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I love reading and seeing the images of Fashion Week and I like to translate them into a Fall color forecast… from this Seattle interior designer’s perspective. Our Seattle weather, sadly, is often sunless… so I like to imagine that color adds some ‘sunlight’ to our interiors. So the colors below offer ideas for accessories like throws, pillows, an ottoman or rug. Perhaps a lone or pair of chairs for some pop in your home.  All colors are from Benjamin Moore.

My favorite Fall Fashion colors from Benjamin Moore

Vintage Wine -A warm, coffee-like color is perfect for Seattle

Wasabi – A crisp accent color

August Morning – Add a touch of sunshine all year long

Deep Ocean – Appealing and vibrant blue-green

Hawthorne Yellow – More sun to warm up a room

Merlot Red – Perfect for WA wine lovers

Etruscan – A warm, useful neutral for a cozy interior

Deep Caviar – Lush, rich brown for anchor pieces and wood accents

PAINT PERSONALITY CONSULTATION

Paint color is the framework that expresses your personality and enhances your treasures. Set a mood, feel comfortable in your home- savor the sense of harmony and balance. Colors flow subtly through the rooms like a well-blended Mojito. Schedule your Fall Fashion Analysis to add color in your home.  206.973.3743

Tags: Benjamin Moore, color, colors for Fall, Faith Sheridan Design Group, Fall Fashion forecast, interior designer Seattle WA, Seattle interior designer
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Why be generic when you can choose a unique colorful trellis instead? For my outdoor spaces in Seattle, whether on a condo patio or large backyard space, I encourage accessories with color for a uniquely designed concept.

Enter TerraTrellis, a California based company. “TerraTrellises are re-imagined, modern versions of classic garden structures. They are designed not only to support a plant but to integrate with it. This union ultimately forms a work of self- standing, living art in the landscape.”  Colorful, contemporary steel garden trellises, tuteurs and arbors.

Unique colors for outdoor spaces

The seven color selections allow you to be your own artist and select favorite plants to combine with a color. Have fun by combining an architectural element with color and plants like clematis, roses or tomatoes.

If you don’t live in the Los Angeles area, you can order from the company online and your trellis will be shipped to you (some assembly may be required).

At Faith Sheridan Design Group, we help you achieve your personal style. Relax and let us guide you through the process of design. How can we help you?

Tags: Accessories, color, Faith Sheridan Design Group, interior designer Seattle WA, Outdoor Living, outdoor spaces Seattle
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It’s everywhere in the news for the past weeks-design trends for 2011. This Seattle designer dives into these stories eager to hear from design gurus about the ‘next’ thing.  Then it occurred to me to look back… and I located a Benjamin Moore Color Pulse, 2010.  The research for the information in this Color Pulse came from data and travel in 2008-2009.  And since it’s now 2011, I was curious to re-read the predictions.

Doty Horn, Director of Color and Design for Benjamin Moore

Before the color predictions comes the overriding theme that guides the color direction.  In 2010, the theme was authenticity-the new counter culture.  ”Known materials unite the real with valued expressions = grounded creativity – a quest for what’s true”.

Quickly I am reminded of my trip to the High Point Furniture Market April, 2010. Visible indications of ‘authenticity’ such as ‘refined graffiti’, old finishes, reinterpreted materials.  Some companies do this extremely well, Phillips Collection.

The Phillips Collection using reclaimed seat belts

Phillips Collection - stick wood wall decor

Image courtesy Bellapatina.com

And about those colors for 2010?  From Doty Horn and Apartment Therapy

Greyscale: Carbon and whites that are creamy…”chalk, milk, alabaster.” Louise Nevelson textural black. And “stay tuned for ombre.” Clinically white kitchens and Valentino laser-cut white surfaces.

Naturals: “Beige competes with grey.” Parchment, cardboard, muslin and hay.

Yellows: Fresh, citron with carbon, banana, mustard, gold, sheer, gilded.

Orange: Copper, pumpkin, clay.

Reds: From pinks to crimson, brick, and a red so orange you aren’t sure if it isn’t perhaps orange. “Rouge with blue-ing, blacking. Russian red.” She called the blackened reds the most “livable” (and “wearable”). Strawberry.

Purples: “Periwinkle, grape (almost shocking), aubergine and lilac,” with the lilac neutralized so it almost reads as grey.

Blues: Soft, celestial blue, and deep “worker” blue, ink and indigo (“reflecting denim lifestyle”). She called out the deepest midnight blues for special attention.

Green: “Fresher, truer, less sage, cleaner greens to yellows. Grass is vibrant. Menthol green.” “Succotash colors: peas, corn, carrots.”

The only color missing is turquoise…which was the Pantone 2010 color of the year.

Pantone Color of the Year -2010 Turquoise

Tags: Benjamin Moore, color, Faith Sheridan Design Group, interior designer Seattle WA, Pantone color of the year, Phillips Collection furniture
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Early in my design career, this interior designer in Seattle recalls visiting some homes with turquoise appliances. This video provides a great history of turquoise with good humor too. Yes, for those born in the 70′s and later, not only appliances but bathtubs, sinks and toilets too! So I have enjoyed the hoopla in 2010 about the COLOR of the year. Actually, I like the color and especially in certain combinations like those in the title.

Turquoise and Grey

Turquoise makes an elegant,contemporary statement paired with grey (see image upper left) and offers a serene, calm setting. And blues in general are favorites in the US and abroad.  Add orange and chartreuse and the drama steps up considerably.

Chartreuse

Orange

Gold

I find the gold combination to be elegant and restful too but very reminiscent of the 1970′s.  This image is a fresh interpretation and quite classic.

Turquoise is  perfect throughout the house as an accent with existing décor.  Complementary with reds and pinks, it unites with deeper blues to join nautical themes and sparks up other greens. This year the hot, frequently shown look is turquoise with yellow-greens.

If you crave one simple, beautiful space, our team is here to help. Picking colors? Accessories? Furniture.  Faith Sheridan Design Group is your friend in the design business. Call us today – 206.437.8000.

Tags: color, Faith Sheridan Design Group, interior designer Seattle WA, recycling turquoise, retro color
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Don’t be Sleepless in Seattle because of design differences with your partner. Here are tips from a Seattle interior designer to get started and work thru your different tastes.

Are you and your partner planning a remodel, new furnishings such as an area rug, art, accessories or window treatments?  In my everyday design work, I find couples have trouble typically in SIX areas which leads to conflict and unfinished or stalled project.  Here are the problem areas and remedies to resolve those design differences and get your project moving.

·         Color     Translating a color selection from a small sample is daunting. Plus, one partner may like bold, vibrant colors and the other soft neutrals.  There are helpful websites such as www.myperfectcolor.com that show combinations.   Narrow the selection and then test the colors using a mini-can on your wall first.

·         Style      Use magazines to identify likes and dislikes. Independently, select rooms, styles of furniture, arrangements and accessories.  Then each partner can share the vision they have of the project. This is also a good opportunity to discuss the budget.

·         Fabric     The exchange of information from magazines shows who likes what with textures and patterns.  I find one partner may prefer something floral or printed and the other plains.  Use this information and decide if a floral might be on a pillow instead of a chair. Discuss smooth, soft fabrics vs. flat and also if leather is a preference.

·         Television      I know I will encounter strong feelings about the placement of the TV.  Today the large, black screens dominate.   How exposed will it be?  Will it be hidden or front and center. I find most family rooms fully expose the TV as this is the gathering place for family and friends.

.        Windows       In the Northwest, light is very important so windows are mostly exposed. Saving furniture and fabric from excessive sunlight is a consideration so some light control is important. Heat gain and heat loss are also important. Who wants what?  Again the magazine exercise is a chance to voice likes and dislikes. Do you like shades, fabric, side panels and so on.

.        Clutter      I generally find one partner is a neatnik and the other is less concerned with messes. I recommend drawers, baskets and boxes  to keep organized. Get in the habit of clearing off surfaces daily. Group collections of objects for impact and decide which room is best for display.

The most important element of this exploration for a successful remodel is a PLAN. I work with my clients to integrate the information into a strategy of selections, finish specifications and final choices. The finished room reveals a design that is a partnership. 

In my weekly enewsletter, I regularly offer resourceful sources and tips to explore as you dip your toes into a new project. Alternatively, you can receive  quick solutions by email.

What works best for you readers when you design with your partner?

Tags: color, decorating, designing for the sexes in Seattle, Faith Sheridan, redecorate, remodel with a partner, Seattle interior designer
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