Colorstrology ~ What's Your Color?

"Color is a reflection of the suns light in all it's glory and you are a shimmering facet in that light.

Just as being born on a certain day under a particular sun sign offers insights into your personality,

there is also a personal colour that corresponds to the real you. Imagine a colour that could complement your innermost nature and activate the vibrations of light to enhance your world."

  

I may be late getting on this bandwagon, but have you heard of Pantone's "Colorstrology"? The idea behind it is that there's a particular hue that corresponds to the real you. So now, along with asking, "What sign are you?" the next question to ask will be, "What colour are you?" As an astrology fan, I think this idea is creative, clever and boisterous -- not to mention a good marketing tactic on Pantone's part (although they're pretty good at making colour personalized i.e. the Colour of the Year campaign). And even if you don't believe in astrology or "colorstrology", it's still a fun and cheeky thing to do with friends. Aren't you the least bit curious? I was, and so I tested it out for myself! The hue that corresponds with my birth month, September, is baja blue. My personal colour, however, is jadesheen (both colours are shown below). So I read the description associated with jadesheen and it was eerily accurate. Plus green is one of my favourite tones and jadesheen happens to be in the green colour family. The three colour words used to describe me are: unusual, creative and leader. No complaints here!

What colour are you? How do you think this corresponds with your innermost self? I'd love to hear your responses!

Delightful Dinnerware Options for Wining & Dining in Style

 "At a dinner party one should eat wisely but not too well, and talk well but not too wisely."

~ W. Somerset Maugham

Check out two sets of dishware that I adore! Make a fashion statement in your home with the Ben Collection fashion plates. Each eight-inch plate features a black-and-white sketch by Ben Morris (professor of fashion, SCAD). The pieces are sold as a set of four in a decorative gift box and the plates are dishwasher, microwave and oven safe. A perfect table accessory for the fashion conscious folk. My recommendation: if you're going for the black-and-white table setting, add in a pop of colour through a beautiful vase of flowers. For an even more personal touch, use the flower of the month (for March it would be daffodils!)

 The second set of dishware, featuring the work of illustrator Allan Drummond (professor of illustration, SCAD), these delightful eight-inch stoneware plates depict the signs and sounds of Lacoste, France. Again, this collection is sold as a set of four plates in a decorative gift box and is dishwasher safe BUT the collection also includes a 12-inch platter (sold separately). Although I love each decoration, I can't resist the one with the orange cat illustration or the tower clock that climbs up the right hand side of one of the dishes.

Which collection is your favourite? Bon appetit!

Inspirational Homes: Diane Von Furstenberg

I've often been fascinated by designer Diane Von Furstenberg. Maybe it's due to her exotic flare or the fact that she talks with a rich and luscious accent. Words seem to roll off her tongue. Not only does she a successful designer - noted for her wrap dress among other designs - she's also the president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Drenched in fashion and design inspiration, creativity (...OK, the works!) don't you often wonder how these people live? What their homes look like or what inspires them? Here's a peak into Diane's living space in NYC's Meat Packing District.

(Below) Diane's office and living area is versatile with the table doing overtime working as a desk and a dining table. I adore these Franz West chairs that add a pop of colour and show off a funky pattern. Also, a big thumbs up to the Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann table which is fit for a Queen.

(Below) Ah, such is the life. Sitting at your cozy breakfast table, looking outside a the spectacular NYC view and admiring the original Andy Warhol painting -- of your own face!

 (Above) How gorgeous is this bed? I love the East-meets-West flare to this space. There's an open quality to this space that is almost set like but still maintains a cozy and personalized element to it.

 Images via Architectural Digest. March 2012 issue.

Sunday Inspiration + My Week in Review

Pictured above from left to right: spring, autumn, winter & summer

Did you know Blik's elegant new Seasons graphic by Mina Javid includes leaves and flowers that correspond with each season: fall, winter, spring and summer? That’s like four different graphics in one. For a weather and nature fanatic like me, this is pretty cool. I love the versatility and flexibility of these decals. Bring the outdoors in with this tall graceful tree and change seasons as often as you change your shoes. Which one is your favourite? Which season is your favourite?

Now onto my Week in Review:

Monday: Julianne Moore's home in NYC's West Village was this week's inspirational home.

Tuesday: I highlighted cute designs for living & giving by Susy Jack and Linda & Harriett.

Wednesday: I was inspired by mint: the perfect colour choice to bring you from winter into spring.

Thursday: Malachite was my Colour of the Month choice for March.

Friday: This week's Colour + Object combination was on power doors.

Saturday: The designer spotlight was on Amie Corley's colourful, modern, bright and inspirational designs.

~ Happy Sunday, gang!

Designer Spolight: Amie Corley

Where I live, February went "out like a lion" - or so the expression goes - and March decided to follow suit. Today, the other famous saying, "March winds, April showers bring forth May flowers" was also ringing in my head because it was so windy (it even merited a wind warning where I live). So this grey, windy Saturday, I was thinking of a bright and happy place. It took me all the day down south to a turn-of-the-century home in St. Louis where these designs by Amie Corley really fit the bill. I love how Ann's designs are modern but true to the historic integrity of the home. What Amie's designs inspire me to do is use more colour and not be afraid to use patterns -- and lots of them! OK. Noted. These bright, bold and multi purpose spaces are great inspiration for the cloudy weekend. Some design ideas that really got my juices flowing were the symmetry in the bathroom, the wallpaper and paint colours that are very functional (and can be used in almost any room of the house) and the antique mixed with modern furnishings in bright and playful colours. What are your favourite things about these spaces?

Colour + Object: Power Doors

Make a strong curbside statement with any of these colour + object pairings for the perfect door:

1. A classic look can be easily achieved with Gidden's Rich Navy (GLB25) paired with Restoration Hardware's Large Plate Door Knocker ($35-$50).

2. Pairing Valspar's Bright Parrot (6011-7) with Michael Healy's Pinecoon Door Knocker in Oiled Bronze ($120) makes for charming and eye-catching door with a little nature flare. 

3. For a door that screams look-at-me, Pratt & Lambert Paints' Patent Yellow (12-10) would look funky paired with Heath Ceramics' Eames House Numbers ($38 each).

Other Inspirational Doors:

(Below) This purple door makes a pop against the rather mellow (but beautiful) brickwork. The purple colour is a nice choice because it contrasts the door's rather antique style details and windowpanes. 

(Below) This pink door is fresh, fun and flirty. I chose this particular image because I liked the yellow pop from the windowpane directly above the door. The yellow and pink tones blend harmoniously together, almost as if the door is giving you a cheerful smile.

(Below) Wow! This door isn't just colourful -- it's a work of art! Plus the door looks as beautiful on the inside as it does on the outside. Check out the cubes of colour cascading down the entryway.

 (Above & Below). These doors painted two different hues of aqua really bring personality to an otherwise bland exterior. The blue is warm and inviting without distracting too much from the other elements around it. (Below) Check out that two-toned door. It's magnificent! I love how the colours blend together in a work of art (the aqua looking like the side and the green looking like fields and grass).

(Above) There's something about this blue weathered door that looks effortlessly chic. Even though the paint seems to be chipping away, it give it that extra j-ne-sais-quoi to the space.

Magnificent Malachite: March Colour of the Month

I adore malachite. Honestly, I can't stop raving about it. It's one of my favourite colours of crystals and gemstones. In February, amethyst was the colour of the month, bringing a romantic and passionate quality to the month of lovers. Now we've entered March and it's all about malachite. Of course, who can resist that rich and opulent green colour during March? I know there's a bit of a stereotypical element to March being associated with green (Hello! St. Patty's day!) that even I can't seen to get over. Malachite is always green, usually in banded tones varying from very dark green to a mellow green. Most malachite comes from Zaire, Chile and Australia. It's known to be a stone of balance in relationships, the protection of children, and protects against accidents. Malachite inspiration comes in all forms of home decor -- from chairs, lamps, tables to pillows, wallpaper, curtains and artwork. I'm in love with the malachite coloured lacquer coffee table, the malachite wallpaper and those matching malachite-stemmed lamps. As you can see, it's all about malachite! What's your favourite malachite piece? How would you incorporate this majestic and magnificent coloured gemstone into your space?