Introducing Colour

After some recent blog posts with beautiful subdued colour palettes, I thought I'd better let you know that I haven't lost my love of vibrant colour. Here are some examples of how you can inject some brightness into your home in a less conventional way.

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Lots of people paint their front door, but how many paint it bright magenta?! It looks stunning alongside the bougainvillea.

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These owners took it to a whole new level when they painted their garage door in a pinwheel pattern.

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Keep your creative juices flowing on the inside of your house. A painted pattern on the wall replaces the need for art.

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How about a shot of intense block colour in your curtains?! The sheer fabric allows the light to filter through softening the effect.

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A simple stick found on your walk, or in your garden, can be turned into a piece of art with the help of some brightly coloured yarn.

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Painting individual floorboards is yet another unique way to introduce colour into your home. I hope you've been inspired by one or more of these creative ideas. Which is your favourite?

Emerald Accents

Apologies for my absence on the blog yesterday, I took a day out with my girls as their school holidays are coming to an end. Back to work... while looking through my Pinterest boards I noticed an abundance of pins where emerald green is used as an accent colour. Pinterest is such a brilliant way to discover your style, it's amazing how quickly a pattern will form.

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Such a strong, vibrant and fresh colour, it looks great with white and black, or balanced with bright pink or orange. If you're looking for an emerald or jewel green paint colour, try these options... Dulux Emerald Green, Resene Watercourse, and Resene Salem. Start with a test pot to make sure you're happy with the colour, which can change in different light - enjoy!

Rue Magazine Update

I've just found some time to sit down and read the latest issue of Rue Magazine. Two of the feature homes struck a chord with me, although they're both very different to each other.

The first belongs to New York illustrator and style expert, Dallas Shaw. An older house, Dallas has retained the charm and details while adding her bold, punchy style to each room.

The second, amazingly, is a rented apartment, also in New York. The occupant, a young corporate attorney, hired the services of Common Bond Design to help him turn his bachelor pad into a refuge from work, and a place to entertain friends. They did a brilliant job with a low-cost overhaul, investing in pieces that could be taken with him to his next home.

The only addition that will remain is the fresh paint on the walls, which was absolutely necessary. A clean coat of fresh white was used throughout, but in the bedroom a bold statement was achieved with a gorgeous blue stripe the same height as the headboard.

When extra storage was needed in the bedroom, the designers custom painted a credenza the same colour as the wall. I love the way the framed print hangs slightly over the blue, linking the two halves.

There is plenty more goodness to be found in the latest Rue Magazine, so find some time to check it all out for yourself.