REMOVING THE MYSTERY

NON-MYSTERIOUS COLOR

Cactus and Tropicals

As you know by now, I have been spending a lot of time in the Great Salt Lake Valley.  My sisters and I visited this wonderful nursery, Cactus and Tropicals, looking for a Mother's Day gift while I was there.  It is essentially a very large tropical greenhouse (like a tent) and although it does have an outside area with bedding plants, most of this nursery is devoted to tropicals and cacti and indoor houseplants.

under the vinyl dome on a large metal framework grew this unique vine....

I think the flower is a carnivorous pitcher plant - sap in the bottom attracts insects and traps them and they are absorbed as food.  I've seen this plant in a small houseplant sized variety,
but never this large

 there were lots of orchids and succulents - and a very cute gift shop...

love the galvanized planter and pedestal...

 We also explored the new City Creek mall - downtown Salt Lake City - so beautiful.  That glass dome ceiling you see actually retracts in good weather for open air shopping. 

Inside are trees and a trout stream. 

The weather was overcast with a chance of spring showers, but no one seemed to mind. 

Salt Lake, you did it right.

READERS QUESTIONS
What is the wall color in picture 29??? The one with the yellow and gray? (http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2012/03/helping-maria.html?showComment=1336163053933#c1755207984138368201)

In this photo you referred to, there is no wall color reference, but I've pulled the palette from Benjamin Moore that is closest to this hue in the hopes of finding a match for you.

You can see from the photo that the wall color is very light, more creamy than yellow, has an orange undertone, and is not too saturated - I think Creme Fraiche or Creme Brulee (Benjamin Moore)could be close. 

Benjamin Moore "Moonlight"

Benjamin Moore Moonlight may also be close

This is Sherwin Williams 'August Moon' - another possible match

try them out on your wall in sample form first... and good luck

FINDING A CABINET COLOR

Your blog is fantastic! I am in need of help selecting a "white" for my kitchen cabinets. We are painting them and I'm absolutely scared of selecting the wrong white! I've sampled Sherwin Williams Antique White which is showing too "yellowy". I'm not going for a true white look; someone suggested SW 6141 Softer Tan. We have Ben Moore linen white trim in the same room and wondering if there will be enough contrast. Any suggestions? SO appreciated.

Thank you so much!  Actually, my very favorite white is from Benjamin Moore - White Dove.   I would definitely paint the trim the same color - or one will show up looking off or worse yet yellowed or dingy.  I also like the whites or near whites with a hint of color - see what you think of Benjamin Moore's Camouflage, Natural Linen or Ice Formations.    If you choose a near white, keep your trim a true white for contrast.

Try a pale gray

I also love the soothing feel of gray cabinets and I think that warm wood tones look beautiful with grays.  If you like this look try Benjamin Moore's Smoke Embers, Silver Chain or Silver Lake.

Good Luck!