Jill Clarkson Color + Design

Organization Ideas

2011-06-08T09:47:00.000-07:00

I've had the word 'organization' on my mind lately because right now my home is just about anything but! De-cluttering and organizing is so important for our peace of mind. I definitely get stressed more easily when my home or workspace has grown wild and when I can't find what I'm looking for. Organizing isn't so hard to do but staying organized is challenging. Having a home for all of your belongings is key because when things don't have a proper home, they end up in junk drawers, under the bed and crammed into nooks and crannies just to get them out of sight. Letting go of the things we no longer use or need is another important component of staying organized.

For inspiration, below are a few pictures of some organized spaces.

and now a couple of closets...

and some other goodies... I love the inexpensive tension rod solution used for hanging spray bottles. So simple and effective. Getting your bottles of households cleaners etc off floor level gives you more space to store even more items. You can buy a tension rod at your local hardware store, bath bed and beyond or sears for all of about 4.00.

Now I'm going to get to re- organizing my pantry! I have some cutesy ideas I want to try out. Once I get it all picture perfect, I'll post a before and after.

Newly Released from Duralee

2010-10-19T08:44:00.000-07:00

I love all these bright colored fabrics from Duralee! Duralee also carry the Thomas Paul collection, I'll post on that later. Call or email for pricing or memo samples.

Jill Clarkson Color and Design 415. 924.4204

Colorful Rooms for Kids

2008-11-20T21:53:00.001-08:00

Kids rooms are a great place to get bold with color and kids love it. I really like the mix and match window treatments in the photo above, it's creative and fun yet most wouldn't be brave enough to try something like this, being the matchy- matchy society we often are.... It's well done in this young girls room. Experimenting with window treatments in this way could be a whole lot of fun and a great way to introduce layers of color, texture and pattern. One tip for making this work well is making sure all of the window treatments have a common ingredient so they relate to one another, rather than compete with each other. (think color, line and pattern)

The room below is also way fun! The chair back made from skis and valances made from college pennants give it that special and personal touch. Makes me want to rework my own son's room...a constant work in process anyway. (cleaning process!)

Below, a seaside room with a terrific view which is more mellow than those above but ever so cheery. Blues and greens work together to create a soothing effect and the sundrenched yellow walls make it a very happy looking room.

Last, check out the painted trim in the bedroom below. This is something worth trying! What a great blue they chose.

Photos from Southern Living

Curve Appeal

2008-09-04T22:00:00.000-07:00

I love seeing interior and exterior curved elements on a house. The curve, or arch, is feminine, soft, elegant and interesting and such a nice change from the commonly found square and rectangular shapes found throughout our homes. Trendir featured these ridiculously gorgeous curved kitchen islands by Alessi. Aren't they just to die for? Makes my kitchen seem so plain....

Women in particular respond well to curved lines and will notice and admire an arched doorway or window before their husband even notices it's there! Not to mean men don't like curves...I know plenty who do ( no pun intended ; ) ) but it's the feminine reflection that we women instantly relate to and appreciate. Creating an arched doorway within the home is fairly affordable and adds character and softness. Arched windows are lovely to look at. I prefer to see the arched section of the window uncovered and a window treatment ( if needed) only on the lower portion of the window.

There are other curved shapes to be had for fireplaces, stairways, tile with graphic or textured curves etc.

If you're headed towards a remodel you may want to give your house some curve appeal. You'll be glad you did!

Busy Bee!

2008-06-25T22:54:00.000-07:00

I have been busy as a bee with no time to spare lately! I was crazed with finals in school up until a few weeks ago then my son graduated kindergarten and had his 6th Birthday Bash on June 14th. I hoped I would have had some time to catch my breath by now but no such luck!! Work mode has been in high gear and I've been swamped with 12 and 14 hour work days. Summer is the busy season in home improvement and as a single mom to boot, there isn't much free time! Winter is always slower but this fall I'll be back in school so I'm afraid my social life will continue to suffer..oh well, could be worse!

I miss visiting some of my favorite blogs too but finally spent a few minutes tonight doing just that. SfgirlByBay is one of my most favorite blogs. San Francisco based Victoria, the authoress, has so many awesome posts to do with interior design, vintage style and great san francisco finds. I loved how she put this space plan together for one of her readers.
She also shared a link which you might want to visit if you want to experiment with a new space plan yourself. check out Icovia and give their free trial a whirl. I haven't used this one personally but it looks nice. Working with a room in this way ( on paper or on screen) can give you some fresh ideas and it's a lot of fun!

Decor 8 is holding a mood board contest which has some gorgeous entries from all over the world. If your looking for design inspiration, these boards will be a great resource for you. You might feel like starting your own, which is a great way to help you get clear on your design ideas. It's fun to see all these boards, the different styles and uses of color, wish I had time to view them all.

Print + Pattern has an open call for entries for an upcoming book to be published by Laurence King. If you're a designer, illustrator, student or whatever with a talent for surface design you should visit the link and see if there is something you want to enter. The print + pattern blog is fun to visit. I always find some inspiration there.

Hope you all are having a great summer!

That's Clever!

2008-05-22T00:06:00.000-07:00

I love what Front Design did with this everyday pedestrian white plastic chair. Who hasn't owned one of these at some point or another? I admit I have and it didn't look this good! It's fun to see. (via Design Spotter)

Below check out Pixel Tape, a cool and fun way to create messages, signage and more...if you have the time to mess around! You just black out the pixels with a marker to create your chosen text. Follow the link to see the utube video.

Interior Sun Protection

2008-04-28T21:42:00.000-07:00

Here in Marin, summer is making it's debut and it's a great time to think about window coverings that will protect your furnishings, rugs and other interior items. There are a lot of options for sun protection including solar shades, cellular shades, drapes, blinds and shutters. The price for quality window coverings is small compared to loosing thousands in furniture, art and accessories to sun fading and drying.

For the month of May, you can save 30% on solar shades,cellulars and blinds, including all Hunter Douglas products, and 20% on composite or wood interior shutters. Email for a complimentary consultation, in Marin County only. jill.clarkson@comcast.net

Purple in the Kitchen

2008-04-21T22:32:00.000-07:00

I wanted to add these pics to the Decorating With Purple files for added inspiration for those of you flirting wth purple. Purple in the kitchen in not common place but I do like the above sleek and modern kitchen with it's ever so pale purple walls. (via HGTV) Below purple hits the cabinets in high gloss. (via google images)

And last is a fun and creative kitchen in purple, blues and greens. Via MirrorMirror

2008-04-18T23:29:00.000-07:00

I'll be hanging out with my little biker dude. ; )

2nd Place: Red

2008-04-06T13:38:00.000-07:00

Red came in 2nd place via the poll recently held here. Red is a fun color to work with and I certainly can understand how some may be reluctant to paint walls red for fear of it being overpowering or too loud. Above (top) is Benjamin Moore's Red Oxide, picture via Apartment Therapy. What a great looking room. The walls have such a nice warm glow yet the color does not overwhelm or overpower everything else in the room. 2nd from the top is Farrow and Ball's Blazer red. The walls aren't too loud as the navy area rug tones down the red and makes the room feel more grounded. Below is Benjamin Moore's Spring Tulip, a pink red. The color is much more pronounced and becomes the main feature of the room. It's a matter of personal taste.

Below are some nice reds from Benjamin Moore's Aura line, a low VOC paint.

I love the Pomegranite and the Caliente is nice too. There are several neutrals shown that would work well as companion colors. Using a muted or dulled red will prevent your walls from being too loud. First decide whether you prefer a yellow based red or a blue based red. The yellow based reds are warmer and some are shown on the top row below. Blue based reds are shown on the bottom row below.

If you've been wanting a red room or just a red accent wall then you should give it a try. Red walls envelop a room, making it feel cozy and intimate. A dining room is a great place to try red and subdued reds also work well in living areas. You should start with a duller red and go brighter or more saturated if you feel like it. It's easier to add color than to cover it up. Reserve your judgment of the red until you bring your furniture and accessories back into the room as those other items will make a big difference.

Inspiration Found

2008-04-05T14:58:00.000-07:00

I was inspired by a post on Anna Spiro's lovely blog, Absolutely Beautiful Things where she shared images of a note card given to her by a close friend for her 30th Birthday. It reads, "She designed a life she loved" ~ so simple, so sweet. I just loved that and since I also own a custom embroidery business I whipped up a few hats with the quote on the front. I think they look sweet. I'll be giving a few away to my fellow classmates in my Architecture class at the end of the semester. I think they're going to love them.

Thanks to Anna! And her friend! I'm saving some hats for you both and will send them right away!
; ) It may take a few weeks via pony express to get to you in Australia but they will get there!!

Small, heartfelt gestures, like the note card, can go a long way. ; )

If you haven't visited Anna's Design Blog yet, then you really should check her out! ; )

Fascinating Bioscleave House

2008-04-03T08:52:00.001-07:00

Sometimes there are some real surprises waiting for me in my inbox. This morning, from ASID's Design Daily, was an article about a most interesting and unique architectural project that I want to share with you. This house is sure to raise many eyebrows, turn many heads and has already been creating a huge buzz in East Hampton, New York. Artists Arakawa and wife Madelin Gins designed the Bioscleave house (Life Extending Villa) to defy mortality and extend the human lifespan. The house is full of surprises with eneven and shifting floors, outlets, windows and other items are placed in unexpected locations all designed to challenge the inhabitant(s) and make him/her stop and think in ways they haven't thought before. The idea is that these sorts of challenges stimulate the immune system and thus extend the lifespan. Read all about this fascinating project and this interesting husband and wife design team, via the New York Times, right here.

Planet Green

2008-03-28T08:52:00.000-07:00

Via the Dwell Blog, a new T.V. Show is looking for those who have contributed to the green movement! Check it out.

"If you’ve contributed to the green movement or invented something that makes the world a little more sustainable, there's a new television network that wants to hear your story.

In June, The Discovery Channel will launch Planet Green, a channel devoted exclusively to “green lifestyle” programming. Masterminded by our friends over at Treehugger, Planet Green hopes to help you navigate the ever-swelling sea of sustainable options with a little expert advice.

But those at the channel are also on the lookout for viewer-submitted videos, where you'll have an opportunity to show off your own green tips, tricks, and innovations."

Color Poll

2008-03-26T23:11:00.000-07:00

Recently I held a poll on which colors you all like but are afraid to use because you think you may get a different result then expected. Purple had the most votes which is no surprise since purple has been making a huge splash in 07 and 08. But purple hasn't seen this much popularity pre 07 in quite a while so many people may not have ever decorated with it before. I added some pics and a little advice on choosing purples in a post below.

As with any trend be careful not to paint yourself into a corner, so to speak, with all trend and no lasting appeal. Unless you can afford redecorating frequently you may regret spending so much on a passing trend and tire of the design quickly. More budget friendly, if you want to jump on the trend wagon, is carefully choosing a few trendy items as accessories but make your money go further with buying larger items that survive the trends. You may also be able to transform items you already own which could use a face lift. Adding fresh new colors and surface designs to existing furnishings or accessories can give you a nice change and a taste of that current trend you're dying to try. In the latter, we are approaching sustainable design, a good thing for our beautiful planet. ; )

Choosing any color new scheme is a personal choice and I suggested in an earlier post that one great way to start deciding on a color scheme for your home is to look in your closet. If you tend to look healthy and vibrant in bright and bold colors and fade away and look awash in pale pastels then you should try and incorporate some of your best bold and bright colors from your wardrobe into your interior color scheme. I don't mean to say you need to paint your walls that ruby red color of your favorite evening dress, although it could look awesome, but if you're more conservative and want to retain more versatility keep the walls a nice neutral and just accent with bold and bright colors. You look great in certain colors because certain colors make you appear healthier, enhance your skin tone and even make you feel better. You want to feel this way in your home too so if you look sickly in purple but want to indulge in this trendy color then use it sparingly rather than covering entire walls with it.

Choosing paint colors is not rocket science and in the end, it IS just paint. I've tried to offer a few good pointers here but if you're someone who loves color but has been holding back then I say, Go for It! Have fun!! ; )

Color Advice

2008-03-09T11:50:00.001-07:00

I stumbled upon an excellent article giving some advice on choosing color. You can read the whole article here. Kelly, the blogs author touches upon the effects of lighting on color.

I wanted to add my own 2 cents to this topic, specifically how different types of lighting will alter a color. Fluorescent lighting imparts coldness and cool color, which is why most humans don't much care for it. We're warm creatures and gravitate towards warm environments and warm colors. A great example is how we are drawn to fire light in a fireplace or outdoor firepit.

Though the lighting movement is toward all of us switching to compact fluorescent lighting for environmental reasons, (a good thing) we need to understand how to work with this sort of lighting to make it more friendly for us warmth seekers. So, what happens to color under fluorescent lighting? The warmth gets sucked out leaving you with the cooler ingredients. A nice warm off white will lose much of it's warmer ingredient (yellow) and take on a cool blue and touches of green. If a room has predominantly fluorescent lighting you will need to compensate for this by adding more warmth to the color.

Incandescent lighting is warm and adds yellow. And Who doesn't like the warm orange red glow from firelight? Fireplaces and outdoor fire pits are natural gravitation points where we like to congregate and relax. The warm golden yellow glow from candle light is attractive, inviting and a nice mood enhancer. Likewise the soft warm hues of sunrise and sunset have garnered admirers through the ages.

I was just at the ASID Student Career Forum in San Francisco this weekend and JoeAnne Day from the Day Studios gave an excellent lecture on color, covering the effects of lighting on color and much more. She touched on all sorts of lighting including Halogen, Firelight, Incandescent, Xenon, Ultra Violet. She showed pictures of a room in her own loft/studio that she photographed at different times of the day. This illustrated the effect of natural light, via a sky light in the room, and how the color changes so dramatically with the shifting sunlight. You can try this at home and take pictures of a room in the morning, at noon and in the late afternoon. You'll see how the direction of the light source shifts the color in the room. Understanding color shifts and the effects of lighting is something your Interior Designer or Color Consultant can help you with. One of the first things I find out when consulting for someone on color is the direction of the natural light source and the types of artificial lighting used in the room. It makes a difference.

Purple Wins

2008-03-02T22:37:00.000-08:00

There are some of you out there thinking of adding purple to your color scheme. It's a great color and on trend right now. If painting the walls, I prefer grayed down purples for adult rooms and love lavender for a little girls room. If your room gets a lot of light the color you pick will get washed out a bit so you can go a bit deeper or brighter. Just sample your colors and be sure to view the colors not just during the day but at night too. One great way to sample color is not just on the wall but to paint a 3-d object, like a cardboard box and leave it in the middle of the room. This way you get a better feel for the color and how the lighting in your room will alter the color at different times. The transition from day to evening shouldn't be jolting, unless that's what you're going for!

If you want to paint with purple the first thing you need to decide is if you want a warm purple or a cool purple. Purples on the cool side have more blue and on the warm side, more red. You need to think about how you want to feel when you're in the room and also consider what is in the room that is definitely staying. When you pick warm or cool be sure that one or the other takes a larger percentage and it's not 50/50 cool and warm.

Color schemes with purple include using it's complementary color yellow, which will give a big impact or for a subtler look try using purple with grays and silvers. Purple with green is also pretty, think of beautiful Irises and pansies.

Nature knows color best so try picking your palette from nature. I love the virbrant purples in the Iris watercolor by Jana.
You could get your whole palette from this painting. I might suggest the lighter purples to white with a hint of purple for the walls and adding some yellow, green and deeper purple accents.

If you're going with a light and neutral wall color then you can really have a field day with your accessories and add some brighter purples that you wouldn't necessarily want on the walls.

Below are some purples I like from Benjamin Moore-

Below is a room with Pratt and Lambert's color 'Admiral' and trimmed with 'Seed Pearl' both from their muted colors collections.

Here is the same room in Pratt and Lambert's ' Coronation' and trimmed with 'Balsa"

Color by the Bay

2008-02-25T23:33:00.000-08:00

After a long rainy weekend the sun is out again. ; ) Yesterday my son and I set out for a walk around the neighborhood to enjoy the gorgeous blooms and colorful landscape. I took my camera with me. Here he is making a wish. ; )

I took a few pics to show off the beautiful colors , including magnolia blossoms, daffodils, birch trees and cherry blossoms etc. For those of you in cooler climates, this is proof that spring is near!

(I'm an amateur photographer but some of these turned out well enough. I hope you enjoy them. ; ) )

I so love where I live and feel fortunate to have had the experience of being here for my 10th year now

Yum. Does anyone want some fresh rosemary?

99K House Competition

2008-02-19T23:17:00.000-08:00

If you haven't yet checked out the finalists for the 99k house competition, you can see them and learn all about the contest here . Here are the 5 finalists. The homes are all 3 bedrooms, 1.5 to 2 baths, up to 1400 square feet (max ) and they must utilize green building practices. I wonder which one will win. They're all fantastic!

Great Reading Corners

2008-02-19T22:50:00.000-08:00

I love cozy little reading corners or nooks. Here are a couple for inspiration.

Bringing Nature In

2008-02-18T16:30:00.000-08:00

We've had a lucky break in the weather and for the past week or so it's been sunny, warm and gorgeous. We're not into the clear just yet but the great weather has got me daydreaming about this years garden and what I might do differently than last year. In the meanwhile I found some great photos on flickr.com and googleimages.com to inspire your indoor green thumb. Why not try an terrarium garden with moss, creeping fig or jade. Here is a great article with all the how to information to get you going.

Below are some beautiful succulents. They're easy to grow, make for interesting indoor arrangements and are great in outdoor rock gardens or used as edging on a pathway.

Black and White

2008-02-03T21:24:00.000-08:00

On trend and always striking is the crisp and classic pairing of black and white. Any 3rd color can be added to this scheme and look fabulous. Above we see black and white living monogamously and also teamed up with a soft blue and some glamorous gold, all beautiful.

Greens

2008-02-03T21:12:00.000-08:00

I just love the color green and am so happy to see it's popularity continue into 2008. Here are 3 bathrooms decorated with green.

Below more lovely rooms decorated in greens found on MSNLifestyles.com. I love the porch with the white walls and green trim. So fresh.

And below are some some artwork samples I made for a young girls room in greens and pinks.

More Golden Finds

2008-02-03T20:51:00.001-08:00

Nothing is more glamorous than gold! These porcelain stoneware tiles from Iris Ceramica are oh so beautiful and are finished with pure gold.
Below is tile from Iris Cermica's metal line

Decorating with Metallics

2008-01-28T22:54:00.000-08:00

As you've probably noticed, metallics are hot for 2008. There are many makers of metallic paints. My favorite is Modern Masters. I really like the look of a tone on tone painted wall using a matt finish and fat stripes of metallic. I've seen David Bromstad use this technique on his show, Color Splash and it looked great. My favorite color for this is a creamy white wall with pearl metallic stripes, very subtle and sophisticated looking.
Though silver and white gold metallics are very popular, we'll be seeing a lot more gold this year too.

Design Winner!

2008-01-14T22:58:00.001-08:00

Stone Forest, has received Interior Design’s Best of Year Award in 2007 for their Moso Bamboo Vessel sink! It is quite beautiful, don't you agree? This competition, in its second year running, acknowledges distinguished interior design projects and products in over 50 categories, and selected the Moso as a designer’s choice winner in the bath/plumbing fixtures category.
Below are a couple more of their sinks in stone,

They also offer one of a kind stone sculptures like this beautiful basalt bench,

and completely custom work such as the diamond fountain below,

In addition, Stone Forest also produce a small but beautiful furniture collection made from sustainable hardwoods,

If you would like to learn more about this company's products visit their website

Decorating with Purple

2008-01-13T10:05:00.001-08:00

Purple came into favor again during 2007 and continues into 2008. I love the look of some of these rooms found on flickr.com.
Exciting Red and tranquil blue come together to make this color which can denote spirituality, sensuality and even royalty. Purple that has been muted with the addition of gray becomes sophisticated and the softer side of purple, lavendar, can have a very refined and delicate feel.

Pantone selected blue iris 18-3943 as the color of the year 2008, saying the following abut their choice.

"From a color forecasting perspective, we have chosen PANTONE 18-3943 Blue Iris as the color of the year, as it best represents color direction in 2008 for fashion, cosmetics and home products," explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. "As a reflection of the times, Blue Iris brings together the dependable aspect of blue, underscored by a strong, soul-searching purple cast. Emotionally, it is anchoring and meditative with a touch of magic. Look for it artfully combined with deeper plums, red-browns, yellow-greens, grapes and grays."

Blue Iris is also one of the 3,000 colors available in Pantone’s line of superior-quality, eco-friendly paint. PANTONE PAINTS combine the accuracy of PANTONE Colors with the beauty of high-performance Dutch paints. Painting a wall in Blue Iris will add an elegant level of composure with a touch of dynamism to any room."

For a color consultation in the San Francisco Bay area contact Jill Clarkson Color + Design. jill.clarkson@comcast.net

Happy New Year to All!

2008-01-07T18:11:00.000-08:00

I hope you all had fabulous New Year. I'm still writing 2007 on my checks so I guess it hasn't hasn't quite sunk in for me yet!! Here in the San Francisco Bay area we've just gone through some crazy storms and extended power outages. Some folks still have no power so I'm one of the lucky ones!! ; )

We had a great Christmas. My 5 1/2 year old son received a sleigh load of goodies from Santa. For dinner I broke from tradition and made Steak au Poivre ....that was scrumptuous if I do say so myself! But so was dessert and I won't tempt you with those details! ; )

Next up, I'll be posting on some of the new color and surface trends for 2008. Some of the old with some new twists and those who love shimmery, shiney finishes will be happy to know that metallics in golds and silvers will be strong. Brown will continue into 2008 but with some warmer color companions rather than the recently popular robins egg blue and teals.

Be back soon. Happy 2008!

Jill

Jill Clarkson Color and Design offers color consultations and design services throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information email jill.clarkson@comcast.net

Color Fix with Rex Ray

2007-12-12T22:46:00.000-08:00

San Francisco artist Rex Ray certainly produces vivid art works so alive with color. His artwork is such a pleasure to view and is such a great pick me up!. enjoy ; )

For a color consultation in the San Francisco Bay area contact Jill Clarkson Color + Design, jill.clarkson@comcast.net

A Great Poster Repro from Sf Girl By Bay!

2007-11-28T14:02:00.000-08:00

Victoria, aka SF Girl By Bay has hand screened these wonderful reproductions of the WWII era poster "Keep Calm and Carry On" I love the colors she's chosen. You can order yours right here.

Can't Get Enough Brown

2007-11-12T21:39:00.000-08:00

I receive so many emails requesting more pictures and advice on decorating with brown that I've compiled some photos from a variety or sources in hopes of providing some inspiration to those of you looking forward to decorating with this color. Without further ado, we'll start off with a designer who has this color name for his last name and who is a big fan of decorating with it, above photos from designer Kenneth Brown.

Below a beautiful pink and brown nursery found on ratemyspace.com.

From one of my most favorite all time blogs with enough eye candy to get your design high on for days, below pics from Desire To Inspire,

From Southern Living,

From Apartment Therapy,

There is more but blogger.com is being so painfully slow rght now uploading my photos...it's killing me!! will try again later!!

here we go again! : ) From Desigers Guild below is a lovely throw and some beautiful bedding. I really like the Ikebana bedding, immediately below.

here, brown with blue and a very popular pairing with turquoise,

this green and white room has an elegant and organic feel with the rich brown curtains,

a unique kitchen with mixed wood finishes,

Jill Clarkson, Color Consultant

Beautiful Wood Grain Tile

2007-11-07T20:07:00.000-08:00

Check out these gorgeous floor tiles from Porcelanosa. The wood-tek line is gorgeous and these porcelain and ceramic tiles work with radiant heat and can be easily cleaned. They look great on the floor or on the wall.

A spanish manufacturer, Porcelanosa is well known for their beautiful tile but their bathroom furnishings are modern, sleek and are making a splash in the us market.

Jill Clarkson Color and Design offers color consultations and design services throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information email jill.clarkson@comcast.net

Red Hot Finds

2007-11-02T09:12:00.000-07:00

Following up on my earlier post, "Red Hot", here are some fabulous finds in reds. Above Unison Bedding, via Design Public. I like the teal accent pillows against the poppy red, it really pops!

Below a bold and beautiful chandelier and floor lamp. I'm sorry I seem to have lost the link to where I found these because I saved the images a week or so ago!! Kick me! ; ) I'll figure it out and let you know where you can get these! In the meanwhile, if anyone knows, please send me a note. : )

Local San Francisco artist, Rachel T Robertson, makes beautiful, unique art collages. Below is her red rose collage. You can learn more about Rachel here.

Above a beautiful Angela Adams rug in red and pink.

Jill Clarkson Color and Design offers color consultations and design services throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information email jill.clarkson@comcast.net

Decorative Painting with Spirit

2007-11-01T21:55:00.000-07:00

I recently learned about a painting technique called Lazure. Here is a description of the the technique from www.lazure.com.

What is Lazure?
"....An unusual, more spiritually oriented painting technique, separate from sponging, ragging and typical glazing is the Lazure technique. Color is a vital consideration in 'tuning' a room for its intended use...the white surface behind lazure color reflects light back through the layers of glaze making the colors appear to be 'in the space' rather than simply on the wall ... The combined colors in the lazure method weave an enlivening variety for the human eye and Spirit. Never intruding, always inviting, the colors interplay with the subtle nuances of Nature, creating a depth not normally present on most interior walls."
From Home Design from the Inside Out
by Robin Lennon

There is something about this finish that I'm really drawn to. Here is further explanation from Danielle at Living Spaces.

"Lazure was developed by Rudolf Steiner for the purpose of not only bringing beautiful color into the room but to bring nourishment to the human spirit. The Lazurist must be able to bring a meditation stillness to the painting process. When this is achieved the walls will be imbued with beauty and a tremendous good feeling."

I think this is a great finish for childrens rooms and yoga/meditation rooms. True Lazure has to be done with at least 2 people using pure pigments and rhythmical movements. With some help from my friends, I'm going to give this technique a try on a wall in my son's room. We'll see how it goes!! ; )

Vetrazzo Recycled Glass Tile

2007-10-22T21:37:00.000-07:00

Who knew your last bottle of Guiness could look so good? Vetrazzo glass tiles are made from all sorts of recycled glass and the color palettes are really, really nice. The tile also comes with a story so when you buy the tile you receive a certificate of transformation which tells you just where the glass in your tile came from. so clever.

Above the beautiful blue glass from discarded bottles of Skyy Vodka. Below the warm colors of Alehouse amber and I love the simplicity of the Hollywood Sage.

Check out Vetrazzo.com for more info.

Red Hot

2007-10-10T11:52:00.000-07:00

I just LOVE red, it's a fabulous color that gets your attention and even speeds up your pulse. Red has many different meanings across the world but the main keywords for this color are energy, stimulation, power, action and excitement. I like a little something red in every room if even just for a small pop of color like in the pictures below. The red kitchen above is so dramatic and probabaly a bit too much for most of us in day to day living, but I do like it!!

This darling house sitting by a river is charming, almost sentimental, in a story book kind of way.

A red painted door is said to bring good luck. In early america when people traveled by horse and carriage they had to stop often and a red door was a sign of welcome meaning they could stop there for the night. In Ireland a red door means you've paid off your mortgage! In Feng Shui red belongs to the element of fire and is the most auspicious of colors. The door into the home is where all good energy enters and so it is painted red to attract postive energy and prosperity.

more on red coming up

Creating a sexy bedroom

2007-10-07T23:11:00.000-07:00

If you want to raise the temperature in your bedroom, read on for some great tips and tricks. Creating a bedroom with sex appeal is easy to do using the right lighting, texture and color. Simple additions and proper placement of accessories can make all the difference. Color is important and though peace promoting shades of blue are a popular choice for creating tranquil environments, such as a bedroom, they do little for flattering your skin tone. However, mood enhancing ambient lighting, texture and color can pull it all together.

As for color on the walls, you can work with most any color however, warmer neutrals and more saturated colors like apricot, salmon, gold and stimulating reds add the heat factor. Purples and fuschias are passionate and magical. Sizzling red is dramatic and sexy aglow with candle light. If you want to create a sensual environment, stick with warm colors. The bedroom above in rich brown is sophisticateded and sultry. (picture from la.apartmenttherpt.com)

Good lighting is essential. High voltage lighting is a mood killer and lighting with a dimmer switch is a great choice. Bed side lighting with low wattage is a must as is keeping the clutter at bay. Delighting the senses with texture, whether its tactile velvets, cool and delicious silks or sumptuously soft knitted blankets, add to the bedroom experience. Scented candles and music are great mood enhancers so be sure and have some of your favorite cd's handy.

Sweet Dreams!

It's been ages!

2007-10-01T22:42:00.000-07:00

and yes, I'm still around but summer kept my son and I quite busy with wonderfully long days at the beach and a few road trips to fun CA spots. With fall upon us, I'll be more available to update this blog and bring you some more great information about color!

Above is one of my latest additions, 'family brown' , a good kick off for autumn!

I've been working on a post all about the color red, that coming up soon. And also have a couple of announcemnets coming about some new and exciting products I'll be working with here in the Bay area so please stay tuned!!

Retail Color Therapy!

2007-07-05T22:44:00.000-07:00

When I need a little mood lift I know I can always count on a trip to Anthropolgie to deliver my spirits to a higher level! This is real color therapy in a retail setting. Full of exciting and energetic colors, this store is sure to treat your eyes to some colorful candy that will have you feeling more than just a little tempted to splurge.

During my visit today I picked out a few items to add to my own wishlist. I love the above chairs and any one of them would be welcome additions in my home!

The sparkle of the flourish mirror below adds a a lot of glam and would be great for reflecting light and color. Also below, a festive lampshade and some cheerful monogram tiles. Monograms, of almost any sort, make a great gift item and are a nice way of personalizing your space.

And finally, some lively kitchen linens that will make your kitchen soooooo happy!!

White CAN Excite!!

2007-05-24T22:18:00.003-07:00

Painting the walls white can give you a wonderful blank canvas for which you can dress up as much or as little as you want with artwork and accessories. Pure, cool white need not depress you if you're in a rental and aren't allowed to paint new colors. But why create more work then is necessary when your white rooms can look like these! The above white dining room looks dramatic yet clean and simple. The green bowl on the table and the blue chandelier give just the right touch of color without complicating the room. Also above, the large white wall affords plenty of space for showing off colorful artwork, yet the space is still fresh.

In the all white bedroom below, the wide plank floors add plenty of warmth and the single shelf above the bed offers mini color bursts with the photos on board. The minimal living room with lovely red flowers is streamlined, modern and sleek.

White is an exciting option and is extremely versatile.

Color in the Kitchen

2007-05-01T16:39:00.000-07:00

I just wrote a short article for Susan Serra, of Kitchen Interiors in Long Island, NY about Color in the Kitchen. You can read the article here. Susan is a well known,very talented kitchen designer and also an excellent writer. Her blog, , which I thoroughly enjoy, is packed with information and inspirational photos. I especially love her weekly posts on Scandinavian kitchens!! Go take a look! ; )

Working with Rich Browns

2007-04-29T19:59:00.000-07:00

Like shaved chocolate afloat a frothy cappuccino, browns are sumptuous and comforting. Colors of the earth, warm and rich browns are a pleasure to work with and are very versatile. Deep chocolatey browns add a touch of sophistication and elegance to a space. Browns also suggest reliabilty, approachability and groundedness. The currently popular chocolate browns work well with so many colors. Brown with Robins Egg blue is a great pairing and deep browns also look fabulous with greens and green blues such as teal. Above see Benjamins Moore's Chocolate Sundae 2113 paired with Sunlit Coral 2170, a warm and tempting combination.

A new color trend for baby girls is rich brown coupled with pink and for boys brown with apple green. The color combinations are modern and yet still so sweet!

Anthony Marschak

2007-04-26T17:41:00.000-07:00

This chair is just amazing and so very clever! This sustainably designed,bamboo chair can be found over at Design Public-one of my favorite online stores!

Green-the new neutral

2007-04-05T22:12:00.000-07:00

Green is a popular color right now and I'm so glad! Green is youthful, fresh, energetic and it can be soothing. Sage green has been consistently used in creating the cottage look. Now avocado green is prevalent as is lime green. Hunter green has long been associated with wealth and paired with gold it is indeed very rich.

Green has recently been touted as the "New Neutral" and why not? In nature we see green everywhere and it's glorius. Right now in the San Francisco Bay area the hillsides are lush and sooo very green, it's beautiful and refreshing. Take a look at some of these pictures. We see green paired with black which is strong, dramatic and bold. We see avocado green in a boy's forest themed bedroom which is soothing and natural. Lime green with pink has always been a great and playful pair for girls of all ages. Green with red needn't only be for Christmas.

Before and After; Home Staging Job

2007-04-04T16:22:00.000-07:00

I just completed a staging job for a home for sale in Point Reyes, CA.

As you see from the before pictures, the place was all white and not very inviting. I chose a rich mid tone chocolate brown color for the kitchen and lower 1/2 of the loft wall. The milk chocolate color adds richness and sophistication. It also makes the cabinetry pop. The lighter color is called ferncliff from Kelly Moore. The 2 colors add warmth, a touch of class and yet are still very neutral.

The red runner rug in the kitchen goes perfectly with the brown and gold tones on the walls. The dining table with the 4 wrought iron chairs has a rustic, country feel which compliments the style of this cozy summer house. The papasan chair and ottoman were the perfect additions to the casual reading nook. Since the owners wanted to use their existing teal colored sofa, my color scheme included browns, golds, reds and of course more teal.

This was a partial staging so the furnishings and accessories were kept minimal yet I think there is enough to make it feel as though you could just move right in. I certainly wanted to stay!! And that is the goal of staging; to emphasize the positives and create an inviting atmosphere the buyer will fall in love with. This home is small but functional and thanks to some great staging it is now warm and inviting!; )

This house just went onto the MLS today and is listed for $825,000. It includes 4 acres and space to build a larger family home.

Many thanks to my helpers who helped pull this together in under a week- Joe Anne, Peter, Sean and of course my little guy Matthew. He's only 4 1/2 but terrific at running the vac and sweeping. ; )

2007-04-03T23:10:00.000-07:00

Yellow is your friend!

2007-03-20T18:19:00.000-07:00

I've posted on yellow before but wanted to add a little more because yellow is such fabulously friendly and cheerful color. It brightens any room and adds a bit of "happy"! I love yellow. When I was growing up, my mom was very generous about painting my room and letting me choose colors. We (she) must have painted my room a couple dozen times while I was between the ages of 8 and 18! Out of all those colors, yellow was my most favorite and the color I remember most. Yellow is great for just about any room and has enjoyed great popularity in the kitchen.

Next time you want to give a room a warm and happy vibe then consider the family of yellows. From golden harvest hues, mouth watering citrus yellow to smooth, buttery yellows the choices are many and very inviting. One word of caution is that when choosing a yellow, don't over do it. The yellow you see on the small paint chip will look much stronger on a large scaled wall. Go paler and work to a stronger shade, if desired, rather then having it become too bold and bright and needing to tone it down. If you encounter the problem of having a painted a yellow that is too strong, you can tone it down using a specific glaze that will work with your particular color.

More on yellow coming up.

Bold Yellows in Marketing and Advertising

2007-03-20T16:00:00.000-07:00

Yellow can create a friendly and warm atmosphere but it can also be used to create an action oriented, high energy space. In marketing and advertising, we see numerous examples of using bright yellows to stimulate and activate humans. It's no coincidence that fast food giants such as Mc Donalds, In N Out, Wendy's and Burger King use a red and yellow color scheme. Red and yellow are both stimulating, activating colors. The combination is a call to action and movement. It is *fast food*, you're not supposed to linger and you won't want to when you're surrounded with such energetic colors. Yellow gets attention, such as the case with caution lights, construction signs and warning signs. Your brain sees yellow and gets the message to pay attention and be prepared to react.

Bright, bold yellow is a good choice for any environment where you want to add energy, such as in a health club, a home exercise room or a service oriented business that touts speedy service as a major benefit.

This is not to say that if you use yellow in your home that it will end up looking like a fast food restaurant! There are some wonderfully delicious and yummy yellows for use in the home that will make your home sunny, warm and happy. Look above for some inspiration and color schemes you might just fall in love with!

Gearing Up for Summer with Janus Et Cie

2007-03-15T16:04:00.000-07:00

Here in San Francisco we've been blessed with 80 degree days this past week. My son and I had our first day at the beach last weekend which has got me alll excited about this upcoming summer season. I want to introduce you to the makers of some exquisite indoor and outdoor furnishings, Janus Et Cie. If you're planning on a poolside, patio or backyard makeover this year, take a look at their collection. Their line is just gorgeous and the quality and workmanship unsurpassed. Take a look.

WIP-Along

2007-03-06T20:47:00.000-08:00

Life has been super hectic lately and I've been under the weather quite a bit with the flu and then a cold! urgh, now on the mend and I'll working on a mural next week for a client in New York. They're expecting a baby girl in April and want a forest theme. The image here is a 'rough' that I worked up in Adobe Illustrator but it's the general idea of the mural scene. The mural will be 6x6.5, a bit big to work on in my space so I'll be painting it at my teacher's loft, the Day Studios, in Oakland. I'll be posting pictures of my progress as I go along. I hope you will enjoy it and maybe get out your paint brushes too! Joe Anne Day will also be painting a large scale chinoiserie at the same time. She is the queen of chinoiserie painting and if she'll let me I'll post pictures of her work in progress too!

WIP-Along 1st steps

2007-03-06T19:00:00.000-08:00

3/25/07
I'm posting this underneathe the original WIP-Along post so you can see the whole process with continuity.

Hurray! I finally got the mural underway for my client in New York. ; ) There isn't much to see yet but the background has begun to be painted out. I will be cutting into the sides and bottom with the wall color in the nursery to create a look of the the mural being painted directly on the wall. Next I will be dropping in the trees with pencil and then painting in the rainbow and clouds.

WIP-Along 1st steps

2007-03-06T18:55:00.000-08:00

Baby steps. This mural still doesn't like like much but this is where I've got to so far. Once the animals and flowers are painted in it will spring to life!!

WIP-moving along

2007-03-06T18:50:00.000-08:00

Now this mural is beginning to look like something. I've started adding in the animals so we can see the scene slowly coming to life.

Mural Progress

2007-03-06T18:45:00.000-08:00

Here is a really bad picture of where I'm at so far. I just made fun of a friend today for sending a blurry picture and now here I have one. I must have had my camera on manual mode without realizing it. I hope to have some better pics tomorrow as I'll be working on it again.

I now have most of the animals all blocked in. The rainbow is in now as well. I still have grass, flowers, butterflies and a lot of detail to add but am on the home stretch now... kind of. ; )

WIP-more detail

2007-03-06T18:40:00.000-08:00

Above is where I've started to add more detail but below you can really start to see the color coming in and some energy developing. It's all about details and the finishing touches now. The baby's name will be added as though carved into to the trunk of one of the trees. I still have a ladybug and some butterflies to add, plus maybe another surprise or two. ; ) stay tuned, I'm just about finished!

Design Within Reach Semi Annual Sale!

2007-02-28T19:38:00.000-08:00

Now's your chance to get 10% off over at Design Within Reach. Go see Andrea at the Mill Valley Studio and get your hands on some cool new goods. Sale starts now!

Max Color, Max Drama

2007-02-28T14:52:00.000-08:00

Big punches of color are every where these days. I don't think there has ever been such a colorful period of time, at least not so far in my lifetime anyway. It seems a bit of everything goes, large and wild prints, colorful silhouettes, mixing patterns and textures, vintage and modern but watch out you don't over board with a good thing.
I love this lively sofa from anthroplogie and this nama rococo wall paper at Rose and Radish in San Francisco.

2007-02-27T11:36:00.000-08:00

Aquamarine can be added to a palette in many ways. For a refreshing, energizing look, add aqaumarine's compliment color red/orange. For a tropical, beachy feel, accent with coral, sand, gold and lavendar. Adding white will always give a touch of the mediterranean. To increase the calming and soothing properties of aquamarine try a monochromatic scheme or combine with other soft pastel shades.

2007-02-20T22:58:00.000-08:00

Above is a bathroom with our color of the week. It looks calm yet fresh. Below is Benjamin Moore's paint color #675, named Thunderbird. I thinks it''s a fantastic color.

Aquamarine in a childrens bedroom

2007-02-20T16:01:00.000-08:00

You can see how fresh yet soothing this color palette is in this childrens room. It's very well done. The colors are soothing and inviting.

Color of the Week; Aquamarine

2007-02-19T15:53:00.001-08:00

The first color I would like to feature in the Palette of the Week is the cool and refreshing aquamarine. The lovely blue green is one of my most favorite colors. Think tropical waters of the caribbean and imagine how it would feel to be slipping into that body of warm, delicious water right now. It's nice. Your worries fade away, your shoulders relax and you smile. This is a sampling of the emotional benefits of this color. Blue green is one of the most healing colors of all. It's revitalizing, destressing yet full of creativity and inspiration.

While I was on chemo, I would at times through out the day, and always at bed time, close my eyes and mentally saturate myself with specific colors. The side effects of the chemo would temporarily lessen and I was able to relax. I meditated on color and it was nice. You can use this color to help you relax. It's an excellent color choice for a spa like bathroom. It's a calming color which makes it a great choice for the rooms of lively and excitable children... after you talk them out of having red, yellow and orange, which will excite them even more.

Aquamarine is the birthstone for March. To wear an aquamarine stone is said to bring great luck to the wearer, promising wealth and happiness. Legend has it that giving the gift of aquamarine will insure long lasting love, and mutual respect and honesty.

How do you feel about this color?

More pics coming up showing this color in action. Stay tuned! ; )

Choosing colors you love!

2007-02-18T22:23:00.000-08:00

Nailing down a new color scheme for your home may seem a bit overwhelming and it can be! If you're someone who tends to shy away from color but are yearning for a new look, or if you're someone who just loves all colors and can't decide on one scheme, then one piece of advice I can offer is to go look into your closet. In your closet you'll see your color preferences within your wardrobe. Here is Paris Hilton's closet. Most of us don't have someone color coding our closet for us but we can certainly see her color preferences here. These colors are also evident through out her home.

It's probably a good idea to try and stay somewhere within the color parameters of your wardrobe. If you look washed out in a yellow sweater then it's not a good idea to paint your bedroom yellow. If you still love yellow, even though you can't wear it, try adding some of the cheerful color in the way of accessories & art. If your wardrobe is full of neutral colors then you may want to stay in that realm, but you can experiment & add a little punch with accessories in bolder colors.

Before painting a new color scheme definitely buy some large paint chips and live with the color for at least a few days before you take the plunge.

Coming Up: Palette of the week

2007-02-14T10:50:00.000-08:00

I'm going to try and offer up a color Palette of the Week, each week, featuring a color palette that works beautifully together. I'll be posting photos of interior and exterior accessories, furniture and art as well as home & office environments that are using the main color chosen for the week. You'll get the chance to see if that color would work for you or perhaps see a new way of working with a particular color.

The Palette of the Week can be used in home environments, print, graphic design, marketing and even in your wardrobe. I'll explain a little history on the main color and share information on the emotional and physical impact of that color.

If you have a certain palette you've been incredibly drawn to or feel works well for you, I'd love to see it and hear from you what those colors remind you of and how they make you feel. I may post your pictures here so other people can benefit from your color success. So, stay tuned and don't be shy!

Another Tile Diva, Rebecca Lonegran

2007-02-06T12:46:00.000-08:00

Having just posted about lovely tiles from Ann Sacks, I also want to introduce you to yet another Tile Diva, Rebecca Lonergan. She's a local San Francisco Bay girl who operates her business online with her partner, David Bousfield. Keeping their overhead low they are able to offer very competitive pricing. Choose from ceramic, glass, stainless, pebble and even an eco friendly cork tile from Cork Delux. I epecially love their signature line, modwalls. These tiles are just so fun and funky, perfect for a bathroom, kitchen or your own mosaic art projects.

The Queen of Tile

2007-02-05T22:45:00.000-08:00

Tile, beautiful tile. If I could, I would tile my bathroom with none other than Ann Sacks tile. Along with the Signature Ann Sacks collection, offered are the works of several other talented designers such as Angela Adams, Erin Adams, Robert Kuo and Barbara Barry. Materials used are glass, ceramic, stone, leather, wood, concrete and metal. How is that for selection? Check out the site, you'll also see some wonderfully unique plumbing fixtures and lighting.

Ann Sacks has built a phenomenal, internationally known tile business. And, it all started on a trip to Mexico. While shopping for a Mexican Wedding dress she fell in love with some colorful, hand painted trivets. Soon after she opened her first showroom in Portland, Oregon. That was back in the 80's and the Ann Sacks collection is still growing today and stronger than ever. We just never know where that big inspiration will come from or how it may change our lives!

Artist Diana Boicheff

2007-02-05T11:59:00.000-08:00

I found Diana Boicheff in Western Interiors magazine this month. I just love her paintings. She works a lot on birch wood with oils and wax. Really nice work.

Add sparkle to a dark room with Metallic Paint!

2007-02-02T10:42:00.000-08:00

Metallic paints can be used over an existing color to add shimmer and sparkle. There are millions of light particles within the paint which reflect the exisiting light so it is a great option for brightening up a dark room. You can use metallic paints alone or as a glaze and create a smooth finish or a textured finish by sponging and pouncing over the wet glaze. Metallics can be a tad difficult to work with but manageable once you learn a few tricks. There is a great article here that walks you through using metallic paint successfully.

There are many, many brands to choose from such as Behr,Benjamin Moore,Blue Pearl Paints and Ralph Lauren to name a few.

For a dark room, I suggest using a light base color, like sunny yellow, a light gold or a pastel color and apply the metallic glaze on top. Your room will feel much brighter and larger and the finish will have your friends talking!

Artist Dominic Crinson

2007-02-01T22:49:00.000-08:00

Dominic Crinson is one of my favorite artists. He creates the most stunning images which are transferred onto tiles that can be used on the floor, as a backsplash or in the bathroom. He also has a range of wall papers and carpets. Every time I look at his work my mind goes all fuzzy and his images keep floating around in my head for days to come. You've got to visit his website and see more for yourself. If you fall in love with his work like I have you can order products directly. I don't believe there is a USA partner that manufacturers for him but production times aren't so bad, even coming from UK.

Dominic Crinson's Bespoke Service; Digitile

2007-02-01T22:35:00.000-08:00

You can also order your tiles, wall papers and carpet with your own images through Digitile or you can find an amazing image from the image library at the site which offers a fabulous range from guest artists like Brenna Jennsen,Hannah Truran, Curson Tussaud and more. Jeeze, I don't know how I could decide with so much eye candy to choose from. Fantasmo!

So Clever! Designer Keiko Altin Oyabu

2007-01-30T21:40:00.000-08:00

This designer is so clever. Look at these jelly tiles I spied at designspotter. They're made of squishy polyurethane gel and may be applied to any smooth, shiny surface. They're self adhesive and also easily removed. Imagine how cool and delightful these must feel under bare feet! The blue jelly drops are drop shaped transparent lights. Also made with polyurathane gel they're soft to the touch and give a super interesting effect. These products are just so cool, I love them! I want some!

Wordly and Wise;Spice it up!

2007-01-28T21:16:00.000-08:00

Mix it up with pieces from different cultures and enjoy trusted classics in hot new colors. The formal french shape of the 'Poldo" chest of drawers looks so smart with the orange laquer paint. From The Conran Shop.

Another twist on an old classic, the Shanghai Loft Wedding Cabinet looks fresh and cheerful in turquoise. Also available in coral and canary. From Red Egg.

Check out the French Petite Wings chairs, circa 1930's, reupholstered in a luscious red wool+cashmere. Again, traditon gets a fresh makeover with a red painted Italian Chair with caned seat. I also love the garden stools in lovely persimmon. All of these 3 from Mecox Gardens, NYC.

So many great finds!

Designer Lars Bolander

2007-01-28T19:49:00.000-08:00

In Miami's Design District you'll find the amazing Lars Bolander.
From his website:
"ABOUT LARS
A pioneer of Swedish design, Lars has been referred to as more than once, yet by virtue of his diverse history and education, pinpointing his exact style remains a challenge.

Bolander's love of and passion for furniture design was solidified during his early education at the Stockholm School of Art. Continuing his education under the acclaimed originator of Scandinavian Design, Carl Malmsten, Lars began to discover, not unlike Malmsten himself, a passion for originality.
Sometime after completing his studies and a few years of free lancing Lars fell under the wing of Gaby Schreiber, known at the time as "The Plastic Queen of England" for her creation of the first plastic cup designed for use on board aircraft. It was with Ms. Schreiber that Lars would have his first experience with, and begin to develop his obsession for interior design.
Shortly after leaving the employ of Ms. Schreiber Lars was referred to Gunter Sachs for whom he worked exclusively for many years designing properties that span the globe.
Lars believes that, "Design is about fantasy and never being afraid to do something" and that "What is important is how you use what you have"."

Lars has 3 stores where you can see some interesting and unusual collections ranging from Swedish antiques to Spanish wrought iron. Locations are in Miami, NYC and Palm Beach.

The Alpha Workshops in NYC

2007-01-27T10:35:00.000-08:00

This place is amazing and the work they produce is gorgeous! What a fabulous organization, there really should be more like it. They offer a colorful and lovely line of hand painted wall papers, do gilding and restoration work and also paint faux finishes. You can order the wall papers by contacting them here
The Alpha Workshops, Inc.
245 West 29th Street
14th Floor
New York, NY 10001

212-594-7320 phone
212-594-4832 fax

"Alpha Workshops is the only not-for-profit organization in the country that trains and employs people living with HIV/AIDS in the decorative arts. We are an industry pioneer ever since our founding in 1995, both in developing a unique training curriculum and in creating a flexible, supportive workplace responsive to the medical, financial and emotional needs of people living with a chronic illness. Alpha Workshops runs a highly regarded design studio, staffed completely by our trainees and graduates, and is well-known for our handcrafted wallpapers, on-site custom painting, decorative finishes, gilding and handcast lamps."

I'm ready for Spring

2007-01-25T16:15:00.000-08:00

Can you tell? I guess I have a while to wait! These are my new floral designs.

Another Silhouette Design

2007-01-25T15:51:00.000-08:00

I made this one today too, also of my son Matthew. I like the bubbles and soft pastel colors.
Email me if you'd like me to make a custom silhouette design for you. They can be printed onto paper or canvas.

New designs

2007-01-25T15:34:00.000-08:00

I've been playing around with the forest theme and designed these. One has a silhouette my 4 year old son and I put a moose on the other.

Decorating with Yellow, A nice pick me up!

2007-01-24T17:57:00.000-08:00

Yellow is a warm, friendly color that can help create a cheerful, happy environment. You know how you feel when you have to go without the sun for a few days in a row and live with dark, gray skies...not so cheery,huh? Then the big golden sun reappears and your spirits soar once more. That's the power of yellow for you! Yellow is great in kichens and bathrooms but you do have be careful when painting entire walls with yellow as it will appear more intense on larger areas than on the little swatch you saw at the paint store.

Now That's Clever!

2007-01-21T22:33:00.000-08:00

Check this out!

Send a postcard and a gift in one go. This Ice Star tealight holder comes packaged as a postcard. The holder is laser-cut in 4mm plywood and comes with a tealight, ready to light up. You canorder them right here.

Decorating with Black and White

2007-01-21T22:07:00.000-08:00

Decorating with black and white can really pack a punch. It may be a current trend but it's also a classic combination that you can always count on for a touch of drama.

Plaster Wall Finishes

2007-01-21T21:54:00.000-08:00

I 've been experimenting with American Clay's Earth Plasters this weekend. It's a green, non toxic natural clay material that you can use to achieve a venetian plaster finish. The color offerings are fantastic and it's not too messy to work with. So far I really love it! Check it out right here.

Hiring a Color Consultant

2007-01-17T18:02:00.000-08:00

You may wonder what a color consultant does and if it's a worthy investment for you. As a color consultant I specify colors for both residential and commercial interiors and exteriors. I also consult on color in marketing collateral and website design.

Having the perfect palette of colors can enhance your space, improve it's value and help your marketing efforts by enforcing your message with the right colors.
You may have had the experience of having seen a color at the paint store that you were absolutely in love with but once you had it on your walls you were less than satisfied. The color didn't look the same. It's not that you had bad taste but unless you've studied color and color relationships it's not easy to predict the result once your chosen color is placed in a new environment. Several factors come into play such as lighting, the source and direction of the light, your floor surface, your furniture and all your decorative accessories in the room all have a role in the final look. Color is a wonderful tool we can use to create that perfect living space that reflects who we are and enhance our daily life.

A color consultant can help you avoid costly painting mistakes and help increase the value of your home. The right colors can revive you and nurture you. In the work place, having the right color scheme can increase employee productivity and lessen eye strain and fatigue. In marketing, colors can catch and hold the eye of your intended audience and increase your bottom line.

Hiring a color consultant may seem like an expensive endeavor, but compared to the possible financial loss and loss of time and effort involved if your result is less than pleasing, it is a small investment that is well worthwhile.

I offer color consultations thorugh out the San Francisco Bay area. For out of town clients, you can send photos in the mail of your project and I will consult with you over the phone and via email. Give it a try. You'll be glad you did.

Cool Stuff for Babies

2007-01-17T12:37:00.000-08:00

Dwell's baby collection is just awesome. It's fresh, modern and just plain cool. I love the patterns and colors used in their ensembles. When I decorated for my son I couldn't afford goodies like these and had to settle for consignment store goods but if it's in your budget then check out Dwell, your baby will be so in style!

For those of you who are on a tighter budget, there are inexpensive ways to spruce up bargain hunter finds. I bought a pastel blue nursery ensemble in ginham from a second hand store. To give it a a modern look I ironed on some appliques that I cut out from some fabric remnants I had around the house. I cut out silhouette style shapes of elephants, dinos and hippos in a red fabric. I sewed a running stitch around the edges in a navy blue and it looked great. I wish I had some pictures handy, I'm going to dig a bit and hope to post some soon. It was an easy project that anyone could do!! You just need to either draw some shapes or get some clipart. Adjust the size, print and trace onto the back side of wonder under or some other sort of iron on adhesive. Iron your fabric onto the other side, then trim. Then you're ready to iron it onto your project. Many fabric stores have a bargain box and just a few colorful scraps will do. It's fun to do and nice when the compliments come in to be able to say you did it!

Starting Life in Style

2007-01-12T21:53:00.000-08:00

There is a growing number of parents and soon to be parents looking for modern digs for the nursery. Pale, pastel pinks and blues, though traditional, have been joined by large numbers of new, trendier colors that set the stage for streamlined modern design and serious style. Yolo color house paints offers a line called little yolo designed with little people in mind. The 0 VOC paint offers up a small but great palette of fun colors.

Babies respond to bold primary colors first and it takes a bit more time for them to begin recognizing subtler shifts in color. Some popular colors that stimulate baby are oranges, limey greens, yellows and blues. It is a myth that babies cry more in a yellow room, so don't pass on yellow for that reason alone.

You will be spending a lot of time in the nursery yourself so you need to use colors that agree with you and make YOU feel good too. If you're not comfortable in a setting with strong colors then remember that just a splash of bolder colors or even just using them as accents can go a long way toward stimulating your baby's visual development. The sight they'll love seeing the most, of course, is your face.

Earth Friendly House Paints

2007-01-12T10:05:00.000-08:00

With the green movement and so many companies getting involved in producing eco friendly products, I'm happy to introduce you to some eco friendly, low and no VOC house paints.

There are a few paint companies who have tackled the VOC issue with creating low odor, 0 or low VOC paints. Yolo Color House is a brand I have tried and have been extremely happy with. The consistency of the paint is smoothe and creamy and goes on like a dream. Also, it doesn't smell like paint!! Even pregnant women can use it as it is in the 0 VOC category and Green Seal Certified.

Sherwin Williams offer 2 lines of earth friendly paints with the Harmony Interior line and the Duration Interior Latex collection. The Duration line is low VOC while the Harmony line is 0 voc.

If you want to lower your exposure to indoor pollutants and green up your living space and the world you should really consider one of the above brands. Although they cost a bit more than traditional paints the lower VOC and low to no odor is well worth it.

Color and marketing

2007-01-07T13:31:00.000-08:00

See anything in common in the above photos? The predominant color scheme in the websites of all 3 of these luxury car makers is black and silver. Mercedes, Jaguar and BMW all market to an upscale, high income market. Black connotates sophistication, elegance, and mystery. Black also has the power of seduction while silver is prestigous and symbolizes riches just as gold does. Silver is sleek and graceful.

Color Trends 2007 Colors that comfort and excite

2007-01-05T12:43:00.000-08:00

These colors are so yummy and cozy. Biscuit and wheat neutrals, cocoa brown, pumpkin orange and cinnamon apple pie, are just a few of the comfort colors that will wrap your room with warmth and promote a stress-free space. The comfort color palette is an especially good choice for kitchens and family rooms.

Photos Courtesy of The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute.

2007 Simply Elegant Color palette

2007-01-04T09:44:00.001-08:00

2007 Simply Elegant Color palette
Originally uploaded by jillclarkson.

From pantone

"In recent years shantung silk in saffron, silver-gray and eggplant has been used for everything from bridesmaid dresses to throw pillows. This slightly shimmery palette is a continuation of the trend."

Color Trends for Home accessories

2007-01-04T09:40:00.001-08:00

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Originally uploaded by jillclarkson.

"2007 Pantone Lumens color palette
Space-age whites and silvers are the colors of choice for consumer electronics. Cobalts, violets and greens lend themselves to translucent glass and plastic accents."

Happy New Year to all!

2006-12-31T14:35:00.000-08:00

Here is wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2007!
Colorfully Yours,
Jill Clarkson
Your San Francisco Bay area color consultant!

OrangeUGlad?

2006-12-29T13:02:00.000-08:00

I hope you all like orange because it's everywhere and here to stay for a while. Personally, I love orange, it's fun, lively and energizing. Take a look at some new items from the modern childrens designer DucDuc featuring this lively color.

Hot New Colors

2006-12-28T16:16:00.000-08:00

You can get your hands on the years hot new colors at Fishs Eddy. They've got a snappy new collection of plates serving up Pantone's latest colors.

2007 Color Trends

2006-12-28T15:48:00.000-08:00

One color group that I'm excited to see in the 2007 color trend line up is the grass roots colors.

Excerpt from Pantone, "Grass Roots looks to indigenous crafts and materials that bring a regional flavor to products or environments. Some of those regions might be far–flung while some are much closer to home. In reality, while some of the products may be mass produced, they look as if they are hand– hewn, hand–loomed or individually crafted. Grass Roots starts with the variations on a green theme, moves on to mineral blue and various wood tones that are enhanced by unexpected mixes including grape, rose and terra cotta."

Designers' Color trends for 2007

2006-12-28T15:16:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Jill Clarkson Color and Design

2006-12-28T14:17:00.000-08:00

Thanks for stopping by! I will be posting information on the latest color trends and pictures of my work as well. I hope you'll enjoy your visit and come back soon.