Lavender - My Favorite Trend of All

You may have noticed that a lot of designers are using purple lately and my favorite in particular, lavender.  This trend has been in the works for the last five years or so but we are just starting to see it in mainstream decor.  Why, you ask?  Well, it takes a while for trends to trickle down to the average consumer.

via House Beautiful

via Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles

I'm reminded of a scene from The Devil Wears Prada when Glenn Close is criticising Anne Hathaway for not seeing the difference between two blue belts that seam identical. She gives her the rundown of how the color of the blue sweater she is wearing was picked for her years ago by people in that very room.


click here to watch the scene

Same thing with interiors. Designers try to stay on the cutting edge of color and style but it takes years for that to work its way into them minds of consumers and retailers don't market something unless there is a high demand for it. Example -- grey sofas. Ten years ago no one in their right mind would purchase anything grey, especially a sofa. It was too cold in comparison to all of the warm neutral colors that were popular at the time. Now, everyone wants a grey sofa or walls or rug or whatever. Grey has become the new "it" neutral.

crate & barrel

Since lavender is also in that same color family, it is also carving out a niche for itself.  I love to use it with blues and greens because it compliments them so nicely.  Lavender also works great with brown so if you have brown upholstery and aren't a fan of the brown/grey combo use lavender instead.  It will give an instant update and make your room feel more "now".

via decorology

via pinterest

You may be asking if lavender and grey are "now" then what's "next"?  In my opinion, we will be seeing kelly green making a comeback.  Something like this maybe?

from Domino Mag - may you rest in peace

It's not for everyone but I love it and a girl can dream, right?

~ Andrea

Sometimes You Never Know

Today it rained.  All.  Day.  Long.  The kind of slow rain that makes you want to crawl back in bed and stay there.  I really wanted to but not just because of the rain but because I got a new fabulous quilt and it makes my bed oh so cozy.

I've had my eye open for a spring green quilt for a while.  It is one of my favorite colors and I thought it would add some much needed color to my very white bed.  As luck would have it, I found one at HomeGoods during a recent trip to Atlanta.  I got it not really knowing if it would work on my bed but I loved the color so much that I figured if I didn't use it in my room I could put it on Claire's bed.

Well, I got it home and on the bed and couldn't be happier with it.  It adds a great punch of color but is still balanced out with the white pillows and duvet.  Also, you can't really tell in the picture but my headboard and dust ruffle are navy not black so the green combined with the stripes makes for a very preppy look that I adore.

Here's a little secret about design...sometimes decisions are just a shot in the dark.  You have an idea but aren't really sure if it will work or not until you see it.  In these situations my advice is to stick with what you love.  If you love a certain color, go with it.  If you are drawn to a picture or piece of art, it will work no matter where you put it.  Don't be afraid to try things!  If it doesn't work in the space you intended, if it is something that you love, more than likely it will work somewhere else in your home.

So be daring!  Don't be afraid to make mistakes decorating.  Trust me, even the professionals make mistakes but they learn from them and never have them photographed.

~Andrea

5 Kitchen Essentials

These everyday items are useful and will add a designer touch to any kitchen.  Every kitchen has its staples and from the viewpoint of design, these are mine.


1.  Wood Cutting Board - It will add a warm wood element to your kitchen especially if you have painted cabinets.  Plus, all the cool chefs have one.  Put some mineral oil on it every once in a while so it doesn't dry out and the oil keeps all the icky germs from taking up residence.

 

2.  Flour Sack Towels - An everyday must have.  I have a drawer full of kitchen towels but these are my favorites.  They don't leave lint all over your dishes and they dry almost instantly.  You can get plain white ones just about anywhere or you can splurge and get cute ones like this.  Available HERE.

3.  Wood Spoons - I love wooden spoons!  I use them everyday.  Not only do they look good but they are great to cook with.  They won't scratch your cookware and, like the cutting board, you can oil them up and they will last forever.

4.  Greenery - Plants add life to a space.  I know your kitchen is probably full of "life" but seriously try putting some herbs in the window or a little vase of flowers by the sink.  My mom always had an aloe plant in the kitchen.  Since plants quake in their roots at the thought of me taking care of them, I have some very nice fauxliage that I picked up from Ikea.  I can't kill it and it looks nice.  Nuf said.

5.  Large Basket or Bowl - These are a very nice way to keep things like onions, potatoes or any other veggies or fruits reined in.  No matter what you fill it with it will instantly become a decorative and practical fixture.

~ Andrea