Hot and Cold

So I guess I've kind of started a tradition by making bags for my kids' teachers. This year I decided to take the boys with me and let them pick out the fabric. I told them to pick out what made them think of their teacher the most.

Lesson #1: Do not go fabric shopping with four boys.

Lesson #2: I love that my boys have a love for color as I do. But arguing with an 8 year old over what matches best can be exhausting.

Over all they both had a great eye for what looked good and suited their teacher best. Their teachers were both excited and loved their bags. (It was also a nice report to get from last year's teacher that she still uses her bag, has washed it, and it's still going strong. That's a relief. I always worry about them falling apart.)

These bags I call HOT and COLD. One, the boys are polar opposites in everything they do and their teachers pretty much are too. But I also chose these names because the colors of the fabric that were chosen.

HOT--Ms. Sherrod

This was picked out by Tipton. His teacher loves all colors but Tipton said she loves Tennessee football. What's more appropriate, right? I almost wouldn't mind having this bag for myself considering my favorite color is orange. Especially the fabric on the strip and handles. . .I need to find a place for that fabric in my house. I loved it! Tipton approved my design and requested that it have a ribbon. I randomly came across this hot pink gingham ribbon on my counter. He thought it looked great and I have to say I liked it myself. But it was still standing plain so I decided to add a simple pink flower to finish it off. Normally, I like to add some cool colors to balance things out but the two purple strips were just going to have to do I felt nothing else was needed. So we loaded it up with some chocolates, and card and story written by Tipton. He could not WAIT to give her her present. COLD--Mrs. Ownby

Blue's her favorite color. She and her husband are TN football season ticket owners. I knew just where to go with this bag after Liam and me finally came to an agreement on fabric. Liam put a lot of thought into these fabrics. He thought of her lunch sack and clothes that she wears. He was very pleased when he found this fabric. I think it's quite beautiful myself. His teacher is a little more frilly, traditional, reserved. I wanted to put all that in this bag. She also loves to read and scrapbook so I knew that I needed this to be a deep bag to fit all her goodies. I couldn't resist adding some purple just because and I needed just a little pop of warmth to be satisfied with this bag. . . surprise! I chose orange. It just seemed fitting.

Do you ever wonder?

I recently finished a book called The Forgotten Garden (I can never remember if that's to be italicized or underlined, oh well) and it was great! It really got me thinking about where I get my little quirks and such from. A couple of weeks ago I had family come in town for Marshall's baby blessing. I love having company (I definitely get that from my mom) but I can't stand to have people in my kitchen or helping. I have always had this attitude that that's not "Southern hospitality" making your guest work. But I had to learn that from somewhere, right? Who knows. Then again, my Me-maw, wouldn't let a soul in her kitchen to cook or clean. I think I got that gene. Because I had to surrender to nursing and leave it to the ladies of company. I honestly about had a heart attack. They did nothing wrong but they were IN MY KITCHEN! A few weeks before that I went to my mom's over the kids' Spring break. I decided to take a few pics around her house. And if anyone ever wondered where my love for color came from, here's your answer. Might I also add I have a thing for dishes. . .thank you Mother.

You will never find solid white dishes at her house. It's called Nectarine. Delicious and cozy.

Never underestimate the power of BLING.

I snatched those yellow bowls and I really love that depression glass. . .hint, hint.

Kids bathroom, love it.

The lighting was weird in this room for the picture but the walls and towel are shades of lime green. She's got orange and turqouise towels too.

The lighting here makes this yellow look mild. Believe me when I say it's like the sun! Bold and absolutely perfect.

I love color and I love my mom.

House of Beauty

If there is one thing I love it's color but next to that is beautiful architecture in homes. It fascinates me. Put those two together and I am placed into another world. A trance I can't break free.

While we were in New Mexico I decided to actually make the time and take pictures of things that I really loved. It's easy for me just to take pics of the everyday normal things. But I wanted to remember some of the "detailed" beauty that I enjoyed. The Southwestern style is growing on me.

One day I kind of skipped out all together on any of the offered activities to roam the grounds to enjoy the soft grass and beautiful gardens. I actually found the gardener and had him give me my own personal tour. The little things that excite me.

Then a couple of days later I took the tour of the actual home. That was possibly not the best idea. I wanted every rug and curtain that was in that home. I might need to ask for forgiveness.

I wonder why can't homes be built like this today without all the extra cost? Homes back in the day always had some fine detail in their homes, whether it be in the trim, the floor or even the ceiling. It was quality never overlooked. Now to get any extra detail you will PAY for it. It's almost disappointing. I will just continue to dream.

Here were just a few things that stood out to me at the St. James Hotel. No detail spared even if it was in the middle of nowhere.

1. The ceiling at St. James Hotel. 2. The decor inside the money safe. It reminded me of Russian design. 3. details on the stairs 4. Each room had stained glass pictures above the door. All different. It was like it told a story.

Not to boast

I can't help but pat myself on the back. Sometimes it just feels good and we all know I suffer from being quite egotistical. But I love looking at color. Let me rephrase because that's looking at color is unavoidable. I love color and being surrounded by it, using it, and I even collect paint chips. Alright, I even own a color fan. It's out. I might need therapy. Isn't there color therapy? LOL!
My favorite thing is color consulting. I thought about putting my name on a paint store board but chickened out. I never felt qualified. After reading this book I feel a little more confident.
Now I know what you are thinking, who reads decorating books? We all know that we just look at the pictures and never actually READ what they say. I'm one of those nerds that does read the actual decorating book.
I've always tried to keep a list of thoughts of how to coordinate colors. I love it when people call me to ask a color/paint question. It inspires me. And I will think about their question for days possibly weeks. Anyway, some of the things that I had already "decided" for myself and made note of was this:
1) All colors are neutral. Now people think I'm crazy and even many designers would disagree with me but it's true. When you look at a rainbow does the orange look out of place? or the green? No. What about purple? You can't just put anything with blue. Sure you can. Blue looks brilliant with red, it looks beautiful with yellow, fun and even masculine with green, perfect compliment to orange, it's even nice with brown or black. It adds contrast to pink and looks calming with blue. Are you with me? All colors are neutral.
2) With that said, you can put any color together but they have to be the same tone. If not then your colors won't look so good.
3)Leading me to say, don't sweat. I've learned by just observing people's homes, style, and myself that we are naturally drawn to the same tones. Therefore, if you like green with blue undertones you will probably like the red, yellow or orange that has that same hue. So when you wonder if something matches. . . it probably does.
4)If you look good in a color use it in your house! I look good in turquoise. I painted my bathroom that color. Even on a bad day it makes me feel good.

After reading Elaine's book (which I just realize I've blogged about her book before) I noticed she said essentially the same thing. It made me feel great to think that I was already on target and I hadn't had any training compared to this designer. Maybe I do have some talent?

Lastly, I long ago created my own "color test." Don't know if anyone has ever used it but I try to use it when I'm helping friends. It has seemed to work almost every time for me. When I saw that the author had created essentially the same thing (just slightly more in detail) then I knew, "I'm good!" Just kidding. That ego is seeping through. Humble thoughts.

I have to admit. It feels good to know that I'm good at something and that I can finally say it with confidence.

Inspiration

I guess I'm just in the blogging mood!

Today I was inspired by Liam's classwork. I love the fun, playful yet modern contemporary feel it gives. Who would have thought children's classwork!?

I'm trying to decide...12 big squares attached with the letter S in color and then the boys initials in white or do individual ones with their first initial as the main letter with the other initials as the white squares? Hmmmm? 8x12 size? or bigger? once I figure it out I will be sure to post my results....oooh, I'm excited! Anyone else up for trying it out let me know how it goes.

Color combo

I love all these colors especially with the little hint of blue on the rug. It covers the whole color wheel without seeming like too much.

Color, Color, Color

Oh, I love color. It affects me in so many ways. More than I even realized! It affects what I buy in clothes, decorating and even what I eat. Yes, it's true I eat according to color (not purposefully, I've just finally become aware of it.) What makes it all so great is that sometimes I really thought maybe I was a little "extreme" with my choices or that "it doesn't look good" kind of thing, then one day visiting at my mom's I found this book. Thank you Mom! I sat down and read a few pages and realized I love this woman! She said everything I WANTED to hear and gave me a little confidence in knowing I'm on the right track (in decorating that is).

Which leads me to my other favorite woman, who really inspires me, Jane Lockhart from the HGTV show Get color!. I would love to be her apprentice. She's brilliant. If you think french country design is all about yellows, blues, and whites, o contrar! She helps people see what they really love in their home. I always TiVo her shows and then make notes of her methods. Some day I will be able to create a master, personalized color- wheel of my own.

Beautiful glass

I was talking to my friend Lynn who told me about this man Dale Chihuly. He is a glass art designer and I would say pretty brilliant. There is something about glass art that I just love. The colors for one, but to just be able to do such a thing with something so fragile. Wow! He currently has an exhibition at the Chattanooga's Hunter Museum of American Art and other places around the world. It would definitely be worth seeing. If you're in Chattanooga another great place to buy some beautiful blown glass ornaments is at the River Gallery in the Bluff View Art District...fun little area.

If you really want to go to the next level look at the jewelry. You will have to have some. I love my bracelet!

Now that I've "spent" a few thousand dollars at Pottery Barn then I get my wonderful Southern Living mag and they never disappoint me. Right now I'm loving their "idea house" in Mississippi, the architecture and interior design. The floor plan is nice too but not great. This house is a must see. What I would do take a walk through this beauty.

I love this porch, the tall windows...it's a southern beauty...and the porch just keeps going. So inviting!

Love, Love, LOVE this dining table and setting. So warm and fun. Kid friendly. Heck, I just love the room. But check out the gray wall (and artwork hanging on the banister). I will definitely rethink the color gray the next time I paint.

ooh, la, la!

I like Pottery Barn overall but usually their stuff is just WAY too expensive and kind of blah when it comes to color, but this season they finally hit my sweet spot. So, if I had the money these are few things I would be buying in my world of "pretend shopping."

(loving these colors)

While we were in Alaska I came across some artwork that I fell in love with! I guess I'm a water color kind of girl. I'm finding I'm very attracted to most watercolor work. But mostly, I just love the colors and feeling that are portrayed in these artists pieces. Both artist are native Alaskans. I love that too!

Babara Lavallee is an illustrator for children's books. But she also captures such fun and happiness in her work. You will find these two pics framed and on my wall soon!

This work is by Rie Munoz. Loved her work! So much life. But most of all she paints many scenes of Juneau and Jarom and I walked this very area she's painted "Starr Hill" or 4th street. It looks just like that going straight up and stairs everywhere around the homes. I thought having this would be a fun memory of our trip to Alaska. Unfortunately, Jarom hated the picture and refused to buy it for me. I'm still working on that!

COLOR Test

I've have created my own little way of trying to help people figure out the best colors for them and their home. I've never tried it on anyone before so I thought I would try it out here. I've read a lot of different things and watched WAY too much TV about how to choose the best colors in your home. Everyone has their different methods so here's mine.
There are three basic things I'm going to use to help you find your colors. Let me know how it works out for you.
1. Look at your clothes in your closet and right down all the color shirts/dresses that you have. Circle the three colors you have the most of. (My top three were shades of red but not true red, turquoise-gray-blue, white)
2. What is your favorite time of year and what are the colors you see with this season? (Mine is Fall. I think of family, football, and warmth. I see red (naturally for GA football), golds, burgandy's, green-yellows, brown, and orange.)
3. Where's your favorite place, that you go to often, that you have travelled to or travel to regularly? List the colors associated. (I love Russia and some of the other surrounding countries. Though most of the countries are thought of as cold some of the buildings are of brilliant color. I think of gold (it was everywhere), farmhouse red (homes out in the country), turquoise (the palaces and tops of the churches), and a peachy-pink-orange shade that you could find on a lot of the buildings downtown or at the market in Poland and Estonia.)
Now that you have your three list of colors compare each list to see what colors repeat themselves. This should give you at least three colors that you are naturally drawn to and enjoy. Normally, you'll find that these colors compliment one another. Even if it seems way out of your boundaries these are probably colors you would be most happy with.

My repeating colors: reds, turquoise, and gold
Orange is no question my favorite color and I use it in a lot of places. My top three colors are colors that all compliment orange and most of the time are always in a pattern with orange. Gold I have used in several areas. I painted my bathroom a sea foam-turquoise like color and love it. It's a color I wear well so every morning when I get up and look in the mirror I don't feel so gross because I'm surrounded by a color that looks good on me and appealing to my eye. It makes everyday a much better day!
Let me know if the test works for you. Good luck.