Neutrals are lovely but sometimes you just crave color! Saturated in a million shades of blue and layered with pattern, this Swedish home is a so inspiring. It is the home of photographer and creative Kristin Lagerqvist and her young family, and the spaces beautifully blend a fresh, casual aesthetic with lots of antique pieces. I especially love the use of gallery walls and bold wall papers. Just dreamy . . .

{Images + story via Swedish Elle Decor here}

Dream Getaway: Halcyon House

We spend a wonderful week in Sydney last month {more on that later!} but while researching Australian hotels, I came across the amazing Halcyon House at Cabrita Beach. Located an hour outside Brisbane, in an old surfers motel, these costal yet refined interiors are gorgeous! Breezy, welcoming spaces filled with collected art and layers of patterned textiles creates the perfect beach getaway and looks more like a chic home than a hotel. And of course the spaces and unified by the endless shades of blue and white . . . . such a dream! I hope to make it to Cabrita Beach one day!

Kitchen Question: Pale Blue Cabinets?

I am working on remote project with kitchen re-fresh involved and we are considering painting the cabinets blue! Yikes, this is such a hard one - I usually love a fresh, white kitchen or one grounded by rich wood tones but there is something so beautiful and dreamy about a soft blue. I am searching for the perfect blue-gray shade that will look updated but classic.

What do you think? Lovely or just a fad? Here are a few inspiration images to mull it over. . . 

{images via}

Dark + Stormy: Deep Blue Walls

I am working on a sophisticated and manly bedroom for a client here and we decided to the walls in a rich, saturated blue. I am so excited about the idea of a dark and dusty wall color for a bedroom - it just envelops and surrounds you! I think the key to balancing these dramatic walls is to pair them with fresh, white bedding and to paint the trim and ceiling a clean white as well. Also be sure to select a paint with a matte finish, anything shiny will be overwhelming! 

Here are a few of my inspirations. . . . Would you ever try this look at home?

For those of you in areas where they sell Nippon Paints, here are my picks! 

Beachside Blogging

Yes, I am still in Thailand and blogging beachside! (Sorry - I hope this does not sound like bragging to you poor folks in the snowy Northeast!) I am just obsessed with the varying shades of turquoise, cyan, aqua, azure, teal, blue-gray, sky, denim and cerulean blue. So as a continuation of yesterday's thoughts on color inspiration, here a few picks for favorite blues from top designers for House Beautiful! 

Olympic Paints Aqua Chiffon A58-3, selected by designer Tina McHenry

 Oceanside by Sherwin-Williams, #SW 6496 from Jackie Jordan

 
Glidden Paint, Clear Blue Sky GLB15 from Krim Dansinger

Pantone Turquoise 15-5519 TPX from Leatrice Eisman

Sea Kiss 5005-9C from Sue Kim

So even if you feel far from the beach - don't be afraid to let color brighten your interior! Even British Prime Minister Winston Churchill recognized the positive effects of color on our moods . . . 

"I cannot pretend to feel impartial about colors. I rejoice with the brilliant ones and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns."

Winston Churchill 1874-1965

Color Inspiration at the V&A!

During a recent visit to London, I spent an afternoon at the Victoria & Albert Museum of Decorative Arts. The collection of furniture, metalwork, ceramics, silver, glass and textiles are all beautiful but the jewelry galleries really are my favorite - showcasing amazing pieces from the Roman era to the 1980's. I was struck in particular by the stunning turquoise pieces I saw! Turquoise is so upbeat and youthful but also can be quite sophisticated. Here are a few special pieces of jewelry I loved and a few accessories for your home if you (like me!) are taken with turquoise. . .  
Above is an English turquoise, gold and pave diamond necklace with a bow design from 1850-1860.

A German carved cameo of carnelian depicting a Bacchante female figure, and set in gold and turquoise, made from 1630-1670.

A pair of gorgeous earrings made of turquoise, amethyst, and pearls, made in England from 1835-1840. What a great color combo! 

A bright Zig Zag throw blanket made of baby alpaca from Jonathan Adler.

The Luxembourg Garden side chair by Fermob USA. This chic chair comes in 27 colors and retails at $216. 

I adore these vintage 1960's table lamps - they are made of ceramic and brass and are available at Little Paris Antiques.

A great enamel photo frame in turquoise also by Jonathan Adler.

And to end, boldly turquoise room by designers Kim Coleman and Michele Green!