Would You Use Orange in a Kitchen

My Kitchen in NYC  - I used Farrow and Ball "Charlotte's Locks" 

 I have always loved the color orange -  I have used it through out the years....as the color came in and out of vogue 

The color orange actually affects us physically.  It stimulates activity and appetite...which can be good or bad...  

 Another thing that Orange does is stimulates  socialization...and that is what kitchens are all about.

As you can see my previous kitchen to the left was a typical New York City Apartment Kitchen; Extremely Small....but everyone would gather in that space....

I have included some random photos of kitchens to show how the color orange can bring life to a kitchen....

Great look with brick and stainless

Warm and inviting

It adds a dramatic contrast 

The orange backslash adds warmth and depth to the kitchen

What are some of your favorite colors of orange???

Does the entrance to your home needs some TLC?

Via Pinterest

With Spring just around the corner our decorating thought process seem to wonder to the exterior of our homes.  One thing that you can do over the weekend is paint your front door a different color, or change up the numbers on your house, this is a simple way of welcoming in Spring....and creating great curb appeal.


Many of us on the East Coast of the US were affected by "Sandy"....So we have lots of work to do on the outsides of our houses.   I for one am looking for a new lamp post and mail box.....as Sandy beheaded my lamppost.  Walpole Outdoors have some beautiful selections.  

There are many ways to create a beautiful curb appeal to your home with Ceramic Urns, Lanterns, Lighting, Flowers, welcome mats, and shrubbery.

Check out some of Houzz ideas...

Start your planning, as I believe the weekend will be a Sunny one..

Why So Grey?

 Last summer's hot read "Fifty Shades of Grey".  Is it the color of our nations' mood?  It is the drabbest color on the palette!  The answer is....

The color Gray is the color of intellect, knowledge, and wisdom. It is perceived as long-lasting, classic, and often as sleek or refined. It is a color that is dignified, conservative, and carries authority. Gray is controlled and inconspicuous and is considered a color of compromise, perhaps because it sits between the extremes of black and white. Gray is a perfect neutral, which is why designers often use it as a background color.

I recently asked some other designers what their favorite color of grey was - I received 40 different shades of grey's  Here were the top chosen colors 

Abalone 2108-60 Benjamin Moore

OC28 - Collingwood Benjamin Moore

gray owl – 2137-60 Benjamin Moore

 AF-100 Pashmina Benjamin Moore

Sea Salt, CSP-95 Sherwin Williams

HC170 Stonington gray Benjamin Moore

Stone Harbor OC52 Benjamin Moore

AF685 Thunder Benjamin Moore

AF680 Wish Benjamin Moore

Coastal Fog 976 Benjamin Moore

A special shout out to the following designers for their suggestions...  Perhaps this will make it a bit easier when you are looking for the perfect shade of Grey.... (please note, the colors on the internet do not reflect they exact shades....please visit your paint store to view)
Annie Miranda . Lynne Whiteside,  Janice Lindsay,  Joan-z Cirie, Beth Burns, Jill Hosking-Cartland , 

Lynn Waller, Laurence Melchior,John Tasca , Nancy H Alwin, CACC, Sonia Daigle ,Patrick K. Coppinger 

Luci Terhune, Irene Fraser BA BID, Annie Miranda , Patricia Whalen ,Christine Wexler  

What does my house look like?

 I often have been asked about what does my house look like?  Well, its hard to explain as it is a work in progress....

We bought this house in October of 2010 while we were still living in New York City full time.

We moved into this house full time March 2011 with various items and artifacts from previous homes all rolled  together now in one.

A south facing reading spot with lots of light and comfort

We spend a lot of time in the enclosed porch - This bell is rung at 4:30 during the summer  at the start of cocktail time

This table is always filled with people and food -   I invested in Lloyd Flanders  which can be used inside or out

This is why we spend so much time on the porch....sunny, warm and comfy...not to mention so great water views

Kitchen  is filled with what ever is needed to make some Delicious Meals....in dire needs of a renovation however 

I  bought this antique potting table which has followed me through three moves.....

There are always something happening on the water way that you need a closer look..

What is on my coffee Table?   My French Life by Vicki Archer, Interiors/Atelier AM, House by Diane Keaton, The way we live, Bunny Williams Scrap Book and the Colors of Provence

A Mail drop off basket 

I love this  lady....Her faceless expressions always brings me smiles

This is where we hang - new window and doors just installed after "Sandy" we  have the Terracotta  tiles  which will be installed next

So as you can see our home is filled with items that make us feel comfortable and happy.  Our colors are warm , our furniture is comfortable and the house is always filled with family, friends, great food and wonderful wine.  I hope you enjoyed the gimps into our decor....

Call me at 917-699-1262 or visit my website at www.harmonizehomes.com  or our sister company www.shorechicydesigns.com  or follow us on Facebook

Introduction to the Barry Dixon Collection (short)

A room should reflect your personality

A room should reflect your personalty.  It should look like ti has always existed.... When I am working with clients, I always want to know a bit about their hobbies, likes and dislikes....it is not because I am nosy...I just want to get a feel for the personality.

I also like this saying..that "a room should feel collected not decorated"....

Personality, traditionalism, order, regimented  
By DP Morris

Personality, Bohemian , artsy, liberal, laid back 

Personality, earthy, balance, sophisticated,  a bit romantic
DR James Rixner

Personality, artsy, romantic , chancy
photo by CI-Savio-Firmino

Personality, creative, experimental , naturist 

Painting Wooden Floors

Painted Runner

If you have been following any of my posts, you know that I am working also on my own home.  It sits on the Barngat Bay in Toms River New Jersey.  It was originally a summer home, and we are now trying to convert it to a year round home...

The floors upstairs in the loft area are sub-flooring and they are in bad shape.  So, I'm investigating the possibility of  painting them....While doing so, I found some great examples...I just have to win my husband over on the idea...  I hope they are inspirational  to you

Natural and Painted

Checker Board

Pattern

zig zag

Visit Apartment Therapy for step by step instructions or another of my favorites is Annie Sloan

Visit our website at www.harmonizehomes.com  or our sister company Shore Chicy Designs

or visit us on facebook for a daily feed of ideas and inspirations..

917-699-1262

How to Trick the Eye and Make a Small Room Seem Anything But...

Today Harmonize Homes is featuring a guest blogger  Chris Coleman , from Signature Furniture Rental  - San Diego California

How to Trick the Eye and Make a Small Room Seem Anything But

The days of selling a house full of empty rooms is gone. To create a home, not just present a house, is imperative. But what to do with those small rooms we keep tucked away, the closed-in living room or the claustrophobic kitchen? Can these rooms be salvaged into something more alluring?

One of the worst things you can do is keep the room empty. While a third bedroom in a large home might be able to be left to the buyer’s imagination (or be presented as a bonus room), any main room must be staged. There are a few relatively easy tricks and techniques to use when home staging that can help the room be perceived as larger and more spacious.

First of all, you won’t win any buyers with a layout that screams “look how much stuff can fit in this room!” Clutter and crowded spaces should be avoided at all cost. Clutter can not only make it painfully apparent just how small a room is, it can make the room feel quite claustrophobic. In fact, it’s best to have one large, prominent piece of furniture surrounded by a couple of smaller pieces rather than an army of smaller pieces, which is most people’s first instinct. 

A few easier tricks that can have an astounding effect on how we perceive the size of a room rely on the use of mirrors and windows:

• Having a wide-open window to look out of can make a room seem more airy and open.  

• Mirrors placed in easy lines of sight can effectively double the space in size.

• If possible, increase the amount of space between your furniture, especially from the wall.

While a new paint job might be more than you’re willing to take on when home staging, good lighting can have just as big an impact on a room as a new coat of color. There’s no set way your room should be lit because lighting can create any mood you desire; make sure each room is brightened according to its traditional purpose. Torchiere lighting is an excellent choice because it’s the easiest to move around and caters to the needs of each specific room.


Good luck and happy home staging! Remember, every room can sell the home with just a little creativity.


Posted By:  Harmonizing Homes

Source:       Signature Furniture Rental

Location:

Signature Furniture Rental 8525 Camino Santa Fe San Diego, CA 92121             (858) 227-4370

What comes first fashion or interiors?

I spend a lot of time, perusing both fashion and interiors...as I do love both!  As I view some of my favorite bloggers Habitually Chic, Fashion & Decor  and others its amazing the similarities in prints and colors.

Great airy open room

Shades add a bit of Glam to kitchen

Who couldn't get creative in this office

Safari print on both

A foyer that makes a statement

Simply adding a rug and pillows changed the entire look of the room  

Marc Jacobs Spring 2013

Dolce & Gabbana Spring/Summer 2013

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