Aug 18

Back to School: 10 Pro-tips for Setting Up a Dorm Room

By pattisays In 1970s, Albuquerque, New Mexico, apartments, Arizona, artistic expression, before and after, clutter, Color schemes, color trends, colors, context of interior design, creative process, creativity, decorative accessories, design, design challenges, design details, design process, design solutions, design tips, design trends, designing small spaces, designing with a purpose, dorm room design, existing materials, expanding spaces, fashion and design, hiring an interior designer, how to select colors, illusions of space, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, interior design trends, interior enhancements, lifestyle, nostalgia and design, organization, personal expression, personal taste, pink, practical design, selecting colors, Subscribers, throw pillows, trends, Tucson /  1 1 Comment

It’s that time again…the end of summer and getting kids back to school…exciting, hectic, a bit stressful and today, very nostalgic. I (who saves everything) still have my little black and white Sony TV, embroidered fiber art that hung on my wall, floral twin bed sheets and bath towels! I remember the white chenille bedspreads that I got – giving one to my bestie/roommate so we’d match – even though she was a red accent person and I chose blues and greens!! We picked each other, our college and designed our neat and tidy package.

Earlier this weekend, as Victoria navigated this information highway that is the lead-up to getting her dorm room assignment, roommate and all the related details, she texted her yet-to-meet roomie and asked what her color scheme was going to be. Victoria, having established her pink (dusty rose) and grey scheme last fall upon entering her freshman year elsewhere, was hoping that she was not going to have to share her intimate space with a shocking orange scheme or similarly discordant color. All of a sudden, from the back seat came a exclamation – “NO Way!” To what, we asked  – “What?”  And she said “Guess what her color scheme is? Pink and Grey!!! YAY!!! What were the chances?”

Well, strolling through the stores with their piles of offerings displayed in tempting color-coordinated arrangements, pink and grey still carries over from last fall in a big way – so the chances, it seems, were not all that far-fetched!! LOL.

With the prominent pink and grey,  popular turquoise and grey and for the boys (if we are being color/gender-esque) black and grey – seems grey is the common denominator facilitating merchandising and keeping everyone in color-trend order.

Pro-tip #1 Make a list of what you’ll need prior to hitting the stores with their limitless temptations for dorm decor! It can be daunting if you go shopping – cold. It can be daunting anyway – but best to attempt to be prepared! As I looked around all the displays leading these trends…leading these kids…I wondered how many – if any – might veer off course and pick an orange and lime green  theme or brilliant cherry red…and what does it say about one if they buck the established trends?  Some might be oblivious to the trends – despite being bombarded in every store by the “must have” selections. Those independent thinkers who like what they like – if it matches or not.  The eclectic ones who are driven by memories, personal expression and acquisitions gathered and honed over the years that were not guided by trending decor influencers.

However, it is entirely possible to genuinely LOVE the trends and invest in the colors for more than the first semester of eager dorm room decor! We were living it! What was purchased last fall was saved and expanded upon, with new-found knowledge of the tips learned from the pros! There are boxes, bins, rugs, lamps, staplers, desk organizers, linens, bulletin boards, throw pillows, blankets and throws – all color coordinated making the job relatively easy and swift.  

The stores are prepared. Welcoming students – their signs are out and their shelves are stocked! Rows of pillows, mattress covers, foam pads, artsy accessories and accents galore…all to enhance the otherwise bare rooms that will soon come to life!

The morning of the move, they staggered the move-in time to insure an orderly point of arrival and processing to the rooms. We were assigned 9:30 and met curbside by a handsome posse of volunteer boys who were armed with rolling cartons cleverly created using carpet-wrapped moving dollies upon which were mounted large, sturdy cardboard cartons. These rolling bins were piled high with contents from the cars and wheeled into the dorm rooms with efficiency. Co-eds in red t-shirts identified them as the RA staff – the ones with the answers to all of your questions.

Being organized is key. Victoria had benefit of a previous semester where she watched the pros and got their tips! Pro-tip #2  Be organized!

To that end, utilize your limited space to the max! Capture all available real estate! Pro-tip #3  Bed risers. The beds are high – high enough to stack storage drawers/bins beneath them. They can be raised even higher with risers. Pro-tip #4 The plastic stacking drawers are cool because they make easy access to contents just like added dresser storage space.

Victoria had it all figured out. Pro-tip #5 To consolidate luggage, she packed a lot of her clothes in the bins – all in very specific order and folded making it easy to transfer once in the room.

Once in the room, she raised the bed even higher on 4 cone-shaped plastic riser units that she had purchased. She then placed her new mini frig (Pro-tip #6 Get a mini frig) and bins beneath the bed in an organized fashion. She emptied the bins one-by-one into the chest of drawers thereby freeing the bins for other supplies such as snacks, kitchen supplies and miscellaneous other necessities.

Having a mini frig in the room keeps personal perishables under control and handy instead of having to label things in the shared frig down the hall.

Pro-tip #7 Take extension cords and multi-plug surge protectors. This was handy for the reading lamp waaaaay up high above the now super high bed and also to run power to the mini frig. You can never have enough power sources and another bonus was that one of the set of four bed-riser units had power outlets and a short cord!

Pro-tip #8 Get a collapsible shoe rack/shelf (for ease of storage and transport). They have nifty wooden ones – but we took ours back as the closet had a tidy set of built-in shelves perfect for shoes.

Once the power was all connected and the bins organized clothes put away, it was time to make the bed and add the finishing touches.

It was beginning to look like a home-away-from-home! Pro-tip #9 With hanging implements that will not harm the wall like Command Strips, the walls will gradually come to life with strings of photos clipped with clothes pins, twinkly lights, bulletin boards and other imagery.

 Pro-tip #10 Take photos – the memories are priceless!!!!!!

Still crazy after all these years…..

Thanks Sam, for the memories!!!!!

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Jan 28

WHITE by Design…

By pattisays In architecture, artistic expression, artistic talent, bars and restaurants, brick, cabanas, coastal, cocktails, color and temperature re: interior design, color forecasting, Color schemes, color trends, colors, commercial interior design, Concealed lighting, context of interior design, Contrasting colors, contrasts for balance in design, creative process, creativity, custom lighting, design, design challenges, design details, design process, design scenes, design solutions, design tips, design trends, designer fabrics, designing with a purpose, doorways and entrances, drama of color, Dunn-Edwards Paints, element of surprise in design, exterior - outdoor design, fabrics, Garden, good design, good taste, handcraft, handmade, hiring an interior designer, home, home improvements, houses, how to select colors, illusions of space, indirect lighting, inspiration, inspiration from nature, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, interior design trends, landscape design, lifestyle, lighting, Mexico, mosaic, mosaic tile, natural designs, natural stone, organic design, paint colors, patio, patio design, personal expression, personal taste, pink, planning a remodel, Refresh, Regional design, remodeling, restaurant design, selecting colors, site furniture, site sculpture, smart surfaces, stone, Subscribers, summer, timeless colors, travel and design, trends, tropical, umbrellas, walkways, wall texture, wall treatments, white color schemes, white interiors /  

With all the New Year buzz about the new color forecasts…I started taking notice of the seeming non-color, white. It is often considered the absence of color when in fact it is a very complex color of many shades and values. Just try to select a white and you will know what I mean.

When you look at white paint samples, you will notice the nuances. There are pink whites and blue white, grey whites and yellow whites. Each white is off-set and contrasting to another. You see the differences by comparison and by context. You think you have just the right white until you place it against another sample and see that it is grey or cream and then second guess yourself again…and again…How do you know which white is right?

Dunn Edwards groups their whites and pastels in a separate section of their fan deck as do other paint companies. What is interesting here is that the background is a sheet of white copy paper. Notice how is reads against the colors in the samples…it seems to be a purple blue color. This shot was taken under a full-spectrum LED lamp. The colors should be true. The range of “white” is amazing.

To intentionally design with white is bold. To have the confidence, to decide that white IS the color and that white IS the scheme, is challenging. To effectively design with white, you not only have to select the right white(s), but you have to know just how much of anything else might be effective yet not detract.

Le Leche in Puerto Vallarta is a fabulous example of designing exclusively with white. Only with minimal punctuation with black lettering on the wall of containers and also by allowing shadows is the white interrupted. But the blacks’ minor interruptions gives depth and fine detail.

White design can be cold or warm. Depending upon the desired effect, mood or function of the space, the whites need to be carefully selected. This is true with lighting as well. Warm whites or cool whites…what gives you the desired result?

Popular white string lights add festivity and a warm glow to an evening scene.
See how many lighting colors you can identify in this scene…Starting on the left, a cool pocket glows through the underbrush. The walkway has a warm pink-ish light. The very cool blues of the pool area give a dramatic read. A bold yellow accent peeks from the far left and also over on the right. The palm trees are wrapped in a warm white tube lights while the far right side illuminates the entry to the dining palapa with a cool white light source. The foam of the surf on the beach is captured with a cool white spotlight that maintains its naturally expected white color.

Knowing when to add color to a white scene to achieve an intentional POP is an art. The color itself, the amount and placement is all part of the success of a good design result. From the fine black detailing in the previous shot of La Leche to this still-life composition of a tropical cocktail that I propped the other day, the minimal punctuation of color is key.

White mosaic shards of tile in the background of this composition featuring a peeled coconut and the POP of a pretty pink party umbrella result in a white-on white scene. Yes, this shot says PARTY with a perky smile!

The bench which served as the backdrop for the coconut cocktail is a dramatic serpentine sculpture of site furniture that plays with the white-on-white of the tile and grout.

Contrasting against the organic wood decking, this white monolithic bench snakes around the periphery of this outdoor lounge area. The sunset is casting a soft pink wash over the all white glazed tile.

Beach settings using white materials compliment the white sand and greenery of the tropical plants. From wood frame platform cabanas to the sprinkling of umbrellas, white is a wonderful, fresh color for a crisp clean scene.

Whites on whites…creamy sand colors to crisp white terrycloth, the white-on-white scheme is soft, inviting and clean.
Greenery compliments the white umbrellas and sunning beds on the lawn by the beach.
Palm trunks and other fruit trees are often painted white to protect against insects and what insects insist on climbing the surface are easily spotted by birds who appreciate the help to capture a snack! In this case, they contribute to the white design theme.

The soft creamy off-white folds of fabric offer a soft, inviting scene.

Shadows in the creases and depths of the folds add the dimension to the luxurious feel of the cotton damask fabric.
White stucco is dappled by shadows and greenery while given a warm, strong base by the brick pavers. White as an architectural finish is only successful if the context compliments it. This is true in all design.

Architectural color and texture of surfaces is a moving target. A recent discussion about a white building with black detailing would not have proved right for this particular use of white. The hard, commercial read would have been too severe for the intended effect. Yet that same project, with a warm white and an ochre accent, will be just the right combination to achieve the desired result. Watch for this project to be featured in a few months.

Architectural surfaces incorporating tones and textures of white provide interesting opportunities

Block and crumbled edge accent bands on the facade of an exterior wall.

White in design is an exciting selection. Knowing how, when and why to use it is a test of your creativity. Picking the right white is the challenge.

The limitless colors of white found in a pile of gravel…..

So the next time you think white, think a lot about it. Study the context and what you are trying to accomplish. Feel freed by the fact that white is a color to express and enjoy.

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Jan 06

2019 Pantone’s Color of the Year LIVING CORAL!!!

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, architecture, Arizona, art and interior design, artistic expression, artists, Centerpieces, color and temperature re: interior design, color forecasting, Color schemes, color trends, colors, contrasts for balance in design, coral, creative process, creativity, custom design interior design, design, design details, design process, design scenes, design solutions, design tips, design trends, dining and design, drama of color, entertaining, exterior - outdoor design, Federico Leon de la Vega, floral arrangement, flowers in design, Garden, hiring an interior designer, home, home improvements, houses, inspiration from nature, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, interior design trends, landscape design, lifestyle, Living Coral, paint colors, painters, Pantone, patio, personal expression, personal taste, pink, planning a remodel, remodeling, seasonal interior design, selecting colors, silk flowers, Subscribers, swimming pools, table dressings, table top, tableware, Talavera Tile, Tucson, update design, wall texture, wall treatments /  

Color. Fashion and trends. Pantone’s annual pick and announcement – this year, based upon observation of the field of design scenes namely Airbnb and Apple, really? I find that amusing. Described by Pantone as “an animated life-affirming shade of orange, with golden undertones.” If orange had golden undertones, it would be more yellow-orange – a golden orange – NOT the pinky-orange suggested by their swatch of Living Coral and myriad examples that are being set forth.  However, a few months ago I noticed and saved (because I liked the colors), a Smith’s Food Store envelope featuring peaches that illustrated the cozy combination of the rosy-orange coral tones with the golden yellows – a perfect pairing.

This pinky coral – a hot, but smooth, orange-ish color – has been one of my favorites for years! In 2004 I referenced it as “lipstick” that wonderful color between red, orange and pink! A hard-to-find  lipstick shade sought by many!!! It melds fabulously with citrus colors and is cooled and contrasted by blues. A wall of colors depicts this perfectly.


We painted the wall, took a photo of it and emailed it to Federico Leon de la Vega in Mexico to commission him to do this grapefruit painting with its luscious, pink center and coral shades, wrapped in  a yellow peel and surrounded by cool, bold, brushstrokes of whites and brilliant blues.

A few years later we devoted an entire project to the fresh, citrus, color tangerine – which because of my personal preference leaned toward the coral shade of orange rather than the pure, natural tangerine. But art is about taking liberties and when developing an orange accented color scheme, all versions are allowed. Right?

This project was punctuated with orange tones from tangerine (for which it was named), and deep warm coral-pink shades. The hue and its many vibrant values!

However, to photo these nuances of color is tough. I walked around the Tangerine project a couple of days ago. It has  stood the test of time by beating trends by a few years and not adopting any particular design elements that would have given it away today.


Look at how much nature played a part in the staging of these coral infused scenes!

My advice is to pick the colors that  you like – the colors that make you feel good. Once determined, develop design based upon when to use that/those colors and when to contrast them or perhaps neutralize them.

Coral is bold and warm. It can read hot and energized – although is softer than red and less harsh than orange.

Nature is abundant with coral – not just the living sea coral – but flowers and the rare fabulous accent fur of Vietnamese monkey the red-shanked douc!

Vietnam’s red-shanked douc- brilliant coral accents in his coat!

The thought of warm saltwater and fresh sea air at this time of year is tantalizing. Living  coral doesn’t just say – coral, (of which there are many colors) it  evokes that shade that we snap to when mentioned. Hot, soft pinky coral – a color of seduction. It is featured in jewelry and art renderings, architecture and interiors.

My advice is to pick the colors that  you like – the colors that make you feel good. Once determined, develop design based upon when, where and how to use that/those colors and when to contrast them or perhaps neutralize them.

A little whimsy to celebrate this bold exciting color of the year!!!

Have fun with color – any color- all colors! Welcome Pantone’s Living Coral, into the conversation and design elements, for this New Year!!!

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Dec 03

DETAILS Found at Hillwood Estate This Christmas

By pattisays In ambiance, artistic expression, artistic talent, beauty behold it, breakfast rooms, Centerpieces, Christmas, Color schemes, context of interior design, creative process, creativity, decorative accessories, decorative arts, design, design details, design process, design solutions, Design Team, design tips, design trends, dining and design, dining rooms, DIY design, drama of color, drapery treatments, entertaining, expressionism, fabrics, fine china, floral arrangement, floral arrangements, floral designs, flowers in design, functional art, good design, good taste, Hillwood Estate, Hillwood Mansion, hiring an interior designer, historic decorative arts, historic interior design, historic properties, historical interior design, history, holiday decor, holiday trends, home, home improvements, houses, interior design, interior design preferences, interior design trends, interior enhancements, investment pieces, nostalgia and design, personal expression, personal taste, pink, poinsettias, seasonal interior design, sterling silver, Subscribers, table dressings, table top, tableware, travel and design, Trees, value of good design, Washington, D.C., window dressings /  1 1 Comment

The world is full of detail. From the wonders of nature and the perfection of a flower, to the man-made creations that come from inspiration of all sorts. The combined influences that result, in interesting and good design, are limitless and we now have layers of platforms upon which ideas are presented. The access to creativity is staggering.

Take Etsy and Pinterest. There the ideas abound. Everyone has access to creative ideas unlike ever before in our world. In the past, a keen eye observed and discerned. The clever managed to find inspiration in the most obscure places, analyze observations and interpret them for their own purposes. Creativity was spawned from observation paired with original thought. Yet, that observation was generally first-hand. Therefore, those that got about more, saw more and had greater exposure to more (and there you have it) were creatively stimulated more!

We (perhaps I should say I since it is from my own vantage point and experiences, from whence I speak/write), often are so busy observing that we don’t take the time to dissect and catalog the information we discover. I am so very guilty of that as I am so captivated by design and creativity that I forget to  remember!!! Ha – yes – forget to remember or record!!!!

I constantly find myself regretting to have taken a photo of something (some who know how many photos I take might want to take exception with this point), but it’s true. I regret not taking a photo or studying something which, retrospectively, I recognize as something quite special. In the rush to experience the entire scene, I fail to notice or retain the details. Have you ever felt that you were so caught-up in a new experience that afterward you feel you should have paid closer attention? I forget to remember to store the observations or I forget to take a photo – regretting it afterward.

The breakfast room aat Hillwood Mansion where Marjorie Post rarely entertained, but was always set to do so. Pink poinsettias are the seasonal choice.

This can be from a class lecture to a theatrical production. I wish I had focused more closely rather than getting distracted by my own imagination which  often runs rampant with the encounter. However, the stimulation can be so great that the imagination kicks in and causes diversions, in the attention, resulting in a deficit of detail gathering. Hence a clear case of un-diagnosed ADD!!!

With all of this having been the prelude to my thoughts for the day, I have elected to pick out a few details from a recent tour of the Hillwood Estate and Gardens nestled on magnificent wooded grounds in the heart of northeast Washington, DC. And how wonderful to have had the opportunity this week to stroll through the mansion, now museum, of the late Marjorie Merriweather Post during the Christmas season.

As previously mentioned, I would have, could have, should have taken more photos, but was so enchanted at every turn by the beauty and gracious luxury that unfolded, I was too busy darting from one magnificent scene to the next to capture more than I share here. I apologize.

Her favorite color was pink and this tree greeting visitors upon arrival is a precious jewel among many beautiful Christmas trees and decorations displayed in the mansion.

 

From the reflection on the polished floors of the little white lights to the shimmering crystal punctuated with pink blossoms bedecking the tree was undeniably elegant.

The railings ascending the staircase at the reception desk were draped with garland and strung with simple gold painted discs which were repeated in the coordinating tree which also featured a collection of blue reproduction Faberge eggs.

 

Marjorie Post was a discerning collector of all manner of artistic beauty including exceptional Russian decorative art. The actual exhibit of Faberge currently available for view on the property is nearing its end. Many dazzlingly detailed pieces from her own collection and others on loan for the exhibit are being shown.

If you are in Washington this month, please treat yourself. This exhibit of Faberge pieces is outstanding.

The gold leaves on this magnificent tree in the dining room would be fun to replicate. Could have easily been dipped in gold leaf. Like lime leaves – or from your garden perhaps photinia or laurel even rhododendron – maybe go faux with silk from the craft store – spray ’em gold!!! Paint magic!

And if you have ever installed a dangle of mistletoe…check this out! This elegant bundle suspended, from the towering heights of the entry hall, puts all other sprigs to shame!!! In the opulent foyer, this grand ball of gilded ribbon-clad mistletoe invites those to tempt the fates of love and superstition, with but a kiss!

Whether it is a theme of gold or a snowy season of white, find details and enjoy the creative opportunities that present themselves to you in passing or from the depths of your imagination and create your own holiday magic!!!

Creating fantasy, festivity or seasonal celebration, gather the details every day from observing all the particulars around you.  It is amazing from where you can collect ideas and be inspired to create your own festive fantasy!!!!!! Then be sure to take some photos!!!!!!!

 

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May 07

Picking PINK!

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, art and interior design, artistic expression, artists, beauty behold it, Bruce Piel, Color schemes, color trends, colors, creativity, decorative arts, design, design tips, design trends, Discovering Art, drama of color, dried flowers, element of surprise in design, etchings, fanciful design, Garden, Gerard Lehner, handmade, hiring an interior designer, Impressionist painters, inspiration, inspiration from nature, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design trends, interior enhancements, joy, lifestyle, Lilly Pulitzer, Lyndia Terre, Marilyn Yates, Mexico, Millenial, nostalgia and design, painters, Peggy Zuris, personal expression, pink, pinks and greens, selecting colors, Subscribers, timeless colors, trends, value of art, watercolors /   2 Comments

Prompted by pieces peppering a pastel presentation for an artist’s opening reception entitled Resilience we held here at PATRICIAN DESIGN last Friday evening, I was pondering this week’s topic when PINK peeked  into my thoughts.

Pale pink is an unsung color – often considered to be insipid and lacking ooomph, it really is quite satisfactory. Pounced on by millennials, with their popular color trend “Millennial Pink” passion for all things in fashion and home style, pink has made a bit of a splash in recent years.

Last Friday, with the creation of the display window featuring pottery shards scattered along the floor, artist Helen Atkin’s peachy pastel pink and soft coral glazes melded together against the soft geometric woven textile resulting in a confection of comfortable color and texture.

Helen Atkins’ shards and little dishes sprinkled in the east gallery window at PATRICIAN DESIGN.

I awoke today with this color on my mind. Swirling thoughts, so often the case, as one thing leads to another and I thought – I wonder how much of that most satisfactory and pleasing color I have here in my immediate world. So, I set-forth  to find out.

Gathered on the nightstand in the guest room, this cluster of dried flowers is a fragile collection of soft pink tones.

Walking around the house, I came upon so many examples that I really was quite pleased. The re-discovery of each made me feel content. I realize that although they are seemingly insignificant that they are really quite sentimental pieces gathered through the years and each so distinctly different from the next.

One of my first purchases when I moved across the country was this discarded, damaged Tamarind print of a large nearly psychedelic strawberry from the famed print-making institute  where rejected failures spoke the language of “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” and it was mine to adorn my new, naked, New Mexican walls.

Generally referencing feminine imagery and romance, pink is delicate yet full of depth and variation – as with all colors – the range is limitless for value, tone, blending of shades…Contrasting warm yellows and cool blues frame pink so well.

Detail of one of several of my Gerhard Lehner lovlies, I Still Sail to the Virgin Islands. As the artists explains – “An original like-etching a la poupe arrived from drawn textural lines and painted effects which allows the poetic ink to transfer to the fine rag paper.”

Detail – Fine Craft and Dance by Gerard Lehner

 

Bold floral brush strokes sweep through the pinks and peach, coral and rose, accented with the contrasting vessel in a brilliant cobalt blue, Peggy Zuris was a master of color and style.

Memories of the warm glow of the pink roof-tiled, painted and plastered buildings along the Puerto Vallarta coastline absorb and reflect the rising and setting sun during all exposures of the day.

Detail – watercolor featuring iconic Our Lady of Guadalupe church by Victor Torres Tellas

Meandering from room to room I encounter so many pretty pink things. I obviously gravitate to this amidst my many other colors as a necessary element woven through my comfort zone.

Detail – Fantastically French floral oil on canvas by Anne Sandry

And I adore this finely detailed hand-colored etching showcasing a foreground field of pink lupines,bought decades ago in the artist’s studio at The Torpedo Factory.

Detail of etching by Lyndia Terre

Then I came upon these book bindings stacked unconsciously atop a mahogany dresser , resulting in a study in pinks presenting a pleasing palette.

I realize that I was exposed to the priority of pink at an early age as my  mother’s interior design palette incorporated pinks and soft greens in the more formal areas as well as outside on our screened porch and patio beyond, to the gardens with magnificent mounds of screaming pink azaleas blooming and their explosions of color every spring. Surrounded by lush verdant foliage of the woods where we lived, pink contrasted well with the many shades of green into which we were intimately nestled. We were comfortably punctuated with pink. Therefore it was not a foreign color and complimented the transitions into other darker green tones and yellow accents throughout our house. The original scrolled wool wall-to-wall carpet was a medium pinky-clay color. Quite unusual, yet neutral, providing an earthy grounding.  Mom also enjoyed the vibrant introduction of designer Lily Pulitzer onto the scene in the 60s and peppered her wardrobe with Pulitzer pinks from carnation to hot fuscia contrasting with chartreuse green. Today her classic iconic colors and patterns still make significant design statements.  Mom has never been afraid of color! I inherited that fearless foray into colors of anything fun and fabulous

This handcrafted New Mexican church (birdhouse – having never been outside to host a bird) sports an eclectic array of enchanting elements using pinks to perk up the collection of colors. I realize as I tour these rooms of colorful artwork, that I love the combination of pinks with blues and yellows!!

and also the appreciation for the soft subtleties too. These two magnificent oil paintings depicting New Mexican scenes with the oh-so-pleasing pinks.

Detail – oil painting Church at Golden by Marilyn Yates

 

Detail – oil painting Moonrise by Bruce Piel

This has been a fun and illuminating exercise. I’ve determined that pink is essential to me.

Why not a pink cabbage plate on the guest room duvet cover dotted with woven clay-pink slubs?

It occurs in so many things that bring me joy.

A heavy, luminous hand-blown glass vase.

 

Speckled vintage vase – a touch of fun!

As my dear friend Corinne aptly named her shop, it is The Color of Joy. Pick a color – any color – and go around your interior spaces and see what you discover – perhaps you will find your essential grounding color. It just might be a surprise. Find what brings you joy.

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