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HGTV’s Color of the Month Blings It On – March 2012

by H. Camille Smith March 2, 2012 31 Comments

Our color team’s goal each month is to introduce you to a hue that’s on the rise but may not be pinging your design radar — yet. For March, we selected a color to inspire both the traditionalists and modernists among you (and everyone in between!). This hip hue brightens indoor and outdoor spaces equally well while providing a dramatic counterpoint to spring’s traditional colors.

This color is sexy, bold and, depending on what it’s paired with, can read either feminine or masculine.

Wanna know what it is?

The Fall 2012 Color Spectrum

by Jeanine Hays February 27, 2012 9 Comments

Pantone, the international authority on color trends, recently announced the color spectrum that you’ll see in both fashion and home decor in Fall 2012. With a mix of neon hues, dark moody shades, and soft neutrals, the color spectrum for this Fall will have a little bit of something for everyone. I always look to the Fall color reports to see what shades we need to incorporate into the AphroChic collection for the upcoming season, and fell in love with a few shades on this list that are sure to bring both bright and warm colors home, even as the weather becomes a little bit cooler.

Shades of Pink Flambe, French Roast, Honey Gold, Rhapsody, and Tangerine Tango all stand out to me as must-have colors for Fall 2012. They can be mixed and matched, or used alone to create a colorful impact no matter what the season. These are the types of comforting hues that you will love living with all year long.

via Design Sponge

I am a huge fan of hot pink, and am so glad to see the color back in action again in the form of Pink Flambe. It’s time to up the pink ante this year, and instead of saving this vibrant hue for small accessories, it will also look amazing on big pieces of furniture like a sofa or side chair. Set inside a room with neutral whites and browns, pink is sure to be a classic this Fall.
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House Diaries: Pick Your Favorite Bedroom Color Palette

by Liz Gray February 17, 2012 98 Comments

Last week, I shared photos of my embarrassingly bare bedroom. (Remember that mattress on the floor? I certainly do.) Since sprucing it up is our first real project, I’ve spent hours upon hours this week holding up paint chips and scouring Pinterest for THE perfect shades. Besides getting a really great arm workout (fan decks can get mighty heavy…), I’ve managed to narrow the field down to two possible palettes.

Our master bathroom has ’50s-era aqua tile that’s not going anywhere anytime soon, so I wanted to incorporate that color into the bedroom palette to create a cohesive look. Overall, I”m looking for a modern natural feel, with flashes of bright colors alongside more muted hues. Which do you prefer?

Palette 1: Energetic Greens
I’m a little obsessed with yellow, so it’s not surprising that this look-at-me hue made into one of my palettes as an accent color. Chartreuse and aqua give this look a vintage feel, while warm neutrals keep it feeling modern.

Teal Green Yellow Gray Palette Pillows via Coastal Living; bedding from Urban Outfitters

Palette 2: Tangerine Dreams
Tangerine (Pantone’s color of the year!) and aqua are color wheel opposites, but they’re a classic combination. I love the idea of bringing in a bright orange, vintage leather chair as an accent piece. Soft mocha paint (or a subtly-patterned wallpaper) would make the walls warm and inviting.

Orange Teal Red Bedroom Palette Peaches via Laura Vegas; Chair from Rate My Space contributor NYDesignGuy

Which color swatch should I use? Cast your vote in the comments below!

Read Liz’s previous House Diaries posts here and follow her home inspiration board on Pinterest.

HGTV’s Color of the Month Has Us Longing for Spring – February 2012

by H. Camille Smith February 3, 2012 40 Comments

The days are getting longer and, here in the Southeast, the early signs of spring have sprung. Granted, it’s a premature spring and the brave early blooms are likely to be hit by an inevitable cold snap. Which leaves us in a seasonal no-mans-land that has inspired our choice of a color that’s still wintry yet holds the happy promise of approaching spring. This color is fresh, playful and will add a cheery pop to any room. Wanna know what it is?

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What’s That Color? Now You Know

by Liz Gray February 2, 2012 7 Comments

When I’m looking for a paint color, I get obsessive. It’s not enough to pick a general hue or even a good-looking paint chip. I want the exact yellow featured on the mod artwork in that living room I love. If you’re like me, Sherwin Williams’ new Chip It! tool is like a (color) match made in heaven.

Here’s how this Pinterest-inspired idea works: Go to the Chip It! website and drag the bookmarklet to your bookmarks bar. Then, when you find a photo you like, just click the “Chip It!” button on your browser bar to create a custom palette from more than 1,500 shades (including the fabulous HGTV HOME collection.) You can save favorites to the site or print them out.

Warning, color hounds: it’s addictive. Check out some of the palettes I created using inspiration from HGTV.com:

A sophisticated, (mostly) man-friendly palette inspired by this vintage-modern bachelor pad:

A relaxing, muted color scheme inspired by the exterior of the 2012 HGTV Dream Home:
HGTV Dream Home 2012 Exterior

A classic combination inspired by this bold bathroom designed by De Meza Architecture:

Craving more colorful spaces? Browse more than 150 bright and inspiring spaces with HGTV’s free Color Guide app.

Daily Delight: Neon Front Door

by Briana Mowrey January 27, 2012 3 Comments

I may not be wild about the phrase “pops of color,” but I certainly appreciate them in practice. Take, for example, this neon yellow door with the mod house numbers, industrial light and sleek mail slot from Arch Daily.

neon door

Photo: Greg Benson Photography

Talk about curb appeal! This door would make a great first impression on me. It’s a playful, yet bold statement, and I’d want to know more. (Don’t you wonder who lives here and what the rest of the place looks like? It’s probably pretty cool inside, I’d think.) I only hope they they also have a hot pink sink in place.

HGTV’s Color of the Month Inspires Celebrations – January 2012

by H. Camille Smith January 6, 2012 66 Comments

Let’s all raise a glass to 2012, a year that’s full of promise! In honor of the many parties we’ll attend this month and the heady feeling of endless possibilities a new year brings, we selected a color that’s fresh, effervescent and downright bubbly.

Wanna know what it is?

HGTV’s Color of the Month Glams Up the Holidays – December 2011

by H. Camille Smith December 1, 2011 28 Comments

Hard to believe but the holidays, with their familiar color palettes, are almost upon us (where has the time gone?!). We thought we’d shake it up a bit this year and introduce you to a hue that pairs well with the traditional red, green, blues and metallics while adding a sophisticated, cheery pop. Wanna know what it is?

Design Trend: Block-Printed Textiles

by Jeanine Hays November 21, 2011 8 Comments

I’m completely enamored with block-printed textiles for their ability to bring an artistic feel to modern interiors. Based on thousands of years of Indian tradition, block printing uses artisan-carved hardwood to apply color and pattern onto fabric. Block-printed pieces feel distinctive as a result of the crafting process; each piece really is an original work of art.

Designer John Robshaw studied traditional block printing in China then went on to India, where he discovered the beauty of Indian fabric-making techniques. He uses India’s four-thousand-year-old printing process to create his line of bedding, pillows, table linens and curtains.

This Marine Decorative Pillow uses detailed blocks that are dipped in a dye and then stamped onto the fabric. Each pattern and color represents the different blocks applied to create the layers seen in the pillow.

Philadelphia designers Liz Galbraith and Ephraim Paul, the founders of Galbraith & Paul, are known for their oversized block prints in unique colorways. Through block printing, they create everything from pillows to pendants to wallpaper.

Galbraith & Paul pillows and lighting are sold exclusively at Room & Board.

West Elm also has block-printed pieces in bright colors and fun patterns. Their hand-blocked quilts and shams are made by master artisans in Rajasthan, India.

Block-Printed Napkins from West Elm also have a similar feel. Striped, checked and floral patterns can be mixed and matched for an eclectic tabletop display.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can create your own block-print piece for your interior. Leah Moss of Apartment Therapy was inspired by all of the hand-blocked textiles out there, and decided to make her own affordable rug. Check out her tutorial for creating your very own block-printed masterpiece.

Stenciled Thanksgiving Napkins by Marion Parsons of Miss Mustard Seed

Or if you’d like a simpler process with similar results, why not try stenciling on fabric? Marion Parsons made these elegant stenciled napkins for Thanksgiving, but you could use the same technique on any fabric, for any purpose, throughout the year.

Color Crush: Shades of Black

by Jeanine Hays October 31, 2011 2 Comments

In celebration of Halloween I wanted to create a color crush board that goes with this holiday’s most dominant shade – black. Scary, spooky, the color of midnight, black can definitely be intimidating. However, in the world of decor, it can also be the hue that brings some bold, sexy, and glamorous style home. While some of you may be dressing your homes in black today to scare a few kiddies, here are some black rooms that show you can live with this color all year long.

Black on black can be so beautiful. Birds on Branches Wallpaper by Ferm Living gives a room some layers, and depth, and all in a striking shade.

House Beautiful, Photographer Thomas Loof

Black and mint may be my new favorite color combination. The pastel shade pops against the black walls and carpet. And with a little bit of white mixed in, this room feels open and airy even while enveloped in a dark shade.

Miss Walker

Black is the perfect backdrop for jewel tones. Emerald green, teal, yellow, purple, all come to life when set against a black background.

The Decorista

I love how this office space uses unconventional materials — tiles! — to give the black wall some texture. The mix of shades among the tiles lightens up the room. And when black is paired with gold, the effect is warm and beautiful.

You can explore more black rooms over on my HGTV Color Crush: Shades of Black Pinterest board and my previous post Black Is Beautiful. And if you pin, be sure to share with me some of your favorite black rooms. Have an amazing Halloween!