the color lab blog — lifestyle

Juliet in NIKE Swoosh Sports Bra (a newer version here), FILA SPORT High Waisted Leggings (similar ones here), RYKA Influence Cross Training Shoe (available here)

I hope you love the products I recommend! This blog post contains 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!

There isn't a color palette more exciting than Neon. Punchy, supersaturated hues never go out of style. From Brilliant Blue to Lime Punch to Super Pink, Neons were created to excite. I'm a child of the 70s and 80s who remembers having fluorescent neon posters and black lights that turned my outrageously loudly colored bedroom into my own personal disco complete with strobe lights and Donna Summer and Chic blasting on my record player. Back then, Neon was on trend and fashion statements in these megawatt colors were made daily. So are you already saying, "There's no way I can wear these hues"? I get it. Today, they get trotted out on the fashion runways every few seasons and as a lover of bright, bold colors, I appreciate that. But my commitment to this palette has been long lasting and I don't fear pushing the color envelope with all of that vibrance.

Pantone Neon Colors

If you dare, start with a little pop of neon with your basic neutrals for everyday. A belt or a purse. Maybe a cute sandal. Or better yet, go all in during your workouts like I do which is a great way to see that there is no need to fear the brightest of brights. There's a Neon shade(s) for everyone!

To help you dabble in the this pa-POW palette, I've assembled some of my favorite activewear that will not only help to elevate your heart rate, wearing Neons may even give you an extra boost of happiness to help you enjoy your workouts as you power through. Shop my 8 activewear finds in hot colors below!

1.  ALEADER Women's Running Shoes - Amazon

2.  GLOBAL BANK Slim Fit Workout Jacket - Amazon

3.  SWEATY BETTY Stamina Longline Sports Bra - Nordstrom (no longer available but here's another good one!

4.  EPIC MMA Gear Yoga Shorts - Amazon

5.  SPIRITUAL GANGSTER Self Love Leggings - Nordstrom (SOLD OUT but LOVE these!)

6.  247 VIZ The Reflective Vest - Amazon

7.  ADIDAS ORIGINALS Tinted Belt Bag - Amazon

8.  CHAMPION Women's Essential Double Dry V-Neck Tee

Until next time, may your life be filled with joy and color!

• Playing the sleep game can wear you out and there are so many products and potions being pushed at us with guarantees of 8 solid hours of zzzzz's. I'd rather try this more satisfying approach. (mindbodygreen)

• If 'Dry January' is a thing for you, I highly recommend these all natural zero-proof alcohol alternatives. Keep an open mind: No alcohol-free spirit will ever taste exactly like its more spirited counterpart. But these are excellent adaptations. (Amazon)

• There are at least 15 intriguing books on this list of the 55 most anticipated books of 2021 that I have already downloaded or will as soon as they are available. (Oprah Magazine)

• Are you a 'picky kitty' parent? Cats may be the most finicky of all pets. Here are a few things my own fickle fab feline have made his favorites. (The Color Lab Blog)

• This private dining experience from one of my all time favorite restaurant groups is tailor-made for those of us who miss the pleasure of having a culinary treat prepared by a master of their craft. (Blue Hill at Stone Farms)

• Brian Clarke's The Art of Light exhibition at the Museum of Art and Design in NYC is a euphoric display stained glass on steroids.

• I'm a sucker for all things Rose and this creamy tea is everything a floral fragrance lover could dream of. A super soother!

• From the incomparable jazz virtuoso, Wynton Marsalis (with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra Septet), music for the moment. (jazz.org)

• Not only do these come in great colors, but I do believe they may be the world's softest socks. 30% off until 1/20/21! (Hanes)

• My Color Mood

CLICK HERE to read the entire Color Collective series.

I hope you love the products I recommend! This blog post contains 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!

It's refresh season! Each new year always spurns the urge to cleanse our lives of all the yuckiness that pervaded our daily existence from the previous year. And I don't know about you but I'd like to wipe away as much of the 'ugh' of 2020 as I possibly can.

I hope you love the products I recommend! This blog post contains 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!

Besides burning sage to start the year with positive vibes, I'm looking to give a few rooms in my home some small, impactful shots of energy and life-affirming vibrations.

RUG RULES

Since your floors are a literal foundation and below your natural eye level when you enter any room, they aren't often considered as significant when it comes to decorating. But I believe a stunning, strategically placed floor covering can change the dynamic of a room faster than any other design element. Flat or fluffy pile? Synthetic or natural fibers? It depends on how your rug will be used. For high traffic areas like a foyer or family room, you might want to consider a low pile wool rug. Low traffic areas such as bedrooms do well with silk blends and mohair.

{image credit} Macy's 

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

The key to using a statement rug is making some key decisions before making a purchase. Do you want your floor covering to be the focal point of the room or do you prefer that it play a complimentary accessory role? Your decision will impact how bold or subtle you may want your rug to be. No matter what you decide, for a true energy shift, make it all about as much dynamic color as you can!

SIZE MATTERS

Larger rugs help to create a balanced room and placing the all of the furniture at least partially on the rug unifies all of your decor elements. But smaller rugs can be used to divide a larger room into distinct sections. For instance, a round rug can highlight a corner near bookcases and comfortable club chair to create a library/sitting area while a coordinating slim runner can be used in front of a couch to help define a family room section.

{image credit} Macy's 

COLOR PLAY

If you're just not sure about how much color your room can accomodate, a no-commitment way to explore is by playing the totally addicting game Design Home: House Renovation (available on iOS and Android) that allows you to express your inner interior decorator using real, high-end furniture and decor. You can design a room and experiment with color before you make an investment plus get exclusive savings on many of the home furnishings available!

Or you can contact me for more information on my Interior Color Styling services. I would be delighted to provide you with a virtual consultation on your home refresh project.

SHOPPING MADE EASY

So as it is my constant quest to find economical ways to make the biggest impact in your home, I visited (virtually) a few of my favorite home decor stores and brands for a look at what was new and exciting. Admittedly, most of the  rugs I curated in the collection below reflect a bolder aesthetic, but I believe that the power of a room refresh is only as good as our willingness to experiment. 

If you're into vibrant colors that pop or intensity in design, you can begin your quest for floor covering dominance with my Radiant Rugs board below:

1. Nourison Le Reve LER05 Area Rug | 2. Surya Forum FM-7203 Area Rug | 3. Bridgeport Home Aldrose Ald4 Light Green Area Rug | 4. Dalyn Rug Company Rubio RU1 Area Rug | 5. Rosedale Area Rug | 6. Mia Vibrance Area Rug (SOLD OUT) | 7. Yesenia Area Rug | 8. Bridgeport Home Pari Par1 Black Area Rug | 9. Bridgeport Home Lorem Lor1 Gold Area Rug | 10. Bridgeport Home Crisanta Crs4 Green Runner Area Rug | 11. Bridgeport Home Linport Lin6 Lilac Area Rug | 12. Rhoads Area Rug | 13. Safavieh x Martha Stewart Lily Pad Area Rug | 14. Global Rug Designs Jano JAN02 Ivory Round Area Rug | 15. Bridgeport Home Adah Ada1 Multi Area Rug | 16. Global Rug Designs Yorba YOR05 Black Area Rug

Until next time, may your life be filled with color!

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.

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!

Candles could be the most underrated items in the world of home decor. Not only do they create a certain ambiance when lit (THINK:  romantic, relaxing, refreshing), their scents, if desired, can evoke passion, a sense of calm or high energy. The same with using color in candles.

JulRe Designs Studio, South Orange, NJ

While white candles will always be readily available at all price points and will remain the standard because of their ease of placement within your home and their obvious versatility, there is something to be said about bringing them into full effect with the addition of color.