the color lab blog

The newest of new links are here just in time for your weekend. Enjoy!

• This artist's mastery of the art of quilting and the messages his work embodies left me speechless. (Craft In America)

• We've been reminiscing about the days when travelling was simpler, pre-pandemic but we've been eating vicariously by keeping the Home Chef Extraordinaire's tasty version of this spicy, Caribbean favorite on repeat. (The Color Lab Blog)

• I "read" more books last year then I thought I ever could by "listening" to them on Audible. I'm currently enjoying a re-read of Walter Mosley's colorful masterpieces from the Easy Rawlins mystery series but this one is a standout for me, narrated by actor Michael Boatman. 

• If you're a true foodie, you may balk at what's being done today in the name of pizza by an enterprising entrepreneur. Nevertheless, the story is....intoxicating. (Grub Street)

• I recently celebrated my 61st birthday and if there is anything I've learned over the years is that fashion should NEVER cause you pain, in your wallet or any place else. It's why for the sake of comfort and sanity, I live in these. (The Color Lab Blog)

• You may get a surprising health benefit from performing the simple act of stretching. (MindBodyGreen)

• 7-Eleven is now on Airbnb. I have concerns on so many levels. (DesignTAXI)

• Did I mention I recently turned 61? And I think my skin has never looked better. I know I'm extremely biased in this opinion but I've been using this product for many years and it's a main reason why. (Gem Luxe Beauty)

• I 'heart' these sweatshirt for Valentine's Day. (Champion)

• You'll have a hard time believing that these are cupcakes! (Instagram)

{image credits} Craft in America, Airbnb, Adobe Stock/shurkin_son

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!

• 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 a new year and I have 10 fresh and colorful discoveries for you! Read on for this week's links!

• During a time when we could all use a little sweetness comes a dessert for a worthy, worldly cause. (DesignTaxi)
• It's refresh season! Ready to re-energize your home without breaking the bank? These floor coverings in vibrant colors that pop may do the trick! (The Color Lab Blog)
• Scarves as neck accessories are still a thing but tying them in fashionable ways is tricky. I found these tutorials and the beautiful, color-rich scarves quite fascinating. (MaiTai Collection) 
• This eyeshadow palette in a collectible, limited edition case is almost too gorgeous to use. (The Met Store)
• I adore this photographer's expansive vision and his cunning way of capturing color. (Artspace) His Instagram page is a captivating moodboard.
• Customization comes to t-shirts and I, for one am glad I no longer have to deal with the dreaded "too tight across the bust" issue. (Amazon)
• Once travel is safer, this magical, color-filled bucket list city will be one of the first places I visit. (Conde Nast Traveler)
• Attention all amateur gemologists: These delightful gemstone oracle cards are not only picture-perfect, they're inspirational and uplifting. (Amazon)
• It's funny how comedy defies logic sometimes. (Bored Panda)
• Pantone, the global color authorities, gifted us with a Color of the Year 2021 duo - Illuminating, a brilliant, happy hormone-inducing yellow and Ultimate Gray, a mellow, grounded tone.

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

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.