Color Forecast 2014

I recently attended a seminar put on by Sherwin Williams about trends in paint color for 2014. They have a slew of color experts that are surveyed to predict what types of colors will be trending in the upcoming year.

The palette gravitated towards four distinct groups of colors according to SW.

Not too surprising the theme that gray is the new black was prevalent and cool neutrals that mimic the colors of shadows were forefront.

Some of my favorite from this group are an old standby, Agreeable Gray...

SW 7029 Agreeable Gray

and Peppercorn ...

SW 7674 Peppercorn

Totally opposite of the cool neutrals trending in the coming year is a group of colors that are bold and considered to evoke "cultural traditions". I can see using these strong colors as accents. My favorites are...

Ablaze

SW 6870 Ablaze

 

Georgian Bay

SW 6509 Georgia Bay

and Houseplant

SW 6727 Houseplant

The third group of colors highlighted were light and soft colors that were feminine and simple. My top choices here are ...

Steamed Milk

SW 7554 Steamed Milk

and Malted Milk

SW 6057 Malted Milk

I have 3 more picks that fall into their "fantasy" category!

Quixotic Plum

SW 6265 Quixotic Plum

Library Pewter

SW 0038 Library Pewter

And loving this gorgeous rich color!

Blue Peacock

SW 0064 Blue Peacock

 It would be bold on a front entry like this picture found on Pinterest.

www.pinterest.com

 Speaking of Pinterest, there is a board with all the of the 2014 choices just click here.

Cheers!

Summer is the time of year when schedules are off, things slow down, and we have more visitors than usual. Nothing makes me happier than family or friends visiting! The bar in our home is a focal point and I keep it stocked so no need to run out before company except to add fresh fruit or flowers.



www.kkongdesigns.com

 

This is a picture of our bar taken by Christina Wedge during a recent photo shoot of our home. The over sized mirror was actually a DIY project comprised of beveled mirror squares that I purchased at Home Depot. Using silicone, I attached the mirrors to the wall and then used 4" primed casing stock, also from HD, to attach the frame. To give the frame an aged wood look I used one of the crackling paint kits from Michael's. Together they make a large impact but at a fraction of the cost for a mirror of this size. I like using the mirror as a backdrop and layer items over it to add interest and depth. Right now I have the feather wreath, which softens the lines of the sideboard and mirror, but I change it out depending on my mood or the season. I leave the most colorful bottles out on display along with black and white striped straws and fresh fruit to add a pop of color.

Here are a few of my favorite images of pretty bars and bar carts.

www.blog.hgtv.com
 



honestlyyum.com


 

Pinterest



www.countryliving.com
 

 

Pinterest
 

www.housebeautiful.com
 



www.housebeautiful.com
 

I love how each bar is so unique utilizing such varied furniture options indicative to the space's particular style from a potting bench to an antique library and even a casual wicker basket.

 

Cheers to always being ready to greet a friend with stylish hospitality! 

Charleston

On a recent visit to a client in Charleston, SC, I spent a little time exploring this unique town full of amazing architecture and southern charm.

I happened upon this quaint church which I thought was a beautiful example of low country architecture. It feels casual but with wonderful attention to detail.

Here you can see the wood plank walls, typical of this region. The contrast of the wood stained door and copper gutters against the wood adds a wonderful richness to the building.

I love the windows and shutters on this elevation. I also look forward to seeing the patina that the copper shed roof will take on over time.

And settled in amongst trees. The symmetry of the chapel adds to the charm.

After my quiet visit to this church I ventured in town to visit Celadon on a recommendation from a friend. Thanks Colleen Gresh for the good advice! Such an adorable store with gorgeous finds and displays. It's a treat to just walk through. Here they are on Pinterest.

I took more than a few images from this store...

 

 

I was in the market for a new desk, so these caught my eye.

Some fun "found" objects.

The children's area was adorable and had lots of fantastic items for gifts.

 

I loved the merchandising of this area - such an interesting way to display faux foliage!

 

Great little accent chair.

I have been seeing a lot of studded accents in fashion lately (hoping Santa might bring me a Chloe Marcie Studded Satchel for xmas this year) - just some examples of how that look translates into furniture.

This lamp looks very beachy to me - nice to find pieces that have the essence of a theme without being too literal.

 

If you live in the area or have the good fortune to vacation nearby - definitely worth the trip!

Inspired by ... Christina Wedge

" You don't take a photograph. You make it." - Ansel Adams

Recently in searching for an interior photographer I was guided to contact Christina Wedge by several industry experts namely Brian Patrick Flynn of HGTV fame during a seminar at ADAC. Brian emphasized the importance of the need for gorgeous images in the design industry and especially images that you as a designer own.

 

christinawedgephotography
 

 

So with the goal of growing my portfolio I contacted Christina to photograph my personal home last fall. Christina was such a joy to work with, with her laid back although perfectionist style. She has an incredible eye and provides amazing input for each photo down to the tiny details. I cannot remember how many times we changed the coffee table vignette! Adding a book, a sculpture, flowers, a tray, and then painstakingly adjusting the height and angles of each object. The perfect photo was about taking away elements more than adding and this process is time consuming requiring infinite patience and a passion for art.

 

Her talent comes through the lens and translates into images that tell a story. Preparation for a photo shoot is key and my team spent hours shopping, arranging, steaming, ironing, etc. until we thought everything was perfect. And then Christina showed up and she pointed out so many things that we hadn't exactly perfected! She even taught us tricks to keep the pillow starched and straight. (Hint it doesn't include starch but packing tape!).

 

I feel so blessed to have met Christina and had her photograph several of my projects.

 

And her images have led to incredible opportunities that would not have presented themselves with my amateur photography. This week Better Homes & Gardens is coming to view one of my projects for an upcoming issue!

 

Christina shared some of what inspires her with us today. Thank you Christina for your unique perspective and inspiration on the design industry.


1. What is your most prized possession, what you can’t live without? My camera, family, friends, Hershey my chocolate lab and my red cowboy boots. 

2. What is your last purchase? A Cannondale slice race bike for my first Ironman this year.

3. What is the easiest way to update a space? Paint.

4. What would you say is the color of the moment? Well, for me it will always be orange.

5. If you could shadow any designer for a day who would it be? I would love to shadow the late Verner Panton. He was born in Denmark and made his name as a visionary designer.

wikipedia.org
 

6. Favorite restaurant… Atlanta: Optimist. Berlin: Frieda Kahlo restaurant.

7. What store/ catalog could you spend hours browsing in? Anthropologie.

8. What is your favorite way to spend a lazy Sunday? Lake or beach and Morellis ice cream.

9. Marilyn, Audrey, or Jackie? Jackie.

www.jacquelinekennedyonassis.tumblr.com
 

10. What’s the most inspiring thing you’ve seen lately? Memphis and the Stax Museum last month.

Here is a link to view Christina's portfolio.

 

 

Sourcing at Scott's

Sourcing at Scott's Antique Market is one of my favorite "duties" as an interior designer. Scotts, the world's largest monthly antique show, is a destination for the majority of design professionals and enthusiasts and not only those in the Atlanta area. People drive from all over to scour through the vast buildings that house this immense treasure hunt. And a hunt it is... such a surprise what you will discover each time.

My last trip provided a few incredible finds that I thought I would share...

I loved the grey wash of the wood against the yellow velvet of this gorgeous daybed.

I am a huge fan of hides and I really liked the use of the almost white hide for the chair seats and backs. The wood on these chairs also has a sculptural quality that would look really interesting in a room.

I found two of these corbels and thought they would be a cool detail for a custom range hood or to incorporate into a custom vanity.

This trunk seat is an intriguing concept and could be cool in a boys bedroom. I'd like to see the seat in a rich velvet though!

 

So versatile, I love the detail on these white vases and dishes. You can never have enough beautiful white bowls! Great to display in a hutch.

 

 

 

Another treasure I spotted were these black storage boxes with wonderful patina. I never have enough hidden storage for all my son Tanner's super heroes!

 

 

 

The only items I purchased on this trip were these blocks from a printing press. I am a sucker for cool wood objects and I loved that contrast of metallic paint and wood. Each one has a unique patina. They are interesting on their own, but I think they would be really powerful framed as a group.