Decorating With The Color Aqua

It seems that in addition to purples and lavenders being this year's hottest decorating colors, aqua has come back full swing. This soothing cross between blue and green was very popular in the 1950's and was found in painted walls, textiles and even heavier furniture pieces. But like many trends, the obsession with the color aqua didn't stop there. It was found on cars, clothing and on pretty much anything that had a color.

Today, decorating with the color aqua is a little different than it was back in the day. As you can see in the photos, a little goes a long way. Aqua can be used as an accent color to add a touch of softness as in the white bathroom pictured on the right. If you're going to use aqua on the walls, try painting a focal wall first before painting the entire room. Then accent with pillows or vases to bring the color throughout the room. If you feel you would like to add more color, you can always paint more walls starting with the wall opposite the focal wall. If a more modern look is your style, you'll be happy to know that aqua works very well with black or chocolate brown. In fact, there is blog dedicated to the color combination of aqua and brown. It's called Chocolate Blues. But aqua isn't just for modern décor. It works well with cottage and shabby chic themed design as well as luxury or glamorous décor as well.

Another upside of decorating with aqua is that it is a lighter color and reflects light rather well. This means that it will work well with very small rooms and tight spaces. To create the illusion of even more space along with luxury, try using the color aqua with mirrored surfaces and silver items. The effect is stunning! For a fresh mix of color add touches of salmon or melon. The possibilities are numerous.

Proper lighting as I've said so many times before is key when decorating. The wrong lighting fixtures or bulbs can make all the difference between a cold, sterile environment and a welcoming and cozy home. And when decorating with specific colors, great lighting is essential. When looking for lighting be sure to take a look at my favorite lighting store Premier Lighting at shoppremier.com. They have everything you can imagine for any of your lighting needs. The prices are very reasonable, the people know their stuff and they ship almost everywhere!

So you have your awesome aqua décor. Soothing, calming and soooo relaxing. You have your amazing lighting creating the moooood. Now all you need is something cozy to curl up on and either a remote, a book, a drink or whatever you prefer. But for now, take a look at the pics for some ideas.

God Bless
DeAnna

It's All About Purple

The Color Purple. Aside from being a wonderful movie, the color was once a symbol of royalty and status. For thousands of years, only the elite could afford purple fabric to wear. And for ions, flags bearing the crests of kings were proudly displayed. And in 2010, it is the hottest color for interior design.

In my research, and with this season's hottest decor trend colors being soothing lavenders and comforting plums, I came across a LOT of interior designs using various shades of purple. Quite honestly, so many of them were just amazing. There really is no limit where interior design is concerned and this year, purple has sparked the creativity of so many wonderful designers. This has taken design and décor to new levels.

However, actually using the color purple used to tighten the gut of even the most experienced of traditionalists. But rest assured, that it really isn't difficult at all. If however, you are still a bit leery using purple, there are several things you can do to update your home décor without completely remodeling. Try using neutral colors for walls and on larger pieces of furniture, then add purple accessories. This could easily be done by adding throw pillows, pictures, draperies or vases. This way if you want to change your décor in a year or two, it's very easy to do. If you're feeling a little more daring, try painting one wall. Painting even one wall can make a big difference in a room. Complete the look by adding the accessories.

As with most décor, it truly is about color and mood. If you happen to look at examples online, you'll notice that there are several different looks. Some are more formal, some are modern. Some of the examples have just a touch of purple, while others are completely saturated. Ask yourself what you feel when you view each picture. Does it appear relaxing? Is it playful? Perhaps it seems moody, or maybe luxurious? But the most important question to ask yourself is “What mood do I want to create in this room for myself, family and visitors?” These are questions that should help you to determine which hue would be best for you. For instance, if you are looking for a soothing environment, electric purple on all four walls would most likely not be recommended. However, a muted plum on a focal wall with complimentary accessories may be better suited.

So if you're looking to update your décor in this season's latest trend, consider various shades of purple. It's a wonderful change outside the interior decorating box and it's very suitable for any room inside or outside the house.