Archive for the ‘Violets’ Category

August 24th, 2012 No Comments

field trip: my favorite farmer’s markets in the hamptons

Since eggplants and fresh vegetables are in full season here in New York, I thought I’d share my two favorite farmer’s markets in the Hamptons with you. The first market is Halsey Farm Stand on Deerfield Road by the Head of Pond intersection in Water Mill. They have a huge selection of vegetables in unusual varieties, fresh corn that’s still warm from being just picked in the fields, fresh flowers, cheeses, honey, jam…and chocolate mouse pies from Gurneys in the fridge! There’s plenty of parking and they take credit cards. The second is Round Swamp Farm in East Hampton. … Read more

August 23rd, 2012 No Comments

Fall forecast: is eggplant the new black in color trends?

If you are looking for a perfect shade to paint your dining room, media room or library so it feels cozy and sexy here are a couple shades you might want to try…Farrow&Ball’s Brinjal #222 and Benjamin Moore’s Caponata #AF-650. That’s what I’m seeing for fall. In fact Pantone color experts forecast a deep, darkened red similar to eggplant for men’s fashion #19-1652 and a ‘sea fog’ #16-3304 (a soft lavender/blue for ties and shirting) and for women they forecast a more quieting shade of purple called ‘rhapsody’ #16-3817, like the 5th color down on our color palette this week, … Read more

August 22nd, 2012 No Comments

weddings & celebrations: eggplant color inspired floral centerpieces

Our eggplant inspired color palette this week lends itself perfectly to many different varieties of flowers. These gorgeous arrangements are all by Michael George, one of the premiere florists and event planners in New York City. Clockwise: Purple and Pastel Mix, including black callas and ilex berries mixed with soft pastel rambling rose (in a black glass cube), Purple Fringe Tulips, Monochromatic Purple Mix, with hydrangea, roses, tulips and novelties, Black Miniature Calla Lilies, Dark Purple Composition, with dark stock, iris, anemones, rununculus and mini callas, and Chocolate Cosmos in mint julep cup. If you’d like to order any … Read more

August 21st, 2012 No Comments

tuesday’s tabletop: using eggplants, plums, black olives, wine & garlic as your centerpiece

These items all have a beautiful color palette….eggplants, deep plums, black olives, red wine and garlic with a bit of purple striations. Using food as your centerpiece is always pretty and very easy to pick up at the grocery store while you are selecting your food for your menu. By putting these items in black bowls and grounding them with black linens, dishes and glasses, it makes a sophisticated, yet approachable table setting. Black linens and plates might seem a bit dark to some people, but coming from my stylist point of view- it makes food look fantastic! … Read more

August 20th, 2012 No Comments

this week’s color palette: eggplant shades

This eggplant still life was photographed by Sang An and styled by me for Oprah Magazine. It’s one of my favorite shots we did together. The colors are so rich and natural. I know all the stores are pushing fall right now- (too early for me! summer isn’t over yet!) but here in the height of summer vegetables we find these gorgeous shades in eggplants. So even though I think most of us associate these colors with fall, they are found during summer in nature. They are so deep and saturated and beautiful. I love it. I would love to … Read more

August 9th, 2012 No Comments

Chip it! i love this paint color finder tool from Sherwin-Williams

Oh my gosh! I love this paint finder tool called Chip It! from Sherwin-Williams Paints. You take any photo and upload it into the Chip It! tool and it will automatically sort through hundreds of paints and find matching paint colors pulled from the photo’s color palette. Use a photo that inspires you and instantly it tells you what paint colors to use! I uploaded the tomato photograph that inspired this week’s color palette and this is what the Chip It! tool came up with….wow! How great is that? Try the link above to upload your own photos and … Read more

July 26th, 2012 No Comments

interiors: consider your view from room to room when selecting paint colors

I have to apologize for this photo – it’s a magazine page I had pulled from Martha Stewart Living and posted on my inspiration board (yes the old fashioned way vs. Pinterest) and it’s showing all the wrinkles of wear. But it perfectly fits our color palette this week of yellows, blues and lavenders- so I decided- what the heck- I’ll post it (even though I’m still cringing as I look at the condition) Anyway…. It’s always a good idea to think about your view from room to room when selecting paint colors. There’s really no right or wrong if … Read more

July 25th, 2012 No Comments

wedding wednesdays: Talbots introduces a brand new line this week!

This week Talbots introduced a new line for mother-of-the bride and special occasion dresses called “Aisle Style”. The collection includes 15 pieces in the option of 7 rich colors, as well as accessories. The market certainly needed a line like this and I’m sure it will make a lot of brides’ lives much easier! (Shades of lavender and blue are in this new collection that fit in with this week’s color palette. The exact yellow I posted in my color palette this week isn’t in this palette but there is a beautiful champagne color – so who can resist … Read more

July 24th, 2012 No Comments

tuesday’s table talk: set your table with striped favor bags and send your friends home smiling

Fill these party bags with candy and goodies and place at each place setting. It’s easy and will make your guests smile! These yellow and white stripe party bags from Paper Eskimo (www.papereskimo.com) are only $9.95 for 12. Add a simple ribbon or twine to close the top or simply stand them upright. I filled these last weekend for my guests with vanilla salt water taffy (because the taffy is all white). I usually order taffy or other candy from www.candywarehouse.com. I keep a sampling of different colored bags, tags and ribbon on hand so it’s easy to … Read more

July 23rd, 2012 No Comments

this week’s color palette: yellow, foggy blue & lavender grays

There is a new online travel magazine to read called “Wayfare“. The current issue has some great stories and beautiful photographs, especially one about photographer, Rachel Thurston’s family road trip in a camper van through New Zealand (photo of their van below)  and another about Sayulita, Mexico (photograph of woman in swimsuit by David Menke). I’ve been seeing this color palette of yellow with a foggy or pale blue and combined with accents of lavender shades of gray in interiors lately.  Mayfare’s cover reveals it’s a palette found in nature and a perfect summertime color palette reminiscent of ocean … Read more