I'M FEELING THE BLUES...

Lately I've been drawn to the color blue. Perhaps it's because I've seen it everywhere. From the Kravet showrooms, to Architectural Digest? It's growing on me! -And I'm not talking about the general color of blue. The kind of blue that's caught my eye is light, with a slight purple hue in it. It's airy, soft, and with that slight hint of purple it becomes very feminine... Maybe that's why I like it so much. 

Aren't these rooms dreamy? This color is so calming and relaxing to me. I'm in love with it! 

The problem now is, every time I get a new color obsession, I typically want to redecorate my house in order to incorporate this new color. And for most people, that's unrealistic. So you can't invest in buying all new upholstered furniture, and re-painintg may not be an option either. But another option, that is completely do-able, is changing out a few accents, a few pillows here and there, and you will generally get the same effect, as if you had totally re-decorated! I promise!

Here's a few tips to consider, that will help you change things up and incorporate this new fabulous color:

1) Pillows. Pillows make a huge impact. I know they are small, but throw pillows are where you can get away with using bold color. I wouldn't recommend a blue sofa for every home, but pillows in this color of blue? Absolutely.

2) A second option to consider is drapery. If you're willing to spend a few extra dollars, I would invest in new drapes.

3) Change out your area rug! If you happen to have hardwoods or stone, this is an excellent option to help you "get the look" with the blue colors. I personally always bring color to a room through rugs. I find it boring using a neutral colored rug on top of a neutral wood or stone! You only live once, go ahead and go for the bold color!

4) For the dining room; place mates and glasses make an easy, cost effective switch. Have you ever been to Cost Plus World Market? They have great deals for dining room decor!

I hope you're feeling inspired by my new favorite color! It's perfect and gets you in the mood for Spring!

LITTLE GEM I FOUND {ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST HOME TOUR!}

Browsing through the Architectural Digest website, I found this little gem and I had to share it! This is one of the most exciting homes I've come across. I am very much in love with the over-all design. This Chicago penthouse, designed by Michael S. Smith, is both bold and sophisticated, with interesting accents. 

I also love this quote from the A.D. article: "Some grand homes are designed to give their occupants the life they imagined they always wanted, while others, like this penthouse, help the residents be themselves, only better." -- If a designer can achieve that, then your job is done! Amazing! Im drooling... 

Welcome to my dream home! (Just kidding. But really...) 

Favorite room of all. Notice how this designer has integrated bright green neon accents into the space? I love that little surprise of color! 

The one thing that makes me love this home so much is the way the designer has so seamlessly mixed traditional, ornate pieces with extremely modern pieces. (See above) This is completely my style. As I love to mix and match.

Absolutely love the fabric wallpaper, along with the antique mirror above the nightstand.  

What a view! ....That's all for now! 

FROM WHERE DO YOU DRAW INSPIRATION?

Every creative mind has a source of inspiration that they constantly look back to. It's true. As an artist, don't be prideful and say that you "create your own" art. Everything that is in our world has already been created; we as artists only take and re-create. Right? So where do you go to as a creative source? As for me, it has always been nature. Obviously, nature comes from the greatest Designer of all, that is, God.  More specifically, I draw my inspiration from flowers. Any and all types of flowers. I think it is the variety of colors flowers have, or maybe the geometry, or delicate appearance.  Whatever it is, I always seem to find inspiration outside, in the garden.  

Here's the latest color palette I've made from a collection of flowers:

Gorgeous for Spring, right? -And may I point out the last color, which is the Pantone color of the year: Radiant Orchid. See below how this color palette translates into the interior design world. 

Now get out in to the world and find your inspirations! 

JUST ANOTHER REASON TO TRAVEL {TO VIENNA!}

I stumbled across one of Architectural Digest's "Daily AD" blog posts today, and it's title was: 

"THE ARCHITECT’S EYE: ARCHITECT OTTO WAGNER’S MODERNIST MARVELS IN VIENNA".  Just say "Vienna" and I'm immediately interested. After reading through the post and seeing the imagines, this adds yet another reason to my endless list of why I must to travel to France/Italy/Greece/Austria in the near future. This particular post celebrates the work of Otto Wagner, and his unique modernist style, which helped reinvent the city of Vienna at the turn of the 20th century.

Do you know who Otto Wagner is? 

He is considered to be the father of modernist design. Born 1841, died 1918. An Austrian architect, urban planner, and highly creative individual. 

One of the most transformative projects of Wagner’s era, the Austrian Postal Savings Bank (Österreichische Postsparkasse) took nearly a decade to plan, design, and build, beginning in 1904. Constructed of reinforced concrete, metal, stone, and glass, it celebrates light, air, and the honesty of functionalism with the new materials of the time.

More snap shots of the Austrian Postal Savings Bank: 

Additional work by Wagner includes his two villas, which he built for is first and second marriage: 

Hope you've found some inspiration though this post!