You Can't Go Wrong with a Neutral Palette!

Neutral Decor from from Maple and Magnolia blog - I do love the look of crisp wingback chairs at the table!

It is easy to love a neutral decorating scheme - the effect is peaceful and serene and it also provides a great backdrop for punches of color as seen by the black and white buffalo plaid curtains in the photo above.  Neutrals range from icy white to various shades of creams, greys and warm taupes.  I subscribe to six great decorating magazines (e.g., Traditional Home, House Beautiful, Architectural Digest, Country Living, Elle Decor and others) and find that decors based on a neutral foundation are the most commonly used by decorators and the easiest on the eye.  In setting up my pinterest boards, I have one called "whites and other neutrals" and looked at this board to gather some nice visual images for this blog.  Here are a few.

White Living Room from the Inside Story blog - this sweet settee caught my attention.

Great White Wingback from Things that Inspire Blog!

Link to Source - Nice White Pieces!

Link to Source Decor by Jennifer - Love the Punches of Yellow!

This living room was inspired by the love of neutrals and an urge from the client to incorporate pops of colour. 

Yellow and Gray was our launch palette. We soon found lovely visuals, to support our mission. We kept the furniture calm and serene then punched each piece with pops of fun sunshine yellow! 

Atlanta Home Magazine Website - Like the Sympatry of the Chairs!

Link to Things that Inspire Blog - Look at that Great Wingback against Window!

Source - Traditional Home - Nice Clean Look Against Ornate Background!

Source - Traditional Home - I Like Everything About This French Style Grouping!

In soft impressionistic strokes, the painting above a settee and two chairs in the room's gathering area introduce the only note of color--a delicate lilac--in an otherwise tightly composed symphony of ivory and gray.

The large sunroom, with its dark wood trim, begged for clean lines and crisp, light elements to keep it from being stodgy and seriously gloomy.

In my own business, Wydeven Designs Website, I have a catalogue that is based on color groupings and I try to have quite a few items in this groups - it makes it easier for people to envision not just these particular pieces but how they might fit into an overall neutral color scheme OR alternately, how these pieces might work with a "shot of color" from the other groupings.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paints - Colors and Interesting Uses

ASCP color ranges mixed with off-white - link to Cirue Interiors blog

Last weekend, I picked up the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (ASCP) book;  Quick and Easy Paint Transformations and have studied it cover to cover.  I must admit that the experimentation I have already done with 8 different chairs has taught me a lot.  But, there is always something new to learn.   I am concentrating on two elements of knowledge:

1)  How can I extend the color range of the paints I already have bought (graphite, off-white and duck egg blue)

2)  Besides chairs and wooden pieces, on what else can I use this marvelous paint.

The book itself shows the paint being used on ironwork lamps, candelabras and cement outdoor planters - amongst other items.  My pinterest and internet research shows me that this is just the tip of the iceberg!

First to the colors and expanding the range.  I found a website Link to Cirue Interiors that has done a marvelous job showing the range of colors that can be achieved just by adding off-white and provides strips to illustrate the variation.  I have included them in a few of this blogger's more unique projects perfectly illustrating both issues I mention above:

Refurbished Lamp Base - Using Persian Blue

Here are some of the writer's tips on creating texture in the paint  ... take more paint with the brush and brush it gently.  The options are endless you can even use your fingers; make letters, figures and so on. Once the paint is completely dry the next step is the wax. First apply a coat of clear wax and then a thick coat of dark wax. Use enough wax so you can almost not see the colour of the paint and let it dry. Use clear wax again to remove some of the dark wax excess and disclose the texture, the dark wax is what makes the texture show, so it is good to use a lot.

Refurbished Chandelier and Range of Colors from link

I found several creative uses on ASCP on another blogsite "Silver Pennies - link to site
including this great lamp redo and a very interesting application on fabric to make accent pillows.

Details of how to achieve this can be found on website - link

Emperor's Red Used on Accent Pillow - source

My own French Chair Project - Graphite Black over Off-white http://wydevendesigns.com

On Valentine's Day - Associations with the Color Red

On Cemetery Wall - Grand Cayman Island

Silves, Portugal - Museum Celebrating Hans Christian Anderson

In honor of Valentine's Day, I thought I would google "meaning of color red" to see what I would find.  I found a great description on this site link to site.  I also did a quick "color scan" of photos from the past year that illustrate the vibrancy of this great color.

Wine Bar - Lisbon, Portugal

Tram Advertising Coca Cola - Lisbon, Portugal

Tram - Lisbon, Portugal

Rowboats - Roswell, Georgia

Sail - Grand Cayman Island

Red Square - Moscow, Russia

Love and War, the Nature and Culture of Red:

Red is hot. It's a strong color that conjures up a range of seemingly conflicting emotions from passionate love to violence and warfare. Red is Cupid and the Devil.

A stimulant, red is the hottest of the warm colors. Studies show that red can have a physical effect, increasing the rate of respiration and raising blood pressure.

The expression seeing red indicates anger and may stem not only from the stimulus of the color but from the natural flush (redness) of the cheeks, a physical reaction to anger, increased blood pressure, or physical exertion.

Red is power, hence the red power tie for business people and the red carpet for celebrities and VIPs (very important people).

Russian Orthodox Church - Rural Russia

Paddlewheel in Lake City, Minnesota 

Flowers - St. Augustine, Florida 

Flashing red lights denote danger or emergency. Stop signs and stop lights are red to get the drivers' attention and alert them to the dangers of the intersection.

In some cultures, red denotes purity, joy, and celebration. Red is the color of happiness and prosperity in China and may be used to attract good luck.

Red is often the color worn by brides in the East while it is the color of mourning in South Africa. In Russia the Bolsheviks used a red flag when they overthrew the Tsar, thus red became associated with communism. Many national flags use red. The red Ruby is the traditional Fortieth Wedding Anniversary gift.

Sharing Furniture Refurbishing Ideas - Hard Pieces

Refurbished dresser from Classy Clutter link to site

One of my primary purposes in writing this blog (and promoting my small business - link to website) is to encourage others to seek existing pieces of well-made furniture and repurpose and refurbish to make the pieces useful today.  This is not only a great way to decorate - I don't even like going into new furniture stores - but is a wonderful contribution to environmentally friendly design.

I am finding that I am not alone in this passion.  My recent search to acquire and use Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (see my other blogs on this subject) led me to many websites and blogs (and YouTube videos) of people using her products and creating great looking pieces of furniture.  Clearly, there are other techniques and methods that can be used.  Setting up and following pinterest leads is another great way to find fresh and exciting ideas - many of these come from that effort.

This blog celebrates some of the great work being done with older pieces of furniture that should be easy to find and transform into exciting pieces in any setting!  There are some brilliant ideas here!

Refurbished Chest/Armoire from Paint Me White - paint me white blog

Pieces for Sale - Link to Lilly Field Furniture

Add captionLink to Centsational Girl website

Linke to Paint me White Site

I found this on the side the road that said "FREE IF YOU TAKE IT NOW!!!" so I flipped a "U-ey" and hopped out to snag it before they changed their mind! I sprayed it with Krylon Ocean Breeze.  I used a sponge brush and hand painted the edges of all the detail and curves with this Folk Art Metallic Pearl White. It highlighted the details beautifully!
I sprayed the hardware with Metallic Aluminum and sprayed the whole thing with Minwax Polycrylic in Satin  - link to Classy Clutter Site

Link to European Paint Finishes Blog

Sideboard Using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint - Link to Miss Mustard Seed Blog

I started out with a quart of Louis Blue, a quart of Old White and a sample of Paris Gray and still have plenty of paint for more projects.  Even with three colors, I’ve been able to achieve a variety of shades and tones by mixing the paint. 

All About Green - a GREAT 2012 Color

Bright Kelly Green from source

I love the color green and was thrilled that the March issue of House Beautiful http://housebeautiful.com - and it truly is ALL ABOUT GREEN.  I love the editor's introduction to this issue:

Although the ecology movement has co-opted the word green, we still think of it as a color.  In this issue, we want to dive into green - or maybe "roll around in it" is a better way of putting it!

While I have always loved this fresh color, in all its permutations, this issue is making me an even stronger advocate for this great color.  I also love the combinations shown in the various photos and discussions - not just with white or other neutrals but also with black and white (one of my favorites),  red and rose tones, blue, etc. etc. etc.  Here's to the color green!

Green and White Living Room  source

Brandywine Chair and Ottoman http://wydevendesigns.com

Chaise in Green and Rose Toile http://wydevendesigns.com

Apple Green Linen Club Chairs http://wydevendesigns.com

Another Great Day at Scott"s Antiques Market

Inspiration at Scott's Antique Market

Since this is the second weekend in the month, it is time for the Scott's Antique Market link to website billed as the world's biggest sale of collectibles and antiques and operating for over 25 years.  I again went with a friend and we enjoyed both the great items for sale as well as the vibrancy of the event - this is one well attended sale and it appears to draw buyers (or spectators) from far and wide.

We found the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (ASCP) vendor earlier in our stroll and discussed the merits of acquiring some additional colors.   They also had available a "sample size" which was tempting but probably wouldn't cover very much.  The cost is about $35 for a quart so this is a weighty decision.  My friend and I loved the duck egg blue - see chart below.

ASCP Color Chart

The duck egg blue is a wonderful shade somewhere between blue and green - a color I have also called  seafoam and VERY similar to the Benjamin Moore 2012 color of the year - wythe blue - which I wrote about earlier in the week - see color trends.  We agreed that it may not be the easiest color to coordinate with but couldn't resist and split the purchase of a can.  I also bought a sample size of the napoleon blue just because this color works just about everywhere in my home.

The other purchase was a book.  I finally broke down and bought a tips and techniques book written specifically for Annie Sloan Chalk Paints and showing colors, color combinations, and methods of modifying the finish.   I had been hesitant to buy this and have already spent time on websites and YouTube as well as experimenting to learn quite a bit about the application process.  However, it seemed like a good idea to  learn directly from the master. 

Quick and Easy Paint Transformations

I found quite a few examples of the duck egg blue in various displays although some, according to my friend, were closer to robin egg blue - a little less green.

Duck Egg Blue Balls (?)

Duck Blue Eggs (?)

Duck Egg Blue Chest with Hand Painted Accents -  Loved These!

Green Decorating - Sharing More Ideas!

I found a great article on a new favorite website - Style at Home - about environmentally friendly decorating ideas - many of which I have actively supported in my own life and in this blog.  See site and full article -  http://www.styleathome.com/decorating-and-design/green-living/25-environmentally-friendly-decorating-ideas/a/38713

Martha Uniacke Breen penned this article that I am reproducing in segments with comments: 

1 Habitat for Humanity, Home Depot, and some other sources accept used building materials in good condition and resell them at a tiny fraction of what they’d cost new. Everything from windows, to counters, to flooring, to appliances and fixtures like bathtubs and toilets can be found here, often in perfectly good condition. 



2 Craigslist, eBay and other auction sites are great bargain sources for fashion and home decor, both new and used. Remember: Your brilliant decorating ideas don't have to cost you a fortune; consider pre-loved items and be more environmentally friendly in your choices. 



I have written extensively about using both craigslist and ebay to find (and sell) great furniture.   Here are several links to my prior discussions - link to blog about my own craigslist purchases and craigslist buying and research recommendations.  Just this week, I picked up a pair of Baker Fine Furniture (great manufacturer) wingback chairs in need of reupholstering for $150 - a fabulous deal!

Craigslist Purchase - Refurbished - Brandywine Chair and Ottoman 

Craigslist Purchase - Refurbished - Country French Chair in Taupe Linen

Craigslist Purchase - Reburbished - Wingback Chairs (sold) 

3 Many local municipal garbage/recycling depots have free paint exchange programs. Drop off your leftover paint, or pick some up for free – great for small projects, especially if you’re willing to be flexible on colour (though there’s usually plenty of white!). 



4 Artfully displayed on bookshelves or in bowls on a coffee table, natural collections make timeless accessories. Think: pine cones, stones, seashells, coral, driftwood. 



I have found Pinterest to be a great source of inspiration here - below is just one simple example that would make a great Christmas centerpiece!

Simple Centerpiece Featuring Cones

5 Old sheets in good condition can find new life as café curtains, pillow shams, or to line glass-front doors; if they’re not so new, use them as cleaning cloths, pet bedding, or sew them into cloth gift bags. 
  

6 Save glass jars of jams, pasta sauce, soup or fruit, paint the lids a pretty colour (if desired), and use them to store rice, pasta – or to make and store your own jam/pasta sauce/soup/fruit preserves. 


7 Reupholster rather than replace sofas and chairs. Depending on the fabric you choose, it may cost less than buying new, and unless the piece is very worn or of poor quality, most upholsterers recondition the frame and replace or repair cushions and sagging springs as part of the job. 


This is, of course, my passion and purpose in most of these blogs.  I have found that fine quality reupholstered pieces are much better values than newly manufactured furniture.  Looking for the qualities that make a piece worth redoing is important - I have written extensively about that in several blogs - http://wydevendesigns.blogspot.com/2011/08/refurbishing-upholstered-furniture.html.  This latter blog suggests ways to ensure you are making a good investment in redoing the piece!   

8 Think about how you might rejuvenate old wood furniture, rather than simply discarding it. You can often give a piece a new life by refinishing it (professionally or do-it-yourself), repainting or simply repurposing. This is a low-cost, environmentally friendly decorating idea.

Detail - Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Refurbishing

Detail - Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Refurbishing

Detail - Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Refurbishing

I have recently become enamored with Annie Sloan Chalk Paints and have been redoing the woodwork to create great pieces - here are few more (by the way, just check all my Annie Sloan Chalk Paint for how to's, ideas, examples, etc.).