Oops, scratch that. . .

It was just a week ago when I got super excited about adding gray into Olivia's big girl room but it wasn't too long after that when I realized. . . its not going to work.  :(  Not right now anyway.

One reason.  This cute little dresser.  

Its not that I love it so much I would hate to paint it, its that I don't love it enough to put the money and effort into painting it, especially in the winter.  And I don't know what color I would paint it even if I did, because I don't want everything turning super matchy matchy by painting it all the same shade, ya know?

Sooooo, here is the updated color scheme. 

I love it!!  The aqua comes from the bedding, lighting, and various accesories.  The brown comes from the dresser.  The linen was inspired by Pantone spring colors 2013.  The linen and berry help to give it that girly touch.  The cream comes from the mobile (we'll call it a chandelier in a big girls room) and from some art work I have yet to reveal.  The tan I just picked because I felt like it still needed something.

What do you think?

All colors are Valspar unless other wise noted. (starting with blue, then going left to right and up)
Aqua bedding (Oilo Bedding)
Sweet Sand
Linen (Pantone 12-1008)
Sand in my Heels
Bonaventure
Berry Much

Pantone Spring 2013 Colors

So you've probably heard by now (if you read as many design blogs as I do!) that Emerald is Pantone's 2013 color of the year.  I think its gorgeous, but I'm not sure if I can incorporate it into the rooms I'll soon be working on.  But I do love some of the other colors they're choosing to be popular.

The linen would look gorgeous in Olivia's big girl room.

The nectarine goes great with the aqua and orange colors I want for the new baby (they're going to have to share a room for a while, but I haven't quite figured out that one yet!!) 

And lemon zest would be so fun to throw into my master bedroom, which will soon go back to being white and gray (when we move into our new apartment in three weeks!!!) 

Which one is your favorite? 

Toddler Room Color Scheme

So awhile ago I posted this about Olivia's new big girl room, and the direction I wanted it to go. I decided to go with the third option of keeping the blue, but adding some pink and other colors.

This color scheme was cropped from this mood board.

Okay, but long story short I started thinking about a toddler bed and what color to paint it and I was inspired by this picture.

VIA

So I'm wondering if I take out the creams and add some gray instead if I'll still like it as much.  And I think I do. . .

Perhaps I should do a more muted version of the pink, more similar to the bedding, to soften it up?  I almost looks too bold/cold with those intense colors and gray.  So here is what I came up with:

Okay, last one, maybe with both pinks?

My eyes have seen too much pink and gray now.  I need some help.  Which is your favorite?  I'll come back and look again tomorrow and maybe I'll do better with fresh eyes!

All paint colors are Valspar
(In order from left to right)
Summer Sky
Wet Pavement
Tea Rose
Berry Much

Mini Master Makeover

When we were first married we lived in an apartment with white walls (surprise, surprise) and I actually liked them in the master bedroom.  I went with a white, black and gray color scheme (never could get my husband on board with that "splash of pink" I had planned).  But when we moved into my in-laws house the beige walls did not jive with our gray art work.  We also had gray sheets, and I didn't want to have to buy all new king size sheets (expensive!) just for a temporary look.

So a quick, easy and less pricy tip for a temporary sheet change is just get new pillow cases.  I finally got around to that today. . . oh you know 10 months later.  And using some borrowed throw pillows from my mother-in-law (she's an addict) I did a little mini makeover on my bed. 

I decided to go with tans and creams and thought that might be a little too boring on its own.  I showed my husband Pantone's fall 2012 and had him pick the color he thought would look best in our room.  Actually I think I made him choose between tangerine and chartreuse.  He chose chartreuse.  I bought some chartreuse pillow cases, but decided not to use them in the end.  I guess the creams and browns aren't too boring on their own!

Source: pantone.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Here's the pillow configuration with the green (this is the only angle that they looked even somewhat decent!) Don't mind the black and white lamp shade.  I'm trying to figure a way to temporarily cover a lamp shade. . . email me if you know a trick.

And here are the pillows with the green pulled out.  The textures of the other pillows really help give interest so a bright color isn't necessary.  

What do you think?  Would you add a bright color in? 

Striped king pillow cases: IKEA
Chartreuse standard pillow cases: IKEA
Knit white standard shams: Pottery Barn
Fringe pillow, suede pillow and knit throw pillows: borrowed from my mother-in-law
Zebra textured white throw pillow: IKEA
White duvet cover: IKEA

The kitchen colors I used to want & what I want now

When I was dating Adam (my husband) I mentioned the colors I wanted my future kitchen to be while bridal gift shopping for Jess.  We were not engaged, not even really talking about marriage, but without skipping a beat he mentioned that he would close his eyes while getting his breakfast in the morning if I decorated my kitchen in those colors.  What was so appalling to him?  Orange and avocado.

I still love these colors together. . . 

Source: designsponge.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

. . . but since then I've learned there is more than love when it comes to picking kitchen colors. . .

Source: kunzdesign.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

. . . like livability and serenity. . .

Source: houzz.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

. . . So while I still love these retro colors (not to mention retro music). . .

Source: pinterestclothing.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

. . . my personal style has changed/mellowed just a little.  (Although, this picture is working hard to make me change back!)

Source: bhg.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Now what I want for my kitchen is very clean and less demanding of attention.

Source: go4kitchen.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Crisp white and blue glass tile.  (Plus I love the stripe detail on the floor of the kitchen)

Source: tobifairley.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Blue bead board as a backsplash.  I love this color, but I think I prefer a tile backsplash. 

Source: houseofturquoise.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

What kitchen colors are your current favorite?  :)

If I have a boy next

So I've been a long time in between posts because I'm pregnant and I get very sick at the beginning of my pregnancies.  But things seem to be looking up for me (despite a little set back yesterday morning when I lost my breakfast) and I've been feeling much better!

So I've been thinking about what to do with the nursery if I have a boy.  The crib set I have for Olivia is pretty high end and its theoretically gender neutral (despite the fact that I chose it because was the most girly design at the time.  Now they have a beautiful pink set that I'm super jealous of!) so I don't want to replace it.  I've really styled Olivia's room to be more on the girly side, even though there is still a ways to go as far as decorating, but I just don't see it as a boy's room (in fact, Olivia and baby will probably have to share a room, so it really should work for both boy and girl)

But inspiration struck from the strangest of places (as it always seems to) and as I was dressing Olivia in a ruffle tank top with some orange shorts I realized how much I loved the orange against the aqua and how lively and boyish it made the aqua feel.  So here are a couple of ways I could incorporate orange into the nursery if this baby turns out to be a boy.

See how cute these colors are together??

Source: zurcherspartysupplies.com via Nic on Pinterest

I could change up my changing table (hahaha!) by maybe spray painting the baskets orange, or making my own throw pillow using orange and aqua fabric.

I would love to find an old lamp base at a garage sale or thrift store and spray paint it orange with this lamp shade.  How cute would that be??

This picture doesn't show the crib ties, but I could easily remove the aqua ties and sew on some orange ones just to tie in the crib set with the new color scheme (my goodness, I'm not even trying for these puns!)

Source: oilostudio.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

And lastly, I really want this super cute plushie from IvieBaby (currently on vacation so I can't order just yet).  She makes it in a range of colors and I would have to get the aqua with an orange bow tie.  Or an orange one with an aqua bow tie?  I just don't know! 

Source: etsy.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

What do you guys think?  Which would be the funnest ways to add a little orange to the nursery?

What To Do With Orange

With all the fall lovin' I'm seeing around blogland, there is a lot of orange going on.  But instead of doing a fall decor post (as I'm in the middle of a move) I decided to continue my color planning series by using orange!! 

Complimentary: I know I showed you some orange and blue in this post, but I've found a couple more that I also love and want to share!

Aren't these colors gorgeous together!!

Source: dana-made-it.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

And I love how light and airy this room feels. 

Source: splendidminta.blogspot.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Analogous: Colors that are next to each other in the color wheel make for a very calm space.  I like how this party decor uses yellows, oranges and pinks in pastel colors for a charming festive feeling.

Source: marthastewart.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Triad: A triad color scheme with orange would include green and purple.  I couldn't find one that I really liked, but when you take the purple out I really love the orange and green together.  To me, orange and green represent everything awesome about the '70s.

(via)

Accented Neutral:  I love how cheerful this orange and cream room is!

Source: None via Kimberly on Pinterest

Monochromatic:  The clean lines and geometric shapes give this all orange space some variety.  Love it!

Source: centsationalgirl.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Mmmm hmmmm.  I'm lovin' me some orange over here.

Other colors in the color planning series:

blue 

yellow

What To Do With Yellow

Is yellow your color?  Do you want to incorporate it with out causing blindness?  Yellow can be bright and cheerful, but it can also be unsettling if used in large amounts.  Here are some rooms/color combinations that use yellow.  Love it.


Direct Complimentary: This color combo uses two colors directly across from each other on the color wheel.  In this case its yellow and purple.  When you have opposites it really highlights the differences between the two colors, so this room really allows the colors to pop. Also, because they're opposites, purple helps balance the irritation that yellow in large amounts can create. 

Source: staceysheppard.wordpress.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Analogous:  This color combo consists of 3-5 colors that are next to each other on the color wheel.  Its like using a section of the rainbow and it is a really smooth color scheme because the colors kind of flow from one to another.  Very peaceful.
This room uses yellow, orange and red:

Source: interior-design-tutor.net via Kimberly on Pinterest

This room uses yellow, green and blue:

Source: besthomedesigns.org via Kimberly on Pinterest

Monochromatic: Using too much yellow can be unsettling.  So you have to be careful with monochromatic, because all that yellow can be overwhelming.  That is why I love this bathroom/shower curtain by Elle Apparel.  It uses a lot of whites, creams and light yellows as well as the more bold and darker yellows.  This keeps the yellow from hurting your eyes and taking over the space.

Source: elleapparel.blogspot.com via Kimberly on Pinterest 

Accented Neutral: This is almost always my favorite color combo.  When you have a neutral space, you can use pops of color to add interest and then if you want a change, you can easily switch out pillows and art in a different accent color and you have a whole new space.  A really hot color trend right now is yellow and gray and I just love the way its used in this room.  

Source: google.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

What do you think about yellow?  Which combo is your favorite?  Happy Monday!!

What To Do With Blue

Here are some ways to incorporate blue into a room:

Direct Complimentary: means using opposite colors on the color wheel. Orange and blue are opposite and they make for a very lively color scheme. In this picture blue is the main color with coral accents, which is key when using complimentary colors. Being opposites they can fight with each other if you use them in equal amounts.

Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Analogous: means three to five colors next to each other on the color wheel. This picture made of blues, blue-green and greens isn't a whole room, but I am so inspired by the colors!

Source: decor8blog.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Triad: uses three colors equally spaced on the color wheel. That usually means you're looking at red, yellow and blue OR orange, purple and green. I love this example of a triad because it doesn't look like a kids bedroom and the red (actually pink) is such a small detail it doesn't scream at you. Once again, the blue takes the show with support from the yellow and blip of pink.

Source: nattybydesign.blogspot.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Monochromatic: means using the tints (added white) and shades (added black) of one color. In this case its blue. I love the way this room was done with navys and sky blues. It helps a lot to have variations in color values to help with the monotony of using one color. Also with monochromatic, you can add variety with texture or pattern, like they did with the couch pillows, the rug and the curtains.

Source: seethespark.org via Kimberly on Pinterest

Accented Neutral: This scheme is probably my favorite color scheme in both interiors and fashion. Neutral colors are easy to live with and the small pop of color gives them just enough interest. The difference between mono and accented neutral is with a monochromatic you use quite a bit of the main color and little, if any, neutrals. With accent neutral its all neutral with just a touch of the accent color. This room is mostly white and browns with a blue back splash and blue chair cushions. So calm and peaceful!!

Source: go4kitchen.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

So lastly here is a picture of my baby stuff, all blue. I can not wait for Baby O to have her own room (right now, she shares a room with our clothes. Some people call it a closet, but whatevs) so I can add some more colors to this.

Source: oilostudio.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

So what would you add to it? Should I go triad with some yellows and pinks, or direct compliment with some fun oranges?