light $189.

Keep it subtle and don’t overdo it; all it takes is a small dose.   Maybe it’s time to find some room in your home for a Sliver of Silver:-)  Shop My Secret Database!

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The violet Calvin Klein duvet cover in this bedroom I designed works really well with neutral beiges as well as sage green, cream and gold.

Purple is a big color in fashion this year.  From purses and belts to shoes and scarves.  This means that you will see a lot more purple in home fashions next year.  If you want to be ahead of the curve and add a regal touch to your home, then consider adding a little purple to your palette.  Small, thoughtful touches of color (a rug, a lamp or just a throw on your sofa) are what makes and interior really come to life.   Here are some purple picks.

1. Cone II Mini-pendent in Purple from Lightology – $164 
2. Delphinium Table in Violet from The Artful Home – $875
3. 21″ Butter Border Blossoms from Altamira Lighting – $400
4. Purple Linen Pillow with Ivory Embroidery from Beautitful Pillows &  Home – $220
5. Jill Dining Chair from Maine Cottage in China Blue Luxe Yuri – $1,290
6. Petunia, 1925 – Poster by Georigia O’Keefe from AllPosters.com – $31.99
7. Feather in Plum and Cream Rug by Thomas Paul from Design Public 5′x8′ – $680

Shop for great accessories in your favorite colors in My Secret Database!

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This week I am happy to introduce an immensely talented residential interior designer, Robin Baron.  Robin was a fashion designer for 18 years before she became an interior designer.  She studied fashion and interiors at two very prestigious schools, Parsons School of Design and UCLA.  According to Robin, “fashion is fleeting but home and interior design have a deep impact on people’s lives.”  I could not agree more.  Her fashion sense is immediately apparent in the beautiful designs she creates for clients located around the country.  Today she is a sharing some classic monochromatic designs with us and some tips on how you can achieve this sophisticated look.  I hope you enjoy and are inspired for your own projects!

~Lorrie

The creamy upholstery is a perfect contrast to these exotic carved tables and the natural tones of the drapery fabric.

Here are some professional tips from Robin on creating a monochromatic look:

Color- When doing a monochromatic color scheme it is important that you use the right cast of the color you are working with. There are many casts, or undertones of any color, even within the same color family (some have a yellow undercast, some green, some pink, etc), and you still have to make sure that the colors, fabrics, paints, etc, all work together…there is not just one tan or beige, and every tan or beige does not automatically work with each other.

Another key to working in a monochromatic color palette is to use different shades and tones of the same color, some with a deeper hue, some with a lighter…this will create subtle differences that will help create interest and move your eye through the room.

This large dining area still looks very intimate and inviting because of the warm wood tones that are highligted with the sconces and recessed lights.

Texture – An important element to create visual interest is to use textures. This is crucial in a monochromatic color scheme. The mixing of texture helps give life to the room, and can be used instead of adding prints. You can use prints in a monochromatic room, as I did on the chairs and window treatments, in this living room but they should be very subtle and used sparingly, or you can easily compromise the quiet, warm, nurturing feeling you set out to accomplish by choosing to create a monochromatic room.
Texture can be used in your fabric selection, your rug, as I also did in this living room, as well as the family room (great room), and especially on the walls in the form of decorative paint or wall covering. In these rooms, I used a plaster treatment on the walls, which allowed me to play with the texture, and layer the colors on the walls.

The light-hearted accent colors are an attractive and logical addition to an area adjacent to the kitchen.

Accent Colors- The other key element, one that takes a bit of artistry, and a strong sense of balance in the monochromatic room, is the use of accent colors. This can single-handedly make or break the room. Balance is the operative word here. Using accents colors has nothing to do with symmetry, and everything to do with balance…and less is always more here. See how little of the accent color I used in this living room, and yet how much impact and balance it creates in the room.

You can use accent colors by choosing a different color wood for the furniture, as I did in this dining room, using a very dark brown, making that an integral part of the monochromatic balance. I then used the green of the plants on the dining table to throw in a bit of the unexpected…and to add a little punch…both being the goal in using the accent colors.

To learn more about Robin Baron and to see additional projects, visit her website at www.robinbarondesign.com.

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My Design Secrets is launching into the world of Audio!  Today I am sharing quick and easy tips on adding your favorite colors to your next interior design project.  This simple step-by-step approach will have you surrounded by your favorite hues in no time!  Please let me know if you like this format.  Have a great day!

~ Lorrie

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The beach, the lake, or on the fire escape…  Summertime provides us the opportunity to change where and how we dine.  Sharing a meal with the ones you love in a different locale somehow heightens the senses.  We take notice of how lovely the food looks as we enjoy the succulent taste of seasonal fruit and vegetables.  A well dressed table makes the meal all the more memorable.  So why not add some magnificent decorative additions to your table?

Remember, it only takes a couple of little details to really punch up the look. 

• A brightly colored table cloth or runner and flowers from the garden look fresh and fun. 
• Bowls of oranges and apples look great as edible accessories.
• Fun flatware is affordable and has a big impact.
• Fill up clear glass vase with water (spiked with food coloring) and you have a colorful and affordable centerpiece.
• Set the mood with luminous candles or lanterns.

Find lots of colorful tabletop options in My Secret Database and enjoy dining alfresco!

What images, aromas and sounds welcome you back to summer each year?  For me, it’s a variety of things.  A cheery sun porch with late afternoon light streaming in.  The smell of pine needles and earth as you hike through the woods.  Crickets humming at twilight as fireflies dance.  Summer is a magical time when kids are immersed in the sweet feeling of their long-awaited freedom and adults allow themselves short mental vacations while obligations fall to the wayside.  Enjoy your summer, you deserve it:-)

Whether you are looking for a seasonal change in your year-round abode or are sprucing up your summer quarters, the vendors in My Secret Database have some fabulous furnishings to share that will satisfy your decorative eye well beyond the summer months.

Have fun exploring My Secret Database as you spruce up for summer!

The color orange is everywhere this year and personally, I love it.  It really looks great with just about every other color.  Orange and yellow set a happy tone.  Orange and blue provide a classic nautical look.  Orange and black have a retro feel.  So if you are looking to spice up your room with some throw pillows, art or an accent rug, give this succulent shade a try. 

Choosing accessories in contrasting colors adds much-needed depth and interest to a room.  Arrange them on your coffee table, on top of your armoire or on your bare fireplace mantel.  Vivid place mats welcome your family to the dining room table.  A beautiful bowl on your foyer table makes a statement to guests as they enter your front door.  Some color experts say that those who choose orange are fun-loving, talkative, and trendy.  That sounds good to me!

Search My Secret Database for harmonious hues!

Selecting a color palette for your room?  With a world of colors at your disposal, sometimes it’s challenging to choose.  Even professional designers can get stuck on where to start!  So I am going to give you an inside tip:  Look for inspiration in unlikely places. 

As I leaf through magazines and catalogs, there are certain color palettes that catch my eye, and it’s not necessarily a photo of a whole room.  I love to gaze at china patterns, stationery and artwork.  They feature carefully orchestrated hues that dazzle on a small scale.  As you carefully observe the interplay of texture, color and scale created by expert product designers you will start to understand their relationships.  Smooth china against the textured fabric.  Light pinks and corals contrasting with the darker olive greens.  It is the variety of colors and textures that make a beautiful and interesting room.

So when something catches your eye, save it and study it and you will soon be selecting colors with confidence and ease. This is a perfect place to start.

My Inspiration

My Design Concept

Items listed Clockwise from Top Left:  New London Chair from Williams Sonoma in White ($1,800), Green Ribbon Glass Lamp from Shades of Light ($185), Thomas Paul Pillows Flora Orange from Pillows and Throws ($70), Shell Game Plaid Pillow from Beautiful Pillows and Home ($168), Lien Tray Table from Pier One ($79.98), Wall Color Benjamin Moore Sandpiper

All of these items were found by searching My Secret Database!