color | House of Earnest

Category: color

August 31, 2011

Just a Splash {of Aubergine}

*photo from design sponge – Irina Graewe Sneak Peak

Okay, so maybe it is a bit more than ‘just a splash’ but aubergine is one of my favorites this time of year. Late summer into early fall signifies the harvest of blackberries, blueberries, and well – aubergines! It is still such a fresh, outdoors time of year with a hint of cool – just like the color!

*photo by style by emily henderson

*photo from picsdecor

Interested in adding a little splash of aubergine to your home? Use pretty feathers or gourds, paint an accent wall, how about a cozy knit throw? – either way it will make such a fresh pretty addition!

*photos from top left: sewn natural, kimono, elle interior norge, luna yarns

What are your feelings on aubergine? Love it or hate it?

Have a PLEASANT Wednesday!

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July 26, 2011

Black and White Stripes Done Right

in color, Home Decor with 0 Comments

*design by schappacher white

I don’t think it is any secret that I love clean, bright spaces grounded in white. Black and white stripes have the potential to go real bad, real fast, but this room is simply amazing. The wide stripes gives this room a modern graphic element. Mixing worn, vintage or antique items with the black and white stripes helps to tone down the contrast and gives the room a warmer look. Is this something you’ve been wanting to try?

Here are some suggestions to get this look at home. Mix in your own, loved items for a natural eclectic look!

1. Ralph Lauren Stripe Pillow Covers, icraft $29; 2. Artificial Plants, Topiary Trees and Silk Plants | HomeDecorators.com, $69; 3. Ikea Ikea Stockholm Rand, $199; 4. Willow Sofa | Crate&Barrel, $1,699; 5. Kenroy Home Steppe 2 Pack 30 in. Black Table Lamp Set – 20136BL at The…, $142; 6. The Drum Stool, yliving.com $400

Have a WONDERFUL Tuesday!

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July 19, 2011

A Minted Space

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*photo from sophisticate interiors

Mint green has been a popular color is both fashion and in interiors this year, and I can totally see why. This bedroom is both feminine and clean, yet a really fun dose of color, I am a pretty big fan.

It is pretty plush and a tad fancy, but still beautiful. It is very green, girly, and classic.

When I look at this room, my eye immediately goes toward the amazing wall moulding and the iron, vintage-esque bed. The wall color and chest are amazing, all else is a bit formal.

Although I LOVE the color, I think I prefer my mint green in a smaller way. Maybe just the walls with accents of gold…

Or maybe in just a touch of detail like below? Some beautiful antique jadite and minty cafe chair give this airy room the perfect pop. And how about these amazing eggs, huh? not dyed at all, they are from an araucana chicken which naturally lays blue-green eggs – FABULOUS (I’ve got to get one of those chickens)

*photos from rikshaw design, dreamy whites and One Vanilla Bean

Could you see mint green making a presence in your house? If so, a little or a lot?

And now is the time to announce the WINNER of the first ever House of Earnest GIVE-A-WAY! Drumroll please… The winner is Jen, who wrote that her favorite print was “Let the sun shine through your heart”.

Congratulations, Jen! I will contact you via email regarding your win!

Have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!

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June 29, 2011

Just a Splash {of Neon Pink}

in color with 4 Comments

Neons are everywhere this summer, but who says they’re only for clothing? I’m loving neon pink for all kinds of purposes around the home – including furniture! This neon pink couch looks just right in a quirky apartment. Grounded by white and surrounded by many other color pops, the couch doesn’t seem like a stretch at all.

Two neon pink chairs flank an antique chest of drawers and actually help to anchor this gallery wall.

Hits of neon pink in the chair and desk lining are just enough and, paired with grey, are super cool.

Another photo to prove that more is more. All of the art, textures, and colors actually help to integrate the neon pink sofa – I love it!

Do you think a neon pink door is a bit too much for you? What about some of these small hits:

*photos from top: light locations, absolutley beautiful things, kim frazier via Pinterest, vintage renewal, inglenookdecor via houzz.

*collage photos from top left: earthseawarrior on etsy, mrps on etsy, house of earnest*, a creative mint for decor8, urban outfitters

Maybe a little more do-able? I do like the hot pink couches though… If I ever had a space of my own (studio? woman cave?) I would totally do a hot pink couch!

What do you think? Which neon pink element could you integrate into your home?

Have a VIBRANT Wednesday!!

P.s. I’m off work for the next 7 days in a row! Woo Whoo!!! I’m heading out of town tomorrow with my husbands family and I’m excited to be relaxing pool-side for a super long weekend!

4 Comments

June 21, 2011

White, Bright, and a Pop!

in color, Home Decor with 1 Comment

*photo from light locations

Inspiration in a room is anything which makes me feel something. This room is a slight departure from the natural and neutral rooms I am usually inspired by, but nonetheless, I think it is has some characteristics that I envy in a living space – and makes me feel light, bright and happy!

There is an almost playful juxtaposition between the louis style armchair and settee to the mid-century sofa, all tied together through color – and lots of it!

Please weigh in! Click on the grey ‘leave a comment’ link at the top of the post and tell me what your thoughts are on this room! It makes me feel like this:

*photos from top left: sundayinbed, amber apple via pinterest, a creative mint, carrie hampton via pinterest

What about you?

Have a BRIGHT and BEAUTIFUL Tuesday!

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May 26, 2011

Candy Striped Home

in color, Home Decor with 2 Comments

Red is not one of my favorite colors. I own maybe one red thing, so it is unusual for me to gravitate toward anything red, not to mention red stripes!

This thought got started with some red and white paper straws I found at a little shop selling cute and kitschy housewares (by kikkerland, pictured above left center). You can buy some here. I immediately could think of endless possibilities for these straws – themed party, Christmas garland, vase filler, the list could go on…. But what is important here, is that I began to envision red and white in my home, and how that would look.

I did a little searching around and found some new ways to use stripes in the home. The washed red and white striped couch above in the home of design consultant Ellen O’Neill is stunning. If I saw this sitting in isolation, I could never imagine it in my living room – but in context it is just perfect. Similar is th bedroom by Katrin Cargill Interiors. Red verrigated stripe throw together with the bold, regular striped lamp shades look wonderfully Scandinavian - Would you have ever thought to put these together?

This still might be a bit of a stretch for some, but I starting small might be the best option! Cute sailor striped cushion covers above from be still on etsy, are grounded in a natural hue, making them easier to integrate into your style.

Do you have red stripes in your home? Would you consider it now? Please share!

*photos from top left: Regency Striped Cushion Cover $40 be still, Katrin Cargill, Regency Striped Cushion Cover $40 be still, House Beautiful, house of earnest*, house of earnest*

Sorry, I didn’t post on my regular Wednesday! I was up in the air on my way home from Hong Kong and it is SO good to be back! Just in time for a nice long holiday weekend…

Have a TERRIFIC Thursday!!

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May 23, 2011

Just a Splash {of Yellow}

in color with 3 Comments

Just a splash of yellow. Clean, bright, and cheery the color has had a popular trend following in recent years and I cannot help but agree. Yellow can find a place in almost any room in the home! A spectrum of yellow from warm mustard in the beautiful bedroom above to crisp canary in the accessories below, both rooms by Sarah Richardson Design, looks fresh and relevant.

Yellow lamps give the offices at Lonny Mag a chic punch of color.

Beautiful painted twin beds in the home of Emerson or EmersonMade were one slept in by both her mother and grandmother! They give a fresh, white room so much character and interest. Photo from Boston Home via Elements of Style blog.

It is all about accents in this room by Maison21. Accent chair, accents on the shelves all stand out against mostly white built-ins and accessories.

In the above photo from apartment therapy, an antique, feminine headboard is striking with a punch of rich golden yellow.

I think yellow is a very user-friendly color, but some people still might be a little afraid of the bright hue. What are your thoughts? Love it or leave it?

Have a FANTASTIC Monday! I am SO excited that I get to go home this week and see my husband and my puppies!

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May 11, 2011

A Burst of Colored Stripes

in color, Home Decor with 2 Comments

How about a burst of color on this Wednesday morning? Hump day will never be the same if you woke up to cheery painted stripes in your home! This particular kaleidoscopic room in the Kate Spade store, is seriously fun with the traditional furniture and white walls. Similarly below DIYer Kristin Kauffman showed off her painted dining room floors to Better Homes and Gardens in February’s issue of the magazine and Nate Berkus also featured her ‘how-to’.

I am a big fan of multi-colored stripes set back to white, like in the Kate Spade photo. A bright background makes the whole trend a bit more fresh and inspired than plain traditional stripes. The warm tones chosen as a majority of the color make this installation just a touch vintage too.

Now you don’t have to go crazy with the paint, you can get colorful spring inspired stripes in your home in much less permanent way. These pretty vases by dahlhaus are my personal favorite, a DIY doormat by Martha might be hitting my back porch soon, and some striped home accessories are just in the perfect iteration of the trend for your home!

*photos from top left modern stripe vase from Dahlhaus Ceramics $40, Izzy Salad Servers from Modern Lola $15, Tara Matthews Cashmere Scarf on Net-a-Porter $198, Multicolored LouisXV Chair from Dransfield & Ross $3125, Ribbon Pillow – House Beautiful, Stripe Mug – Our Shop £9.20, Kate Spade Ad, Martha Stewart DIY porch mat.

How HAPPY did this make your Wednesday?!

Do you think this is a color trend you’ll be trying? Is there a pretty striped pillow or rug in your future??

2 Comments

May 4, 2011

Old World Meets New Room

in color, Home Decor with 1 Comment

I like to find inspiration for home decor from a million different places. I was inspired by a beautiful Colombian photo shoot by Grant K. Gibson in High Gloss Magazine. The old buildings painted in rich vibrant color are somewhat of an ‘old world meets new world’ twist. These colors are inherent to South American culture – lively and spicy.

I was similarly inspired by this bedroom photo. After I went back and pulled this photo off my wall, I realized it designed by Grant K Gibson as well – what a coincidence! I love this room’s old world vintage touches – the canopy bed with velvet headboard, brass lamps, and heritage prints – all sit against a foundation of rich, new vibrant blue. If you look close, you’ll see this photo was a huge inspiration for my master bedroom vision!

How do you guys feel about it? Maybe this bedroom needs just a splash of orange like Grant K Gibson’s Colombia photo? Let me know your thoughts!

Have a good (rainy) Wednesday!

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May 2, 2011

Fresh Finds: Lilac

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Lilacs have long been my favorite spring flower. Growing up we had a lilac bush right outside our kitchen window and the smell of lilacs always signified the end of school, then proms, and later my summer arrival home from another year away in college.

Now, I am lucky that our home has a lilac bush right outside and within smelling distance from our back door. It is technically on our neighbors property, but since that neighbor is our grandmother, she encourages I snip all the blooms I need.

Even with all the memories the smell of lilacs brings to mind, these lilac finds will help me begin to associate lilac with this new home – even if this new home is over 100 years old! Here are a few of the things I think look fresh and moved on in lilac!

	1. Robert Abbey Delta Table Lamp In Lilac – Robert-abbey-948 \| Candelabra, Inc. $136 – shopcandelabra.com, 2. Lilac Fouta Beach Towels $65 – scentsandfeel.com,
	3. Decorated Nooks - At Home - Anthropologie.com$128 – anthropologie.com, 4. Flowery Frost Vase - Anthropologie.com $14 – anthropologie.com

	I hope your Monday is filled with something as beautiful as the scent of lilac!