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Pop Mod Color

Ever wonder how designers make a room flow while mixing and matching patterns and colors? I have been asked so many times how I can be so brave with colors and not be so “matchy” with patterns. Our spring cover exhibits this idea exactly. I mixed pops of color and multiple patterns while still maintaining a fluid design with cohesiveness. How did I do it? Well it really isn’t hard with just a few tips from the trade to follow.

Pop Mod Color 2011

Pop Mod Color 2011

 

First, you have to realize that mixing and matching is a good thing. “Designer” rooms feel like they have evolved piece by piece and are not just a matching set of something from a local “big box store”. Maintain this mind set as you add each piece to your space.

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Second, let’s talk about pattern. Mixing patterns is easy. I have one simple tip to follow. Mix patterns of different scales. For example our fabulous Amy Butler Vibrant Damask Rug designed by famous designer Amy Butler has an extra large pattern with several colors. I pulled the green and chocolate from the rug and choose another pattern for our super cute Button Back Egg Wing Chair. The paisley print on the chair is a smaller scale than the rug with complimenting colors to make the patterns cohesive. The two patterns together are much more interesting than a solid and a pattern would be, making the scene fun and exciting.

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Third, mixing colors is always fun. My tip, you can create any color combo as long as there is at least one element in the space that features all the colors together. You can mix red and yellow, purple and blue, green and pink, etc… as long as you have a piece of art, a pattern, an accessory that has all the colors you wish to feature. Again I was inspired by our Amy Butler Vibrant Damask Rug. Who wouldn’t fall in love with this exciting pattern with popping colors? The cool tones of the apple green, turquoise blue, and sunny yellow in the rug float beautifully on a sea of soft white. The white background makes the colors “pop”, which brings me to my second tip about mixing color. Choose a neutral to consistently break up your color combo, giving your eye something to rest on along the way. I choose white accents like our Flowering Stalk Floor Lamp in gloss white, our Oval Ring Drum Shade Pendant in white, and our glossy white Laquer White Greek Key 2 Drawer Dresser. These bright white accents give your eye a rest as it flows from the bright rug to the patterned chair, and then finally to the bright turquoise wall with our exclusive Beautiful Mansard Mirror designed to complement our entire spring collection featured on pg. 2 and 3 of our Pop Mod Color catalog.

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Follow these very simple tips and you too can create a “Designer” space all your own. Mix any color, mix different patterns and have fun with your space. My hope is that our Pop Mod Color catalog inspires you to be fearless in your designs and embrace color for spring 2011!

Pop Mod Color

Pop Mod Color

Until next time,
Katrina

Behind the Scenes: Our Rustic Revival Catalog

Author: Katrina

Does the word “rustic” make you think of deer antlers and bear motifs?? Well, as much as I truly feel that those things find their place in a lodge home, rustic décor has evolved into so much more than “theme”. Apply named, our latest cover “Rustic Revival” demonstrates the newest level of sophistication that “rustic décor” has reached. The key elements to the evolution of this new look are rich textures, repurposed materials and warm hues. Rustic is no longer for just the mountain retreat you visit for your winter vacation. It finds its place in lodge homes, city lofts and place in between. An added industrial edge has taken rustic in a new direction where creative minds break all the traditional rules and repurpose items to fit their needs. This is where my story begins.

Rustic Revival 2011

Rustic Revival 2011

This covers story begins with a trip to one of my favorite antique shops. I love to walk the aisles hunting for inspiration and treasures. I found the most interesting set of wooden beads, probably an old necklace, strung on rope. The hand-carved texture drew me to them as well as the soft gray hue. I thought, “Perhaps these were a handmade gift from a father to his daughter. What a fun story!” I had a moment of true inspiration and the result was our latest exclusive chandelier.

ch10094gyBeaded Basket Chandelier

A traditional basket chandelier, usually comprised of crystal strands, was recreated in rustic style with “my wooden beads”. The texture of the grayed wood bead looks hand-carved just like the original and the rope strand adds a unique and unexpected detail. I wanted the beads to glow with warmth so I designed the chandelier with lights on the inside as well the outside. I was so pleased with the results and find that this chandelier would be perfect for rustic as well as city dwellings.

I took my inspired chandelier and created our cover room setting around its warm texture. I chose a cool blue wall color to contrast all the warm textures in the space. I wanted to carry the “repurposed” theme throughout the room so I thought of using one of our many wooden pallets we have lying around as a headboard. I also had our design team create an entire wall using reclaimed wood from our pallets for the back cover setting (click here to read that story). The headboard brought to life the industrial element I desired for the space as well as the rustic texture.

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Round Cowhide Mirror

I added our Round Cowhide Mirror above the headboard along with two iron horse shoes for that “whimsical” element and again more layers of texture. Burlap fabrics in complementing neutrals continue to warm the space wrapping it in soft texture.

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Distressed Leather Steamer Trunk Side Table

As the room came together, I felt the need to ground the space. I chose our Distressed Leather Steamer Trunk Side Table to continue the thread of deep bronze flowing through the space which started with the chandelier. The warm leather texture of the side table strapped with wood and nail-head trim again added even more interesting texture to the space.

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Dhurrie Ticking Stripe Rug

Finally, I pulled it all together with the hues in our durable Dhurrie Ticking Stripe Rug. It combined the wall color with the warm tan burlap hue from the bedding and curtains. It grounds the space with color without making the room seem heavy. Its flat woven texture gives the room its casual appeal. The result was a room I felt I could truly snuggle up in to relax with my favorite book. Don’t we all want a space like that?

My hope is that you can use our “rustic revival” products to create that new rustic look in your space. Just remember my three simple elements to creating this look: repurposed, textured, and warm hues.

Until next time.

After the Transformation Part II

How lucky to be coming out of a major structural renovation on our house to have such a great choice of products for our house from our cover shoots for Summer 2010.
For the Family Fun/Media Room see After the Transformation Part I

beforenew

As you can see our bath off of the  main room was screaming for a “makeover” and our design team rallied!

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Started the project choosing Reclaimed Pickled Wood Side Board and worked the room around this charming piece.

Teamed up with husband Dave to choose the sink with hardware & the lighting fixture; sure he wanted bronze & I wanted nickel but aside from that ( and you see who won….) must say pretty smooth sailing as these things go!

mirror1Recycled Wood Mirror

Found the green filigree wallpaper & had to have it; really complimented the new cabinet & I love the feeling it gives the room.

afternew

The mirror was the last piece. Since with the 7.5 foot ceilings, space was limited! See our collection of smaller mirrors on the web for tight spots!