Spring and Petite Wonders

I recently saw this wonderful, dainty floral arrangement while on a trip to New York.  There were so many things that caught my eye: it's petite, but full presence, the contrast in hues, the desaturated color of the large grey green leaves contrasted with the intense chroma of the dainty, frilly fuchsia flower petals.  This one little presentation has so much richness, and best of all...it won't get in your way while eating!

So, of course, I had to ask the Garden Guru, my mother-in-law Deb Brown, the best way to duplicate this little dandy on your own.  Her suggestion:

"It looks like several frilly carnations for the center wired together at the bottom. I would say look to your houseplants and trim the ends from trailing philodendrons or pothos this time of year.  In summer, you could cut a few leaves from perennials.  Or any time, you could pick up a small bunch of floral greenery at a grocery store florist -- or wherever you buy the carnations.  I think the fun part would be the creativity involved.  That little arrangement or bouquet could be made with other flowers as well as carnations...a mound of mums, for instance.  And in June, one luscious peony, surrounded by contrasting leaves."

Spring will be here...eventually...really!!

Susan

Where has Susan gone??? Oh yes, and Pantone 2013 Color of the Year!!!

Well as you can tell, when I'm a busy working woman, in addition to those other areas of my life...mom, wife, girlfriend... my posts go out the window. Not complaining, being busy in my field is a good thing (thank you Martha).  Not that I don't have anything to write about either.  In fact, topics pop into my mind numerous times a day, in addition to the little birdie sitting on my shoulder saying, "When you get home, sit down, and make it short and sweet." Yes, well a lot of good that birdie did for me.  Thank goodness it's flown south for the winter.

The number one issue I HAVE to talk about is the new 2013 Pantone color of the year -- #17-5641 Emerald.  I love it!  But I'm biased since green, and all of its variations, has always been my favorite color.

Let's look at some of my favorite Emerald Green room designs, shall we?

 Infamous Stark Carpet advertisement

 Photograph by Michael Eastman

Interior design by Tobi Fairley

 Interior design by Jamie Drake

 Soft mint green in this front room, but notice the stunning emerald green square, not the whole wall, behind the shelving in the distant room.  Interior design by Jamie Drake

Image from The Decorista

 Interior design by Kelly Wearstler

I use a lot of chartreuse (more of a yellow green) in my interiors, but not a lot of Emerald Green.  That's my goal for 2013!

On to Oz!  Susan

Inviting Office Spaces

I recently read how bringing nature into your office space creates a more attractive and relaxed environment for your visitors by invoking familiar memories of their childhood days exploring nature (ok well at least MY generation!)  I am currently working on a commercial space where the company is very eco, green, earthy, multicultural and hip.  I am soooo excited about this project and I'm having so much fun creating an environment unlike the typical commercial environment.  With that said, enjoy these commercial surroundings that I think are unique solutions.

The reclaimed wood really warms up this otherwise white space.

Need a boost of energy?  Complementary colors are always your best bet!

TBWA Hakuhodo Japanese advertising company.  I've always loved bringing the outside in!

Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Slovenia -- YES, that's right...a government office!

Google Zurich -- This wasn't the only office space I saw with a slide.  Love that!

Really like all the stripes directing your eye to the middle of the room.  It draws you in.  AND the beverage cooler.  While you're waiting, help yourself to a cold one!

Vertical greens juxtaposed with horizontal reds.  Contrast and complement!

Ideapaint -- Brainstorm time!

Think Outside the Box -- Always!!

Susan

Green is for Money and Luck

Recently, a girlfriend and I were in Sarasota, Florida and late one night, we were driving along and happened upon this bank.  I was just floored, and I loved it!!  It was all lit up in GREEN!  The color GREEN was completely saturating this building.  It is so fabulous on so many levels, don't you agree??  Of course, now I can't remember the name of the bank but I dare to bet you it has something to do with that big, oversized neon four leaf clover at the top, huh?

Let's explore all those areas of relevance with the green/bank relationship!  In the United States, GREEN stands for money, wealth, and capitalism because that's what color is on our monetary notes.  GREEN stands for luck as in the four leaf clover at the top of the bank.  GREEN also corresponds to the Old English verb "growan" or "to grow" to explain plants of the ocean.  We all want our money "to grow" in the bank, right?  GREEN is also associated with regeneration, fertility, and rebirth for it's connections to nature.  We all want our money to flourish or be revived after a decline!

Another interesting tidbit of GREEN is its use in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.  In the Emerald City, everyone wears tinted glasses which makes everything look green.  Why?  The political interpretations of the story suggest the author, L. Frank Baum, used the color GREEN for the city to depict the financial system of America which was debating the use of paper money vs. gold at the time.

Last but not least, we should all be aware of the GREEN movement of recycle, reuse, and reduce.  Hopefully by following the 3 R's approach, we should all be able to save money and have more GREENBACKS in the bank!

Stay fresh and vibrant with GREEN!!

Susan

Guggenheim Paints based on Art, Showcasing Art!

Designers, architects, and other members of the trade, listen up!  You know how you or your client fall in love with a particular green in a Gauguin, or the vivid primaries of a Franz Marc, or the yellow of a Van Gogh?  Now you can have those colors in a home (ok, with those statements, I am feeling like an infomercial!).  Guggenheim in accordance with Fine Paints of Europe has come up with two paint fan decks.  One is based on the many colors from artworks in their permanent collection, and the other is based on colors used on walls in showcasing or creating gallery installations.  I love this idea, and am very excited to, hopefully someday, use these fan decks!

 Classical Fan Deck based on works from Guggenheim's Permanent Collection

 Circles on Franz Marc's Stables (Stallungen), 1913, showing where classical paint colors have been matched.  Oil on canvas, 29x62 inches (73.6 x 157.5 cm).  Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Solomon R. Guggenheim Founding Collection 46.1037

Gallery fan deck with paint colors selected for the Guggenheim's building by Frank Lloyd Wright as well as wall colors preferred by curators for its installations to produce a certain ambiance.

Paint color, G013, from Guggenheim's interior ramps

 

 Paint color, G032, from the interior of Guggenheim's rotunda elevator

The two fan decks are not cheap ($50 and $100 each), and neither is Fine Paints of Europe exceedingly high quality paint.  They also have small 4 oz. sample pots for only $10 each -- yea!  However, if your goal is to truly match a particular hue in a famous art piece, or to truly use the best wall color to highlight your art collection, it is definitely worth the cost.

Have a hue-ti-ful day!!!  Susan

FLOURESCENT LOVE!

Bet you never thought you'd see those two words in the same line let alone with an exclamation mark!  What is this world coming to?!?  Recently, Plumen has come up with a designer energy-saving, light bulb.  OK-didn't think I'd ever see those two words together either--ok, ok--three words, count 'em: 1) designer, 2) energy, 3) saving...  The Plumen bulb uses 80% less energy and lasts 8 x longer than your normal incandescent bulb, and the Kelvins are at 2700, which is exactly what you want if you are looking for an energy efficient yet warm, non traditional fluorescent bulb.  It also looks like a mini air sculpture!  How can you pass that up!

Right now it runs just under $39.00 per bulb.  Seems expensive?  Not if you ever have to change it, run to the store to get more (gas consumption), not to mention your incredibly worthwhile time, AND less frustration for the fact your bulbs aren't burning out right before that big party you have planned!  Unfortunately, it is not available in the US yet--boo, hoo, hoo...  However, do not fret--we only have to wait until the end of April for its arrival.  Sorry, I know this sounds like an endorsement, right?  No, I am just super duper excited as I have been very nervous about the whole non-usage of incandescent bulbs in a few years, what with color, enjoyment of environment, and healthy-looking clients being a huge factor in my design work not to mention aesthetics!  Yikes!

Look at these fun installations!

For more info, click on Plumen here or above.  Light away!!