CHRISTMAS INSPIRATION 2014 and rethinking sofa color....

IT'S OFFICIALLY TIME TO DECK THE HALLS...

So, naturally, I had to check out the holiday decor to find a little inspiration for this holiday season

Rogers Gardens, Corona Del Mar, CA

Ah, so gorgeous ...

literally took me 20 mins to get past this FIRST tree

so much to see here -

this tree had burlap, paper, tassels, rhinestones, glitter and lots of silver and gold -

it was my favorite

Inspiration from TPT Home (Tai Pan Trading)

This tree is from TPT Home.  I did get some inspiration here - 

red and green just never gets old...

This next tree had so many good ideas and unique color choices

apple green, burlap, silver, white and gold

I liked how the ribbon was applied..

and I loved the ribbon combinations

plenty of picks added, including frosty magnolia branches,

pinecones and antlers...

rustic elegance

Meanwhile, back at Rogers Gardens... 

a woodland tree

I'm a sucker for mushrooms and toadstools...

and pinecones and owls...

Their assortment of wreaths is always beautiful...

and wonderful fresh flower planters

and I've managed to finally move past the first tree...

to this silver and glass tree - also full of gorgeous ornaments

and on to an all white tree

with a paper cut star topper

and exquisite lace snowflake ornaments

Here's a unique wreath with

wooden spools wrapped in velvet ribbon

loved these star lanterns...

All glass and crystal tree....looking icy!

Things warmed up in the rear of the shop...

candy and the color red took over this tree

with large candy filled apothecary jars tucked into the branches

Gingerbread cottages - made from things other than gingerbread

past the gingerbread and on to the Santa tree...

using santas showcased in white lanterns

a clever idea, but maybe just a little large on the lanterns?

I loved this sunburst mirror 

and even more with the combination of the mirror and the wreath

and I really liked these message wreaths

but the price tag of $200+ kept them here and not on my door...

This little glittered number did come home with me...

One of my favorite looks for Christmas - red and white cyclamen

our mild winters in California are to be thanked!

Outside fountains bubbled and toy trains chugged

in the 80 degree weather...

Poinsettias waiting to go home for the holidays...

Shinoda is a trade only shop... but they always do elaborate displays.

Shinoda Design center had some good ideas

loved the frosted ferns..

and the snow crusted poinsettias

Rustic and Woodsy is big...

Plaid is back this Christmas...

but the real reason I go to Shinoda is the ribbon...

Here's what I chose for one of my clients' decor this year...

found the gray and white flocked woodland ribbon and this pewter and silver

and combined it with the burlap for some warmth...

and then found this pewter and silver banded ribbon

thought they looked pretty delicious together...

can't wait to decorate!

Happy Holiday Decorating!

Hope you found some inspiration here...

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QUESTIONS FROM READERS:

Claudine,
Came across your blog and was so impressed with your wealth of knowledge on colors... I am and have been stuck on colors! Finally after deciding on color to paint walls (BM--Shale)... I am now having to rethink sofa color (wanted stone color but not sure color will work...big mistake if I have made in wrong color and it wouldn't work with now painted wall color) 

as well as now pickled white wash maple cabinets don't match! 

Please see picture. My floors are stained concrete -- color is special made color (cross between mahogany and cherry) please I desperately need your help! 

Benjamin Moore SHALE

There is nothing wrong with your color choice, as you can see by these very similar photos... 

Shale is a lighter warm gray, and with a white or off white sofa creates a very low contrast room.  However that may not be to your particular taste, and you may want to see more contrast in the wall color and the sofa.  In the kitchen, I agree that the color is kind of bland next to the cabinet and doesn't enhance either element.

If you deepen your wall color, you will have something more like this...

If you don't want to repaint the whole area, I would at least paint the kitchen, which will be considerably smaller to handle.  

Adding more contrast in the form of accessories can help bring in more contrast to the living room area.

Good Luck!

THE NEW COLORS FOR 2015 and help for Susan

BENJAMIN MOORE COLOR OF THE YEAR 2015

GUILFORD GREEN

My first thought was 'are we seriously going back to Sage again?'

but then I looked at some of the rooms that have this color...

and realized it has just enough gray in it to be a perfect neutral...

#1 is Guilford Green

It pairs really well with other colors...

with blush and pink

with blues

with other greens

with berry tones

with black (Guilford Green ceiling)

via

via

with brown

via

with navy

Guilford Green should be a great new staple to add to your neutral palette

2015 is projected to be a year of cooler neutrals

so far... its looking good

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I'm LOST in a SEA of COLORS! & in the storm of furniture Clutter Chaos.

Hi Claudine,  I love your posts and blogs!  

 I was wondering if you could help me in my paint color selections (and maybe furniture placements (decorating ideas)... I've attached some photos for your review as well... (Please don't laugh, I know it is a messy house with items piled EVERYWHERE! ;) Trying to find that "time" where I can go through everything and put it back in it's place (need help with organizing as well). Mother...

Hi Susan!

I'll address this area first

I see two focal points here.

The natural focal point of the fireplace

and the other one vying for attention - the t.v.

as far as furniture placement goes,

I would separate the two, placing the t.v. on the wall that holds the sofa

yup, this one...

and move your sofas so that they embrace the fireplace as focal point,

and give a little separation to this room and the kitchen and eating area

kind of like this...

 to unify this area, I would treat all windows the same - 

long draperies on all windows

since you have a desk in this room, I would use it as one

and dress it out nicely, and put the computer monitor here

and a nice chair

and lamps

and art above it

I'm assuming this is the formal dining room

and should have more of a formal table and chairs

so I would switch this out to the kitchen and put the wood toned ones in here

that are currently in the kitchen area

 (if you don't use this area very much, you could use this as a computer/video game area with extra storage added)

as for paint colors - I would make the change from room to room more subtle

using cooler colors to make it feel more spacious

 like these Benjamin Moore neutrals...

Since you don't have any non-neutral furnishings, you can choose from any of the above, or these three that I particularly like, below...

Benjamin Moore ARCTIC GRAY

(would look particularly nice in the kitchen/living areas)

Benjamin Moore GUILFORD GREEN

(their color of the year for 2015)

Benjamin Moore SHALE

As for the organization part - check out all the helpful hints on Pinterest!

Hope that helped!

Best wishes.