Why so blue?

Living room by Peter Dunham

I really like the color blue (even more so now that my two-year-old nephew goes around declaring that "bwoo" is his favorite color). It really is suitable in a range of interiors, but its soothing effects are universal.

When paired with a neutral color scheme, it creates an atmosphere of cool and quiet....


Bedroom in home of Katie Couric by Eric Hughes



Dining room by Dan Carithers

But, when paired with gold accents, it is the epitome of sophistication.


Living room by Lisa Sternfeld



Living room by Robert Couturier

Whether streamlined traditional....

Design by Angele Parlange

..... Or fresh and funky (love that Frances Elkins chair!)....

Bedroom by Sara Tuttle

... Glammed up with Hollywood-regency style....

Vignette by Robert Couturier

.... Or punctuated with drama-inducing colors like black and red....

Seating area by Robert Passal

This leopard actually can change its spots!

Have a happy Thursday, everyone!

You are my sunshine

Unknown design

 Well, it is a gray and dreary day here in Alabama and I am needing a little pick-me-up. So, I thought good spaces to feature today are those that are lit from within, doused in sunny yellows.

Entry by Katie Ridder

I like the idea of leaving the cold, dark, and damp outside, and retreating into cozy, cheerful interiors like these. The yellow wallpaper that Ridder uses above is done in a warm tone, making for an inviting entrance.

Robert Passal uses a pale, buttery yellow to lighten up this large bedroom. I like how he contrasts such a bright hue with plush velvets in darker tones.

Jay Jeffers uses a hefty dose of lemony shades in the living room above and, again, in the second floor landing below.

I absolutely love this swing! It was one of my dream items to have in a house when I was a kid! (Along with a spiral staircase and a walk-in closet with a huge tufted ottoman and chandelier. I dreamed big!)

Dining room by Kelly Wearstler



Yellow is certainly a go-to color for coastal interiors, such as this living room in a Palm Beach condo by Aman & Carson. It keeps things light and cheery, and reminds you to smile cause you're at the beach!



Dining room by Leslie Klotz

With yellow, a little goes a long way, as Klotz illustrates in the dining room above in a lovely Hamptons beach house.

Stephen Shubel takes a more reserved approach with his use of this sunny shade as well, featuring it only in the drapery fabric surrounding the crisp white bed. (Don't you just love that stack of books as a nightstand? It makes the room feel so casual and lived-in.)

Our last photo of the day comes to us courtesy of the talented design duo John Dransfield and Geoffrey Ross from their fabulous Somerset County, New Jersey home.

I love everything about this house, featured in the July/August 2010 edition of Elle Decor, and this room is no exception. I love the black leather sofas, the driftwood table, the collection of sketches surrounding the mirror. Purely great design!

Hope you're having a sunny day wherever you are!

How's it hanging: Part I

Did I mention that I love art? Well, do I ever! As you will see in this two-part series, I cannot get enough of layer upon layer of portraits, paintings, prints, and other picturesque paraphernalia! (Apparently, I can't get enough alliteration either!)

Jay Jeffers knows the way to layer color, art, and furniture styles, as you can see in the photos of this dining room above. I love how this room is a twist on traditional with a combination of oil portraits, mid-century mod dining table and side chairs, sculptural hands centerpiece and glass chandelier, and the fresh, graphic look of the armchairs and console.

Study by Robert Passal

Stairway by Steven Gambrel

Some keep the groupings on a strict theme, perhaps using the same style of art. Passal features nude sketches in the study above, whereas Gambrel displays a collection of painted portraits that lead you up the staircase.

Some prefer to unify their collection with similar frame colors or styles. Tori Mellott, the former decorating editor at the late Domino magazine, created this fabulous display above her sofa using dramatic black frames to unite the pictures and contrast them against the neutral Farrow & Ball wallpaper.

Philip Gorrivan uses the same technique, framing a variety of paintings and prints in shimmering gold. The effect is more subtle, reflecting continuity, and also adds a bit of polish to the black-and-white banquette and the neutral finishes on the tables and chairs.

Personally, I love to mix up the styles and colors of artwork, mats, and frames. As Joe Nye put it best, I love a room that is "heavily layered with lots of pretty clutter!"

I love the mix of colors and textures in this living room by Ashley Whittaker. Those cozy green walls, woven side tables, flashy red concert poster, and flame stitch and zebra-print chair cushions combine perfectly to create a comfortable and thoughtfully personal space.

Unknown from Domino

I will leave you today with a photo of a stairwell by John Loecke Inc. I think this design well illustrates the medley of artwork that I find so attractive, and figuratively leads us into the next post where we will delve even more into the art of hanging.... art!

Here's to a - in the words of my sister - glorious week! :)

Rouge

Design by Miles Redd

Bold and fiery, red can make a room come to life, create coziness, or inspire passion. It is not a go-to color for me (at least not in wall color), but, through these pictures, I can begin to see the draw of this sanguine hue.

Todd Alexander Romano keeps it classic in this cozy room. I like the traditional hunting scene on the wall, the deer hide rug, and that gorgeous chinoiserie fabric on the armchair. I believe it is Le Lac by Brunschwig & Fils, which is a favorite of mine - as well as design star Joe Nye, so much so that it is featured on the cover of his book, Flair.

Nye used a coral-tinted red in the beach house above to add some fun and playfulness, he explained. It is an unexpected color for the beach, but I agree that the room has a much more festive feel than if he had used a neutral or cool blue palette.

Thomas Britt channels a graphic, funky vibe in this living room by contrasting the rouge tones of the damask wallcovering with black and white furnishings and overscale artwork.

Robert Passal ups the intensity in this room with deep scarlet walls. He plays with an exotic theme here, using a zebra-print rug, pale leather headboard, and buddha lamps.

Chiqui and Nena Woolworth create a fun, fresh look using a combination of red walls and cheerful patterns. Again, we see that mixture of pink and red that is so unexpected and modern.

This bedroom, by Domicile Interiors, is my favorite version of a red room. I like how the red is more orange-toned and the intensity is lessened by the crisp white bedding and headboard, serene wallpaper panels hung as art, and the lively side tables. I think this room illustrates a perfect mixture of heat (from the red walls), tranquillity (that a bedroom needs), and curiosity (that comes from engaging accessories - like the super fun, blue foo dogs on the bench).

Although I probably won't be painting my walls crimson any time soon, I can't deny the allure of red. I use it in pillows, accessories, table linens, and artwork. It can create a buzz, a hum of energy, that you can weave into just about any interior.