Mad love for colour combo

Hertex Fabrics had an open day this week - actually to launch some new local and (to die for) import fabrics - but what really caught my eye was their window display. The colour combo of acid yellow and navy is exactly the right mix of classic and contemporary.

Beautiful! And so perfect for adding punch to your interiors, especially during winter. (I'm probably one of the few people who don't go for browns and typical winter colours - I need a pick-me-up!)

Jubilee Pantone Guide

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebration did not go unnoticed by the clever crowd at Pantone.

Not one to ever shy away from colour - Queen Elizabeth has become synonymous with monochromatic outfits - from bright yellow to pink and purple and very shade in between.

Pantone launched the limited edition set just in time for the weekend's celebrations - with each hue of the Queen's ensembles matched to the Pantone colour, and cited with the date and occasion of each memorable colour.

PANTONE 13-0755 Primrose Yellow “The Queen’s royal wedding outfit from 2011 was Primrose Yellow. Yellow is a colour that speaks to the future with hope and optimism. William’s wedding was a time of national celebration and this choice of yellow complements the joyous mood of the occasion. It’s a colour that is high visibility (befitting a queen), while still not detracting from the bride.”

PANTONE 13-4411 Crystal Blue “Blue is a colour staple in the Queen’s wardrobe, it’s a colour that communicates constancy and it is also symbolic of her devotion to the British people. Blues traditionally have calming properties and she is often seen wearing them during difficult times. Blue is also seen as de-stressing so it’s no surprise she was sporting a serene blue to a Royal Garden Party in 2010.

PANTONE 16-2124 Pink Carnation “Queen Elizabeth wore lighter tones of pink more frequently when she was younger, adding softness to her role as Queen and make her seem less austere, for example the PANTONE 16-2124 Pink Carnation she wore to the Chelsea Garden Party in 1967. In recent years however, she has been seen in trendier bright pinks, defying her age and communicating that she is a monarch modern in thought and spirit.”

PANTONE 13-5414 Ice Green “During the Queen’s landmark state visit to Ireland, the first since the country gained independence in the 1920s, she was seen in a cool shade of green. Her colour choice echoed the sentiment of her visit as green is widely seen to symbolise new beginnings, fresh thoughts and rejuvenation.”

Images from here and here and excerpts from here

Hob Knobbing

Just a quick post to brighten up your Monday!

I love this mad collection of different knobs on the dresser - perfect for the person (like me) who can't make up their mind!

Happy Monday everyone! It's a short week, so no excuse not to tackle it head on!


Image via Home May 2012

Guest Post: We love colour

I am so happy to share today's guest post with you. Susi is sharing her best tips for bringing colour into your life this summer.

Arcadian Lighting is a treasure trove of amazing light fittings - to suit all tastes. I am in love with so many pieces on their website - wish they shipped to sweet old SA! But for now, all of you in America need to appreciate what you have in terms of suppliers! :)

So, without any further babbling from me, be inspired by Susi and loads of colour to get you in the mood for summer!

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Hi, I'm Susi, a writer for the Arcadian Lighting, a great resource for lighting inspiration and. I'm very lucky I get to “travel” the world visiting amazing design blogs like Freshly Sharpened Pencils. With summer right around the corner in South Africa, everyone is craving color after a long, cold winter. Here are eight gorgeous pictures of colourful décor from hanging vases and lighting fixtures to textiles and art that we hope will inspire you. Enjoy!

Art is a beautiful way to introduce color into a room. Hang art in groups by similar color for a big impact.

Add color to a sofa, chair, or bed with pretty patterned cushions. Pillows are a favorite accessory to add color because they are so easy to switch out as the seasons change.

For a seasonal dash of color, look to the flowers of the season. Spring daffodils and peonies are beautiful in this bedroom and fit in with the bright yellow blanks and pillows on the bed.

Gloriously colorful indoor or outdoor lanterns could add just a pop or even a riot of color to any room. A few of these lanterns would certainly add a burst of color to a bedroom, or hanging several lanterns in the garden would be a magical touch on a warm evening.

White and other neutrals are great choices for walls and large upholstered furniture as they create the perfect background for big bold colors. Accent pillows and curtains in colorful patterns and solids stand out wonderfully against neutrals.

Color does not have to be the boldest and brightest to have a big impact. Sherbet or pastel colors can pack a punch, especially when grouped in contrasting pairs of colors like on these chairs.

Beautiful colored glass used in clever ways is a great way to add colour to any décor. We saw these hanging vases in Elle Decoration and were smitten.

Of course, in addition to colorful lamps, accessories and textiles, walls are the perfect place to add color to décor. Paint, wall paper or hang colourful fabric to add a zing of colour to the wall.

If these colorful rooms have you inspired, check out Arcadian Lighting's website for even more inspiration, not to mention a brilliant selection of light fixtures to choose from as well!  (Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

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Don't you love the lanterns? And I have to say, even after winter I'm not tired of yellow and grey combo's - looks great!

I always think people are afraid to use colour, that's why we see so many boring beige and cream interiors. Have a little faith, be daring and have fun with colour!

New Lonny Out

I'm so inspired by the latest Lonny mag.

OK, so I'm actually behind the times a bit and it's the September / October edition, but still. Check it out here.

We're heading into summer, but I'm not drawn to the bright colours all over the shops. Instead, pastel greens, pinks and purples are what inspire me right now. I find it so easy working with pastels, as any shades work together and immediately calms me down. Combined with old oak, and loads of white - how can I go wrong?

The weekend is over, and it's a long week ahead. Here's to coming out the other side filled with love and smiles!

Happy thoughts!

It's difficult always thinking *happy thoughts* on a Monday. But I smiled today when I saw this!

It's raining colourful little balls, and who wouldn't collect them all like this lady?

This pic is part of a series - worth looking at!

Via Cecile Mella.

I need something pretty for a Monday....

...so here it is :)

I am dying for a bit of cake today, think I need to slip out of the office and go grab a slice!

This rainbow cake is just amazing! Will definitely have to try it out!

Honeysuckle: Not just a pretty flower

Last year it was Turquoise. This year Pantone has announced the colour for 2011 is Honeysuckle.

"A Colour for all seasons. Courageous. Confident. Vital. A brave new colour, for a brave new world. Let the bold spirit of honeysuckle infuse you, lift you and carry you through the year. It's a colour for everyday, with nothing 'everyday' about it."

I think the important things to remember when it comes to the colour Honeysuckle, is that it's not just pink. Then they would have said so! There's a slightly red, and sometimes even orange, tint to it.

It was so funny coming across the Pantone site yesterday, as I was sitting in the office with a honeysuckle coloured top! It's a sleeveless top with crochet detail on the neckline, and I picked it up for a song not too long ago! Wonder if the store owner knew it would become so popular? ;)

And then, if you want to add just a hint of this amazing colour to your look - go to Clicks and grab a bottle of Essence nail colour. Again I bought this before knowing the colour trends! They have the perfect shade, at only R40 a pop.

And guess what? It works well with last year's colour, Turquoise!

Image 1 and 8: Pantone

Image 2 and 4: Love, Live and Fashion

Image 3: source Unknown

Image 4: Raceytay

Image 6: My Little Jedi

Image 7: Orglamix

Colour coding

Colour coding the books in your shelf is not something to be afraid of. And don't you dare think it's silly! Putting books in order of colour seems completely irrational, especially if you know the Dewey System. But I'm a very visual person, and tend to remember the picture on the cover of the book or the typography on the spine before the author or title jumps to mind. But maybe that's just me.

Plus, it looks great! Especially if your bookshelf is in the lounge or family room of your home, where you see it all the time, you need to spend a little extra time in 'dressing' your bookshelf. Now not everyone has the skill, insight, patience or time to place memorabilia, books, flowers or trinkets in clever configurations to make the bookshelf look good. But as long as you are not colour blind, this is a neat trick that will make your shelves look instantly 'arty'.

I've done it a couple of times, and love it. You won't be disappointed!

Have to share

I love this collection of pretty fabrics displayed in embroidery hoops. Notice the way the fabrics are grouped together by colour and fade from blue to green to yellow to red and pinks? Beautiful!

I remember my mom doing cross stitch and using one of these hoops - I thought it was the best invention ever!

Image via The Purl Bee

Colour me pretty

I love colour charts. I like walking into Builder's Warehouse and staring at the wall of colour charts.

I especially love new colour charts. And Plascon's colour forecast for 2011 is out, and it's made me a very happy person.

Don't know if you remember the Plascon Colour magazine? Well, is had a reincarnation into the new Spaces magazine. This is second issue, and it's filled with inspirational pages, easy decor ideas and loads of colour options.











The 2011 forecast is inspired by Love. Gotta *love* that.

"In this year's palette, the romance of the past, coloured in soft nostalgic pastels, is a grounding element but at the same time we experiment with colours and textures, creating something new and sophisticated. We look to our environment for inspiration, drawing its rich verdant and earthy tones into our homes and lives, but we also embrace the bright colours and dynamic culture of our cities. This is a love of the past and the future, nature and city."

There are 4 pallets, with my favourites being Future Passion and Romance Rekindled (pictured above). Then there is also Vibrant Possibility and Eco-sustenance.

If you are at all thinking of painting, decorating or simply need some inspiration (who doesn't) then you really should spend the 15 ront on this one.

Be inspired people!

x a