Think Pink! for Spring 2012

What if Pantone's 2012 color of the year (Tangerine Tango)  is not your color?

No worries, Think Pink for Spring!   Everything from fabrics to paint is coming up in rosy hues that are not for the faint of heart.  Here are a few examples to encourage you to unleash your inner pink.  What does the color pink bring to mind?  Bubble gum, popsicles, or ballet slippers?  Quite a difference in all those pinks, but for 2012...the hotter the pink, the better.

Basic beginner pink is a mixture of red and white...but that combination alone would not create a very interesting or complex color.  Add a bit of blue to cool it off, or a touch of orange to warm it up to a salmon, or violet to lean it toward magenta...but go for the complex versions to use the full power of the color in home decor.

Check out the beautiful bright hues of the renovated Saguro Hotel in Palm Springs.  They didn't stop at tangerine or hot pink...each of the balconies showcases one of the spectrum colors in sequence...red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet...and mixtures of the shades in between.  This bold display of brights is probably too much for your home (unless you live in the desert), so take a big step and do a room in one of the bright primary colors, or take a safe step and invest in some new toss pillows for your stately beige sofa...either way, you'll be in step with this season's trends.

Read the complete story at the Dunn Edwards paint site:
http://www.specsspaces.com/Article/TheSaguaroHotelsColorfullyModernistRetreats.aspx 

House Beautiful dedicated their entire March 2012 issue to "the Power of Pink".  

To start it off with a bang, why not paint a tiny space in a bold color...like your entry?  In this HB issue, they have a beautiful example from Jonathan Berger who chose Razzle Dazzle by Benjamin Moore.  The bold color is scary on its own...but add it to a very traditional space as he did, with very traditional furnishing and decorative items, and it suddenly looks just perfect.  And remember...it's only a $40 can of paint, so if you do it and in 6 months you are tired of it...just paint over it!

http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/colors/how-to-decorating-with-pink-0211#slide-1

Want a more sophisticated twist on the pink?  Pair a softer pink with black or charcoal mixed with hints of white and you have a room ready for a party.

For a contemporary feel, mix hot pink and grey and the results can be dramatic as shown in this bathroom.

http://www.housemaintain.com/search/room+color+ideas+modern+red/page/3/

If you are using pink on the walls and crisp white trim, to get a global "I've collected all these things on my world travels" look, mix up the color palette and styles.  

Check out everything that is happening in this room.  A giant herringbone gold fabric on the cushy corner chair is dressed with a floral pillow.  A little mother of pearl inlay table that could be from Morocco separates it from an elegant pink velvet chair, then the sofa is covered in a happy turquoise and white print and topped with a mix of pillows that most people would be afraid to seat together at a dinner party.  The finishing touch is the collection of unframed art hung on the wall to the left.  There is nothing "matchy matchy" in this room and all the elements together create the upscale simple elegance that makes the room both exciting and comfortable.  The wall color is Pink Begonia from Benjamin Moore #2078-50.  The designer is Windsor Smith.

 

Above: JoAnn Locktov's California Dining Room

This is pretty bold and dramatic due to the acid yellow and black striped columns mixed with the hot pink wall...but you can see that "the rules" are breakable for a dramatic impact. How boring would this room be with the back wall in white?  The pink draws you in and sets a whimsical mood. 

Most of us make our guest rooms do double duty.  Here is a perfect example from the Martha Stewart website.  The warmth of the pink combined with a soft grey trim color, grey velvet bench and lacquered coffee table make this a great reading room or an inviting guest room.  Note again the mix of styles from the rustic beam to the shiny footed table to the simple contemporary lamp and finished with a mix of yellow textured throw pillows. http://www.marthastewart.com/274845/pink-rooms/@center/276997/decorating-color#/187877

So...how about mixing Tangerine and Pink...what do you get?  Something like this mix that sends it toward salmon...particularly with that rust accent above the picture rail trim before the crown molding at the ceiling.  This furniture and accessory mix is another great example of an eclectic concoction of style, texture, formality and informality.  The chairs are interesting vintage (love the black), the bowl of cherries adds whimsy to the antique mirrored chest..and what about those formal black-matte prints above the textural wall art. The symmetry keeps this entry leaning toward the formal, but those unexpected touches make it inviting and approachable. 

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/color/article/0,1000138,HGTV_42792_5493119_05,00.html

Whatever your flavor of pink passion...sneak in a bit to freshen up your home this spring!    

Tangerine Tango Color of Year 2012

Pantone has announced it...this year's color of the year is Tangerine Tango. Hooray...let's dance, or decorate...

Tangerine tango and variations on it are already popping up everywhere in home decor, clothing and household items, so jump on the band wagon and feel the warmth of the fresh new color. To see the perfect rendition of the color, go to http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/category.aspx?ca=88.

It’s pretty easy when someone says the word tangerine to think about orange colored food…pumpkins, oranges, carrots, or tangerines. Shades of orange can be exciting and invigorating or warm and cozy. Your eye perceives orange as a very hot color, so use it in decorating to give the sensation of heat or warmth. If you are decorating a cool North-facing room and need to warm it up…bring on the tangerine, orange, and all flavors around them!

I've always been a fan of shades of orange and red in decorating and have used it in many projects as well as my own home. Here are a few ideas of how to incorporate this juicy 2012 color into your life.

How about an invigorating start to the day in this luscious bathroom fit for a Tango? The combination of the limestone tile, black lacquer vanity and custom red glass sinks make a sensational start and end to the day.

Turn up the excitement in a teenager’s room with tangerine or orange tempered with white. This teen’s room has basketball colored walls, the team jersey as art, and a floor that encourages dribbling! Orange in nature is vibrant and enticing and fresh and exuberant…so use it in interiors in its most intense value when you want to create those feelings in a room, as in this teenager’s room in the colors of the North Carolina Bobcats! Orange increases oxygen supply to the brain, produces an invigorating effect, and stimulates mental activity. It is highly accepted among young people. The color used here is Benjamin Moore Fiesta Orange #084

http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/fiestaorange

Can't take an entire room of tangerine....how about a happy accent rug and linens to Tango on? This teen's room is too nice not to keep neat and clean!

This is a wow in any book and incorporates the compliment to tangerine...turquoise. This room performs double duty. When not in use for pool, a removable top converts the pool table into a dining table. That cool fireplace is wrapped in stainless steel pebble tiles to complete the contemporary look. Stainless pebble tiles are from www.Solistone.com

This cozy den has virtually no natural light, so don't fight what you cannot change...embrace it!We painted the ceiling a diamond-pattern semi-gloss and flat black punctuated with recessed cans. The walls are alternating horizontal stripes of flat and semi-gloss dark orange. This Benjamin Moore color is called Fire Dance (2171-20). http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/firedance

So...is this all too warm...too hot for you? Consider these images that invoke relaxation but are steeped in shades or tangerine...orange...hmmm!

The softer combinations of orange and turquoise bring to mind the sunset I see from my office and my kitchen deck in the evenings that begin in August and continue through October…the colors beginning with intensity and then slowly melting together as only Mother Nature can do!

The saffron robes of this monk in Laos with the backdrop of a pale blue building make you want to just sit in a quiet place and contemplate...and they said orange is invigorating...? Sometimes not...

Window Treatments 101- Fabric Roman Shades

There is now a plethora of choices for window coverings from simple to extravagant, and from budget to budget-busting! To decide which treatment is right for your room, your budget and your style, start by reviewing your options. This is the sixth in a series of posts where we will discuss many of the options, give you the pros and cons and sample pricing for a 36" wide by 48" long shade. Your shades should be custom fit to your windows for the best results.

Here are a few of the twenty Fabric Roman Shades Styles:

Casual Unstructured Roman is a classic style with soft billowing swags created by the lifting mechanism which results in small wings. This is a less-structured silhouette for a casual room. The width of the shade determines the number of swags.

Flat Roman with Top-Down Bottom-Up

A Flat roman is the most popular, and most economical shade as it uses the least amount of fabric. When lowered, this shade is a flat display of your chosen fabric. This is used when you want to showcase the beautiful and intricate design of a fabric without adding any fussy details. This shade folds up into a neat row of folds when raised, but may require some "dressing" to create a tight stack at the top.

Soft Unstructured Roman

This relaxed style creates a gentle swag along the bottom of the shade when up or down. This style works well when showcasing the pattern of a fabric, and is pretty when using a sheer fabric.

Flat Roman on a Door Frame

Installing roman shades on french doors is a beautiful solution when you have a room with doors and windows if you want to use the same treatment everywhere. The best styles are ones that require a limited amount of fabric, thereby creating a tighter "stack" of fabric when the shade is raised.

Balloon Shade

The Balloon shade has a formal, classical appearance. This shade has deep inverted pleats along the upper edge, falling into tailored poufs along the bottom creating the "balloons". Soft fabrics work best as heavier fabrics will require "dressing" each time the shade is raised, and due to the amount of fabric required to make the balloon, it can get quite heavy.

Features/Benefits:

· Standard Cord Lock operation, or top down/bottom up and cordless operation upgrades

· Can be lined with sheer fabric, privacy fabric, thermal fabric, or blackout fabric

· Some UV protection (approx 75% - depends on tightness of weave and lined or not)

· Huge amount of fabric choices

· Multiple fold styles to choose from

· Can add edge banding and bottom trims to coordinate room decor

· Wide range of prices based on style-usually related to amount of fabric required to make the shade

Drawbacks:

· Some fabrics expensive

· Some fabrics are heavy due to density of material

· Must outside mount (above window or window frame) in some cases

Typical Price (36"w x 48"l) in Fabric Code "C" for

Flat Roman, Relaxed Roman or Soft Roman:

Basic Price including labor and privacy lining: $180 - $288

Window Treatments 101- Woven Grass Shades

Today there is a plethora of choices for window coverings from simple to extravagant, and from budget to budget-busting! To decide which treatment is right for your room, your budget and your style, start by reviewing your options. This is the fifth in a series of posts where we will discuss many of the options, give you the pros and cons and sample pricing for a 36" wide by 48" long shade. Your shades should be custom fit to your windows for the best results.

Woven Grass or mixed Paper and Jute Shades

These shades made from a mixture of grasses or a blend of paper and jute are an aesthetic collection of natural fibers. While there is variation in the color, grain and texture these qualities add to the natural beauty of these shades. Due to the nature of the fabrics, these shades are lightweight and are suitable to be made in either roller or roman shade styles. An added benefit of some of the fabrics is that they let in light while protecting from glare and at night they provide privacy. Lining is also available as either an attached fabric to the shade, or a secondary detached shade that can operate independently from the face shade.

Roller Shades with Fabric Covered Valance

Roman Shade in Waterfall style with "Duo fold" which is a separate back shade of lining fabric

Roman Shade with Top-D0wn Bottom-Up function

Waterfall Style

For this style, the fabric hangs flat from the front of the headrail when lowered and folds neatly when raised. It has a 4" back valance to conceal the hardware.

Flat Fold Style

The Flat Fold style includes a valance on the front of the shade under which the folds of fabrics stack when the shade is raised.

Features/Benefits:

· Standard Cord Lock operation, or top down/bottom up

and cordless

· Can be lined

· Some UV protection (approx 75% - depends on tightness

of weave and lined or not)

· Two fold styles to choose from - Roller available

· Can add edge banding to coordinate room decor

· Wide range of prices

Drawbacks:

· Must outside mount (above window or window frame) in some cases to accommodate roller mechanism

· Limit to width of 72"

Typical Price (36"w x 48"l):

Basic Price for unlined Roller or Roman Style: $116 - $139

Window Treatments 101- Woven Wood Shades

There is now a plethora of choices for window coverings from simple to extravagant, and from budget to budget-busting! To decide which treatment is right for your room, your budget and your style, start by reviewing your options. This is the fourth in a series of posts where we will discuss many of the options, give you the pros and cons and sample pricing for a 36" wide by 48" long shade. Your shades should be custom fit to your windows for the best results.

Woven Wood Roman Shade Examples:

Waterfall Style The waterfall style is the cleanest and simplest of all as the fabric hangs flat from the front of the headrail when lowered and folds neatly when raised. No muss...and for sure no fuss!

Woven Wood with Fabric Edge Banding If you are concerned with the longevity of the edges of the shade in an area where it will be continuously used, consider adding decorative edge banding to protect the open edges of the sides of the shade. Optionally you can also continue the banding along the bottom of the shade for a continuous look.

Woven Wood on French Doors An interesting look to add a more casual feel to this somewhat formal setting. The natural wood fibers bring the outside in, and reduce the formality provided by the architectural elements in this room.

Top Down/Bottom Up option n This feature allows you to lower the shade to let in the view, but maintain a level of interior privacy.

Features/Benefits:

· Standard Cord Lock operation, or top down/bottom up and cordless

· Can be lined

· Some UV protection (approx 75% - depends on tightness of weave and lined or not)

· Huge amount of fabric choices

· Multiple fold styles to choose from

· Can add edge banding to coordinate room decor

· Wide range of prices

Drawbacks:

· Some fabrics expensive

· Some fabrics are heavy due to density of material

· Must outside mount (above window or window frame) in some cases

Typical Price 36"wide x 48"long:

Grade 1-6 Fabric with standard cord locking rise mechanism: $175 - $400

Window Treatments 101-Sheer Shading

Among the many choices for window coverings from simple to extravagant, and from budget to budget-busting a great replacement for the now "old-fashioned" metal mini-blind is the new sheer shades. They offer a variety of useful functions and work well in many decorating styles. This is the third in a series of posts where we will discuss many of the options, give you the pros and cons and sample pricing for a 36" wide by 48" long shade. Your shades should be custom fit to your windows for the best results.

Sheer Shade Installed on a French Door

This example shows that there is sheer fabric on the front and back of the shade and the vanes inside these two pieces of fabric open and close to let in light or create privacy and sun protection.

A wide expanse of sheer shades over this wall of windows allows the view to come through but reduces glare.

Sheer Shades paired with Curtains complete a more traditional look.

Features/Benefits:

· Multiple types of operation including top down/bottom up and cordless

· Light Filtering or Room Darkening fabric choices available in sheer, linen, and brushed

· White on outside (street-facing)

· Good UV protection (99%)

• 2˝ and 3˝ vane widths
• fabrics are
• multiple operating systems including continuous cord loop operation
• motorization
• color coordinated headrail

Drawbacks:

· Can be expensive

· Limited color/texture choices

· Must outside mount (above window or window frame) in SOME cases where there is not enough depth inside the frame

Typical Price (36"w x 48"l):

• Sheer with 2" vanes $363
• Room Darkening with 2" vanes $395

Window Treatments 101- Solar Shades

Among the many choices for window coverings in today's market, the Solar Shade now reigns King...or Queen, if you prefer! They are simple, eco-friendly, energy-efficient, easy to maintain, and have a long and care-free life! Plus, there are solutions at all price ranges. To decide which treatment is right for your room, your budget and your style, start by reviewing your options. This is the second in a series of posts where we will discuss many of the options, give you the pros and cons and sample pricing for a 36" wide by 48" long shade. Your shades should be custom fit to your windows for the best results.

What makes these shades "solar shades"?

The fabrics used in making these shades were designed to reduce solar heat gain, preserve interior surfaces and materials, improve the quality of home and work environments and protect natural resources by conserving energy. Most of the fabrics have GREENGUARD certification. The most popular styles are woven from vinyl-coated polyester yarns or from vinyl-coated polyester blends with acrylic or olefin yarns. The collection of the newest styles is nature-inspired and woven with diverse texture and rich colors that maintain the qualities desired; unmatched durability, minimal maintenance and excellent outside visibility.

Styles

Roman Shade

If you like the look of the folding roman shade, these glare and UV busters are available in that style as shown here. A series of horizontal lines created by the stitching that helps with the folds as they raise is not a good choice if you want to maximize your view.

Roller Shade

The simplicity of this roller style is enhanced by the subtle texture of the fabric shown here. There are over 100 fabrics to choose from with a range of colors and neutral textured fabrics. A valance to cover the roller is optional.

Panels on Tracks For some large walls of windows or doors, a panel track with long sheets of the fabric is the best solution. The only drawback here is there must be room at the side of the windows or next to the wall for the panels to stack up pushed to the side and not covering the windows or doors.

Features/Benefits:
• See your view while reducing glare and protecting from UV rays
• Standard Rollease Roller operation, cordless operation upgrade
• Can do a Bottom-Up only shade on pulley or track system
• Cordless option available
• Specially-woven fabrics provide up to 97% UV protection and reduce glare
• Select from three openness levels (3%, 5% and 10%) for the amount of light blocking you need.
• Huge amount of fabric choices
• Fabric resists dust, easy to clean
• Special Eco-friendly fabric PVC-free and 100% recyclable
• Can do very wide and very long windows with heavy duty controls and rollers

Drawbacks:

• Limited night time privacy
• Factory deductions for cord operation hardware will allow light to "leak" around inside mounted shades of 1/8-1/4"

Typical Price 36"wide x 48"long:

Mid-range fabric with a Bead/Reel cord mechanism $136

Add Fabric-Covered or Curved Cassette Fascia +60-76

Motorization - battery operation +450

Window Treatments 101 - Honeycomb Shades

There is now a plethora of choices for window coverings from simple to extravagant, and from budget to budget-busting! To decide which treatment is right for your room, your budget and your style, start by reviewing your options. This is the first in a series of posts where we will discuss many of the options, give you the pros and cons and sample pricing for a 36" wide by 48" long shade. Your shades should be custom fit to your windows for the best results.

Honeycomb shades

Arch Top Single Shades

Fancy shaped windows present "issues" for window coverings. These honeycomb shades keep out the glare but don't interfere with the architectural shape and beauty of the window. Customization is required to get a perfect fit.

Top Down/Bottom Shades on French Door

Want to peak out at the view without seeing who is walking down the sidewalk? The top down/bottom up feature is a solution. Lower the shade to expose just enough of the view while maintaining your privacy.

Top Down/Bottom Up Inside Mount Shades

Note that these shades are perfectly fitted inside the window frame so that the beauty of the wood trim in this room remains in full view. This is a great example of the top down on one side of the room, and the bottom up on the other side of the room.

Features/Benefits:

• Slim profile that can be inside-mounted to most window
• Fabrics include semi sheer, translucent, and blackout choices
• single and double cell construction
• cell sizes: 3/8˝, 1/2˝, 9/16˝ and 3/4˝
• solid colors and prints
• multiple operating systems including top down/bottom up and cordless
• vertically mounted
• motorization
• Can do unusual shapes
• White on outside (street-facing)
• Good UV protection (99%)

Drawbacks:

• Limited Daylight when closed
• Obscures view when closed
• Can be expensive
• Limited range of color/texture choices

Single Cell Shade

Twin Cell Shade