the color lab blog — home decor

Blue hues represent openness, serenity and restoration, and what better way to celebrate spring than by giving a refreshing look to your home decor?

Our newest Color Craze duo, Hawaii Ocean and Dazzling Blue mesh the bright blue of the with the deeper, complimentary shade of Dazzling Blue to make a beautiful pairing that is sure to reinvigorate, bring inner peace and stability as we transition from the renewing energy of spring into the slower (and hotter!) summer months.

Blue palettes like this combo transport my mind to the restfulness and tranquility of our beautiful oceans. Our oceans need help now more than ever. In honor of World Oceans Day, coming up on June 8, 2019, join me in supporting this wonderful cause that strives to promote a healthy future for our bountiful bodies of water.

World Oceans Day is celebrated each year in collaboration with the Ocean Project and connects events, volunteers and donors from around the world that support the health of our worldwide waters. Find more information, including how to donate to World Oceans Day, here. For more information about the Ocean Project, click here.

Blue hues are always in style, and they can really add a sophisticated look to your home.  This combination storage and dining area featured on Domino’s style blog is a perfect example.

Image:  Cody Guilfoyle for Domino

The bright and bold look of this New York City kitchen-dining room hybrid makes a statement that is sure to be remembered by all who visit it.

For a subtler take, these bathroom tiles featured on Designtra are perfect for when a bath needs to be an escape to more placid waters than those that come from the faucet.

Image:  Designtra

While creating an entire room in this duo may not be in your interest or budget, there’s always room for accents. I will be decorating with some bold accent pieces inspired by Hawaii Ocean and Dazzling Blue this late Spring season.  Here are my 8 favorite home decor finds:

1. Le Creuset Mini Round Cocotte

2. Easeland Microplush Blanket

3. Michael Aram Dip Dye Ombre Resort Towel

4. HomCom High Back Accent Ottoman Chair

5. Le Creuset Stoneware Storage Cannister  

6. KitchenAid 5 QT Stand Mixer in Crystal Blue

7. MoonRest Decorative Throw Pillow Case  

8. Sunkey Small Glass Flower Vase

Transitioning from the bustling energy of spring into the slow-down of summer makes this time a great one to focus on renewing the energy of your home.  If you incorporate Hawaii Ocean and Dazzling Blue into your home decor this season, be sure to tag @JulReDesigns on Instagram and use the hashtag #colorfilledlife to be featured on our Instagram page!

For even more Hawaii Ocean and Dazzling Blue inspiration, find this week's Color Craze combo on our board of curated images on Pinterest.

Until next time, keep living a color-filled life,

Purple hues like Rosebud and Festival Fuchsia combine the fiery, passionate red with the calm and stable blue in unstoppable and vibrant hues.  Who else do we know who is fiery, passionate, stable, calm and unstoppable all at once? Moms, of course!

We chose this luxe duo to celebrate our moms.  Even though we here at the Color Lab celebrate moms everywhere every day, it’s always nice to do something special for mom on Mother’s Day.  I love Mother’s Day and make sure to celebrate the moms in my life every year with a special thank you for their hard work in raising the next generation of little thinkers and doers.  

This year I decided to do something extra special for Mother’s Day through this week's Color Craze.  I’ve personally collected my favorite gift ideas featuring Rosebud and Festival Fuchsia finds. Find my ultimate Mother’s Day gift guide below.  With gifts for so many different kinds of moms, you’ll be sure to find the perfect gift (or maybe even a treat for yourself)!

First up is a special recipe for those looking to go the homemade route for their Mother's Day gift!  This Roasted Blueberry Creme Fraiche Ice Cream from Savory Simple is an indulgent dessert sure to please moms with a sweet tooth.

Image:  Savory Simple

This ice cream is as decadent as it is fresh and fruity, with rich roasted blueberries for a luxurious take on dessert.  This recipe is a labor of love, so who better to make it for than mom? Find the recipe here!

Next up, we have the traditional.  Here are my picks for some traditional stylish fashions, housewares and accessories for every mom in your life:

1. For the homebody mom:  Simpatico Hobnail Glass Candle

2. For the sporty mom:  Fitbit Alta

3. For the working mom:  Urban CoCo Women’s Drape Front Open Cardigan

4. For the mom who deserves a splurge gift:  Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer

5. For the jet-setting mom:  Lug Nap Sack Pillow and Blanket

6. For the green thumb mom:  Floral Supply Online Spring Garden Vase in Purple Passion

7. For the cutting edge mom:  Butter London Nail Laquer in Easy Peasy

Whether you opt for a traditional wrapped gift or a simple homemade pleasure, mom is sure to love whatever way you celebrate her this Mother’s Day.  If you’d like to share any of your Mother’s Day gifts or celebrations with me, be sure to tag @JulReDesigns on Instagram and use the hashtag #colorfilledlife. Your photo could be featured on our Instagram, Facebook or even in our INsider newsletter!

Until next time, keep living a color-filled life!

Cheery, springy, pastels-a-poppin'!

Placid Blue and Yellow Pear together make me smile. The pleasant print you see above in these happy colors makes me almost love the idea of wallpaper. (gasp!) But alas, the thought has now been pushed from my decorative consciousness. It says a lot about this color duo if its prettiness invited me to have a brief visit to the mystical land of wall coverings. No offense to those who can appreciate the wonders of latex, vinyl and adhesive. I personally have more of an aesthetic connection to paint, brushes and rollers. Nevertheless, these hues are a perfectly refreshing pairing for any room in your home, no matter how the colors are applied.

images: top: Blue and Yellow Bedroom on bhg.com, bottom: Yellow and Blue Dining Room on decoist.com

For more inspiration take a look at our COLOR CRAZE: Placid Blue and Yellow Pear on Pinterest!

If your passion is fashion then you'll love how these pretty pastel colors work into your already existing wardrobe or how you can create great Spring and Summer looks for that daytime wedding and reception without looking too precious by adding few new pieces that I've recently uncovered on Amazon Fashion, all at incredible prices. Check out my Style Board picks in Placid Yellow and Yellow Pear color palette below for shopping details!

1.  Dress (Dresspic)

2.  Labradorite and Lapis Earrings (Custom by JulRe Designs)

3.  Dress (Bbonlinedress)

4.  Pumps (J. Renee)

5.  Clutch (Hobo Glory)

6.  Wallet (Michael Kors)

7.  Topaz, Citrine and Agate Necklace (Custom by JulRe Designs)

8.  Sandals (Allegra K)

Until next time, live a color-filled life!

Fresh, clean, invigorating and calming all at once. Blues and greens are natural palette companions but this duo has a special relationship. 

Often paired in real-life depictions of the richness of our fertile planet, we are reminded of the beauty of Earth and asked to respect it as our one and only universal home.

image: Caneel Bay Resort, St. Johns, US Virgin Islands 

While I have enjoyed working with these life-affirming colors in preparation for creating this post, they reminded me of how easy it is to forget that many parts of the world are still recovering from the effects of weather-related disasters. Parts of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands are still rebuilding from hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. Join me in support of the rebuilding of the US Virgin Islands by donating to any of these worthy funds today.

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!

When Spring arrives, it's always my signal to give my home a new feel, a freshening. and since the new season is very near, I've been on the hunt for a few key pieces that will add clean luminosity to those spaces that are crying out for an uplift. Here are my 7 home furnishing fab finds in the Caneel Bay Blue and Sea Green color palette that you can add to your space for extra contrast and vibrancy: 

1.  Jasper Conran by Wedgwood Chinoiserie Green Teacup

2.  Jasper Conran by Wedgwood Chinoiserie Green Tea Saucer

3.  New House by Jonathan Adler Facet Decorative Tray

4.  Unique Look Estrella Collection Vibrant Abstract Rug

5.  Creative Co-Op Terracotta Vases

6.  KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Qt. Stand Mixer

7.  Treasure and Bond Knit Throw - no longer available but you may like this one.

For more inspiration, items and ideas for incorporating this lively color palette into your everyday life, follow our Caneel Bay Blue and Sea Green board on Pinterest!

Until next time, live a color-filled life!