WINTER BLUES: 2014 TREND

Turquoise is expected to be one of this year's top colors.  We have seen traditional aquas or light blue greens in coastal settings and Master Bathrooms.  But this year is a bit different, with deep saturated turquoise in various settings and rooms.  Here is a quick look...

Image via Tumblr 

 
Image via Tumblr

Image via Architectural Digest 

 
Image via Veranda

Image via House of Turquoise blog

 
Image via Tumblr

Image via Traditional Home 

WINTER BLUES: DOORS

As some of you may remember, I LOVE entryways.  Doors, fences, gates, and arbors; I find them to be one of the most important and intriguing elements of a space. In order to alleviate the winter blues, I thought I would share some exotic blue doors.  

Images via Pinterest and Tumblr

WINTER BLUES: ESCAPE

The sun shines brightly as I lie on my bright pink beach towel.  Warm sand falls between my toes, as a light breeze carries the scent of salt and sunscreen. This is bliss.  It is warm and there is no where else I'd rather be.  Suddenly, this world is pulled away from me, by the unwelcome sound of my alarm clock.  6 am has arrived and I am brought back to reality.  Outside you would never know that it is morning.  Darkness engulfs the city.  A glimmer of frost coats each skeleton-like branch of the tree in my courtyard.  A closer look, and I can see large white snow flakes spiraling from all angles of the sky.  Across the way, the other apartments are asleep from the night before.  I slowly try to gain the motivation to get out of my cozy bed.  I turn on the television and I am instantly greeted by a friendly voice.    “Good morning!  It’s going to be another cold one!  We will only see a high of 18 degrees, but it will feel like -10. Snow and wind gusts reaching up to 40 miles an hour will continue through the day and into tomorrow.” Another brutally cold day has arrived and I ask myself once again, why do I put myself through this?  The wicked winter blues have hit me, and the feeling of walking through an endless dark tunnel, with no sign of light, sinks in. 

Some beat the winter blues by escaping to an exotic location; where you can walk on white sandy beaches, swim in cool-aid blue waters, and sip on fruit topped cocktails.  For those of us who are unable to get away or are already feeling the effects of the winter blues, looking at cheerful sunny images is sometimes helpful.   Here are some exotic sunny blue pictures to help you get through the wicked winter blues.

Images via Pinterest and Tumblr

COLORFUL PRINTS: TORY BURCH

This year's floral resort line by Tory Burch.  The perfect eye candy for a New England winter day.  

Tory Burch Kaley Dress

Tory Burch Jillian Tunic 

Tory Burch Harp Pant

Tory Burch Edith Short 

Tory Burch Attersee Satchel 
Images via www.toryburch.com

COLORFUL PRINTS: PAYTON COSELL TURNER

Last year, I was reading a favorite design magazine and bumped into an inspiring young designer, Payton Cosell Turner.  This talented twenty-something year old, uses a playful childhood passion to decorate walls.  Upon first glance, the colorful damask looks like a typical wall covering, but take a closer look and the classic pattern is an arrangement of bright yellow fire trucks, jumping whales, and even Elvis.  Turner started stickering walls for her senior thesis, at the Maryland Institute of Art. Later, she installed in various rooms, including the Brooklyn Living Room of filmmaker and actress Lena Dunham.  In addition to her playful sticker installations, Turner designs and creates hand-printed wallpapers for her company Flat Vernacular.  

First image via Elle Decor, 2 via Elle Decor, 3 via paytonturner.com, 4 via babyology.com, 5 via thetrendboutique.co.uk, 6 via paytonturner.com, 7 via Elle Decor, 8 via Elle Decor

COLORFUL PRINTS

Wintertime often leads to long hours cooped up indoors.  Within a very short amount of time, cabin fever sets in and the quest for something to do begins.  I have gone through multiple crafts and activities to try to alleviate the dreaded cabin fever.  One that I have found most successful, is watercolors.  There is something about seeing a blank sheet of paper evolve into a colorful image.  Like the blank white landscape outside, the paper is transformed into a colorful spring day. One winter I created a series of floral prints inspired by vintage patterns.  I have yet to find this year’s remedy for cabin fever, but I am sure today’s snow day will spark my creativity.   

Images by AGA

GRAY DAZE: GET THE LOOK

Here are a few winter items for the gray daze of January:

Lauren by Ralph Lauren, Single Breasted Wool-Blend Walker Coat, from Macy's 

Over Coat with Gathering on Shoulder, from Zara 

Stand Collar Topper Coat, from Ann Taylor 

School Boy Blazer in Italian Wool Flannel, from JCrew 

 Cabled Cowl Poncho, from Anthropologie 

 Cashmere Long Sleeve Tee and Cashmere V-Neck Sweater, from JCrew 

Fall Neutrals Collection Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater and Fall Neutrals Collection Cashmere Crewneck Cardigan, from Lord & Taylor 

Ana Embellished Hat, Savannah Cabled Hat, and Sienna Angora Hat, from Club Monaco