Sound in Color: Aphex Twin – Selected Ambient Works Volume II

20 Tuesday Aug 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Color Inspiration, Sound in Color

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album art, ambient, Aphex Twin, brown, color, color palette, grunge, light, music, orange, palette, red, Selected Ambient Works Volume II, shadow, texture, tone, warm hues, yellow

Aphex Twin was a big part of my youth. As I got older his music played roles in special memories of mine, ones I would never forget. When certain sounds find their way into your life and act as a soundtrack, you know its good. This is just one of albums that I really connected with. Just the light, airy sounds and unique combination of ambient beats took me to another place. There surely is no other to compare to Aphex Twin.

The album artwork is grungy and distorted, with the color of rust the main character. The play with light really creates a beautiful array of tone and shadow, while it goes from cream to orange and then to brown. And with the texture these colors display behind it, you just wish you could feel its beauty.

This is a nice palette to take in consideration when using warm hues in your home or event. Orange has so many shades, from tangerine to the carrot color we all know, and you can find a lot of them here. The same with yellow and brown, which also incorporates the red family. A whole lot of warmth resonates from this album, both inside and out.

Sound in Color: Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works Volume II

Sound in Color: Run Return – Metro North

02 Tuesday Jul 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Color Inspiration, Sound in Color

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album art, blue, color, color palette, design, feminine, groove, masculine, metro north, music, palette, peaceful, pink, purple, red, run return, saturated, texture

If you want to hear music that will not only relax you, but put you in a smooth groove, Run Return is a great choice. I discovered this group years ago and fell in love. I’ve put this album on when we have guests over as well as when I am working. It just really puts me at ease with its clever beats and peaceful sound.

The color palette of the album is high saturation beauty contrasted with dark hues. A nice mix of feminine and masculine. The textures throughout the design add a lot of interest and movement as well. Look to these colors for inspiration to design a children’s room or space as well as pops of color for a wedding.

Sound in Color: Run Return - Metro North

The Cool Winter Blues

09 Wednesday Jan 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Color Inspiration, Everyday Design, The Home

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bathroom, bedroom, better homes and gardens, blue, cool colors, Country Living, cream, eclectic, interior design, living room, neutrals, patterns, texture, white

I simply love the color blue. I always have and always will. It’s just one of those colors that can make you happy or make you sad, can brighten or calm a space and really help to bring the feel the nature inside your home. Let’s just say its the color thats filled with surprises.

Always having a special connection with blue, it has been used throughout all my color schemes in my spaces. You will find it everywhere in my home. I’m a big fan of the cool color palette and blue is a rising star in that category. Mix it with grays, creams and other cool neutrals, and you have a space that is peaceful, fresh and brilliant.

Here are some great examples of how to use blue in your home. I hope they inspire you to incorporate this amazing color into the spaces that make you happy.

This bedroom is certainly a place to rest. With pale blue on the walls, it enables to space to feel light and airy, like your surrounded by clouds. The addition of white makes it feel fresh with soft layers and the warm wood tones helps ground the overall design. The small pops of garden inspired colors throughout the room brings more interest and a bit of glamour.

Photo Credit: Country Living

This reading nook is all sorts of fun. Although comfy and relaxed, the various pops of color and patterns allows the space to feel alive and stylish. Blue and yellow are the main characters here and as you follow your eye around from the stool to the plaid curtains there are all sorts of details that help this room have an eclectic feel.

Photo Credit: Better Homes and Gardens

The various blues in this living room allow the space to feel fun and classic. You don’t have to stick to one hue. As long as they are close enough in the spectrum as far tone, it should work nicely. Here, the owners a light toned rug, a couch that matches the rug nicely and then included a brighter more saturated blue for pop. Using this color for the bookshelves really make them stand out as apposed to using the pale blue, which would help blend them in. Again, whites, creams and warm wood tones help to balance out the space while a few hints of green add a touch of whimsy.

Photo Credit: Country Living

The same idea as above is being treated in this bedroom. Various blues in all different patterns and textures really bring a unique feel the to space. Although the room has a neutral backdrop, the blue elements keep it lively, fresh and interesting.

Photo Credit: Better Homes and Gardens

Feminine and cottage chic, this vanity area is all dolled up in light blues, pinks and lavender. These soft colors keep the space light, pretty and fit for a queen. The addition of white and ruffle details really add a cottage feel while keeping modern with how its treated.

Photo Credit: Country Living

A nice way to express your love for nautical design is to simply use blue and white in a simple way. This bathroom keeps with the streamline aesthetic with dark blue walls and white furniture accents.

Photo Credit: Country Living

Coastal Cottage

19 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, The Home

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antique, beach, blue, botanicals, coastal, color, cottage, decor, decorating, design, flowers, gray, green, interior design, ivory, lavender, nature, nautical, neutrals, pastels, pink, plaid, purple, rustic, shabby chic, style, texture, vintage, weathered, wood, yellow

Summer brings the warm sun and nature’s beautiful colors. It also brings a breathe of fresh air to a lot of people who love the heat so beaches, parks and lakes are most popular during this season. I personally love beaches, just not in the summer. I always thought the cooler months really brought out the beauty in coastal scenery. When its hot, some of the personality that clear skies and cool breezes brings out in the water and the surroundings is just hidden.

When I think of the water and the vast sea, usually the first thing that comes to mind is relaxation and a calmness. The bluest of nature is the star. When I think of some styles of decor, there is only one that comes to mind that I feel is comfy, soothing and natural as nature and nautical surroundings. That is surely cottage style.

It’s not surprise I love this style. Not only do I represent it in every room of my home it clearly is showcased in a lot of my design work as well. Over the years I have grown to love this style with all my heart. It is where I feel most calm. So I combined my two loves into a style Mother Nature would love herself – Coastal Cottage. Such a great combination.

To successfully create this style in your home there are a few things to remember. When you are choosing colors, let nature lead the way. Pastel blues, greens, pink and purples are just a few of the many hues that are popular. A sunny yellow in the kitchen, a lavender in the bedroom and a blue inspired by dusk for the living room are just a few examples. Always include darker tones that are inspired from nature to help weigh down the space such as warm browns and cool grays. These all help to maintain a peaceful environment.

When deciding on furniture, look for unique pieces that tell a story. Vintage finds play the perfect role in a cottage style space. Warm woods, soft and comfy cushions, patterns and subtle texture; these all help bring the style together. You want your pieces to feel weathered and rustic while showing craftmanship and strength. This allows them to bring character and personality to the space and help it feel lived in and comfortable.

Accessories are very important because they allow for a cohesive design and help bring your personality to the table. You want them to feel handpicked and important. Textiles such as curtains, tablecloths, blankets and upholstery are key elements here. By showcasing plaids, stripes and botanical prints the cottage style will come alive. Don’t forget to include plants of all types. They will add that natural touch every style needs.

Be careful about bringing too much nautical in because you don’t want the room to feel like you are the captain of a ship or the preppy kids took over. If so, you can kiss the cottage mix goodbye. You also want to watch the colors you add to the space because using too many reds, blues and greens may bring in that Americana feel. And although that is somewhat incorporated into the cottage style, its not the star. It can easily overwhelm the space and give it a completely different look.

And for all the fun details in between, have fun and make it yours. These next few photos are great examples of this style. Get inspired by this unique look and let it fill your heart with glee. I do everyday.