Blue is the New Black

And I mean a deep, dark, luscious Blue. It is showing up in walls, fabrics, carpets and accessories. It is a blue that doesn't have green or red in it. It is almost black and is warmer than lighter blues and has more life and depth than Black. It is the deepest shade of Indigo as seen in Ikat Textiles. It is the color of the sky on a moonlit night. It is mysterious, moody, classic, timeless, calming, and refreshing. It can have a glossy finish or be totally matt. It is beautiful when contrasted with pure white. My favorite Benjamin Moore paint colors are Polo Blue, Blackberry Punch, Kensington Blue, Blue Gaspe, Hale Navy, and Old Navy. Some deep blue colors are: sapphire, azure, beryl, cerulean, cobalt, indigo, navy, royal, midnight blue, slate, steel blue, Prussian blue.

The high gloss finish on this wall has a subtle reflectivity to it that changes at different times of the day and literally sparkles at night. Design by Tom Scheerer

I love how the walls, bookshelves and fabric of the banquette seat and sofa are all the same color
Design by Robert Burke and Todd Romano

A beautiful color of blue to set off the antique prints and porcelains in this Dining Room
House Beautiful March 2008

This room by Victoria Hagan is destined to be a classic with her crisp and geometric use of color and pattern

Alberto Pinto has used a deep blue in the bold geometric carpet as his only color in this wonderful Master Bedroom

A deep and refreshing Mediterranean blue has been used on the walls at JK Capri Hotel in Italy

The Inkiest color of blue used for the walls in this room are a great backdrop for colorful artwork

A deep "French Blue"

The deepest of blue used in an updated traditional paisley pattern
Windsor Smith

Deepest Indigo blue as used in traditional Ikat textiles

Madeline Weinrib cushion Thibaut Ikat Fabric

The company Sea Cloth is reinventing and putting a modern twist on Indigo dyed fabrics

This is a classic Wallpaper pattern in a classic deep blue that will never date

Let me know if these deep luscious shades of blue are slated to become one of your new favorite colors?

I am in the process of designing my own guest bedroom and I have chosen a deep blue silk for the curtains called Moonlight. I am putting a natural woven raffia roman shade on the window behind the curtains for some textural interest. The walls will be painted the same shade as the silk curtains: Benjamin Moore "Blue Gaspe".The Headboard is a heavy white Belgium linen. The bedding is white Egyptian cotton with an Hermes cashmere blanket in a deep charcoal color on the end of the bed. The carpet is wool and is the color of white coral. I will hang black and white "ocean"photographs that I have taken on my travels on the blue walls to finish it off. So you can now see where the inspiration for this post has come from. My friends and family are very anxiously awaiting the unveiling of this room.

 

Patricia Gray writes about Interior Design inspirations, emerging trends, and the world of Design. 
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Michael Devine

Michael Devine has just launched his new 2008 fabric collection at the prestigious Maison & Objet Editeurs, which is held in Paris twice a year (in January and September).   Michael has been getting quite allot of press in Domino, Elle Decor, Architectural Digest, House Beautiful & Veranda to name just few for his striking hand screened fabrics.  This master bedroom of Aerin Lauder's in her Long Island master bedroom featured in House and Garden 2007 features
Michael's fabric.

  

Domino

House Beautiful

Patricia Gray writes about Interior Design inspirations, emerging trends, and the world of Design. 
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© 2007-2009 Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog

Brunschwig & Fils

I just got my Brunschwig & Fils Fall Advertising package in the mail today and it is, as always, gorgeously illustrated. I was quite interested to see 3 themes running through the images:
1. Birds
2. Fashion
3. Dogs

Take you pick and tell me what your favourite is. Scroll to the end to see my favourite.
PS The fabrics are beautiful too.

The Winner!!

Raoul Textiles

Raoul Textiles is an exclusive fabric line that is carried at the Chicago Merchandise Mart in the George Smith showroom. I want to bring it to everyone's attention because it is a very beautifully designed fabric line.

It is hand-printed on a very fine Belgian linen in Santa Barbara, California. I wish you could touch these fabrics and feel the beautiful hand they have. I love the freshness of the colors and the movement in the designs, and the fact that it is printed by hand and made locally rather than abroad. I am all for supporting local artisans. My motto is that I always try to source my products locally to begin with, then I will go further afield if necessary.

Emma Jane Pilkington House and Garden
above fabric on chair backs

I love the colors in this fabric - soft teal blue with chocolate. It is something you would never tire of.

This is their current advertisement showing 3 different fabrics



This fabric reminds me of my favourite Auntie Anne and something she would have worn in clothing in the 70's. And this fabric also reminds me of something Florence Broadhurst could have designed in that era.

Drapery fabric Raoul "Miranda" Domino Magazine Oct 2006

Think Pink

David Hicks circa 1970's
I love the mirrored panel between the windows, and this bed was before pillow top mattresses and duvets. Talking about duvets my last two clients have done away with their duvets and requested a Bedspread with blankets.

Ruthie Summers circa 2007

Pink has been showing up everywhere for me lately. Dianna Vreeland was famous for her saying that "Pink is the navy blue of India". I don't know what decade that was, but I have never seen a resurgence of pink for interiors like this for the last several decades. Maybe the 80's was pink, but it was more of a dusty rose, not the clear pink we are seeing now. I love this new clear pink. It makes a great backdrop for dramatic furnishings. If you are a feeling a bit intrepid about using it in massive amounts, there a few pictures here that show it used for accessory items: artwork, cushions, chair upholstery even pink mirror. Think of pink as a happy, fun color.

Ruthie Summers showroom in LA
fabric on the chair seats Lulu DK: Chant

Ruthie Summers fabric Quadrille Lyford

Mondrian Scottsdale Hotel designed by BNO Design
Notice the pink in this picture is actually pink tinted mirror

David Hicks textile design The above 2 photos are from the David Hicks Archive.
It reminds me of Dianna Vreeland's saying: "Pink is the navy blue of India"

Suzani Fabric Madeline Weinrib

House Beautiful

House Beautiful

House Beautiful
Chairs and Curtain in Deauville by Alan Campbell for Quadrille Ikat Pillow Madeline Weinrib

Miles Redd House Beautiful

(unknown)

BNO Designs

John Stefanidis - notice the great lamp with tassels
House Beautiful Mary McDonald

Pink & ivory birdcage wallpaper Wandrlust

Antonia Hutt

Color Meaning of Pink
Cotton Candy and Little Girls: Pink is a softer, less violent red. Pink is the sweet side of red. It's cotton candy and bubble gum and babies, especially little girls.

Nature of Pink: While red stirs up passion and action, studies have shown that large amounts of pink can create physical weakness in people. Perhaps there is a tie-in between this physical reaction and the color's association with the so-called weaker sex.

Culture of Pink: In some cultures, such as the US, pink is the color of little girls. It represents sugar and spice and everything nice. Pink for men goes in and out of style. Most people still think of pink as a feminine, delicate color.

Using Pink: Both red and pink denote love but while red is hot passion, pink is romantic and charming. Use pink to convey playfulness (hot pink flamingos) and tenderness (pastel pinks). Multiple shades of pink and light purple or other pastels used together maintain the soft, delicate, and playful nature of pink. Add strength with darker shades of pinks and purple and burgundy.

Feng Shui of Pink:The right Feng Shui color use can bring a strong shift of energy into your environment. Pink color is the universal color of love, which makes it a perfect feng shui color to soothe the energy. Its gentle and delicate feng shui vibrations have a proven soothing effect on one's behavior. You could almost say that, as a feng shui color, Pink literally soothes the heart and fills it with love!

Language of Pink: The use of pink in familiar phrases can help a designer see how their color of choice might be perceived by others
In the pink - healthy
Tickled pink - happy, content
Pink - cut, notch, or make a zigzag

Pink Words: salmon, coral, hot pink, fuchsia, blush, flesh, flush, fuchsia, rose.

Is Pink Your Favorite Color? Take this great, fun, easy Color Quiz
It's advertised as "the 5 minute personality test"
I just took it, quite fun!

Click here to see other Posts on Color

Patricia Gray writes about Interior Design inspirations, emerging trends, and the world of Design. While you're here, subscribe to this feed so you don't miss out.