Color | Design Happens

ALL POSTS TAGGED "[color]"

Entertaining with the Color of the Month: Let’s Talk Teal

by Kim Stoegbauer October 4, 2011 31 Comments

For October, our trend savvy HGTV.com editors chose teal as the Color of the Month. This lovely shade falls somewhere between blue and green. While researching ideas for using this rich color, I came across a wide spectrum of tones, many of which were called teal but seemed too blue. I think a true teal has more green in it. I compiled a few ideas on how you can use this color in your next event. First up, sweets like candy, cupcakes, sprinkles and candy apples that are eye-catching and easy to serve at a casual or elegant gathering.

tealpartyideas teal sweets :: sprinkles, candy apples, candy corsage, chocolate bar, cupcakes

Paper is always an essential part of the party, at least for me. Use invitations, tags, thank you notes and paper decorations in teal to carry the color scheme throughout.

tealdecoratingideas teal paper elements :: thank you cards, tags, pomettes, tissue flowers

I spotted some great decorative pieces in teal that can add the color and style to your gathering. I love this custom made initial, which could be placed on your food/dessert table or by the front door to greet guests. The gorgeous pattern is fabric, which could be used to make a table cloth or runner.
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Inspiration Board: My Color Crush on Purple

by Jeanine Hays August 15, 2011 15 Comments

Developing a color palette is one of my favorite things to do. Whether I’m designing a new pillow or wall treatment for AphroChic, one of the first things I like to start with is color. As you can probably tell from my posts, I’m all about bright palettes and bold shades, and I love to explore the color spectrum by creating a mood board or something visual to get inspired. I have a few favorite tools for finding just the right shade. I personally can’t live without the Pantone app on my iPhone, and my other favorite tool is Pinterest, a cool site where you can take some of your favorite images from the web and put them into a visual scrapbook or “board.” I decided to create one for my current color crush — purple.

Regal, warm, and a beautiful accent color, my Pinterest board explores all my favorite purple shades from grape to a warm gray-purple mix.

Angie Hranowski Design Studio

I’ve found that curating a favorite shade in a visual inspiration board leads to unexpected discoveries. You never know what will pop out at you. Like that a purple sofa can look amazing when paired with bits of brown and cream…

Marie Claire Maison

…and that modern wood furniture pieces can ground shades like dark purple, blue and pink.
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HGTV’s Color of the Month Gets a Smiley Face: August 2011

by Anna Millman August 4, 2011 102 Comments

Warning. Somewhere our feature blogger Brian Patrick Flynn is feeling the urge to “punch an angel.” That’s what he said in February when he ixnayed this color in favor of tangerine. Then in March, you, our Design Happens readers championed aqua over this hue in a runoff vote. But for those of you who described it as the color of happiness… for TaraLovesHGTV, Jolie, Leslie, @paintedroom, Amy PureHome, CplusE, Cynthia, time for a big smiley face. Kayla made a persuasive pitch to our color team, and HGTV.com’s August Color of the Month is…

Color of the Month: Entertain in the Lime Light

by Kim Stoegbauer July 12, 2011 35 Comments

Did you catch Anna’s July Color of the Month post last week? Lime is HGTV’s top trending hue for July, and I agree — it’s a perfect color for summer. Bright and refreshing! I shared my affection for June’s cerise in my last Color of the Month entertaining post, but I have to say that I love lime green even more. I hope you enjoy the entertaining ideas I’ve compiled to illustrate how to use this color at your next summer soiree.

lime centerpiece, lime cupcake

I love the idea of using actual lemons and limes to create centerpieces and floral arrangements. Simply fill glass vases with sliced or whole limes to add color and dimension to your arrangements. Cupcakes are always popular at celebrations, especially when they look as delicious as this key lime cupcake. And it brings new meaning to eating your greens!

green dress hair flower, dress, bracelet

Your guests will be green with envy when you welcome them to your soiree wearing one of these gorgeous green items. A simple green cocktail dress makes a bold statement. I love all the fabric flower hair accessories I’ve been seeing lately, and this lime one is perfection. Not into going green for your outfit? How about a little pop of color with this sparkly green bracelet?
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Color of the Month: Use Cerise to Make Your Party Pop!

by Kim Stoegbauer June 28, 2011 16 Comments

The color team at Design Happens chose cerise as HGTV’s June Color of the Month. In the reveal post, Anna shared a collection of fabulous products along with home decorating inspiration using this fun hue. Some of you loved it and some of you were not big fans. For those who adore this happy, vibrant color, I’m wrapping up our June look at cerise with entertaining inspiration featuring this deep, hot pink and similar shades. Personally, I have a weakness for all tones of pink, so searching for party ideas that incorporate this color was quite enjoyable. I adore it paired with blues, especially bright blue as shown in this gorgeous tablescape.

Cerise Collage

credits :: tablescape, cupcake liners

Planning an event or gathering? Cerise is an unexpected, gorgeous color to incorporate. It works well for showers, brunches and weddings. With such a girly color, dainty details are a must. Dress the part with a gorgeous frock or accessorize with a ruffled clutch. Yes, I am one of those hostesses who coordinates her outfit with the party. Display cupcakes beautifully by adding cerise ribbon and bows to a tiered cupcake stand.

Cerise Collage

credits :: dress, cupcakes, clutch

Bright Ideas for Infusing White Bathrooms With Colorful Decor

by Jeanine Hays June 13, 2011 16 Comments

We all know that colorful decor can make an significant impact in spaces like the living room, kitchen and bedroom. But what about bright, bold hues in a white bathroom?

House to Home white bathroom with colorful chandelier and clawfoot tub

House to Home :: Photographer Nick Pope

Rainbow-inspired decor, from the elegant chandelier to the striped basket and towel, brightens up this neutral bathroom from House to Home. While not a French empire-style chandelier like the one featured in this space, Urban Outfitters‘ candelabra-style Gypsy Chandelier is equally fun and decadent with its multi-colored acrylic jewels. And at $159, it’s a steal.
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House Tour: At Home With Color & Jonathan Adler

by Jeanine Hays June 6, 2011 11 Comments

When I think about colorful homes, I immediately think about one of my favorite interior designers — Jonathan Adler. He has a penchant for working with color and pattern. And he’s known for creating bright, bold and happy spaces. Thus his brand, his design style: Happy Chic. As I just finished reading his book Happy Chic Colors, I thought an Adler home tour would be a cheerful way to start off the work week.

Jonathan Adler Interior Design

This New York residence designed by the Jonathan Adler Design Firm is a perfect example of colorful sophistication. Bright tones are used throughout the space in a way that’s light and fun without being overwhelming.
On To The Dining Room

Bring Bold Colors Into Your Home This Summer With My 3 Favorite Decorating Ideas

by Kayla Kitts June 4, 2011 7 Comments

Raise your hand if you’re glad it’s summer! I’m certainly happy the sun is making a stunning debut and so is my home’s interior. We practically skipped the spring season here in Knoxville, Tenn., so my home was still feeling the dreary winter blues when summer came along. Not anymore! After lusting over the collection of palettes from HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams, I’m ready to douse my place in paint. Goodbye, beige! Last week, I shared my top five summer design tips and ideas, from outdoor entertaining to decorating with flea market finds, and this week, I’m bringing you my top three ways to decorate with color this summer. Hey, your interior needs to enjoy June, July and August just as much as you do! So grab a paintbrush and take note.

1. Use Classic Palettes: Preppy Hues Aren’t Just for the Country Club Set Anymore

Summer-Design-Trends-Preppy-Colors-HGTV-DesignHappens

It’s true. You don’t have to be a blue blood to bring a preppy design style to your home. Color combinations once associated with early 80s yuppies, British gentlemen’s clubs and university sororities are finding their way into everyday homes. My favorite style? Subtle yet traditional stripes with a pop of yellow. But then again, my girly side totally adores the Lily Pulitzer-style pairing of pink and green.

More Summer Color Trends After the Jump

The Colors You Hate Most

by Brian Patrick Flynn April 7, 2011 28 Comments

A few weeks ago, I trekked from my temporary home in New York City to Florida for an event at Epcot. After several attempts to inquire as to all that Orlando had to offer, I was quickly corrected by the locals that Disney parks are part of a city called Lake Buena Vista. Hours later, I found myself on a stage presenting one of my HGTV.com projects on creating a mobile container garden.

brian patrick flynn mobile container garden

As a TV producer, my job is to have three backup plans for every great idea should it fall flat. Overall, my job is to ensure content keeps viewers/readers/audiences both informed and engaged. For the sake of not losing the audience to their iPhones, I turned the focus onto the crowd thinking to myself “I wonder if I ask them their likes and dislikes about design and decorating whether they’ll actually tell me.” And did they ever.
Oh, Did They Ever

Red: Good In Small Doses

by Brian Patrick Flynn December 30, 2010 5 Comments

When it comes to decorating, what are the three safest and most obvious neutrals? Mmm hmm…beige, taupe and cream — BORING! Believe it or not, there’s another kinda-sorta-neutral most people are super scared of — red. Have you ever noticed that this scarlet showstopper pretty much goes with every other color? In fact, the bold, beautiful hue is so versatile and gender neutral, it’s made cameos in many of my own clients’ homes.

After four years of working as a self-proclaimed professional decorator, I’ve discovered that this super color works highly successfully in small doses. Sure, I’ve splashed walls floor-to-ceiling with red pigment and/or wallpaper, but I prefer just a few high-energy bursts of crimson to add instant drama. To show that I somewhat know what I’m talking about (or not), here’s a few examples of spaces caught red-handed.