the color lab blog — colorfilled lifestyle

Images (top left, clockwise): Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend National Park, Texas, 2020 by David Benjamin Sherry, Orange Handbags, Spooky Blooms from Bia Blooms, Healthy, Colorful Smoothies

 

• The renowned US edition of the annual art exhibition, Art Basel Miami Beach, concluded last Sunday. In the age of Covid, the online viewing rooms were a welcome sign that creativity will never be thwarted.

 

• 'Orange' you excited about the holidays? This color in a handbag is the perfect accessory gift with a built in uplift! (Amazon)

 

• Recipe of the Week: My Energy Blast Smoothie will give the boost you need to not only stay healthy but to level up your daily vitality. 

 

• Throwing it back to tie-dye with these comfy crew neck sweatshirts. (Champion)

 

• DIY Color: The Art of Gift Wrap - Recyclable Edition (nytimes.com)

 

• Florists are the world's greatest purveyors of color, IMHO. One of my favorites is the LA-based, uber talented @biablooms. When you're in need of some 'happy', stop by her Instagram page.

 

• And speaking of all things floral, the botanical design competition, Full Bloom on HBO Max is fabulous and totally binge-worthy.

 

• Can I just say that this color mixing game is so soothing that it's the one rabbit hole you won't mind going down? (Apple)

 

• This gorgeous book was created to help children explore color and its relationship to art from ancient times to present. (The MET Store)

 

• We're about to say 'so long' to Pantone's Color of the Year 2020 but I would be remiss if I didn't give a fitting farewell to deep, rich Classic Blue this Holiday season.

 

image: abc carpet & home, New York, NY

Over the years, I have found that decorating with pillows is one of the easiest ways to refresh your home and incorporate new patterns, textures, and colors into your decor. And as a PwPP (Person with a Pillow Passion), I exercise my right buy colorful cushy cushions whenever I can. One such shopping excursion took me to one of my fave pillow emporiums in New York City, abc carpet & home, where I found a plethora of pigment-rich pillows in incredible fabrics.

image: (top left, clockwise) Master Bedroom, Living Room, JulRe Designs Studio, Master Bathroom

There aren't many rooms in my home that haven't been touched by a pillow treatment or two, but that's not because I have an obsession. I mean, I do but that's not really relevant, is it? And though the standard square pillow will always be my go-to classic, other shapes such as bolsters and lumbars are the perfect way to add even more appealing optics to your pillow pastime.

I hope you love the products I recommend! While this blog post was not sponsored, it may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

 

Here are some tips on how to decorate with pillows of many shapes and sizes:

It's Hip to be a Square Pillow 

image: Missoni Home Pasadena Pillow

PILLOW TALK: While a good square pillow can hold its own, placed solo on a chair or stacked in multiples on a sofa, the shape coexists well with others. Use them as a foundation for a pillow arrangement: Place two squares with an striking lumbar or bolster pillow for a stylish, cohesive look.

 

Long and Lean: Lumbar Pillows

image: Yves Delorme Tonga Decorative Pillow - Bloomingdale's

Lumbar pillows are those chic rectangular shaped cushions you're not quite sure what to do with. Their name is derived from the support they offer to the lower back but they offer a unique design element to any room. You can find them in many sizes, from standard (around 14″ x 22″) to oversize (typically 60″ in length.)

PILLOW TALK: Lumbar pillows are typically used as a focal point—the pièce de résistance in the position of prominence of a pillow grouping. But this versatile style can do it all solo. Try using a pair as armrests at the ends of a couch for a contemporary look.

 

Raise the Chic Quotient: Bolster Pillows

image: Harbor House Crystal Beach Quilted Bolster Pillow - Macys

Long, cylindrical bolsters are similar to the lumbar pillow in that they come in a wide variety of sizes and can be used for both back support and decorative purposes. They are a bit more traditional due to their shape.

PILLOW TALK: As member of the lumbar family, the bolster is often seen as the on-the-bed rockstar, but I also love it alone on a quirky chair or at the ends of a dramatic daybed.

 

The Unorthodox: Uncommon Shapes

image: Cyprinus Carpio Creative Knot Throw Pillow - Amazon

From updated classics like cube and box pillows to quirkier designs such as spheres, stars, and animals, an offbeat pillow may be just the touch of whimsy your room needs.

PILLOW TALK: Use them anywhere you'd place a standard throw pillow! Mix and match with other comfy, loungy cushions for super coziness.

Want to try a new pillow or two? I've got 20 goodies so shop my 20 cushy cushion picks below:

 

FOR MORE HOME DECOR IDEAS, SHOP THE COLOR LAB SHOP

 

 

 

The Holidays seem to come earlier and earlier each year. I know it's not actually possible for that to actually happen but the busier I get, the more pressure I feel to pack as much as possible into a 24 hour day. I've managed to squeeze in a bit of time to knock a few gifts off my shopping list and my last color-themed gift guide was a great help! How far have you gotten on your gift list? Perhaps my latest gift guide can offer you some assistance.

Apricot Brandy and Fig are the colors I've selected colors for the 2nd part of my Color Craze Gift Guide series. They are two of the warmest colors you'll want to wrap yourself in and share with those you love! Not only are they what I call delectable comfort colors, they are season-less classics. Think of them for places in your home that may need a touch of cosiness. They work well together in your wardrobe as well whenever your mood is mellow - at that candlelight date night dinner or lounging in front of the fireplace on a frigid Winter night.

I hope you love the products I recommend! While this blog post was not sponsored, it may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

 

 

image: myrecipes.com

Before we start shopping, I just had to share this great recipe I found while searching for appetizer ideas for an upcoming Holiday party. You'll find some of the ingredients quite apropos for this post: apricots, brandy and figs! I taste tested this dish  and it will be one of the standouts on the buffet table for sure! You can find the recipe for quick and easy Brie with Jeweled Fruit Compote here.

Now, let's SHOP in color! Here are my top 9 gifts in Apricot Brandy and Fig:

1.  For the Fashionable Hipster - Herschel Supply Co. Seventeen Hip Pack - Amazon

2.  For the Eternal Sunshine Seeker - D'BLANC Beach Vida 53mm Square Cat Eye Sunglasses - Nordstrom

3.  For the Colorful Kiddies - OLIVER & RAIN Fawn & Fern Kids Gift Set - Nordstrom

4.  For the Comfort Seeking Man - Champion Life Men's Stretch Woven Sleep Pants - Champion

5.  For the Motorcycle Mama - BB Dakota Teagan Reversible Faux Leather Drape Front Jacket - Nordstrom

6.  For the Well-Heeled Lady - ECCO Shape Motion 75 Booties - Nordstrom

7.  For the Man Who Hates Dress Shirts - AGAVE Box Canyon Men's T-Shirt

8.  For Those Who Love to Snuggle - Vellux Faux Sheared Mink Blanket - Bloomingdales

9.  For the Hostess with the Mostest - Divina Fig Spread - Amazon

 

I'd love to know how you feel about these colors and how your Holiday shopping is progressing. Follow The Color Lab Blog on Facebook or Instagram and leave your comments!

Until next time, live a color-filled life!

 

 

We have a tendency to limit ourselves to colors that so-called "authorities" have deemed appropriate for a specific season. And when we do, we deprive ourselves of the joy of having all of the beautiful hues that we can visualize available to us all year round. That's not living a truly color-filled life and seems rather boring. While it's true that we are on the cusp of Fall and Orange is well known for being a traditional color for the season, few people wear it as freely as they may in warmer months when it is a bright, cheery, citrus-y symbol of the carefree life. Well, don't you want to be carefree in November too? I know that wearing Orange head-to-toe may be, uh...aggressive for some but when you add a rich blue in a light to dark shade to the mix, you get a wearable combination that can be mixed and matched regardless of the time of year.

For this week's Color Craze, I chose Persimmon because it is on the subtler side of the Orange spectrum and avoids smacking you in the face with it's vibrancy. I've coupled it with the deep, smooth Majolica Blue for a little softening of the slight edge that Persimmon may evoke. I feel it's a special pairing for everyday looks. Ask the New York Mets or the Syracuse University Orange!

COLORFUL ENLIGHTENMENT: Persimmons are a fruit that is often compared to apples nutritionally. Majolica is tin-glazed pottery made in England and decorated in colors, like this blue, on a white background. 

COLORFUL SIDEBAR: Kindly indulge my ongoing obsession with Smoothies and allow me to share my first Fall recipe find with you. The Spiced Persimmon Smoothie is at the top of my list for Fall breakfasts. This fruit wasn't on my Top 10 list of ingredients until I discovered the recipe below from one of my favorite food bloggers, Lisa of Downshiftology. It meets all of my smoothie standards: easy to make, filled with flavor and of course, stacked with healthy goodness. Click here for the tasty recipe!

BLOG DISCLAIMER: This blog post was not sponsored but may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

 

 

I've put together a Persimmon Orange and Majolica Blue style board with 14 of my fave fab fashion and beauty finds to give you a few options for consideration as you shop for the upcoming season. But if you just want to add a small touch of this color combo to your existing daily look options, the Thea Earrings from my new Handmade Luxe Collection are the perfect way to do it. Shop fashion and accessories in these great colors below!

1.  EQUIPMENT Harmon Shirtdress

2.  Christian Wisnants Karwat V-Neck Sweater 

3.  JulRe Designs Jewelry Thea Earrings

4.  Space.NK.apothecary Lipstick Queen Reign Shine Lip Gloss

5.  Briane Bracelet from our exclusive Bangle Bar for JulRe Designs INsiders only. For access, click here to join us!

6.  Sammitop Stiletto Heel Pumps 

7.  JAGGAR Solace Slingback Pump

8.  Tods Gommini Driving Moccasin  *STAFF FAVORITE*

9.  Hugo Hatine Zip Detail Slim Trousers

10.  Tory Burch Perry Bombe Crossbody Bag

11.  Botkier Trigger Pebbled Leather Hobo

12.  Naturalizer Tiana Platform Boot

13.  Cole Haan Lesli Block Heel Pump

14.  Sam Edelman Lior Loafer

 

IT'S A PINTEREST PARTY! You can also shop my curated board dedicated to Persimmon Orange and Majolica Blue on Pinterest!

 

Until next time, live a color-filled life!

 

 

Philly is a city of extraordinary textures, fabulous flavor and color galore. I spend as much time as I can there because its diversity of cultures, its devotion to the arts and its "let's do it all" spirit give me life. With every visit, I'm struck by how nothing ever stays the same - there's always a new adventure, in even the most familiar places, to be experienced!

Photos by Juliet at Material Culture, Philadelphia, PA

Check out my latest 60-second ColorStory from the City of Brotherly Love below. And I'm also sharing a place I discovered where dreams come true for the home decor obsessed!⁠ Take a look!

BLOG DISCLAIMER: This blog post was not sponsored but may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!