the color lab blog

We need color in our lives now more than ever! The power of the countless shades, hues and palettes that are so prevalent in our daily lives is often diminished and sometimes completely overlooked. The brilliance of bright, cheery colors uplifts. The subtlety of pales and neutrals calm and soothe. The intensity of hots and vibrants can inflame and incite. So it is inevitable that our feelings and emotions would be tied to the colors we see.

The Color Lab Blog has been my playground for trend-watching, especially trends that connect us to color.  At the beginning of every season, global color authorities come out with their version of what they think hues people will be wearing or furnishing their homes with. My Spring/Summer 2020 Color Trends Report is all about a palette I feel is fresh, invigorating, and bold enough to command attention when attention is needed. I honor this palette's collective commitment to making the world a joyful, color-filled place by sharing these carefully and painstakingly selected choice of colors for the life you now live.

 

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!

 

SHOP BY COLOR AT THE COLOR LAB SHOP

 

These are the colors I'm coveting for the rest of this Spring and through the Summer season of 2020:

COLOR VIBES

Poppy Red - a soft, pink-red

Radiant Yellow - golden brilliance

Artichoke Green - earthy and exuberant

Blue Jewel - an intense classic

Carrot - an energetic, vibrant orange

Cockatoo - a lively, green-blue glow

Blooming Dahlia - subtle and alluring pink-brown

Tandoori Spice - a warm, tangy brown-red mix

Prism Violet - a rich, intense purple

 

And since I'm a sucker for a great dress, I found a few budget friendly choices from Amazon in 3 of these shades for you to wear once we can safely socialize in a brand, new way. Shop the styles below 

GRACE KARIN Women Sleeveless Deep V Neck Casual Cocktail Pencil Dress

 

 

MUXXN Women's Vintage Style Wrap V Neck Tie Waist Cocktail Dress

 

 

HANPCEIRS Women's Boatneck Swing  Cocktail Dress 

 

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

 SHOP BY COLOR AT THE COLOR LAB SHOP

 

 

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

 

 

 

This isn't my typical post about a single color or color palette. It's about an enduring trend that's currently seeing a resurgence in popularity. And while this trend is everywhere right now, its lasting power is testament to its impact on design in all areas. You see it in fashion almost everywhere and interior designers and home decorators have been using it homes and offices for years. So it begs the question, are animal prints an oversaturated, long-running fad? It depends on your level of tolerance for it. Personally, I love the craze so much I've treated it like I would a neutral color and incorporated my fair share of leopard, zebra and cheetah prints into my home and wardrobe.

image: left to right - my leopard print coat from LOFT (no longer available), desk chair by World Menagerie at Wayfair (no longer available, but here's a similar style you may like)

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!

 

 

But I have a strategy for its usage. Trust me, I've seen my fair share of crimes of the animal print kind. Overdoing these prints is easy to do. The repetitive patterns are intense so they require a light hand. But if you use my plan of action, in this case, for your home, you can use animal prints to create a very warm, inviting, creative vibe for any room and keep it from looking like you are hosting a wildlife conservancy.

image: Furnishings Mogul, Holly Hunt's Chicago Apartment - Architectural Digest

Start by adding one item to any room that needs a refresh or an energy boost. That item can be a massive piece of wall art or a porcelain vase placed prominently on an end table. Rugs are also a good choice for giving a small but powerful update to a room in subtle colors by creating an enlivening focal area that immediately draws the eye to it. Consider placing that remarkable table you adore or an antique desk on top of an animal print rug and you create a timeless conversation starter.

image: Bedroom from Decor Aid 

Or for a major impact move, you could use wallpaper in a smaller print for an entire room. Create movement and vitality in a space that needs a little texture. Find a print you love and run with it! 

image: Pinterest

  

 

I've uncovered 6 decor items that you can easily incorporate into your home, just to see if the animal print vibe is right for you. Shop my Animal Print Product Board below:

 

1. Kevin O’Brien Studio Snakeskin Print Oversized Velvet Throw

2. Popular Bath Gazelle Shower Hooks

3. Safavieh Lighting Collection Sahara Table Lamp

4. Bridgeport Home Maasai Mss3 Round Area Rug

5. DENY DESIGNS Leopard Heart Side Table

6. Gifts & Decor Leopard Lily Blossom Tealight Candle Holder Centerpiece

 

Until next time, live a color-filled life, 

 

 

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No gold glitters like that which is our own. - Eliza Cook

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!

 

As a jewelry designer, I have the privilege of working with many wonderful brides, helping them to create unique earrings and necklaces for their bridesmaids, mothers and of course, themselves. I'm always honored when I receive an invitation to their extra special day but due to my schedule, I'm often unable to attend. I hope to change that in 2020. I currently have 3 invitations and more may come but my super ambitious commitment is to attend every wedding. Once I made that decision, the heart-pounding panic set in. What am I going to wear? And since I'm not a "one dress for every event" type and I'm all in on any excuse to shop, I decided that the easiest solution would be to invest in a monochromatic capsule wardrobe that I could systematically create new looks from by starting with a few amazing dresses as a base and interchange accessories for each occasion. But color. What color would be right for almost every wedding whether it's during the day or at night, semi-formal or formal? I chose Metallic Gold for its ease and versatility. Shimmery colors the "glam neutrals" of the color spectrum. Gone is the time when shimmer was relegated for after dark affairs. Metallics, including Bronze, Silver and the ever-popular Rose Gold are easy to wear, can be found in almost every clothing store for every budget and in all sizes. 

Here is my capsule wardrobe, starting with 3 amazing dresses, all from Nordstrom:

dresses from left to right: 

GLITZY:  FRENCH CONNECTION Emille Sparkle Long Sleeve Sequin Sheath Dress

SEXY:  LULUS Love & Luxury Metallic Plissé Cocktail Dress

GLAMOROUS:  ELIZA J Ruched Evening Gown

 

 

A great handbag with exquisite detailing is a must for me but it must be functional as well. These 3 clutches from Bloomingdale's get my sparkly thumbs up!:

clutch handbags from left to right:

ROMANTIC:  Marc Jacobs Metallic Leather Clutch

SOPHISTICATED:  MICHAEL Michael Kors LouLou Envelope Clutch

CHIC:  From St Xavier Chevy Beaded Clutch

 

 

Finally, a comfortable pair of shoes complete the looks - HEAVY emphasis on COMFORT. Since lots of mingling and dancing are the 2nd best parts of any wedding (the nuptials are the 1st!), selecting the right footwear is so important. I don't normally associate comfort with a high heel. Frankly, I rarely find any that I can honestly say are a pleasure to wear but all 3 of the shoes I found at Macy's are well made and after considerable testing, I can say will get you through several hours of socializing without killing your feet. And they're gorgeous too!:

shoes from left to right:

STYLISH:  Vince Camuto Reesera Dress Sandals

CLASSIC:  kate spade new york Sterling Dress Shoes

POSH:  Katy Perry Rayann Ballet Flats

 

Don't be afraid to mix different shades and textures of whatever Metallic Gold or whatever metallic you choose. There are no rules! Gold on gold just works for almost any formal-leaning event! 

 

Until next time, here's to living a color-filled life!

 

 

P.S. Follow me on Instagram for a look at how I wear this looks at each wedding plus more color commentary!

 

2019 was an incredible year of color for me. I started this blog to share my lifelong love of vivid hues and palettes and to show how the power of color impacts our everyday lives in ways we may not realize. My Color Craze year began with Living Coral, an energetic, alive hue that was Pantone's Color of the Year and a reminder that despite the refreshing chill of customary winter hues, classic spring and summer colors reign supreme.

left to right: Bella Vita Sylvie II Espadrille Wedge Sandal, MCM Essential Boston Monogram Leather Satchel, Pared Eyewear Up and At Em Sunglasses

The year also included enjoyable visits to the colorful places featured in my ColorStory series here and on Instagram.

left to right: Metropolitan Museum of Art (NYC), Hudson Yards (NYC), Georgetown Waterfront (DC), Color Factory (NYC), Love Park (Philly)

For Spring/Summer 2019, my first Color Trends Report was a palette I felt was fresh, invigorating, and bold enough to command attention in a statement making year. And it just so happens that my favorite non-toxic nail polish brand has a color selection so huge that I was able to find a matching polish for every color!

left to right: Cirque Colors Creme Nail Polish in Fire Island, Sartorial, Midnight Cowboy, Key to Gramercy, Uptown Girl

With the high level energy of those Spring and Summer colors, I wanted assure that the volume remained cranked up with a dynamic palette for Fall and Winter. 

left to right: BulbHead 10 PC Copper-Infused Ceramic Non-Stick Cookware Set, OK Lighting Kapila Table Lamp, SimplyFernished Decorative Trivets, Pinzon Egyptian Cotton Bath Towel Set 

 

left to right: Nordstrom Cashmere & Silk Wrap, Timberland Premium Waterproof Boot, Stella McCartney Jacquard Horse Blouse, Chloe Tess Croc Embossed Calfskin Shoulder Bag

Now we are beginning a new decade and I predict that the colors that will impact us most will be those that elicit a feeling of comfort and best express our desire for an overall sense of ease. Concurrently, in these times of a heightened need to protect our individuality, we will be drawn to palettes that highlight our creativity with energy and optimism.

Thank you for joining me on my journey in color this past year. I hope you'll continue to follow my journey as I bring you new and exciting ways to incorporate color into your life for maximum impact and influence.

Live life in color!