Archive for the ‘Grays’ Category

January 9th, 2013 No Comments

weddings with liz banfield: something blue, a wedding shoe!

“When I got married a dozen years ago, it was customary to select a pair of practical white pumps from the half dozen options at the bridal salon and have them dyed the exact shade of white/ivory as your gown. I felt like a renegade buying my shoes “off the rack” from a non-wedding retailer (though they were white). Wedding shoes, like so many things in the bridal industry, have come a long way in the meantime. Brides are looking at their footwear as another way to personalize their wedding and express their unique style. After all, as even Cinderella … Read more

January 8th, 2013 No Comments

nordic table inspiration: personal decanters at each place setting…and it’s ok to move your dining table to a different room

One of my favorite tableware companies is Royal Copenhagen. This simple but beautiful table is set with a crisp white linen cloth and their Blue Fluted Plain pattern. The pattern was first adopted in 1775 as their very first porcelain dinner service. It is still painted and glazed by hand. Even though this pattern is 238 years old it still has a fresh design appeal.  I pair the pattern with their White Fluted porcelain to break things up a bit. This photo is from the book The Nordic Table. I loved that each place setting was personalized … Read more

January 7th, 2013 No Comments

color palette: blues, grays, off-white & bleached wood

This is by far one of my favorite color palettes. This bedroom is very similar to my own personal bedroom, though I have a bleached wood wall behind my velvet blue tufted headboard. Chalky white walls and bleached wood provide a beautiful neutral backdrop to so many palettes, but I love the shades of blues and grays with this one. I’ve selected some paint colors from Benjamin Moore to help recreate this look if you desire, or just to inspire. A painted bedside table in a soft gray also breaks up all the wood and adds a layer to … Read more

January 3rd, 2013 No Comments

wallpaper without the commitment

I’ve been wanting to wallpaper a focus wall behind the bed in a guest room but I haven’t been able to commit to a pattern. Temporary wallpaper, that is similar to a wall decal, could be just the answer since I’m not 100% sure. Tempaper, self adhesive, repositionable, temporary wallpaper has several designs to choose from. I selected a few in this week’s color palette, but they have many colors available. I think I’m leaning toward the Peonies in Gold Leaf, pictured top left. Continuing clockwise the patterns are Skotti in blush, Edie in Champagne and Zee in Honey Wheat. … Read more

January 2nd, 2013 No Comments

weddings with expert liz banfield: forgo the custom of matching bridesmaid dresses

One of the freshest trends happening right now is to forgo the custom of matching bridesmaid dresses. This bride knew that her stylish friends could be trusted with picking out their own wedding day attire but still wanted her bridal party to project a cohesive look. Event designer Isabella Sikaffy of Florabella supplied the ladies with a swatch book of blush, ivory, and warm light gray tones that they could take with them to the store to make sure their gown would fit the color scheme and also allowed them express their individuality. What a great friend – no … Read more

December 31st, 2012 No Comments

color palette: pink, blush, stone, metallics

As we end 2012 and go forward with a brand new year, this palette of pink, blush, stones colors and metallics seems fresh and clean. I talked about emerald green as Pantone’s 2013 color of the year, but then Benjamin Moore has a soft yellow called Lemon Sorbet as color of the year that they are mixing with mint, coral, pink, blue and vanilla neutrals. I’m anxious to watch the award shows in January and February to see what colors will trend in the girls’ gowns. I think it sometimes predicts the mood of the year in both fashion and … Read more

December 26th, 2012 No Comments

weddings with matthew robbins: 6 steps for successful hunting & gathering for your wedding inspiration

Green is definitely a big focus color for 2013 as well as a return to crisp clean colors. But any color combination or personal objects can serve as seeds for unique and personal wedding designs. Think of planning your wedding as a process of hunting and gathering: You’re hunting for personal, meaningful items and gathering design details that will allow you to bring out the elements you most love about these items. Fresh ideas can come from anywhere, be it an interesting trinket I pick up in a Paris flea market, or a beautiful piece of fruit at my local … Read more

December 20th, 2012 No Comments

owners ken weiner & pam fleischer keep the flame burning at the creative candles company in kansas city, missouri

As usual the owners of Creative Candles, Ken Weiner and Pam Fleischer are right on trend. As Pantone announced Emerald Green as 2013’s color of the year, Creative Candles was already selling and shipping their new color “Emerald” green in their new Metallics line, also consisting of Silver, Gold and Ruby. In the new year Copper, Pearl and Sapphire will be introduced in Metallics- giving you a glimpse of future color trends perhaps?  Founded in 1961 by Duane and Nancy Benton, the Benton’s sold the company in 1998 to two business men, and then in 2005 husband and wife, … Read more

December 11th, 2012 No Comments

this week’s woodland palette inspires our table settings

To make your holiday table setting a bit more playful, try using woodland ornaments and bottle brush trees. Place an ornament at each place setting and your guests go home with a wonderful favor. These deer ornaments I found at a garden center but West Elm, Crate and Barrel, Amazon all have many woodland ornaments this year. Want a more classic holiday table setting? Use simple pine cones at each place setting with a place card. Take garland and dress with pinecones, ornaments and spray with faux snow to give it that ‘just snowed’ look. Place it … Read more

November 21st, 2012 4 Comments

Lynn’s wedding anniversary (& some photos!)

Today is my wedding anniversary. I thought I’d share with you our wedding photos that appeared in Martha Stewart Weddings and were photographed by Holger Thoss (so many years ago!). Our wedding was in NYC at Christ Church on 60th and Park Avenue at 12:35pm (because it’s good luck to have the second hand on the ‘up-swing’). After the ceremony, together with our guests we were led by  bagpipes up Park Avenue four blocks to the Hotel Plaza Athenee for an afternoon cocktail party with a live jazz band. It was a very small wedding, about 70 people. … Read more