Archive for the ‘Whites’ Category

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

January 1st, 2013 No Comments

a new year & new engagements

Happy New Year to everyone! Over the holidays many people get engaged and start the planning process for their wedding or celebration. The above bouquet is one of my favorites from The Best of Martha Stewart Living Weddings book which I had the honor of contributing. This is a wonderful book to buy for yourself or as a gift for the bride to be. It touches on everything from flowers to tents to keeping memories. Which by the way, you might be planning a baptism, an anniversary party, a big birthday party etc. this year and wedding books can … 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 27th, 2012

6 of my favorite new neutral paints from benjamin moore’s color stories line

As much as we talk about color and what the new ‘it’ color trend will be this year, I started talking about whites and creams at the beginning of the week to close the year.  Neutrals are a great backdrop for these pops of color that all the shelter magazines endorse and realistically what most homes are painted. Not many people venture out to paint a room a bold red, or a cobalt blue or a sunflower yellow I have found during my work. Most people ask for a calming, perfect neutral color. And really, if you plan to sell … 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 24th, 2012 No Comments

color palette: shades of whites and creams

As most of us are on holiday, it allows a little extra time for baking and cooking for family and friends. One of my favorite books is Donna Hay’s Flavors. The chapters are broken up into vanilla, lemon + lime, ginger, chilli, garlic + onion, chocolate, salt + pepper, basil + mint, and cinnamon + spice. Each chapter gives you the ‘basics’, quick good ideas and simple recipes. Pictured above from the book are her vanilla meringues. Here is the recipe in case you’d like to try them. An all-white New Year’s Eve party can be very chic. These … 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 19th, 2012 No Comments

weddings with matthew robbins: there’s a wonderful boldness that happens when you allow green to be paired with crisp white

This ultrarefined palette of green and white is fresh. You’ll be amazed at how much we can do with a seemingly limited range of tones. There’s a wonderful boldness that happens when you allow green, which normally finds itself in a supporting role, to be paired with crisp whites. I’m rather obsessed with the green and white color palette. It can be challenging to work within an extremely tight palette like this, but in general it forces you to be more creative and to dig a little deeper that you would have otherwise. This palette can work just about anywhere, … Read more

December 18th, 2012 No Comments

holiday place settings- keep it simple & start now

A lot of people have been e-mailing me asking how to keep their place setting easy to do for the holidays. Instructions for napkin folds and difficult crafts aren’t so realistic during the busy holiday season, I know.  In the evenings leading up to the holidays I try to do at least one task to prepare for the rush of Christmas and New Years. For instance, tonight I’ll iron the napkins and tablecloth so they are ready. A very simple, but elegant place setting is to fold the napkins into a rectangle, and put a beautiful ribbon around the napkin- … Read more