the color lab blog

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!

It’s all about the throwback with this craze!  

Image:  Flickr

Golden Rod and Bronze Brown brings us back to the groovy 70s, when bold color combos were so fly. The warm Golden Rod pairs so well with the smooth Bronze Brown for a far out combo. Can you dig it?

The Food Charlatan’s brown sugar yellow cake with chocolate frosting is the perfect companion to this smooth craze.  It’s sweet, warm and gooey with a rich and decadent finish.  I know I will be serving this cake for a rich summer dessert soon.  Find the recipe here!

I will be using this craze to create a simple look that hearkens back to simpler times. Here are some of my favorite Golden Rod and Bronze Brown finds:

1. Milumia Women's Lantern Sleeve Pleated Detail Button Down Blouse Shirt

2. Lawliet Linen Summer Womens Kentucky Derby Wide Brim Sun Hat 

3. Need Sunglasses? By OPI Polish  

4. Lady Backpack Casual Rucksack for Women

5. PRETTYGARDEN Women’s Fashion High Elastic Waist Polka Dot Printed Pleated Midi Vintage Skirts with Pockets

6. Jim Halo Retro Round Mirrored Sunglasses

7. Vince Camuto Fretzia Perforated Boot

8. INC International Concepts ID Card case

I can’t wait to use this color duo to add a throwback kick to my style this summer.  Will you be joining me? If you’d like to share your Golden Rod and Bronze Brown-inspired fashion, food or home decor 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!

For even more Golden Rod and Bronze Brown inspiration, find this week's Color Craze combo on our board of curated images on Pinterest.

As always, keep living a color-filled life!

With a gracious nod to Pantone, the Gods of Color and keepers of all things sacred to hues and palettes, I'm striking out on my own and presenting my first commentary on the colors I'm loving for the rest of this Spring and into the Summer season. I must admit, the colors I have selected are already on heavy rotation in my own life but I'm now seeing them on other colorful women too, in their wardrobe, makeup as well as in their home decor. This collection of colors makes a striking fashion statement and ranges from the energetic orange, Bird of Paradise, to the soft-spoken pink, Rose Shadow. Squarely in the middle is the sophisticated Moroccan Blue with the pristine lilac, Orchid and my absolute favorite minty fresh, Opal completing the group. I'm drawn to them, well, because they are all exciting and fresh and yet distinctly independent enough to hold their own without a complementary partner to give them a boost. 

I couldn't believe my luck when I discovered the nail polish brand, Cirque Colors a few months back. I started using their vegan, cruelty-free, non-toxic (no formaldehyde!) colors (I live for their pinkish-brown "Fast Fashion" shade) after doing some personal research on cosmetics and first highlighted the brand in my Spectra Yellow and Flame post. The color range for this line is so extensive, that I found a coordinating polish for each of the hues in this palette. Your nails will be so on trend!

Cirque Colors Creme Nail Polish on Amazon: (top left, clockwise): Fire Island, Sartorial, Midnight Cowboy, Key to Gramercy, Uptown Girl

I'm a huge proponent of tone-on-tone dressing. I make it a regular practice to put some of my daily outfits together based on one color family not only because it gives a sleek, rich, pulled together look but because it's easy! I'm not proposing that you carry that fashion theory all the way through to matching eyeshadow and lipstick but pairing a great dress like the ones from Nordstrom that I'm featuring in my style board below, with a contrasting pair of shoes and handbag and completing the look with nail polish in the same color family is so, so chic!

Shop these versatile, right-for-many-occasion dresses in my Spring/Summer Color Trends palette from Nordstrom (the MaxMara is in my closet!):

1.  Leith Chic Midi Dress

2.  Lewit Kimono Sleeve Stretch Silk Dress

3.  BB Dakota Cara Lace Cocktail Dress

4.  MaxMara Cordoba Sheath Dress

5.  NSR Grace One-Shoulder Lace Sheath Dress

Until next time, live 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!