I’m a huge proponant of home decor that is as functional as it is beautiful. So I wasn’t surprised when I fell in love with the Pure Komachi 2 9-Piece Knife Set which adds a burst of fun colors to your countertops while also providing top-notch blades for food prep. Hot pink stainless steel? I’m SO in!
www. broadwaypanhandler.com to order. $90
While I will never know what it feels like to invite someone to my house in the Hamptons for Fourth of July I can get a little coastal right here in my own modest abode and so can you. Just follow a few decorating guidelines and you too can fake it ’til you make it!
1) Skip carpets. Go for stained concrete floors instead which not only make a room appear larger but greatly cut down on the dirt, dust mites and pet dander that can trigger allergies. Need one more reason to crave concrete? Easy to clean! When your family is busy running in and out all day you don’t want to worry about stains, spills, etc.
2) Go monochromatic. This is the type of color scheme that stays with many variations of one color (example: light grey sofa, dark gray walls, pale blue accents). Stick with colors that you would see in a natural coastal environment like pale greens, blues and white-washed neutrals.
3) Shell out for big texture! I’m not talking about big bucks- I mean get your paws on some great shells to place on your mantle, bookshelves, the bathroom counter or a tray on the living room ottoman. Careful not to go overboard! Just one large shell or coral will make a huge statement. Too many will just look cheesy.
Set/2 Coral, Basset Furniture, $139
4) Glass, rattan and wood are your best friends. Steer clear of too many pieces made from trendy or man-made materials. The well-done beach home reflects its exterior environment on the interior so look for furniture in bamboo or rattan and end tables from a distressed wood. Old glass bottles, vases and candlesticks make a simply-stated collection that compliments the style without breaking the bank.
Carmichael Dining Table, Pier 1, $299
Everyone has an opinion when it comes to mixing patterns and colors. Think you don’t? My favorite is when I ask a client how they feel about graphic black and white wallpaper and they say something like “I really don’t care, whatever you think looks good.” And then I show them what I have in mind and watch them start shaking their head and backing away. Playing with patterns isn’t for the faint of heart but the payoff can be huge IF you commit. Below are a few of my go-to tricks for getting it right.
1) Keep your big pieces neutral. Sofas and other large upholstered pieces need to play it safe. Stick with a solid color or a tone-on-tone fabric. You will absolutely regret spending a large sum of money on a trendy fabric only to fall out of love with it in six months when animal prints are out-again.
2) Use a large, bold print in a classic color on your window coverings or bedding. For the draperies, think oversized flowers, houndstooth or any of the other big hits right now but in a color you won’t tire of quickly, like navy, black or yellow. The same color rule applies for bedding but make sure the pattern isn’t too busy. I recommend a more sublte duvet with bold mix and match pillows.
3) Now its time for floors; try broad stripes or harlequin diamonds either painted on the wood or concrete floor OR in an area rug if you’re not entirely committed to altering your floors. This is the place to tie in colors from your window coverings and the wall OR your accent color (which will be used in your accessories, discussed in step 4).
4) Be a little crazy with accessories! Let me clarify: I do not mean in quantity! Every room should be carefully edited for the ultimate designer look. I mean that in your final touches- the throws, the pillows, the vases- this is the place to try out the season’s latest and greatest. The loud color, the outrageous pattern, anything you love right now but wouldn’t want to use in a larger capacity.
Update: the weekend yielded zero positive results in the way of finding the right shade for the living room. My second attempt, Arizona Tan, turned out to be so yellow it was retina-damaging when the sun poured in at high noon (did I mention that I’ve ditched the Persimmon altogether?). My design A.D.D. is kicking in and much like the struggle I’ve dealt with ever since my first apartment when I was 18, I’m dealing with high distraction levels. I walk through a park and say, “a nice olive, like the color of the leaves before they turn for fall, that’s what I want on my living room walls.” And then I go into a friend’s boutique and fall in love with a vibrant red and think “now that’s a color that makes a statement!” Now that I am actively pursuing this painting project I am increasingly frustrated at my ability to expertly select paint colors for my clients but not myself. When a third of your week is spent trend-hunting it tends to mess with your sense of personal style- or maybe that’s just me….? One day I want something warm and cozy, a country cottage color that makes everyone who enters feel like they could sit and visit for hours. Then its Tuesday and I want bold, spicy, elegant colors that evoke a whole different kind of atmosphere. So the hunt continues and I pray that by the weekend I have narrowed down my options at least by 75%. I’m hosting a baby shower in April and I’m willing to bet that my numerous paint samples on the walls will not count as decoration. Although maybe I could convince guests that its a new trend I’m starting… like a Picasso effect using my very own walls as the canvas. *sigh*
Attempt #2: Behr’s “Arizona Tan”
*Originally posted in January of 2010 by the author.
With spring just out of arm’s reach we’re all feeling the need for a little warmth. Combat the grey skies outside your window with my favorite tricks for warming up a home!
1) Add fresh flowers. Many grocery stores stock a decent variety of beautiful blooms and nothing freshens up a room quicker than a vase full of flowers! Skip the silk arrangements and opt for red, yellow or pink flowers. In more masculine rooms I choose flowering branches instead. Use a taller vase for these.
2) Paint one wall. I’ve said it a million times before because it works and its 
easy! Citrus colors are huge right now and would make a fabulous accent wall when paired with chocolates and beiges. Go for a satin or eggshell finish to keep the color from overwhelming the senses. Better Homes & Gardens Magazine suggests Dutch Boy’s “Iced Shrimp”, True Value’s “Juicy Nectarene” and Behr’s “Cantaloupe Slice”.
3) Replace lamp bulbs with amber-colored bulbs. The amber glass softens the room and gives a nice warm glow to everything it touches.
4) An area rug can do magical things in a “cold” room. I love the way a sisel rug adds a natural touch. Seek out an indoor/outdoor rug if you are placing it in a high-traffic area. When it gets dirty you can just take it out back and hose it down! These hold up very well and come in tons of warm colors for all kinds of rooms.
So you’re a fan of HGTV and you’re just dying to add a little “wow” to your home without forking over a load of cash? With the cold weather keeping many of us indoors a lot this month there are plenty of small projects to choose from while we wait for warmer temps. Pick one to start on this week and you might just be motivated enough to keep the ball rolling well past Sunday!
1) Paint one room. This is the ultimate quick facelift for any room and usually won’t set you back more than $100 if you forego the faux finishes, glazes and multiple colors on one wall. Not sure which color is right for you? Designing Diva Interiors offers a one-hour color consult for $25 and together we can find the right shade for your room so you don’t spend hours staring at paint swatches taped to the walls. If you do have a general idea of what you’re after, pick up paint samples in the shade you THINK you want along with the color one shade darker and one shade lighter. Paint samples on each wall and at various heights. Check the samples throughout the day if natural light is present to make sure you’re happy with the color at all hours of the day. Once you’ve decided, pick up your primer if required, tarp, Frog Tape to keep paint off the trim and calk to seal up those holes and gaps. Ask a Sherwin Williams employee which paint brush is right for your texture so you get the job done quicker and you’re set!
2) Update your hardware in one catagory. Are your doorknobs, light fixtures and hinges less than fetching? It can be pricey to change out all of these at once but a weekend is just perfect for updating all the doorknobs/locks in the house OR the hardware in all of the bathrooms. Pick your catagory, pick your finish and pick your budget. Its important to know how much you plan to spend ahead of time because prices range anywhere from .50 to 10.00 per piece for simple drawer pulls or hinges and things can snowball quickly once you’re looking at all the options. Be sure to save the product information if you plan to match it up at a later date in another room.
3) Give life to tired walls. With a few cans of spray paint and a weekend in a well-ventilated garage you can add a new twist to old mirrors, photo frames, wall sconces, etc. When we moved into our home a few years ago the previous homeowner left behind a large bathroom mirror that had a grungy gold frame. The ornate details of the frame itself were gorgeous, however. We spray painted it gloss black and now it looks glamourous no matter where we put it (its lived in the bathroom, living room and the guest room so far)! If the item you’re painting is metal, make sure you select a paint specifically for metal (same goes for plastic, wood, etc). Create a Pottery Barn-style family gallery by painting all of your photo frames the same color, scanning your photos in black and white and hanging them together for an updated version of the family portrait collection.
Maxed out on time? Always thinking about how to improve your home? Not sure where to begin or who to call for help? Better Homes & Gardens Magazine has a few websites in mind for the person who falls into any (or all!) of these catagories.
www.BHG.com/coloraroom “Save time by figuring out the perfect color scheme for your room before you shop for paint or furniture.”
www.BHG.com/planagarden “Design a garden without breaking a sweat. Drag and drop dozens of trees, flowers and sculptures.” (My husband and I are using this feature to plan out our spring flower beds.)
www.servicemagic.com “Forget calling around for a contractor. Get matched with a prescreened, background-checked professional online”. (Designing Diva Interiors LLC is a member of Service Magic).
Give your winter travelers more than just a bed to sleep in. Give them a cacoon inspired by colors a world away with these luscious shades that will have them talking for weeks after they’ve headed home. Complete article found at HouseBeautiful.com.
Farrow and Ball “Rectory Red 217″: “Deep, rich red, a little sexy” -Thierry Marchand
Benjamin Moore “Sugarplum”: “Calming and comfortable” -Bruce Bierman
Benjamin Moore “Candy Green”: “it has a carefree spontanaity” -Frank De Biasi
Benjamin Moore “Meditation”: “Deep and full and changes with the light” -Tori Golub
Benjamin Moore “House of Blues”: “Clear, medium-intensity turquoise that reminds me of a day of boating in Capri” -Penny Drue Baird
Benjamin Moore “Seattle Gray”: “a warm, soft gray with a touch of lavender-blue”. -Pamela Banker
I have a new crush. Its green. No, it isn’t money (although I appreciate that, too)…. its actually green- the color. Its all over 
the design scene right now and my attraction to it has taken me by surprise. I’m usually drawn to pinks, blacks, greys and milky whites but I’m seeing glossy green on everything from tables to floors and I’m completely infatuated! We’re not talking about mint or olive. This is like a color from “Alice In Wonderland”- bright yet not obnoxious, playful yet classic.
Using the laquered version of this color in my home probably isn’t going to happen- not on the scale I would like. My husband isn’t one for bold colors or patterns, he’s more of a rustic, earth-tones fan. BUT! There is hope for me yet… he has zero preference 
about the back patio and I’m claiming that space as my own come fall. I think I’ll have OKC’s Custom Powder Coating makeover my outdoor furniture with a high-gloss green; the color of poison ivy. My mind swirls with the possibilities I’ll never get to incorporate into our abode (but maybe I can use yours to play in?):
*Painted on the floor of a loft apartment
* Laquered on the cabinets of a small kitchen
* Glossed onto a bathroom vanity
* Used on an end table
* Used on Baroque frames in a foyer
This could get fun…
HouseBeautiful.com once gave readers a series of questions designed to help us all find our color personality- that is, the way you feel about certain colors and which ones you are most like or are most drawn to. Answer the 20 questions below and we’re certain you will have your own color identity pinpointed in no time! Use your answers to guide you when selecting bedding, paint colors, window coverings, even clothing.
1) What’s the first color you see in the morning?
2) What color are your eyes?
3) What color do you wear most? 
4) What color do you never wear?
5) What color you wear when you want to feel sexy?
6) What color gets you the most compliments?
7) What color is your lipstick?
What color was your living room when you were growing up?
9) What color was your bedroom when you were growing up?
10) What color are your sheets?
11) What color was your favorite crayon as a child?
12) What color was your prom dress?
13) What color is your car?
14) What’s your favorite gemstone?
15) What is your favorite flower?
16) What color makes you happiest?
17) What color calms you?
18) What color depresses you?
19) What color can make you grind your teeth?
20) What color would you like to try but are scared to?
HouseBeautiful.com once gave readers a series of questions designed to help us all find our color personality- that is, the way you feel about certain colors and which ones you are most like or are most drawn to. Answer the 20 questions below and we’re certain you will have your own color identity pinpointed in no time! Use your answers to guide you when selecting bedding, paint colors, window coverings, even clothing.
1) What’s the first color you see in the morning?
2) What color are your eyes?
3) What color do you wear most?
4) What color do you never wear?
5) What color you wear when you want to feel sexy?
6) What color gets you the most compliments?
7) What color is your lipstick?
What color was your living room when you were growing up?
9) What color was your bedroom when you were growing up?
10) What color are your sheets?
11) What color was your favorite crayon as a child?
12) What color was your prom dress?
13) What color is your car?
14) What’s your favorite gemstone?
15) What is your favorite flower?
16) What color makes you happiest?
17) What color calms you?
18) What color depresses you?
19) What color can make you grind your teeth?
20) What color would you like to try but are scared to?
