WHITE KITCHEN- BLACK AND RED ACCENTS

Hey Everyone.... Sorry for the absence but I have had a Stomach Bug that hit last Fri. and I am still recovering.  So until I am up and about I won't be posting as I usually do.  But until then I do have this pic of an amazing Kitchen I found....  I just can't get over that amazing hood.  Never seen anything like it.  I love the White and black combo here as well as the hits of red.  The only thing that I don't like here is the Window Covering.  I feel that it is far too heavy for this space and that the pattern really doesn't suit it somehow-just my humble opinion.  I do love the fabric just not here.  Bu,t just look at that stove!  And you all know how much I love me some red!

Houzz

Have a great Valentine's day tomorrow everyone.  If I am up to it I will post a little something.

Megan

STUFF I AM WORKING ON-KNITTING

Hey Everyone!  So..... I have been rather crazy in the head as of late.  Trying to stay focused on one thing has been a challenge.  There are so many things that I want to do or get done.  Here is a little snippet of what I have been working on as far as knitting goes.......

As you can see I have been working on these two blanket patterns.  I have also been working on a scarf pattern as well.....more to come.
I am hoping to stay focused and get them  done ASAP.  As well as get the patterns up and running.
In addition I want to get the Kitchen Island done as well....more to come too>

Have a great day everyone.
Megan

COLOUR CHOICE-MUTED VS. CLEAN

Hey Everyone!  I came across this window treatment that is being shown on Calico Corners

:

A couple of things popped in my mind when I was looking at this Roman Shade.  First of all, you all know how much I HATE an unlined Roman Shade that really SHOULD be lined.  About the only fabric for a Roman that shouldn't be lined is a sheer or a light linen.  This above pic is such a great example of what happens when a)you skip out on lining and b)you cheap out.  A fabric, especially one with a dominant print, should ALWAYS be lined.  There is nothing worse (OK maybe not the worst) than seeing a great Roman and having all that light come through. HUGE, HUGE pet peeve of mine!
Secondly, do you think they could have picked a better wall colour to go with this fabric?.  There are 3 things totally wrong with this. 1) Wrong colour- As far as I can see this "mud" coloured paint has no relation to the Roman Fabric used.  2) The paint is the completely wrong undertone even if they wanted to choose a
neutral.. 3) They have put a muddy colour with the clean colours of the Roman Fabric.  Basically what I am saying is this thing is a total HOT MESS!!  In the scheme of life's problems it may be a little one. However, for me life is in the details.  So come on Calico Corners, get with it.  It may be unfeasible in this day and age to repaint the "vignette" area, however, ever heard of Photoshop??  I mean, come on!!
Sorry for the rant everyone.  But, I thought I would use it to show what NOT to do.  If it were me I would have chosen a much lighter paint colour.  I mean, we are looking at a nautical style fabric.  Why not choose something breezy??  A lovely watery blue perhaps??  Or a light cream??

Sherwin Williams- Sky High SW 6504

Or:

Benjamin Moore- Timid White OC-39

Now....Timid White may not be the right paint colour due to the undertone, as I would have to have the fabric to pick the proper paint colour.  But you get the idea.

Calico Corners

Here is that same Roman shown in a bigger vignette.  As you can see, the fabrics they chose really have NO bearing on the paint chosen.  I really don't like it when Muted and Clean colours are mixed.

I suppose you get the point.........
So I guess what I am trying to say is.... Line your Romans', pick a paint colour that relates to what you are decorating-such as a colour from a fabric or rug and finally...do not mix muddy with clean colours.  Even the professionals can have a hard time mixing those two.  Just keep clean with clean and muddy with muddy.

Here is examples of Muted Vs. Clean colours:

Green:

Muted:  BM- Louisburg Green HC-113

Clean:  BM- Cedar Green 2034-40

Blue:

Muted:  BM- Wedgewood Gray HC-146

Clean:  BM- Bird's Egg 2051-70

Orange:

Muted:  BM- Flower Pot CC96

Clean:  BM- Pumpkin Cream 2168-20

Red:

Muted:  BM-Autumn Leaf CC-94

Clean: BM-Smoldering Red 2007-10

So there you have it...some examples of muted and clean colours.

Calico Corners

In this example, they definitely got the colours right.  They have chosen a light, muted pink that was picked up from the bedspread and drapes fabric.  And....it is muted so that it is very restful.  Pink can be very hard to do well as it can end up looking too princessish or Pepto Bismalish!!  My only issue is that fact that the drapes should have been lined.  This is for a couple of reasons.  1) It is a bedroom. Privacy and light control is key in this room.  2) Once again we have a fabric with pattern.  The light shining through not only looks awful but competes with the print.  Other than that  a pretty, well put together collection of fabrics.

Calico Corners

Here we have an example of how well thought out this room is.  All the colours go together very well.  The wall colour is soft and muted.  And finally...... the Drapes and Romans have been properly lined.  Well done  I say!!

So you see....I am not completely picking on Calico Corners.  I really do enjoy seeing their fabrics and how they put them together is such a great starting point for many people.  It is just occasionally where things fall apart for me.  Am I picky...maybe?  But when it comes to colour and fabric...well it's my life.  So I do tend to be hard on other professionals.

Have a great day everyone.
Megan

PRETTY BEDROOMS

Hey Everyone!  Just a quick post today.  I have been dreaming of a new  bedroom lately.  So here is a little inspiration for the weekend.  Enjoy;

Houzz

The wall colour for this room is ICI Silver Cloud.

ICI- Silver Cloud

This colour is way more green in real life.  The above photo looks way more silvery blue on my monitor.

Houzz

Such a calm and serene space.  Benjamin Moore Willow Creek.

Benjamin Moore- Willow Creek 1468

Houzz

Soft and Lovely.  Benjamin Moore-Hampshire Taupe.

Benjamin Moore- Hampshire Taupe 990

Houzz

How pretty is this bedroom with sitting room??  I don't even know where to begin. Wall colour:  Farrow & Ball Lulworth Blue, Trim: White Tie.  Love, love that colour!

This is a case where the photo really does not look like the colour it is.  To me the colour in the photo has way too much green in it to be Lulworth Blue.  To me it looks more like:

Farrow & Ball Green Blue

Or:

Farrow & Ball Dix Blue

What do you think??

Houzz

This lovely bedroom is such a nice mix of masculine and feminine. Love it!!  The wall colour used is Ralph Lauren Barn Owl White.

Ralph Lauren- Barn Owl White NA-01

That's all for now folks have an amazing weekend.

Megan

FAVOURITE REDS-RED DOOR!

Hey Everyone!!  I would love to show you the new ribbon board I talked about yesterday but it is so dark and gray in my house the picture would look horrible.  It is currently 3C and raining.  In fact it is pouring.  I really hate it when it rains in January.  If it is going to be winter then at least Old Man Winter can have the courtesy of staying cold enough so that when precipitation shows up at my doorway it does so in the way of snow.  Everything looks so much prettier when the snow is covering it.  But today--- BLAH!!  Dark and rainy!!  So I got to thinking what makes me smile when I look at a house.  The first thing that catches my eye is the Front Door.  Now I know I have blogged about front doors before but today I am going to talk about RED!!  That fiery, hot and sizzling colour.  Something to really get the blood going.  And I will share some of my Favourite Reds for a Front Door too.  Enjoy:

Houzz

Not only is the shingle style awesome but you all know how much I LOVE Oval Windows!  But what really does it for me is that front red door.  It is so the right red to go with the gray of the shingles.  The Architect mentioned that it was very similar to Sherwin Williams-Lusty Red SW 6863.  It also happens to be one of my favourite reds!!

Sherwin Williams- Lusty Red SW 6863

Houzz

Wouldn't you just love a front door that looked like this??  I don't even know where to begin with this one.  The limestone facade, those lanterns or the door itself!!!

Houzz

This little lovely is Real Red by Sherwin Williams.  It really does look lovely with the stone work and trim used.  And...gotta love those topiary's.  I love topiary's.  There is just something about them.

Sherwin Williams- Real Red SW6868

Houzz

This amazing set of doors is by Sarah Richardson.  When I first saw this a couple of years ago I nearly went out and bought that red to do my own doors.  Still might!  I love what she has done here.  By painting the doors red not only has she highlighted them but she has imparted so much personality to an otherwise mundane space.  That and of course adding that great rug from Ikea didn't hurt either!  The red used here is from her line of colours through Para paints.  It is Orchard SR 53 but is also known as Para P5282-85 (Schmooze).

Para-Orchard SR53

Houzz

I really do think that Red is such a great choice to go with gray.  The hotness of the red really plays well off the coolness of the gray.  Plus it really lets you know where the front door it.  There is no hiding from a red door that is beckoning.

Houzz

This amazing home is located in Toronto, Ontario.  It is very typical of homes in certain areas of the city.  It is so classic and gorgeous.  I love the Trim colour that they chose, so perfect.  And the red is the perfect shade too.  Not bright, not orangey- just perfect.

Houzz

The colour of the front door is Benjamin Moore- Moroccan Red

Benjamin Moore-Moroccan Red 1309

Houzz

I really love how they have used red as an accent colour for both the window frames and the doors.  This combination of red with either gray/taupe looks great on an Arts and Crafts home or like here, a Prairie Style home.

Houzz

Who doesn't love a barn door??  And if you do, then these are a lot of door to love.  They are simply amazing.

Houzz

What makes this door so amazing besides that incredible doorknob is how impactful the bright red is.  The space is very neutral and calm, with that hit of red it really makes a statement.

Houzz

This is such a great example of, "Look at me".  The exterior of the house is very neutral and quiet.  By adding red and framing the door out in black it really is telling everyone coming to the house....come on in here.

Houzz

Again we can see how impactful red has been used in leading you to a particular spot, it is saying...."come over here"


Some of the reds that I showed above are definitely in my Yes column for favourite reds.  I also have a couple more to add.

Sherwin Williams- Poinsettia SW6594

Sherwin Williams-Heartthrob SW6866

Sherwin Williams- Stop SW6869

ICI- Salsa-10YR 14/348

Farrow & Ball- Blazer 212

Farrow & Ball Eating Room Red 43

Farrow Ball Picture Gallery Red 42

I really could go on and on because I LOVE the colour RED!!!!!   I also could have put hundreds of pictures of red doors.  They are so popular and is it a wonder why??  For me some of the best reds out there come from Sherwin Williams and Farrow & Ball.  They are my fav's.
The great thing about Red is that it is one of those colours that  looks awesome in both a Traditional and a Contemporary setting.

Hopefully this will have warmed up those of you stuck in the depths of winter like me.  Or for those in warmer climes some inspiration.

Have a great day everyone.
Megan