Pantone's 2015 Colour of the Year: Marsala

Earlier this month, Pantone, the global colour authority announced Marsala as its colour of the year for 2015. Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®.

 

"Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness. This hearty, yet stylish tone is universally appealing and translates easily to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors."

Complex and full-bodied without overpowering, Marsala provides a unifying element for interior spaces. Add elegance to any room by incorporating this rich and welcoming hue in accent pieces, accessories and paint. Marsala’s plush characteristics are enhanced when the color is applied to textured surfaces, making it an ideal choice for rugs and upholstered living room furniture. Nurturing and fulfilling, Marsala is a natural fit for the kitchen and dining room – making it ideal for tabletop, small appliances and linens throughout the home. The hue will be especially prominent in striping and floral patterns found in printed placemats, dinnerware, bedding and throws.

I have to be honest, I am not too sure if I'm really into this colour. As I prepare this post, I really struggled to find photos of rooms that I loved. My overall feeling is that while it can be dramatic and rich looking, I really think it looks tired and dated. On the other hand, I saw countless fashion photos that I was completely in love with. How does that happen? I think it's safe to say I would not go all in with Marsala but perhaps I could handle a few décor pieces.

Via

Via

Via

Via

 

Via

Via

Via

And some gorgeous fashions:

 Via

 Via

 

Via

 Via

What do you think? Are you loving this colour trend for 2015?

Prettiest. Closet. Ever.

My closet.  I have a love/hate relationship with it.  When it's neat and organized, I love walking into it.  When it's not so, I just want to avoid it, it becomes so uninspiring.  Well, my closet definitely pales in comparison to fashion blogger, Rachel Parcell's closet and office space.  Designed by Alice Lane Home, this closet is definitely off-the-charts!  A-MA-ZING!!! 

Rachel writes the blog, Pink Peonies, which I have been a fan of for the past couple years.  Rachel's style is feminine and classic, with a little edge.  I think the closet reflects that completely.  Have a look!  I'm sure, you'll be swooning over it too!

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Source

 

Ok, so we all don't have a closet this size.  But here are my tips for spiffing up your closet, whatever size it may be, and turning it into your own inspirational dressing room.

 

#1.  Take everything out of your closet.  And I mean everything!  Sort it into four piles: Keep, Repair, Donate and Toss.   

 

#2.  Take note of what storage and hanging space you have.  A trip to Ikea may be in order to buy shelves, baskets or racks.

 

#3.  Buy some new hangers, toss out those old dry-cleaning wire hangers and opt for a uniform look of wooden (my fave) or velvet hangers.

 

#4.  Glam up your lighting.  That ridiculously boring flush mount light can be easily replaced by a beautiful chandelier or a statement pendant. 

 

#5.  Sort your clothes by type, then by colour, from lightest to darkest.  Instead of trying to find that perfect blouse hidden next to a blazer, you'll know right where to find it!  This will save you so much time when putting together an outfit.  And clearly you can see how beautifully Rachel does it in her closet.

 

#6.  Invest in a full-length mirror!  I am not talking about the ones we all had when we were in university, the $9.99 mirror from Wal-Mart!  No, a beautifully framed mirror so you can see how gorgeous you look in your styled outfit!

 

#8.  Add artwork!  Some fashion inspired art of your favourite style icons will give a whole new look to your space.

 

#7.  Organize and really put some creative thought into how you can display your beautiful jewelry pieces.  Incorporate decorative hooks, stands, fabric covered cork board or small dishes and teacups. 

 

Try one, a few, or all of these tips to turn your closet into your own personal boutique!  Share with me how it goes!  Do you have any of your own tips?  How do you style your closet?

 

If you need help styling or decorating your closet, contact me.  I am currently taking e-clients; contact me for details. 

 

Michelle

XO

 



A Happy Medium

Last weekend I was at a friend's house and we were talking paint colours and she said that she really wished that she had chosen more gray undertones throughout her house.  Meanwhile, all of her furniture, window coverings and accessories are in the brown/beige family.  So, what to do?  So many people are in the same boat, where they want to embrace the gray trend but, don't want to have to get rid of everything they already own.  So, how do you marry the cooler tones of gray with the warmer look of browns and beiges?  Let me introduce you to greige!

Greige...a colour between gray and beige.  Kind of like Brangelina, Kimye...you get the point! haha.

Here are my go to greige paint colours!
 

Edgecomb Gray HC-173 (Benjamin Moore)

Source

Source

 
Grant Beige HC-83 (Benjamin Moore)

 

Source

 


Source



Source

 

 

Manchester Tan HC-81 (Benjamin Moore)

 

 

 

Source

Source

All of these paint colours are great neutrals that work well in a variety of space and lighting conditions.  If you would like help incorporating these new neutrals into your space, email me.






No Doorknobs Allowed!

Last month, a bylaw in the city of Vancouver came into effect, banning the installation of door knobs in new homes.  Say what?  When I first heard this, I thought it was so ridiculous.  Then I researched it a bit more and discovered that the extinction of the doorknob will be replaced with lever handles, a more sensible option for those with limited strength and movement.  I understand that this is ideal for people with accessibility issues but, why should anyone who is perfectly capable of turning a doorknob be forced to install lever handles?  

Apparently, doorknobs have been on their way out for a while now as some manufacturers stopped making them as they knew this trend was coming.  Other municipalities will likely follow suit, as building codes are updated.

What are your thoughts?  Do you think the banishment of doorknobs is excessive and unnecessary?  

Say goodbye to beautiful looking doorways like these.  

In my opinion, this is probably the worst ban ever!  What's next?  They'll probably be telling us what light bulbs we can and cannot use.  Oh right....they already did that!

My new baby: Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant

The fiddle leaf fig tree has to be the hottest house plant right now.  It has been featured in countless design magazines and is a fave of designers Jonathan Adler and Emily Henderson.  It has large, floppy leaves that gives it so much character.  A full sized tree can run upwards of $350!  Something that I am not prepared to spend given my history of having two black thumbs!  Check out these beauties...

 



Pinterest 

I have been on the hunt for a fiddle leaf fig plant that is smaller and a little easier to take care of.  This plant is native to West Africa, likes light but not too much and lots of warmth and can be a little finicky when placed in a new environment.  Great!!!  Cold, dry winters in Ottawa probably not the best climate but I'm willing to give this baby a lot of attention and care.  Yesterday, my search came to an end at IKEA!  And to make it even sweeter, I paid only $7.50!  So, no pressure, if my black thumb conquers all, I’m only out $7.50.  

Now to find the perfect planter!



I'm in the mood for...

A pink room!!  I'm not normally big into decorating with pink but, today I'm bringing you a little mood board just in time for Valentine's Day!  I would describe this living room as pretty, romantic and feminine. 

My must haves for this room:

1. Bold ombre wallpaper

2. Gold

3. Overdyed pink persian rug

4. Statement chandelier

5. 'Nod to fashion' art 

6. Starburst mirror

So what do you think?   If you would like a mood board for your house, contact me.