Tuesday, April 17th, 2012
Even though the weather in Minnesota can’t seem to make up it’s mind if it should be a cool Spring or an early Summer, the itch to get outside is hard to resist this time of year.
Since the lilac trees are beginning to bloom (meaning the morel mushrooms will be popping up soon!), I’m going to start planning my summer outdoor decor now and remain optimistic that the warm weather will soon be here to stay.
So what items have caught my eye lately?
First I received this email from Crate and Barrel that heavily features this year’s accent color, Tangerine Tango.
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Of course I’m digging the orange watering can and wishing for some orange cushions to liven up my standard stacking outdoor chairs we got at Target years ago. I also love the rustic style of the Driftwood Birdhouse as a foil for the modern boldness of the orange accents.
We already have 2 Emmet Lounge Chairs in green from Room and Board we got from a friend when he moved to San Francisco last summer. They’ve held up beautifully without any covers this winter, and they’ve been a great punch of color out the windows in the middle of the bleak winter. So how do I tie the orange and green together? Here are my inspiration boards showing the current state of the deck (it really doesn’t look like anything special in this photo) and my goal end results.
First off, what does this deck look like now? Well, the top left picture shows it in action the FIRST WEEKEND after we moved in. Our friend, Tom, was visiting for business so we had no time to wait before playing hosts. So what do you do? Send the guys off to golf, set up the patio furniture, grill a giant platter of veggies (foreground) and some steaks, open that giant bottle of Heineken beer you got as a gift, and enjoy the company of friends.
Now it’s a year later (almost) and our plans for the deck are pretty settled in our minds.
Step 1: Strip the red stain off the deck and flip/repair any damaged boards.
Step 2: Remove the existing railing.
Step 3: Remove the slanting and shallow depth steps to the yard. (They are tricky for kids and in the winter)
Step 4: Install longer, deeper steps in one location.
Step 5: Install new square posts along the perimeter.
Step 6: Stain the deck, posts and steps a warm gray color.
Step 7: Install a cable rail system around the deck for a more open and modern aesthetic.
Ok, you have that visual in mind now? Now here is how I’ll furnish the deck, utilizing the existing wood slat table and chairs (seen above).
First, I’ll use our existing umbrella that looks similar to the example above, though it’s in more of a narrow two tone gray stripe pattern.
Then pull the punch of orange I’m craving together with our green Emmet Lounge Chairs by mixing in throw pillows with large botanical prints in orange and green.
Though I’d love to buy the Layered Side Table in orange, it makes more sense in white when placed between the green chairs. I like that the width of this piece easily allows for both loungers to have a spot for their drink AND snacks.
The gray dining chairs will get a punch of orange with the striped throw pillows that pull together the gray colors of the house, deck and umbrella.
The deck, front entry, and garden will all get accessories of their own in the form of large gray planters, a new doormat (it’s a Fox!), stone lanterns along the paths for mood lighting, and sculptural pieces to tuck in amongst the plantings.
Finally, a deep orange watering can will inspire me to help with the gardening duties, which is key since my husband is planting a huge vegetable garden for the first time this year. I can’t wait for all that kale, tomatoes, cucumbers and fresh herbs to take over my kitchen!
Since the Fox doormat is sold out, I’ll be recreating this with the plain coir doormat I already have, a stencil and some paint. Easy peasy!
I can’t wait to get started on all these great projects (after I finish the nursery I’m working on now, of course.)
Photo credits:
Ad from Crate & Barrel
Photo of my deck taken by me
Inspiration images from Houzz: Mark English Architects and Becker Architects Limited
Furnishings:
1. Umbrella
4. Clinton Friedman Coral Tree Pillow Cover
5. Layered Side Table in White
6. Clinton Friedman Leaf Study Pillow Cover
11. Sunbrella Valencia Stripe Pillow
12. Stone Garden Mushroom and Bunny
13. Fox Doormat (no longer available)
Tags: cable railing, color palette, Crate & Barrel, deck, gray, orange, patio, pillows, planters, Room and Board, table, VivaTerra, West Elm
Posted in Design & Home Living Tips, Inspiration Boards | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, February 14th, 2012
Out and about last week running errands at the Galleria in Edina my eyes kept being drawn to the window displays. It seems retailers are embracing the color of the year, Tangerine Tango.
First up, Epitome Papers. Their bright display featuring tangerine, peacock turquoise and crisp white stationery and accessories on a white Parsons table caught my eye and brought a smile to my face. I’m shameless in moments like this and don’t worry what people think when I’m taking a photo with my phone. Inspiration is everywhere after all!
Down the hall at BCBG Max Azria orange and hot pink dresses and separates demand your attention against a bright backdrop. (Notice how they used blue for the backdrop, the complementary color to orange on the color wheel?) I don’t really have any need for an orange bustier top and skin tight skirt with 4″ high heels, but I can still applaud the fearless application of color.
Just down the hall, Crate & Barrel has embraced the trend in multiple home categories. First, see the obvious tie in between an orange juicer and juice glasses with oranges above. I don’t squeeze fresh juice except for homemade lemon bars, but that juicer in the perfect shade of orange almost convinced me I needed one.
Meanwhile, upstairs in the home furnishings section they went all out with an orange and chocolate brown bedroom display. Most people would be afraid to buy a chair in orange, but I think it’s a great way to add impact to a space. Go neutral with your sofa, but why not add a punch of color beyond the throw pillows?
If the chair is too much, start with a lamp like the one above. It will help carry the color palette around the room. Or for the commitment phobic, bedding is a great solution. I tend to want a new duvet cover every 2-3 years to add to the mix, especially since my cats LIVE on our bed, thus shortening the lifespan of every duvet. So selecting a neutral chocolate brown bed and swapping out colorful bedding periodically you can embrace a trend but move on easily when you get tired of the look.
Finally, across from BCBG, Oh Baby! shows how neutral foundation pieces, like the rocker and crib in soft gray, can be brought to life with bold accents. Check out that kelly green bedding in the crib, love it! And of course you know the orange Moroccan pouf in the center is what drew me in. They have lots of other color options, see them all here.
Does this take away some of the fear of how to incorporate Tangerine Tango into your life? Maybe it’s a bright new scarf to brighten your face in your favorite black on black outfit. Just do what makes you smile. And if you hate orange (mom, I’m thinking of you), then be true to yourself and ignore the trend all together. The key is to have fun and embrace what you love and make sure you reflect that in what you wear and how you fill your home.
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
All photos by Fox Interiors
Tags: BCBG, bedroom, chair, Crate & Barrel, Epitome Papers, Galleria, juicer, lamp, Oh Baby!, orange, pouf, stationery, turquoise
Posted in Color Pulse, Spotted | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, September 27th, 2011
I love the emails I get from Crate & Barrel every few weeks that showcase pieces from their collection to highlight a current trend. Here are a few that have stood out recently.
Chunky weaves are definitely a trend lately. When I look at those chunky knit pillows, rustic wood table and woven rattan vase I am reminded of Maine. Why? Picture hanging out in an old village in Maine on a cool, windy fall day in a Irish fisherman’s sweater surrounded by fishermen’s baskets and old wooden boats and industrial buildings with faded painted exteriors and iron signs with sea spray patinas. Now do you see it?
The bronze tones in the accessories feel just right for the fall, especially with the perforated leaf design. I like how the pillow unites the different tones in the furniture and accessories. These are the inexpensive touches that can update and refresh a room.
Now compare that to this colorful and modern compilation of light fixtures from CB2, Crate & Barrel’s younger and hipper sister company. (I think of it as the company for the younger sister who’s just starting out and needs to furnish her loft apartment in the warehouse district, while Crate & Barrel suits her big sister in her late 20s-early 30s who is more settled down in her condo and wants to spend a bit more on pieces that she’ll hold on to longer. Not that their collections don’t work for people of all ages!) With all those punches of colors can you guess when this was sent out?
If you guessed Spring, you would be right! I got this image in an email this past March and I’ve kept it in my archives and still remembered it all these months later. In the Spring we’re all itching for bright splashes of color to pull us out of the winter grays. Like daffodils and crocuses popping out of the brown lawn, these yellow and red lights would pop in your home against a neutral palette. Or add them as a surprise element in a room has no other red or yellow elements (though you would want to add at least one or two other accessories in that color somewhere in the room to make it work).
Do retail ads and catalogs that pull their color palette from the latest season inspire you to make a purchase?
Tags: accessories, CB2, chunky, Crate & Barrel, fall, interior design, lighting, rustic wood, spring
Posted in Color Pulse, Industry Updates | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 18th, 2011
Summer has begun in Minneapolis at last and it’s pretty hard to convince myself to work inside all day long with the sunshine calling to me like a siren. You know what makes it even harder? When I get emails with pictures like this:
Seriously Crate & Barrel, did you create a personalized ad for me based on a researcher’s discovery of my love of lemonade, macarons and glass beverage dispensers?? Dang it, now I want to bake some lemon macarons, whip up some infused summer drinks and invite some friends over to hang out on my patio. I only have one beverage dispenser though… what’s a girl to do?? Oh, I guess they answered that question by offering a link to their website in the email.
So if you need any of the above supplies in order to throw a cheerful kick-off to summer party, check out Crate & Barrel.
Photo source: Crate & Barrel, of course.
Tags: Crate & Barrel, glass beverage dispenser, party, summer
Posted in Inspiration Boards | No Comments »
Friday, March 25th, 2011
One color trend I’ve been noticing lately: Yellow. Sometimes it heads towards buttery yellow. Sometimes it has a hint of green undertone that takes it slightly towards citrine.
Here are a few examples from the retail sources West Elm, Crate & Barrel and Dwell Studio.
The trend of bright punchy colors is definitely in for spring/summer. Gray, white and navy will always be strong partners for yellow.
And you know what I couldn’t resist when I saw the West Elm summer preview? (Hint: Check out those vintage style orange kitchen containers in the upper left corner. PERFECT accessory for pulling the orange accents in the adjacent living room into the kitchen to tie the two rooms together!)
Think spring thoughts this weekend and maybe we can wish the snow away and get those spring flowers to pop up at last!
Photo credits: Images on left side from West Elm Summer 2011 Preview. Composite on upper right side from Crate & Barrel. 3 pillows at lower right side from Dwell Studio.
Tags: accessories, color, Crate & Barrel, Dwell Studio, interior design, orange, trend, West Elm, yellow
Posted in Color Pulse | No Comments »
Colleen Fox Slack | email: colleen@colleenfoxinteriors.com | phone: 612.868.0348
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