Kitchen Window Update

I just upgraded a client's kitchen window (OK —spoil alert!—I'm the client) with a new natural Roman shade.
Previously, the window was dressed with a yellow and white striped balloon valance (unfortunately, I forgot to take the "Before" picture), which had faded to dirt.
I kept the shade neutral and simple because there's a lot going on in the room, as you can see by the blue and white plate collection on the wall.
I custom ordered the shade from Home Depot with a white privacy lining and a lefthand shade pull so I won't have to reach over to the right corner to open and close the shade.
This shade will help keep the room cooler in the summer months because it gets lots of sun and additional heat from a skylight.
I also repainted the window trim in super high-gloss white.

May's Pattern Mixes: Vertical stripes with horizontal motif & Mini-checks with tartan plaid

Left, Vertical stripes with horizontal motif: This combo works because both the shirt and tie contain white, pink and navy. The white in the shirt provides a background for the other colors, and the predominance of navy in the tie makes it pop by counteracting the verticality of the softer shirt stripes.

Right, Mini-checks with tartan plaid: This combo works because the scale of the checks is small in contrast to the large scale of the tartan. Also, both shirt and tie have lines of black and white, so they harmonize. The purple makes it pop!

May's Color Scheme: Courtyard Desde "Frida"

"Frida" Courtyard

This color scheme is inspired by the courtyard in the Julie Taymor film, Frida, based on the life of the Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo. The story goes beyond the usual "tortured artist" clichés, and paints a well-balanced picture of a fascinating woman. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it — worth seeing for its visual beauty alone.

What I especially like about Latin countries — whether it's Mexico, Argentina, Spain or Portugal — is the way they embrace color with uninhibited passion. There's nothing timid or uncertain about it. This is not to say that neutrals don't sometimes come into play. For example, in this color scheme, the green/yellow hues are muted (I copied the cacti and other plant life from the film's courtyard), and complement the deep saturated blue, red, and green, creating a beautiful balance that's never dull. Viva Frida!

If I were to do a color scheme like this for an actual space (wouldn't that be something?!) I'd use a more neutral palette of fabrics like the ones I've shown here, pulled from my arsenal of fabrics from past class projects. I'd use the brown leather for a sofa, the check for curtains, and the textured reptile fabric for a bench or chairs.

Elements:
Benjamin Moore Paints:
Blue, Exotic Red, Yellow Green, Pink #1297, Citron, Summerdale Gold, Spring Dust

Fabrics:
Duralee® Pattern 13531, Polyester/Polyurethane/Cotton in Oatmeal
Lee Jofa® Newfield Check, 100% cotton in Daffodil
Townsend® Brushed Metallic Full Grain Cowhide in Remington

Sepia Tones Take Flight?

http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/category/index.jsp?categoryId=cat100102&link=Home#next

Would you like to live inside an antique photograph? Now you can with one of the latest design/fashion trends — sepia tones — demonstrated here in the Restoration Hardware catalog. Though the trend is a somewhat new look at neutrals, I can't help thinking of Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok or one of those cheesy Western backdrop photo booths you find at malls or in Las Vegas. Granted, this is more "The Aviator" than "Viva, Las Vegas," and it does mix in elements of the current "steam punk" trend as well.

I do like the warm, timeworn look, but find it a bit too staged and precious, and made to resemble a Hollywood stage set. And, would you want this look in every room of your home? I would improve the sameness and hyper-masculinity by punching up the neutrals with dusty turquoise, pink or yellow, perhaps. Or shots of red in the textiles to give it more life. No antlers, please. Yee haw!

April's Pattern Mix: Powder Blues with Brown

I recently purchased these new vintage 1970s pieces with the jacket and shirt in powder blue, and the tie in brown/blue/cream. I paired these with new socks in powder blue/black/cream/purple/brown. To complete the ensemble, I'd wear these pieces with medium-finish blue jeans, a black fedora and black & white saddle shoes.

Retail Therapy

Interesting trend on Newbury St. in Boston: It seems there are more British based stores now mixed in with the usual chain stores.
Ted Baker London, Hotel Chocolat, and Jack Wills, to name a few (all fabulous!)
It's also interesting that someone greeted me upon entering all three stores, and they weren't desperate to sell me something. Hotel Chocolat gave me complimentary samples (Tiddly Ducks, I think), and Jack Wills handed me their substantial catalog.

These stores also have fun and impeccably arranged displays. (Photos are of Jack Wills. Simply smashing!)

Purpose

I think Designers, whether it's graphic design, interior design or fashion design — or expressing ourselves through art — we're here to help beautify the world, even if it's in just a minor way.