Color Story: Shades of Blue and Green

I've been falling in love with blue. But no ordinary blue, shades of blue. Turquoise and periwinkle. I've also been falling in love with green. But no ordinary green. Emerald, aqua and chartreuse. Here is some inspiration for your Monday morning. If you are feeling stressed, just think about beautiful shades of blue and green.

 

Love this sitting area. Chairs look beautiful with the wall color. Love the lamp too! Turquoise and aqua are colors that work very well in mid century modern decor.  Image source unknown.  Please contact me if you know the designer of this gorgeous room.

A sideboard gets a new life painted emerald green. Also love the cohesive display of green pottery. An object displayed in repetition like this gains prominence, and also maintains a simple look. Image via ciao! newport beach. For more ideas on creative display, see my pinterest board here.

How fabulous is this turquoise kitchen?  This may be my dream kitchen. Love the pop of chartreuse. Image BarlisWedlick Architects via Desire to Inspire.

I showed this picture before in a previous post about blue lamps.  Love the lamp and sofa. I want a turquoise sofa!

I need this over sized turquoise Buddha head for my balcony. Image Jessie Miller via HGTV.

Call it mint green or aqua, but this color makes a very tranquil room. I love that the trimmings are also painted the same color, and the fireplace bricks are painted white. Image via covet garden.

No one mixes color and pattern better than Tricia Guild. Touches of orange look great with blue. Wouldn't this furniture look fab in the room above?

How fab is this bohemian abode?  I dig the wood floor painted turquoise. When I build a tiny home, painted wood floors are on the agenda! Image via Moon to Moon (if you love Bohemian style, you will love this blog)..

Modern takes on mid century modern are my favorite. Periwinkle sofa and green chair look fab together and are unified by similar patterns.  Also dig that rug. Scandinavia collection at Heal's.

Periwinkle has long been one of my favorite colors. I love this chair paired with the large orange painting. BTW - that painting is done on a mirror. How cool is that? Image via The Apartment.  If you are a color lover like I am, you never get enough of periwinkle either. Check out this amazing pinterest board curated by Carole Kancar.  It's devoted to periwinkle and is a slice of heaven.

Royal blue chairs are a bit traditional for my taste, but that painting and chandelier help the room look modern. You know what I always say about art - go big! This gorgeous painting proves, once again, that blue and orange look great together. Image via Ashley Darryl.

One of my favorite rooms of all times. This is what I call perfectly layered. Love the blue sofa, with orange pillow. Love the pottery on the coffee table. Love the lamps and paintings. Love the mix of old and new, love the rugs and the gray wall. This is the home of none other than Patrizia Moroso, Creative Director of Moroso. The home is designed by one of my favorite designers - Patricia Urquiola.

Spring Cleaning

Hello dear readers!  How are you doing on this beautiful day?  I know it's a crime to be inside on a gorgeous day like today, but I've been a little under the weather and in deep hibernation mode.  I've needed a little time to unplug.  Don't you feel that way sometimes? I may take the summer off completely....not sure. I am daydreaming a lot.  Such a joy. My thoughts are of Buddhism, nature, tiny houses and, of course, pottery. I am also thinking of taking a trip to Portland.

My humble little apartment is finally starting to feel like a home....just as I am thinking of moving, lol! I am grateful for the energy I feel today (and for my perfect cup of Colombian coffee).  A lot has changed in my place over the Winter.  This apartment has spoken to me and is taking on its own character.  I'm kind of surprised to see an almost island resort paradise emerging.  There is, of course, lots of retro and Asian influences. There's also some Moroccan, Bohemian and romantic influences.  I am still having my feverish, passionate love affair with color - but you might be surprised not to see as much pink as you have seen in the past.  Not a divorce, merely a respite. I still dearly love pink.

The next few posts may seem a little random, but I'm going to show you what's been going on in my beloved space. I am so grateful for this space, I thank God everyday. Personal space is very important to me.  Virginia Woolfe was so right when she said women need a room of their own.

Here's some new stuff in my place. As you know, old stuff goes out before anything new comes in. I like the feeling of recycling. If I want a new vase, I either sell, gift or donate an old one. I do worry that I have too much stuff, especially since I am thinking of building a tiny house. The apartment is feeling complete, and that makes bringing anything new in so much less tempting.  Although humans do make such beautiful things, don't they?

I bought a couple of plants!  Aren't they sweet?  I've been so scared to buy plants, I kill everything and it breaks my heart. The difference is now we have this lovely tool called YouTube and you can learn anything there!  I tried to pick up a couple of easy care plants, but lately I have my eye on an orchid and a bonsai...oh dear.

What made me finally take the plunge on a couple of of plants is Eva's beautiful and serene attic apartment.

Inspiration

Eva's Sense of Clarity via Apartment Therapy.  I adore the way she has used plants as an integral part of her environment. She helped me to realize that plants - like any living thing - are a commitment. And though, I admire her level of commitment, I don't want that big of a commitment.  So - I am committing myself to two little plants and we'll see how it goes. I am a nature lover, but I think sometimes I prefer to see nature in its proper environment.  Oh well, that's a post for another day.  I have been wanting more organic touches in my home.

This vintage amoeba-shaped dish fit the bill nicely.  And only 99 cents at the Goodwill.  Score!

I'm in love with my new deceptively simple painting.

I'm still loving this monotone blue room from House Beautiful's March 2010 edition  So tranquil, and loving the various textures (see previous post here).  But I'm also still dreaming of the Prada-inspired jewel tones of my favorite Domino cover.

I know I've shown you this cover many times, but I just can't get it out of my mind.  Love that royal blue sofa.  Love the global influences.

Here's another new accessory.  Cute yellow glass vase.  I am hooked on the genie shape.  I can't decide whether I want to go with a hot pink....

or turquoise sofa cover.  I am really digging turquoise.  I think I might really be a homebody, and I love making something out of nothing.  Of course, I am listening to music while cleaning.  Today I'm digging me some Drake.

Started from the Bottom.  Warning:  Explicit language.  Also, here's a hint:  skip from about :57 to 2:17 - major snooze.  Not sure why they interupted the flow like that.  But the rest is dope.

Take care. This one is the dreamy, tender side of Drake.

New Work, Vol I: Collages, Sculpture, Deconstruction and Vignettes

Dear readers, I am excited to reveal some of my recent work.  As you know, it's made mainly from recycled and 100% post-consumer waste.  Poster board and frames were obtained at Dollar General for a steal!  There is plenty of upcycling going on as well.  Detritus found on my daily walks also appears in some of these works.

Still lamenting that a guidance counselor talked me out of becoming a graphic designer.  This was years ago, before the internet took off (hard to believe I actually lived in that time, and actually got things done.  boggles the mind).  This grouping made using shipping containers, brown paper bag, jewelry box, sharpie markers.  I love the colors and the graphic punch.  Since I can't paint the walls in my apartment, I'm adding bold color in my art and accessories.  If I could paint, I'd do a gray accent wall!  Gray is my new favorite color.

The work over the sink is also new and is part of my lamp design series.  I've made a couple of prototypes and am now in negotiation with a manufacturer.  I loved this vignette, but as you know, I'm not much of a grouping girl.  I prefer art to stand alone without competition with too many items.

I've been wanting more organic touches in my apartment, so have been assembling sculptures from my rock collection.  This is a sculpture of a snail.  I love it!  All rocks, and the dried vine, were found during a walk to the Tow Path with my brother. Care to see my brother at the MetroPark?  Click here.

I decided the little snail need his own environment.  That gob of blue stuff came from the inside of an FTD vase, that I made the mistake of washing.  It hardened and is pretty interesting.  I collected some little twigs and painted them silver.  I've been wanting to paint branches forever.  Now I'm addicted.    Also  used the silver paint on paper that was part of packaging.

I wanted to give the little snail his own environment, which included a moon.  I found this huge earring in a parking lot.  Painted it silver too.  Had the silver dish in a cupboard.  I like this, but still not completely happy.  Maybe I need a little piece of AstroTurf to simulate grass?

I played with this wrapping paper.  Still feel like the snail needs a moon on his world.  Wasn't happy with it either.  Would make a cute rug or painting, though, wouldn't it?

I played around with cotton, to simulate snow, and decided to cover the snail and trees with a cake dome. Don't want them to get dusty.  I put them on a candle holder I had.  Love the color.  Used one of the collages above for the moon.  Hey, the moon and the ground match in color.  Awesome.  Turquoise moon and orange atmosphere.  Why not?  It's another planet after all.

It's really difficult to photograph the glass dome, but you get the idea.  I have the sculpture in my kitchen. Considering whether I should light it with fake tea lights.  You can get them really cheap at the dollar store.

I got really excited about the color teal.  So I didn't stop there.  Now that the sculpture is done, it's time to move things around in my apartment.  As you know, new art always influences my vignettes in my apartment. I adore deconstructing cheap lamps and turning them into vases (see previous posts here and here).  I've been wanting a Buddha statute, but am a believer in using what you have.  My copy of Feric's book does the trick nicely.  How cool is that bio-mechanoid Buddha in the lotus position?  Too cool.

I'm crazy about this teal color.  The lamp was already broken, so I didn't mind taking its guts out.  Also, it only cost me $1.50 at the Goodwill.  Here's a tip, however.  If you buy glass that has been spray painted inside (as opposed to cased glass).  Don't wash the inside.  The color is painted on and will fall right off, like a balloon.

I am in love with this teal color.  Don't you just love the colors for fall#  It seems I fall in love with color more and more. Bright, neon colors are all the rage here in the 'hood.  Also cobalt blue, gray, teal, turquoise, mint green and - of course - pink!

All images by Peggy

Feeling Blue, Part II

There are so many shades of blue.  Baby blue, royal blue, slate blue, periwinkle, aqua, turquoise.  Here's some more blue inspiration.  No primary colors here.

Turquoise lamp and ottoman look fab with yellow table.  I need that lamp.  And that painting.  Image via HGTV.

Cool baby blue looks fab in an industrial chic environment and with pops of red.  Guilherme Torres via Desire to Inspire.

Candice Olsen's rooms always look a over the top for my taste.  But....  I must admit this color scheme of pale blue, royal blue and burgundy is delicious.

One of my new favorite color schemes.  Blue and gray.  Architects for Life.

I'm a sucker for pale blue in a modern environment.  That chair is too fab!  Sorry, I don't remember where I got this image, if you know please let me know.

Periwinkle is another of my favorite shades of blue.  This room is incredibly luxurious and restful looking in this shade.  No one does monochrome better than - one of my favorite designers - Benjamin Noriega Ortiz. 

In his own home, Benjamin lives with fabulous colors.  I've showed you his gorgeous pink bedroom (see previous post here).  The walls of his living room and dining room are painted the most beautiful of blues - Tiffany box blue.  This color is obsessing me.  I wish I could paint my walls this color!  Image via Knstrct.

Sneak Peak

Hello dear readers!  Hope you are having a great weekend.  As you know, I've been obsessing about blue lately.  I've been adding some blue to my apartment.  Here's a sneak peak with my new sofa cover.  It's actually a turquoise color, but it looks kind of green in the picture.

The vase that I painted blue.  Stay tuned for more blue!  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!  xo

Lamp Obsession

As you know, I'd like to have an over sized lamp for the Parsons end table in my living area.  I must have had too much time on my hands today.  Okay, truthfully I was procrastinating.  Here are some lamps I found on the internet that would look great in my place.  I thought I'd experiment with both the white sofa cover and the hot pink one.

Hot pink lamp.This fab pink lamp is actually from a Barbie house (see previous post here).

 This lamp was formerly available at West Elm.  Love the tall shade.

I mentioned this gorgeous lamp in a post below.  It is available from Etsy user Retroenvy.  For purposes of this mock up, I added the West Elm shade to the lamp.  The lamp is available without a shade for a fairly reasonable price, but as you know, shades can get really expensive!  And hard to find in this area.

A large yellow lamp might be cool.  This lamp is available from Etsy user vintagelovesandmore, but at $650 is only a pipe dream.  I'd be better off with the yellow Perch lamp from West Elm.  It's reasonably priced, but it's too small.  I want something big!  I'm on a mission.  I will be investigating flea markets, garage sales and the Goodwill.  I know I will find something I like, but I may have to spray paint it.

Which is your favorite lamp, dear readers?  I think I like the one in pics 5 and 6 best.  Such a sensual shape.

My Apartment for Today

I have a confession to make.  I feel like shopping.  But I have no money to spend.  Oh, what to do?  I know - I'll rearrange a few things in my apartment.  Truthfully, I don't need anything new - except a new lamp...and an ottoman.... I know it's an obsession.  My apartment's small and humble, but I love it.  I love living simply.  I want my place to flirt with minimalism.  I also want it to be clean and modern and girly with an edge.  Oh yeah, and cozy and Bohemian.  Quite a tall order for a modest place.  Moving a few things around always helps with the desire to shop.  I have plenty of pretty things.

I've been craving blue and turquoise.  I love the hot pink sofa cover, but decided to see what would happen if I lightened up things a bit with the white cover.  I wish I could paint the walls bright white.  Right now they are kind of beige.

This is the counter separating the living room and open kitchen.  The canvas is actually in process.  I am currently working on an experiment in color and texture.  I love gray and turquoise together.

Of course, I had to change the art in the hallway and rearrange the pottery.  I have several projects in mind and can't wait to get started.  Look at this super sexy lamp I saw at Etsy!  I think it would look great in my living room.  

I think this lamp would look fab with a tall lamp shade.   Lamp available at retroenvy.

Here's another idea I really love.  I adore this tension shelving!  Such a great idea for a small space.  In a small place it's important to go vertical with display.  I'm not allowed to make permanent changes to my apartment.  But I think I could use something like this on the counter separating my kitchen and living area.  I could display pottery there, and it would still appear open.  I love it.  This design is by Kris Swift, who is one of the designers who will be competing in the new season of Design Star on HGTV.  The new season will be starting May 29.  I can't wait!

New Stuff

My mom and I went shopping yesterday.  She bought me this gray furry pillow from Target as a housewarming gift.

I'm kind of obsessed with it.  I adore the color scheme of gray, hot pink and turquoise.  I'm planning to put a lot more blue and turquoise in my home.  My next slip cover will probably be turquoise.

We went to the Goodwill.  I got these two cute little bottles.  Only 50 cents each.  In keeping with my rule about something must leave to make room for something new, I donated a vintage Avon bottle.  The shape and color of these little bottles please me.  They reflect the changing sunlight in my place beautifully.

Here's a picture of how my living room looks today.  Not perfect, but I love it.  I have a large ottoman that I am refurbishing, I will use that as a coffee table.  Also, I would like an over sized vintage ceramic lamp to put where the moon lamp is currently, so I will be keeping an eye out at flea markets and garage sales.  I wish I could paint my walls bright white.  Oh well, better to focus on the positives.  I love how clean and modern my new place is, and I love living simply.  Living simply doesn't mean it can't be pretty!