My 2011 Color Prediction - Close But No Cigar

You may remember back in July when I predicted red would be the color of 2011. Well, I was close but not close enough. Pantone predicts Honeysuckle as the Color of the Year for 2011.

Per Pantone, "Honeysuckle emboldens us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor. A dynamic reddish pink, Honeysuckle is encouraging and uplifting. It elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life.

“In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum.”

As the saying goes, "Close but no cigar!"

Predicting Red for 2011 Color of the Year

O.K. - I'll either look back at this post fondly or with egg on my face but I have a feeling that red is going to be the Color of the Year in 2011. What do I base this on? It's certainly not any market research but I have been noticing & admiring the color red lately. I emphasize the "admiring" part as I've never been one to care for red and if I'm starting to like it that must mean something (or, nothing at all!) The red bead
chandelier is from Julia Edelmann's design studio in Chicago. You may remember the previous version in turquoise. (I've forgotten who designed this chandelier)

Here's the new Rose Line lamp from CB2 - they chose a red cord. Below is a bar arrangement styled by Ken Chrzastek of Chicago's Mecox Gardens. I think Ken creates the best store vignettes ever and if he's drawn to an all red bar palette...

So, what do you think? Could it be RED or am I totally off-base?

(p.s. - I'm on travel and posted this from my iPad w/wireless keyboard. Love it!)

Trending Rock Crystal

I hadn't noticed it but DC interior designer Sally Steponkus recently pointed it out to me - rock crystal is in. Sally spotted Nestor Santa-Cruz's use of a rock crystal as an accent for this ottoman in the DC Design Center Hall of Fame Showhouse and...
reminded me that Basha White used crystal geode salt cellars to complement her amethyst table setting at the DC Design House.

DC designer Tricia Huntley recently featured these rock crystal lamps from Darrel Dean Antiques in Georgetown on her blog, Luxe and Lucid and...
Jen West of Jentrified spotted this one at Ceylon et Cie on a recent trip to Dallas.
Designer Chad Eisner uses an agate lamp in his Santa Monica home. Image via House Beautiful here, photography by Dominique Vorillon.

Do you have any rock crystal in your home? Mine is full of coral and shells but not any rock crystals.

Resurgence of Bun Feet: Yes or No?

The last few months I think I've been noticing a resurgence of bun feet. Now, I used to associate bun feet with those oversized pine ones from the 80's but these bun feet are much more sophisticated. With turned detailing and better scale, they can be down right charming. I love this silver bowfront dresser from Wisteria with its elegant bun feet. Here's a mood board from Susie Isaac of Maddie G Designs incorporating the Wisteria piece into a luxe room design.


Brooklyn Limestone just posted on her master bedroom and she selected a gorgeous painted dresser with bun feet. Love it!

Wisteria has a helpful design glossary and here's their definition: "A Jacobean term for a foot shaped like a stubby knob. This term came to use in the 17th century. This is an English term for ball foot." Here's some more examples, this first one is Brooklyn Limestone's dresser with shelves from Find Home Furnishings.

Dresser with antler pulls from Find Home Furnishings
I was curious to see if Pottery Barn offered furniture with bun feet. Here's just one of their pieces - the new Belvedere Armoire
The Baxter's side chest (above) and Benedetta's side table (below) from Ballard Designs
So, are there more bun feet around lately or is it just my imagination?

Busted!

For the last few months I"ve been noticing busts, sculptured ones that is. On blogs, in design stores and in rooms.

Love the one on the left with the coral necklace, not only is it a beautiful piece of sculpture, it offers a gorgeous way to display favorite jewelry. (Image via Blueprint Jan.08, photographer Jim Franco)

The two below are from my visits to Chicago's Jayson Home & Garden and Mecox Gardens. The large Zeus sculpture from Mecox is suitable for outdoors.

The adorned bust below is from the Spring '07 Washington Design Showhouse in the Palm Beach powder room designed by Tricia Huntley. I believe that necklace qualifies as a "statement piece." Love it. (Interior Design: Tricia Huntley/Huntley & Co.)

These two busts available at Wandrlust
Jeffrey Harris via Ruby Beets
Image via Gardiner & Draperier

Bust on pedestal, designer Fiona Newell Weeks (July/August Southern Accents, photography by Antoine Bootz)
Image via House Beautiful, designer Paolo Moschino

Image taken by Anne Harwell, Annechovie

Belgian Style & our economy?

House Beautiful has declared, "Belgian is the new Swedish." What I'm wondering is, Can our economy drive our design longings? Does the interest in this serene look, that when executed flawlessly borders on a spiritual aesthetic, have anything to do with the state of our economy? Does uncertainty interest us in design that it pared down and true, simple and grounded? I know it has caught my attention. Plus...it's just so beautiful to look at!Some hallmarks of Belgian style - linen, worn wood, iron, stone, reclaimed building materials, and neutrals creating a mood that is serene, simple and earthy in a sophisticated way.
First two images - House Beautiful, designer Kay Douglass

Previous two images, Axel Vervoordt - Kanaal, a complex of restored 19c. warehouses

Previous two images Axel Vervoordt - Gravenwexel Castle, near Antwerp
Not as earthy in texture but note the use of linen, the metal coffee table and the deep, moody toned wall color.
Hotel Verhaegen, Ghent, photography by Jan Rosseel
Hotel Verhaegen, Ghent, photography by Sarah van Hove
Hoter Verhaegan Ghent, photography by Sara van Hove
Lucca & Co. club chair
Lucca & Co. The Lucca sofa
Lucca Lucca & Co Spoleto sofa
House Beautiful, designer Kay Douglass
Hotel Amigo, Brussells - I really love the simple treatment on this bed.
House Beautiful, Kay Douglass
House Beautiful, designer Kay Douglass - Isn't it great that there's nothing on this bureau except for the vase? I wonder if it stays that way all the time?
Timeless Interiors by Axel Vervoordt, published by Flammarion

Also check out Ferret & Hounds' review of Wim Pauwel's book, Building with Reclaimed Materials. There are some more beautiful images of this style.

The Elephant in the Room

First image from designer Timothy Whealon. The last three images from Inside Avenue

I've seen statues of dogs and horses and fabrics with quirky monkeys used to great effect in interiors, although I've never personally warmed up to them. The other day I came across this adorable ceramic elephant and fell in love. I know one of the main principles of design is to EDIT but he is so cute...It makes me wonder if elephants will join the ranks of the foo dog?