Color Buzz

Michelle Obama's Inaugural Gown

By Veronique Habermann    

       

A week ago, there was a lot of guessing about what Michelle Obama was going to wear for inauguration day. Michelle wore two beautiful outfits, including one yellow ensemble for the inauguration ceremony, and a flowing, white gown for the inauguration ball.

 

Earlier in the day, Michelle wore a yellow dress and coat set from Cuban-American designer, Isabel Toledo. The color yellow symbolizes hope and optimism. The decision to accessorize with green gloves and shoes was very modern. Michelle stayed true to her classy, yet sexy, approach to style with this outfit. I think she will go down history also for her unique sense of fashion.

For the evening event, Michelle chose, apparently at the very last minute, a white chiffon, one-shoulder gown by young designer Jason Wu. The dress looked absolutely beautiful on her, not unlike a wedding dress. Jason Wu described his dress as "soft, feminine and powerful." He went on to say that he “wanted it to look like a sign of hope.”

       

I think the white gown was an excellent choice because it was a neutral color. This stunning dress was a far cry from the usual reds, blues and other jewel tones worn by Michelle at past milestone events. It was unexpected, while still maintaining her usual sophistication. The gown was beautiful, but it didn't scream extravagance. For me, just as designer Wu had wanted, the dress brought to mind peace and hope.

No matter what she wears, Michelle always demonstrates impeccable taste. I am looking forward to see what other daring colors choices she will make in the next four years!

Color Of the Week - Champagne Dance

Last week, we rang in the New Year with Champagne Dance. The color of champagne has always been one of our favorites, and it ties in nicely with Pantone’s Color of the Year: Mimosa.

It's soft and velvety and is always aesthetically pleasing whether paired with a strong partner like a navy or a gentle companion like Cliveden Sandstone.
                                            
                Champagne Dance 3005-4C    Cliveden Sandstone 3007-10B

                      

Color of the Week - Fabulous Red

Last week's color of the week was Fabulous Red. We were in a festive mood. Dining rooms take a starring role this time of year, so we put together a palette that would add magic to any holiday gathering. With this intense rich red, try a deep warm neutral for the trim. We chose Wild Hawk. For accent colors, we went with Jekyll Club Cherokee Tan, Deep Earth and Lush Sage. Make your house festive, and celebrate color.

                 
               Fabulous Red 1011-2              Wild Hawk 6007-2B

                 
     Jekyll Club Cherokee Tan 6008-2A      Deep Earth 6010-2   

                                
                                    Lush Sage 5003-2B

        
                      Dining Room Painted in Fabulous Red

Color of the Week - Churchill Hotel Maple 2008-8B

Last week's color of the week is Churchill Hotel Maple. With this soothing deep beige color, you can bring warm elegance to almost any room. Try balancing its warmth with Oatlands Subtle Taupe and Asiago for a chic backdrop for the rest of your room.

                                         
                                    Churchill Hotel Maple 2008-8B
                      
         Oatlands Subtle Taupe 6005-1B            Asiago 6005-1A

We Love This Old House

Just got my copy of November's This Old House ...I love it for many reasons.  One, because they talk about how an old house doesn't need insulation to be warm...can't wait to read that over a steaming bowl of soup.  And second, the Beehives and I were featured in the article entitled, “3 Small Spaces, 9 Bold Color Ideas.” 

This issue has a great spread on how to create color washes, and do a nice job demonstrating technique with many nice color examples.  In the article we contributed to, we talk about many different ideas from using bold colors in an entry (your favorite color is a great way to welcome guest) to using lively kitchen colors to wake you up each morning to adding energy to the small space of a bathroom.

Here are a few Valspar colors to consider:

Entry ideas
 
Trim: 
       
    Woodrow Wilson Putty 6006-1A

Walls:                                             Door:
                  
          Smoked Oyster 6005-1C              Orange Maple 2010-5      

Kitchen ideas

Ceiling:                                          Walls: 
                 
             Polar Star 4005-1A                 Field of Daisies 3003-1B

Bathroom ideas

Ceiling:                                          Walls:  
                   
  Fairmont Penthouse Stone 6008-1C         Jazzy 4005-8B

Trim:                                               Floor: 
                   
          Whitewash Oak 7006-23               Sandalwood 6008-2B
 

Peach Harvest

By Megan Leblond

This September I had my very own peach harvest. When I lived in Atlanta, GA for a summer, it was hard not to eat three or four a day during the season, as they were so scrumptious!  We have three peach trees at my farm in Pennsylvania, and they were all ripe for the picking. My mother helped me skin a few hundred for pies and the rest were frozen for smoothies and fuzzy navels!

The peach has a beautiful arrangement of yellows, oranges and reds. If you love warm colors, consider a peach’s harmony. A melody of hues can immerse you in satisfaction comparable to a heavenly peach.

I recently worked with a local art educator in selecting colors for her kitchen. She wanted gentle differences in the colors of her kitchen walls. She selected slightly lighter colors for the walls not featuring her collection, and darker colors on the walls showcasing her artwork. This created a focus on the artwork by using contrast to create drama. Some good tips for creating a color melody are:

1. Stay within one key
2. Choose colors close to one another on the color wheel
3. Consider the surrounding furnishings in your 'arrangement

 
  Almond Cream 3001-4C     Almond Butter 3001-4A      Peach Butter 3001-4B

Beautiful Brown

By Michèle Coppin

 

Georgia O'Keefe
The Lawrence Tree
Wadsworth Atheneum - Hartford, CT

Brown is a rich color, full of depth, that exudes stability, comfort and a sense of security. Grounding, warm and relaxing, brown is a favorite in interior decorating. Situated between rust and black, brown is essentially a very dark orange. It’s the color of earth, wood, and leather, connecting us to nature (and chocolate!).

It’s a welcoming color, one which makes people feel at ease. Brown works particularly well with rustic, country and South Western styles – interiors that relate to the environment.

For a soft, sophisticated atmosphere, try enhancing a brown like Smokey Hazelnut with a creamy beige, such as Gilded Endive, and very pale greens or blues.
                                    
                                   Smokey Hazelnut 1008 - 9A

                                    
                                       Gilded Endive 7003- 22

For a dynamic and classy effect, try combining a brown such as Caramelized Onion with a turquoise like Sea Treasure, or a hot pink like Harmonious Rose.
                                    
                                 Caramelized Onion 2008 - 9B 

                               
           Sea Treasure 6002- 9C           Harmonious Rose 1004 - 2A
  

Warm Fall Colors

By Megan Leblond

Apartment Therapy’s fourth annual Fall Colors contest is searching for the most colorful home. We took a look at one submission from Sylvia, and found the colors in her apartment to be versatile and inviting.   

                        
Here are some other colors from Valspar's selection that may have also worked well in the space.
                        
Valspar's Jekyll Club Cherokee Rust is a spectacular reddish brown that works well with golds and greens.  This color could be used in the bar area or as accent areas in combination with other warm tones throughout the apartment.
                                    
                               Jekyll Club Cherokee Rust 2011-7

To open up the hallway, she could try warm colors such as Valspar's Linen Napkin, Fioli Honey 3005-6B and Woodrow Wilson Maize 3005-8C. If you are working with warm tones, other great colors to consider are Pale Cordovan, Cowboy Hat 3010-8 and Frankincense 3002-5C.
                   
                 Linen Napkin 3008-6C            Pale Cordovan 3010-7

If you find the fall season's colors inspiring, you may consider using complimenting colors displayed in harmony during the season. Escape, a Valspar blue, is truly reminiscent of a beautiful fall sky. And Fall Meadow is a fabulous yellow-green seen throughout the season.
                                    
                                           Escape 4007-7B

One tip:  When choosing bold colors for walls, remember to add some neutrals in accessories (the opposite of say, an accent pillow). Also choose some accessories close in color to your fixtures or furniture to help the space look cohesive.

The Paradox of Purple

By Michele Coppin

How gorgeous was last week's color, Plump Grape?! 

                               
                                  Plump Grape 1003-7A

Purple was long considered difficult to match and was rarely used in interior decorating.  Recently, purple has become a hip and modern color. This fall season in particular, purple is very fashionable. Part of its appeal is that it can easily be paired with a wide range of colors from classy to trendy.

                    Classy                                         Trendy
                          
            Dry Leaf 3008 - 8A                   Spring Squash 2008 - 1B

However, it is the paradox of purple that makes it so magical and mysterious.

                        
                                    Domino Magazine

It is born from the union of two strong opposite personalities - hot/exciting red and cool/tranquil blue. With a dominance of red, it suggests heat, wealth and power, while when purple embraces its bluer shades, it can be melancholic or sensual. Purple is quite versatile and, depending on its value and intensity, can create very different effects.

Purple can work as a luminous alternative to black—my favorite effect. Very dark shades of violet or prune are chic , elegant and contemporary.

                        
                   Color Lovers Palette - Flowers Pressed

Fall Roadtrip

My son and I went on a fall roadtrip. As we headed south, we saw fields of hay and meadows of warm  yellows. The trees were just starting to move out of green and catch onto their fiery colors. There was a farmstand on the side of the road and we couldn’t pass up a chance to get some local cider, pumpkins, apples and what was left of the tomatoes. All amazing!!                               

Oh, and the orange car isn’t mine – just wish it was...    

I’m such a sucker for all things autumn. So here are some more fall colors for you…

   

                      
                     Orange Glaze 3009-6          Toffee Cream 3001-3B

When you work with these strong orange-base colors, try balancing them with silvers, greys and khakis. Colors like:

                     
                   Sparkling Sage 5005-3B         Stony Path 5007-1B 

 

                                    
                            Fairmont Penthouse Stone 6008-1C