Blue: Once the most Prized Color

Did you know blue was once the most prized, most sought after, most coveted color? 

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Blue was not one of nature's elements like its counterparts, yellow, red or brown. This primary color did not contribute to prehistoric writings or paintings. The only available pigment for creating blue was found in azurite and lapis lazuli. These stones were non-existent in many parts of the world such as Japan and Australia. Extracting blue from these stones required extensive crushing and cleaning. 

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Along came the Egyptians who were the first to create a synthetic pigment necessary for creating the color we know today as egyptian blue. (Kudos to the Egyptians). The Egyptians managed to fire glass mixed with copper shavings, which expanded their color palette to include more blues and greens. When ground finely, blue ink was created. And the rest is history........

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Blue is known for its calm, tranquil aura. Protection, purity, peace, trust (ever notice the logo colors of financial institutions), loyalty, patience, hope, perseverance, sadness, depression, cleansing or cooling. 

Blue is the number one favorite color in America, number one for casual clothing and number two for business clothing. Not a favorite color for most rooms, especially the dining room. 

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It's hard to imagine that this calming, trusted color was also at one time the most feared color. Ancient Europe associated blue with their enemy, Celtic and Germanic Barbarians. In the Mongol culture, Akshobhya (buddhist monk) was represented in blue, which symbolized his capacity to destroy the enemies of the light. At one point, Turkey associated blue with mourning. China related blue with torment. In India, blue was the color of despair.

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I love the vibe. Blue is one color you can count on for a breathe of fresh air, a quiet mood or an escape into tranqulity. From bright and airy to cloudy and gray, blue will create a calm, restful room. So, tell me, what is it you like or don't like about blue?

Marilyn

Contemporary Styling for You

"The Contemporary house knows no boundaries. Walls give way to open plan design and the space created is used to its best advantage, providing a perfect showcase for a thoroughly moderrn interior."

People tend to shun Contemporary design styles based on misconceptions of it being too minimal, cold and/or colorless. These misconceptions couldn't be further from the truth. The basic principles of a Contemporary space are comfort, uncluttered and functional garnished with natural materials. The common theme here is less is more.

In this bedroom design, notice the clean lines and dark tones of the furniture pieces; no significant detailing. The furniture layout leaves room for traffic movement. Each furniture piece is visible to be admired in its own right. Even the texture and detail of the rug is perfect as it brings in a natural-like element to the space. 

The monochromatic color scheme of varying neutrals with a pop of red in this space. This is another hallmark (or misconception) of a Contemporary space for it contributes to the clean style. However, I beg to differ. The point of a Contemporary space is to show off its features through the use of materials, furniture, etc. Color/s can be infused as long as it's inspiring, pleasing and blends with the overall style you're shooting for. 

 The clean-lined furniture in repeated here. The minimalist concept of the furniture is inviting and still elegant. The large windows and glass door opens the space, which is another element of a Contemporary space. The floor treatment of what appears to be tile is a nice contrast to the wood, which takes away for a cold feeling. 

This is my favorite space because of the scale of this room. The small scale creates intimacy but does not lack style. From the architectural ceiling detail to the built-ins and furniture, this room hits the mark of a Contemporary design style. While the color scheme is mostly neutral, the pops of red breaks the neutrality seamlessly and is not overbearing. 

Obviously the focal point of this room are the large windows, which then forces your eyes to the height ceiling. Openess: hallmark of a Contemporary space. Notice the furniture pieces: the timeless Barcelona chairs. I adore the window treatment; simple and chic. The white rug provides a nice contrast for the red ottoman, which also makes it a dominant piece in this setting.

While a Contemporary space is indicative of clean lines, minimal detailing, functionality and openness, keep in mind that your space is your space and should reflect who you are.

Marilyn

The NATE BERKUS SHOW launches September 13th

Happy Monday and Happy #Nateday in Twitterville! You know this guy, @Nate_Berkus, with the award-winning smile and super cool television personality who has graced the Oprah Winfrey Show on many occasions. Nate is slated to have his own design show on September 13th. Kudos to @Nate_Berkus!!!  

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Nate's design philosophy is simple: your home your own. Your home should be a reflection of who you are. As cliche-esque as his philosophy may sound, there is no reason why your home should not be an extension of your personality. What I fancy about Nate's style is that he sees beauty in the most non-standard objects; objects that may be overlooked or bypassed. This says alot about Nate's design character. Yes, I agree. You don't have to megabucks to make a great space that's totally you.

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Nate has an uncanny ability to bring drab to fab through color, textile and injection of a piece that may not instantaneously fit at first blush; but, he makes it work. His spaces emulates elegance, warmth and comfort. I love the sofa-flanked wall of books. It's not stiff nor uptight. One should be able to just grab a book, curl up on a nearby sofa or chair and get lost in a great read.  

These are just some of Nate's Decorating Essentials:


1 . Consider placing objects on the wall that aren't standard art. 
2. For an added sophistication, try some coral or a starfish. 
3. Find a great chair and use it; it does not have to match everything else in the room. 

So Mr. Nate Berkus, congratulations to you and your upcoming show. Enjoy and blush about the 70 plus and growing bloggers talking about you today.........

Special thanks to the lovely @moggitgirls for the invite and for gathering the Bloggers for Nateday!!!!


Marilyn

London Bound

Let me start off by saying THANK YOU. Thank you for following and reading my blog. By now you know that I do not post on a regular basis. When I say regular, I mean more than once per week. I'm lucky if I manage to post once a week due to my hectic schedule. Besides my home life where I am a wife and mother, Interior Design school keeps me pretty darn busy, which I am grateful for as I am learning a lot.

Anyway, I am elated right now. Why, because in one month, I'm heading to London to study Interior Design for 10 weeks. What an opportunity to be presented with and one that I could not resist. This will be my first trip to the U.K. Things I'm hoping to see and do......

Buckingham Palace

Changing of the guards

The Tower Bridge

I'm hoping to ride one of these boys.

Get around on the Tube

The Millennium Wheel aka The London Eye. 

The British Museum

Cleopatra's Needle

Hampton Court Palace

St. Paul's Cathedral

...and many more including Trafalgar Square, Picadilly Circus, Houses of Parliament, Kew Gardens and not to mention the Museums. Oh, I have to make my way to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower (hear it's beautiful at night), The Louvre and Versailles. I have 10 weeks...I'll find the time.

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Marilyn

Todd English's BlueZoo - The Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Hotel

I was recently asked this question: What makes a restaurant memorable? After pondering this question for a while, three things came to mind (in no specific preference): the service, the food and the design atmosphere. 

Welcome to Todd English's BlueZoo, located at Walt Disney World's Swan & Dolphin Hotel. 

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My husband and I recently celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary at this lovely restaurant. From the onset, the service was nonstop pleasant. The staff was friendly and engaging (I am a sucker for a great, interesting conversation). The food....OMG.....the food, was just amazing. Not only was the food tasteful and sufficient, the presentation left me wanting to leave the plate untouched. 

The BlueZoo was completed by architect and designer, Jeffrey Beers. The overall theme of the restaurant follows the water theme of Disney's Swan and Dolphin Hotel. From colors of the ocean to textures and elements, there is not one thing that does not remind you of the sea.

Upon entry, my eyes were immediately drawn to the illimunated columns strategically placed throughout the restaurant. These iconic wire and glass curtained-draped structures are the hallmark design pieces of the BlueZoo. It is really spectacular at night when lighted by the spotlights located in the most upper portion of the columns. Another eye catcher is the bubbled chandelier. Moving on to the color scheme where the monochromatic blue color on the ceiling, walls and floor was seamlessly interrupted by the orange chairs and white table cloths.

This restaurant is nothing but breathtaking. The next time you're in Orlando, be sure to visit the BlueZoo.

Marilyn