Benjamin Moore colour of the year

My favourite paint brand is Benjamin Moore and I follow their colour forecasting closely.  As a professional  I need to know what's current in the industry so I can discuss colour  intelligently and also have a sense of where the industry is headed.  Colour forecasting  also affects fabric design, accessories and furniture.  

 . This year Benjamin Moore's colour  of the year is ....

 

   Tobi Farley

This is not a new colour,  but a refocusing from the current collection based on the opinions of groups of designers in the industry. I've always been attracted to greeny blues because they remind me of the ocean on a summer's day.  They are restful and inviting.  If you like a serene environment this is the colour for you.

 Chelsea Textiles

  This chest of drawers is an all time favourite of mine.  It is washed with a colour similar to wythe blue.  Hubby may be building a knock off version for night tables for my bedroom reno. Too many ideas....

Home Decorators

I spied this vanity last year and fell in love with its lines and colour.  Don't you agree that colours similar to whyte blue are excellent choices if you want to paint a piece of furniture? This would also be an excellent colour choice for a bathroom.

 

 This is a daring mix but this orange is certainly a winning combination with wythe blue. Complementary colours are always so invigorating.

 Hawthorne Threads

A similar colour combination to the one above but this time in a fabric. This lively print has so many possibilities.  It would be fantastic stretched over a frame and hung on your wall or made into pillows.  

Color Chats

These would also make good combinations with wythe blue. French press and deep ochre show that wythe blue would look good with wood tones.  Of course gray is always an option for every colour as is white.

 This vignette is a calm as the fabric above is energetic.  It  gives you an idea of how lovely wythe blue would look with soft white or cream....

The Sweet Survival

or  with yellow.

Houzz

Painted cabinets are all the rage now and what better colour to use? While this is darker than wythe blue you get the idea.

 3 Meadow Lake Cottage

If you like a  country look or have a country house, there's no better colour to choose .

I'm getting carried away with the bits and pieces rather than whole rooms.  But that's really my message.  If you don't want to paint a whole room wythe blue you have lots of options to use is as an accent.

houzz

 And here are the colours in  the Earth and Sky palette.  Do you have a favourite combination?

Doesn't this lovely quilt I saw on etsy sum it all up?  Stay tuned for several posts on colour for 2012.

Christmas decorating- mini trees

One of the standard Christmas motifs is the tree. You can use the mini version to decorate in various ways.  Many simple forms can be created from scratch and others can be purchased.   You are limited  only by your ingenuity.

Stylized Trees

Flickr

 Ah, it seems buttons can be used for everything.  I quite like this tree in white.  Use white topped stick pins to attach the buttons to the styrofoam form.

 Trocas de Linhas

  Use a foam tree form covered in Saran Wrap and  wrap yarn or string around it.  Slather with white glue and let dry. Remove the form.  Decorate as you prefer.This is so simple, kids could do it.

A Creative Momma

 These trees are all covered in tissue paper used in various ways.  The tutorial at the above site is excellent.I love how the small rosettes were created.

 Thrifty and Chic

Natural  twine (jute or hemp)  wrapped forms with a red cloth /tray looks very effective.Adding the white berries further enhances everything. 

Craftjuice 

 This is a perfect use for scrapbooking papers. There are so many patterns out there to match any decor.  

 Source

This is a modern twist on an old favourite. You can leave them up all year. They look  good because of the strong black white contrast and patterning.

Trees from nature

 Good Life of Design

Pine cone topiaries can be purchased or created .  They look best when there are two of them used  symmetrically to bank a fireplace or accent table.
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 Martha Stewart

Use flower foam and white carnations to create this interesting centerpiece. I'd skip the tiny ornaments and have a green pot.

 

 Weekday Carnival

Small potted trees offer many options in the home. This woodland inspired decor in white is lovely.

 

3 Meadow Lake Cottage

 My Home Ideas

Rosemary trees and other naturals are popular at Christmas time, but how do you integrate them into your decor in a interesting way?  Consider antique jugs or  pails and arrange on steps or on a mantle.   

There you have it.  Day 5 of Christmas decorating ideas.  I could go on but I'll refrain and save some for next year.

Simple Christmas table decorations

Some homes are so overdecorated for Christmas you don't know what to look at and come away with a jumble of impressions. How much better is it to present a simple display that gets noticed.

Before you go out and buy new objects to decorate look at what you have with a creative eye.  There are so many possibilities.  I hope this collection gives you ideas of your own.

Fresh Flowers

Cream poinsettias in green bottles

I've always loved cream coloured poinsettias.  As you near Christmas they often go on sale and the longer you wait the less you'll pay.  If your deal looks a little bedraggled this is the perfect solution. Cut  the blooms and arrange separately in bottles or clear glass vases. Perfect.

Amaryllis and candles

 Martha Stewart

Keep your display simple and repetitive.  Amaryllis is the flower of choice here but carnations are relatively inexpensive and last forever. 

Tiered Trays

Ornaments and greenery with a tiered cookie stand

 Style at Home

Green ornaments on stacked cake plates

Woman's Day

Consider stacking several cake plates of varying sizes to make an arrangement similar to this one.

Glass Candlestick Holders

Glass candleholders on mirrored tray

BHG

Glass candleholders with silver and gold glitter candles

 Martha Stewart

Create your own glitter candles and display with glass candle holders. Place a few candles in a large box and coat with spray adhesive (sold at crafts stores). Spoon glitter over the candles to coat; let dry overnight.

Fresh Fruit

Oranges with pine and candles on mirror

Divine Distractions

Simple white candles of varying heights, oranges and greenery.

Pears and pink ornaments with candle

BHG

The pink adds that special touch to this display of greenery and pears.

Ornaments 

Colourful ornaments in a glass container

BHG

Layer a vase on a tray of similar shape and fill with ornaments.

Pine and pinecones under glass

Good Life of Design

Fruit in tall vases with candles and greenery

BHG

Tall glass  vases or jars are perfect for displaying ornaments  or fruits as a centerpiece.  Add in some greenery and few candles and presto- stunning centerpiece

Christmas decorating - 12 unique wreaths you can make

Wreaths are part of Christmas and there are thousands of different designs in the market place. These wreaths are not the bought kind.  I selected them because they are quirky, interesting and easily crafted at home with a bit of elbow grease and ingenuity.  Check the links provided for instructions. 

 Shabby Love

 Cut twigs into slices on a band saw and glue on a foam wreath form.   Love it.  If you don't know someone with a band saw, you need to cultivate a new friend! I would skip the bow and just use a burlap loop.

 BHG

Cover a wreath form with satin ribbon and glue on seed pearls. That should keep you busy for awhile.

 Our Unexpected Journey

You can purchase large MDF letters at Michael's  or cut your own.  It is important to seal MDF with primer or Varathane before beginning. Water and MDF are not a good match!. I would paint the form red before attaching the berries with glue.  If you can't find MDF letters, cut one out of foam core that can be purchased at any art supply store.  

 CasaSugar

Feathers are hot this year. The appearance of yours will depend on the kinds of feathers you can find.

Base Decor 

 Love the warn wreaths that seem to be everywhere this Christmas.  It's a great way to use up odd bits of yarn.

Good Housekeeping

I've loved buttons since I was a child.This white-on-white wreath is so cute. Simply wrap a straw wreath with cream-colored muslin fabric and stitch on a multitude of pearly buttons.It you're not in a stitching mood, use hot glue.

Good Housekeeping

 3 D paper stars are beautiful when  massed into a wreath. Directions can be found at link above.

 Living Artfully

 This is a take on ornament wreaths that have been around for awhile.  This one is very effective because of the colour scheme and the variety in ornament sizes.There are detailed instructions on the link above.

 Creative Decor

 I can't resist silver stars on green. This can be purchased but it would be so easy to make.

 Good Housekeeping

This one is for the birds!  Recycle a wooden frame by covering it with nontoxic glue, then sprinkling it with bird seed. Place the wreath outdoors for all your feathered friends.

Good Housekeeping

 First, wrap a straw wreath form with red ribbon, then use a hot-glue gun to attach each piece of candy.I've seen a similar one with striped peppermint candy. Very effective.

And who could resist a wreath made out of old bling?

If you have a favourite unique wreath I'd love to hear about it. 

Christmas decorating: If you like red

The traditional colour of the Christmas season is red. I like the simplicity of using just one colour in repetition to create sleek designs. It's the repetition of shape that gives them that wow factor.

  

 Houzz

How simple can it get?  These snowflake designs are made out of craft sticks glued and spray painted.  They look smashing with this white chair and light coloured walls.  There's always positives  when you choose a neutral colour scheme! This would not look half as interesting on a darker wall. I think I would also have red candles.

 

 

33 Shades of Green

 Clear vases can be filled with all variety of berries covered in water and then float candles on the top.  So simple.  Having at least three of varying heights makes the arrangement interesting.

 BHG

 Here's a variation on the idea above. Add cranberries to the bottom and then water and add an amaryllis.  Invest in two artificial ones and you can re-use each year.  I've gotten mileage out of mine I purchased at Michael's. I'd skip the ribbon, but that is a personal preference; I'm not a gal for visual clutter.

 Trendy Tree

The sleight is the focal point in this display, the reindeer add visual interest and energy, and the trees add strength.  The leaves soften the whole look.  This is so effective against the white.

Trendy Tree

Another take on using red trees,  this time with "sparkle pods" garland giving lots of energy to the strong verticals the trees provide.

 Your Nest Design

You often see large candy canes from plastic or glass, but what do you do with them to make an interesting display?  This is a simple idea easily put together from the dollar store.  The white vase is the necessary part. It has interesting details and height and is the prefect sophisticated element to add oomph to this design.

 House and Home

Here's another table centerpiece built on one colour and repetition.  Two shapes always makes it more interesting- roses and berries. Carnations would be a more cost effective substitute. 

 BHG

Ornaments, the larger the better, provide a striking look when hung from a drapery rod with sheer ribbon.  Alternate satin, shiny and sparkly.