Color Buzz

Goooooal!! Colors of the World Cup

The eyes of the world are on South Africa for the next several weeks.  As a color expert, I'm not only enjoying the great soccer, but also the endless parade of great colors.  Everywhere fans are cheering on their teams with the help of colors.  For the most part, the colors of countries are primary or secondary colors.  With a few exceptions, we see a color combination play of red, blue, yellow, green, white and black. 

I love how each country takes full ownership of their combination of two or more of those six colors.  Red, white and blue are not just ours, but the Netherlands, Australia, France, England, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Serbia.  Greece seems to be the only one taking a step back, preferring a soft blue.

The Color of Ties

by Michèle Coppin

Deep Sea Diving 5001 – 8C	Roasted Squash 2006 – 3A	Lyndhurst Duchess Blue 5002 – 5C
Classic Red 1009 - 2	Montpelier Red Velvet 1009 – 6	Bamboo Leaves  3009 – 4

Gentlemen, we at Beehive are well aware of how difficult it can be to identify one’s color preferences. However, good references are hanging in your closet - the color of your favorite ties. Indeed, ties are little palettes - a great source of inspiration when searching that perfect color combination. For walls, a neutral color combined with one or two accent colors.

The Most Expensive "Nude, Green Leaves and Bust" Ever

by Michèle Coppin

Hotel St Francis Blue 5010 – 10	Simply Green 6002 – 8C	Very Black 5011 – 2	Statuesque 7002 - 5

This Pablo Picasso canvas painted in 1932 was recently purchased by an unidentified telephone bidder for $ 106, 486, 500 –more than one hundred million dollars, during Christie’s "Property from the collection of Mrs. Sidney F. Brody." This sale makes “Nude, Green Leaves and Bust” the most expensive work of art ever sold at an auction! 

Enfilades & Connecting Rooms

by Michèle Coppin

Bermuda Sands 7002 – 10	Autumn Gala 2004 – 1A	Pumpkin Butter 2007 – 1B

Fellow blogger Regina form Fauxology.com brought up an interesting dilemma in a recent blog where she tells an “embarrassing story” of having painted adjoining rooms in bright vivid colors that ended up clashing badly.

Trendy Spring Palettes

by Michèle Coppin

Cowboy Boots 2010-10	Scarlet Sun 1011-1	Seafarer 5007-10A

This season, two very different color trends have emerged: one elegant, bold, dynamic palette and the other's palette is comprised of complementary colors (colors that sit opposite one another on the color wheel.)

Piñatas Bursting With Color

Michèle Coppin

Blue Burst 4008-10B	Pink Burst 1003-1A	Cliveden Camelback Sofa 3005-3B	Parakeet Green 6010-10

Cinco de Mayo (5th of May) celebrates Mexico’s heritage and pride. It is a fun and colorful event celebrated with music, great food and the traditional goody filled piñata. Although piñatas come in all sizes, shapes and colors these days, they are traditionally round with cones sticking off the sides to look like a star.

Monet’s Garden Palette

by Michèle Coppin

Magic Wand 1001-2A	Tidal Basin 5001-7C	Green Shimmer 6004-10A	Tropical Rain Forest 6002-8B

French painter Claude Monet’s paintings are synonymous with color. He once said "Color is my day long obsession, joy and torment” (something we at Beehive understand well).

Color Schemes Inspired by April's Birthstone - Diamond

Michèle Coppin

photo by House of Turquoise
Lynhurst Shady Grove 5004-E2	Sweet Leaf 7005-19	Acropolis 7005-4	Grand Mackinac Blue 5007-9A

April’s birthstone is one of the most popular gems of all time--the diamond. In many cultures, diamonds are linked to strength, for they are known as the hardest substance on earth. Diamonds have also come to symbolize everlasting love and eternity.

Bold Accents for Neutral Backdrops

by Michèle Coppin

Image via Apartment Therapy
Spring Lawn 6006-9C	Ripe Melon 2002-1C

A bold splash of color in a neutral environment brings a room to life. It can energize the space with drama, elegance or whimsy depending on the palette. Master colorist and painter Henri Matisse used bold color combinations to create dynamic compositions. His beautiful paintings are a great source of inspiration.

International Inspiration: Colored Shutters

by Veronique Habermann

Someday 4006-10B	Acropolis 7005-4

I grew up in an area of France on the Atlantic coast were houses are white and shutters are different shades of blue, the streets are paved with stones and the flowers are pink. In Europe colored shutters colors have been for used for centuries to give character and beauty to your house. The colors are often determined by regional tradition, but also by the owner's personal interpretation.