COLOR AND WHERE IT COMES FROM

I am often asked the question: "how do you know what colors to use" or "where do you all get your color ideas from" or "you're just guessing when you tell us what colors will be 'in', right?"

No, none of the above. Color evolves. Color in home decoration, whether as product design or interior use, is a process. As a color "person" and an avid color follower, I look at all the trade has to offer.

Pantone has a wonderful website which is constantly updated. You can look at color palettes from other designers and subscribers, add your own palette, see many links and get a feel for the "story" of color.

Another very good site is:The Color Association of America; At this moment the opening image is nail polish! Fashion, yes, but it will translate to home and home products very quickly. The time lag is becoming shorter and shorter.

Then, there is color from "real life". A wonderful source of color ideas, through the ages, has been flowers. These are some from my garden; they just happen to be some very popular colors in contemporary design. Take a look.

"Barack Obama: The Freshman"

For all the Obama followers out there:

I saw this the other day: a show in Los Angeles of President Obama as a freshman at Occidental College.

Now, I had heard about Lisa Jack having taken these photos while at "Oxy" with Obama, but hadn't seen any of them. Turns out she saved the roll of film for what, twenty-some years, and produced it for friends who didn't really believe her when she said she not only knew, but had photographed, the President! Fabulous. (Jack is now a Psychologist in the MidWest).

Read also her comments for the Los Angeles Times. She hopes to someday go to the White House because, as she says, " .... he owes me." Yes, these are truly one-of-a-kind.

"Raoul Dufy: A Celebration of Beauty": the Book Arrived!

It finally arrived! This book has so... many beautiful pictures of both Dufy's paintings and his textiles. Many, many of his watercolors of the South of France, his many wonderful flower paintings, in both watercolor and oil. Then, the second half of the book is devoted to his Fabric Design, of which he completed more than 5,000 from about 1912 untilabout 1928. Flowers were central to these designs, and none more so than the rose. See below for some examples. The simplicity, the brilliant, fresh colors, the varied compositions: all these are inspiring!

Keeping Track of Passwords, Usernames Etc.

HOW DO YOU KEEP YOUR PASSWORDS, ID, USER NAMES AND ALL THAT FOR VARIOUS WEB ADDRESSES?

Oh my goodness: the number of “bookmarks” in my Toolbar! Years ago, there were a few. Now, they are like rabbits: each site or blog I look at directs me to more, those direct me to even more! And, sorry to say, I DO follow the links and am fascinated by just the sheer number and variety of what is being put out there for me to read. It’s overwhelming? Well, it can be. But then again, I have a pretty good idea of what interests me and where I (generally) want to go.

But my real question is: how do you “store” or keep track of the vital information for “secure” sites such as banking, shopping, credit cards etc.? Even if you ask the computer to “remember me”, it will not do that for your password. So, what to do? Well, I have a really clever, fun book called “Internet Journal”. Here is the cover, and here is a sample page.

I know, we’re not supposed to write down all this information. And, of course, we’re not supposed to keep it on our computer, unsecured. So what to do? You can’t possibly remember it all, especially after some site tells you it’s time (for some random reason) to change your password. Impossible. So……I record it all in this nifty book! It sits right on my desk at work. I know, there it is for all to see, right? Well, no, actually it’s hidden. And, what’s more, my office is mine alone and is locked. The chances of someone seeing that book are so minimal that I will risk it.

What do you do? No need to tell us your secrets; just some general ideas or suggestions will do!

Detail of the Day

Detail of the Day

Do you have favorite everyday objects that you adore? Maybe you don’t really “see” them each day; they have become part of your “landscape”. You use them—or maybe you don’t—but they are THERE. They are part of what you see everyday. You ARE aware of what you are seeing each day, aren’t you?

This blog is subtitled “An Eye for Detail” so, of course, I DO concentrate on the large and small details of my world! I guess it’s fair to say that just about each and every item in my house has been chosen, edited and placed with lots of thought!!!

Look at the picture to the right here: it is a small cream pitcher. Simple but very colorful. Then, there is the small square dish that I bought at the same time. (Yes, these are from Dieulefit, France) I’ve used it for everything from olives to chutney to hand soap. I like the colors of these two items; but then I also like the simple lines. Details.

Second item(s): Again, these are simple and straight forward but oh those colors! I am so afraid one of these is going to break some day! The cream pitcher pours beautifully. The sugar bowl has a nice slot for the silver spoon. They fit easily on a tray to take tea or coffee out to the terrace. Details.

I’ll do more on “details” in future posts. Do you have any to share?

Colors I Am Seeing or "Pink Is The New Black"

Oh so many colors to choose from! There’s PINK. Then ORANGE or CORAL. Then YELLOW. And of course BLUE.

Here are some synonyms for the color BLACK: strong, sophisticated, mysterious. And, here are some for PINK: glow, love, and now: “couture”. Put them together and you will see a lot of sophisticated color.

Pink will be seen all over in men’s wear for Fall ’09; from ties to shirts to yes, socks!

It is already, of course, in women’s wear: think Lilly Pulitzer and Vera Bradley.

Stationery Trends Magazine shows lots of pink in both the Winter 2009 and Spring 2009 “Fresh Picks” section.

And one of my favorite sites for COLOR COLOR AND MORE COLOR is Maine Cottage. They do a really wonderful job not only in presentation, but the quality of their furniture and fabrics is of the highest standard. Wish I could afford some of that furniture! Take a look at the slide presentation “Finding Rhubarb”; you will not be disappointed!

Ideas? Comments? Suggestions?

Raoul Dufy Exhibit

Here is an exhibit I am VERY sorry to miss: At the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson, Ms. is the exhibit: Raoul Dufy: A Celebration of Beauty.
Here are more than 200 pieces from the artist, many never before seen in the U.S., and encompassing all mediums: from ceramics to woodcuts, to paintings and drawings, and the best part.... over 100 pieces of textiles. Dufy worked with Paul Poiret in creating truly stunning textile designs produced in silk, brocade, cotton and linen.
And his paintings: well, for me, they are truly magical! I first heard of Dufy when I was maybe 10 years old and my artist aunt gave my parents a small book on Dufy. My parents politely put it in the bookcase. But oh the colors! On the cover is one of his wonderful watercolors painted in Nice, France. It captured my imagination. Maybe it started my love for color! Who knows. But I do think Dufy is a really special artist. This exhibit had been in Japan for over a year, then went to Mississippi and the only definite future show is in Luxembourg in 2010.
I have ordered the book available of this exhibit and have corresponded with the curator.
Too bad, it's not possible to go down before it leaves on July 5th!

SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY IMAGES!

Please Note:   Yesterday, June 9, all the images disappeared from my blog.... I have no idea what Google is doing, but I will have to upload everything again. 

Please be patient! Thanks.

Update on Obama and La France

YES!

The first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha will arrive in Paris on Friday!
See the news here.

Francophiles Take Note!

I've been wanting to write a post about France, the French, Paris, the new book "Fait Main", or really anything to do avec la France.... 

I also, finally, looked up the difference between "francophile" and "francophone". The former is" a person who has a strong interest in, or admiration for French culture". The latter, a francophone, is "one who speaks French, whether individual or a group."

Then in today's New York Times, there appeared a wonderful story about a French bakery in New Hampshire! Yes, in Colebrook, N.H. I've never been to Colebrook, but now I just might have to go! And only to buy the bread! Take a look at the story here.

The second story of note today is President Obama's interview yesterday with the French television station. "France is one of the most important countries in the world" he said. I AGREE!

Thought I would post just a few photos of the south of France:

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Spoonflower: Your Design Printed on Fabric!

Here is something really really neat, for all designers, crafters, diy'rs, you know who you are: Spoonflower. I ran across it today (not sure how) and it's fabulous . They will print a yard of fabric of your choice design. You upload the design to them. All are printed on 100% cotton. And, they are just about to launch a linen/cotton line.

Take a look at the site. They have a video explaining just how they work and what they do. And, there is a weekly contest: you can submit the design and anyone can vote, each week. Then the winning design is available on Etsy for another week.

Here is "Mod Floral" by Jaclyn Brownell, this week's winner and now available on Etsy.