Have you noticed that the color turquoise (and many closely related) is everywhere right now? It has been named the color of 2010 by Pantone’s executive director. It was the obvious choice because it’s soothing and makes people think of being on vacation. Here are a few ways to incorporate it into your home.

PAINT- it is the easiest and most cost effective way to transform any room.  You can even create a great focal wall by just painting it and leaving the rest alone.

Give your home some Spring curb appeal by painting the front door and maybe even the shutters. 

Here are all kind of things.  One or two will give your home an updated look.

Sources:
1. Christina Table Lamp by Bungalow 5 from Clayton Gray Home
2. Blue Beaded Globe from Pieces
3. Vintage French Glass chandelier from Revival Home & Garden
4. Mira sofa from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
5. Vince and Vincent Lamp from Stray Dog Designs
6. Zebra Waste Basket and Tissue Set from Clayton Gray Home
7. Lacquer Umbrella Stand from Jonathan Adler
8. iittala mug from AllModern
9. Turquoise Glass Jars from Grace Home Furnishings

Sources:
1. Lush square pillow by Unison from AllModern.com
2. Turquoise Vases from Jayson Home & Garden
3. Large lucite frame from Dabney Lee at Home
4. Azure pillow from John Robshaw
5. Writing Desk from Russell and McKenna
6. Amanda Blue quilt by Roberta Roller Rabbit
7. Turquoise Pill Carafe from Jonathan Adler
8. Cyan pillow from John Robshaw
9. Ginny Shower Curtain from India Rose
10. Turquoise Moroccan pouf from John Derian
11. Turquoise Art Deco lamp from Target

If you are worried about being too trendy rest assured that this color has been around as long as this door.

Just a few tried and true design tips.  Enjoy!

Each room should have at least one unique piece that has a special meaning to you (even if it doesn’t match the decor of the room).

If the pillows made for your sofa look better on your bed, switch them.

When you can’t find the right coffee table, switch your search to dining tables and cut the legs.

Wallpaper the ceiling – it’s the largest visible surface in the room.

Buying green is great, but working with what you already have is even better.

Setting the table with mis-matched vintage china patterns is more glamorous than a table that looks like a store display.

I keep seeing peacocks...everywhere... they even inspired my Fall color palette for QVC.
Part of being a designer is being out and about and I always carry my camera with me.  It helps me remember certain items, details…
I just downloaded the images and realized many were peacock inspired. So, I hope you enjoy them.  I also pulled a few fun facts too.

Did you know that the peacock became the official national bird of India in 1963 and is protected by law in its native habitat?

In folk art, peacocks are often painted looking backwards at their tails. Because these feathers are renewed each year, this is considered a symbol for renewal.
Cultures around the world often pair parrots, peacocks, and doves as focal points in Tree of Life designs.

Although I feel that peafowl in general are often overlooked and under appreciate, especially in design, you can find them in modern to ancient cultures. 
They have even made to network TV, NBC-the “peacock network”.

Its time to start adding punches of color to your interior. Invite Spring in!

1. Switch out dark pillows with lighter softer colors.

2. Replace heavy window treatments with a lighter linen fabric or natural woven bamboo shade.  It is about using natural, lighter, outdoor materials and getting rid of those heavy fabrics.

3. Rethink your heavy wool rugs and replace with them with seagrass ones.

4. Change out heavy winter bedding with lighter bedding. Linen, gingham, toile and seersucker fabrics evoke the Spring mood in the bedroom.

5. Switch out the heavy lamp shades to lighter, linen shades.

6. Introduce wicker or rattan occasional furniture pieces.  A room with all heavy bulky furniture does not really allow for a room to breathe. 

Here are couple of great Valentines ideas. 

Candy and Flowers
Ever wonder what to do with the candy box after all the chocolate magically disappears?  Just add some floral foam and flowers.

Food and Flowers To Go
Stop by and pick-up some of your favorite take-out, make sure to ask for an empty container.  Grab some flowers and floral foam from the super market.  Place the foam in the extra container and insert the flowers.

Are you wishing that Spring would hurry up and arrive?  If so, here are a few ideas that you can start incorporating in the midst of winter.

1.  Change your bedding.  Places like Mod Decor are carrying bedspreads.  The simple cool design comes from the actual stitching.  So, think solid and stitching.

2.  Update your bedside table.  When selecting a bedside table keep it in proportion with the bed.  If you have a tall bed use a tall table.  If you have a low bed use a low one.  Places like Room Service- LA have unique pieces.

3.  Lighten Up.  Often overlooked, lighting can dramatically change a room.  Having a bedside lamp is functional and allows another place to add texture and color.  This lamp has very clean line and doesn’t distract from the design.  The color ties back to the upholstered headboard and bedding.  So, your eyes go from the bedding, to the headboard, to the lamp to the wall covering.  This lamp came from Circa Lighting.

4.  Cover It Up!  Consider adding a wall covering.  It adds that finishing designer touch. 

While walking through the LA Mart I found some very clever products using recycled materials.  They would make great weekend projects.

Computer Cases, Pens and Picture Frames made from electronic parts.

This is a mirror.  The “spokes” are made from rolled up magazines and news print.

This light is made from cleaning product containers. 

Hello!

I hope you are enjoying the holidays.

I wanted to let you know about an online design event that I am excited to be participating in. It starts next Monday, January 4th!

2010 is the beginning of a new year, a new decade, and new ideas for design solutions.
Over the course of ten days, January 4-8 and January 11-15, ten will bring you design ideas from the experts that will help us stick to New Year’s Resolutions in style.

ten is a collaboration between two popular design bloggers:
• Benjamin Moore’s Sonu Mathew of Living In Color with Sonu and
• Kathy Barlow of HomeWorkshop.com

Each day of ten, you’ll learn from one of 10 top design experts, about a fun New Year’s Resolution that relates to home design, decorating and color.
I will be covering the resolution “Improve Your Relationship” on Thursday, January 7th!
Each day, you’ll even have a chance to win a cool prize, relating to the resolution.

Check out the list of experts and learn more at tendesigndays.com;
tell your friends, and I’ll see you there next week!

Thank you and Happy New Year!!
Kenneth

With New Years fast approaching I wanted to share some ideas on how to prepare for a special event. 

FURNITURE PLACEMENT
Before your guests arrive, walk through the entire party space, taking note of the placement of furniture. There should be at least 18” of clearance for pathways between furniture.
Don’t forget to create conversational groupings, (seating for 2 or 3 in fairly close proximity to one another), to allow for your guests to talk.

CLUTTER PATROL
When you are reviewing your furniture placement, it’s a good opportunity to assess your “clutter.” View your décor as a newcomer would see it.
Does the décor (I’m talking about the smaller items in a room—pillows, pictures, collectibles) project the image that you want? Is there the potential for a party mishap based on the clutter (i.e. a grouping a tabletop pictures that could fall or break with the slightest jostle)?

BEVERAGE CENTER
I suggest setting the beverage center in between the entrance and the main party space.
Stock the beverage center: in addition to the beverages, include glasses, a bucket of ice, tongs, whatever implements you need for your service (corkscrew, bottle opener, can opener, straws), any accompaniments you desire (cherries, lime twists, olives, lemon wedges), and a couple of bar towels to take care of spills.

FOOD CENTER
Set out your food in one larger area, and perhaps scatter bowls of snack foods (chips, nuts, candies) throughout the party space.

TRASH CONTAINERS
Use one can per room, and make sure that the can is lined with a plastic bag. I usually store additional plastic liners in the bottom of each can to eliminate any frantic searches for fresh

JUST IN CASE
Inevitably, every party has some sort of minor disaster. The best defense is a strong offense—in other words, accept that there may be a spill or similar, and prepare for it.

FINISHING TOUCHES
• Make an eye-catching door decoration by tying a length of festive ribbon onto a wreath and hanging a selection of baubles from it.

• Inexpensive cameras placed around in trays are sure to capture some of the evening’s events.

• Candles and tea lights make a room feel festive.

• Everyone has a hard time keeping tabs on his or her drink at a party. Take some card stock, cut into small pieces, punch a hole and place a piece of ribbon through the hole and tie to the glass. Number them or leave blank and let the guests write their names.

Happy New Year!  Thank you for making 2009 so memorable and here’s to 2010.

Five very easy ways to recycle your wrapping paper.

After opening all our presents, we are left with piles of wrapping paper. Each year it takes several garbage bags to clean up the mess and you haven’t done much in the area of recycling.

1. Use a piece of wrapping paper to cover a cork board and hang it on the wall. Now you have a festive board to leave messages and your to-do lists.

2. Cut the paper into small pieces and leave them by the phone. Use the white side of the paper to write down messages.

3. Stuff the crumpled up wrapping paper in shoes, purses, hats.. to keep the form.

4. Use the paper around the base of a bouquet of flowers you are taking to someone special.

5. Measure your drawers or cabinets. Cut the paper to fit and insert.