Sunday, January 25, 2015

Decorate With Marsala, Pantone's Color of the Year for 2015.

This blogpost is designed to introduce you to a color you will be seeing alot of in 2015. Marsala is Pantone's Color of the Year and it's earthy and sophisticatedred hue promises to be a popular color choice for the runway as well as home decor. Complex and full-bodied it gets it name from Marsala, a fortified wine from Sicily commonly use for cooking to create rich caramelized sauces. Somewhere between rose and terra cotta this color has brown undertones that give it it's earthiness. Marsala combines well with metallics, another popular trend.

 As I have been researching images I became aware that there is a pretty wide-ranging interpretation of the color. I have seen people posting everything from pink and red to burgundy and calling it marsala. Make sure you are being presented with the true color when considering incorporating marsala into your home. Your designer needs a good eye for this one. 

I think marsala is especially lovely in old world style homes that are layered in textile and artwork. Bare walls of it is not my favorite look. Marsala is a color that needs to be accessoroized well and in the right hands will give you a rich, refined space.


www.foodista.com

The Color of the Year's namesake, Marsala wine.


Marsala is beeing seen all over the runways and the red carpets. Home decor is soon to follow.

www.lisafarmerdesigns.com

My marsala inspired stairway this past Christmas. Since I am not a trend driven designer it is fun to see that I am on trend with a color I have had on my walls for years. This is such a rich, wonderful color and all who visit comment on it. Marsala is compatable with turquoise and teal, and blues

via pinterest

A softened terra cotta, marsala is colorful while still remaining a good neutral to work with.

tempodadelicadeza.com.br

Marsala combines well wih grey, black, beige and other neutrals. Metallics are very trendy now and this color works very well with them. I love marsala with burnished gold.

Marsala make for an elegant, grounded statement color when used on its own or as a strong accent to many other colors. 

Marsala is a wonderful color that can be the perfect background for an aged patina or weathered look.

I think it is a huge mistake to use white trim on marsala walls. Much too much of a contrast.This color needs rich golden tan trimwork like that above to be successful.

Living room decorated by JL Riccardi

If you are desiring warmth in your home's interiors, marsala might be your answer.  



Wonderful marsala Bell Jar Pendant by Niche Modern

I have always loved the color we are now calling marsala used with this shade of  terra cotta.........


and recently did a bedroom in them with small touches of marsala for accent.

elledecor.com
This chair is covered in a deeper shade of marsala. And in keeping with the “neutrals with a hint of color trend", touches of this color are lovely against creamier walls.
via pinterest

Marsala is not being very well received because people don't know how to decorate with it. Many say it looks dull and muddied. It is a rich color if you know how to use elegant accessories. Just painting a wall with it and sitting a sofa in front is not the way you work with this color. 

thibautdesign.com

Flattering against many skin tones your guests will look their best in a marsala colored room.

jouedesign.wordpress.com

Maybe a piece or two of furniture like this chair is all you need to spruce up your home in this lovely red brown hue.


A matte finish like on these walls highlights marsala’s earthy organic nature but when you add a gloss to the mix as has been done on the panels, it compleely changes the look to that of glamour and luxury.


In this pretty dining room marsala mixes well with yellows, oranges, and deep mahogany furniture.

Marsala has a plush element to it which comes through even more when you see it on textured surfaces like the velvet of this sofa.

via pinterest

The fact it looks so good on textures makes marsala  the perfect choice for rugs and upholstered furnishings.

Oriental Weavers


Marsala's red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness and looks good with natural elements like wood and stone.

Sara Gilbane

Marsala is highly compatible with amber and golden yellows. It is a good color for an eclectic interior.
If you are debating over whether to add a touch of colour to your home this year, perhaps you should seriously consider a shade of marsala.



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Monday, January 19, 2015

Decorating With Mismatched Dining Room Chairs



Have you fallen in love with the look of mismatched dining room chairs yet? Many of you have because it is getting harder and harder to find pictures of matched chair sets. It makes me smile to see this as a trend now since I have had mismatched antique dining room chairs for 20+ years. They aren't painted but mismatched none the less, four identical with the host chairs being a different style. I am looking for a couple of chairs to add to my mix as we speak. 

Chairs have suddenly become a focal point for the dining room and mixing and matching them allows you to add some fun and personality to your space. Plus it's fun to collect chairs which you can find at auctions, recycle stores, antique and collectible stores. Also there is always the chance of finding a great piece to add to your mix at a flea market, yard sale, or on clearance somewhere.I love the look and the way it creates more warmth and interest. Just beware that there needs to be a plan for mismatching your chairs so you don't end up with an incohesive mess. Make your decisions carefully and make sure you have a unifying element such as color, scale, or style.

Mismatched chairs will give your dining room an eclectic flair and what better place to bring together all your favorite looks and friends than around the dinner table. An added benefit is how fun it is to watch people choose a chair that reflects their personality. Take the plunge into collecting and create a unique look for your space.



desiretoinspire.net

If you prefer an eclectic look, mismatched chairs is definitely a must for your dining room. Be colorful if you like, it's a great way to let your personality show.

horchow.com

Or how about something more neutral. This table is surrounded by wonderful French chairs covered in mismatched fabric that lends more towards texture. Add in one of my favorites, the banquette, and what a beautiful dining room you have created.


This shabby white Farm House style dining area really benefits from the use of all white, chippy, mismatched chairs.


I love the look of mismatching chairs by upholstering the same chair with different fabric. This is a wonderful mix!!!!


Great chairs all mismatched in colorful pattern give this dining room such charm.  Great for a country or even boho interior. 


This is a lovely and unique dining room made all the more charming by the way they have chosen to use mismatched Medieval style chairs.


Pastel painted, mismatched, wooden chairs are perfect for this vintage country dining space.

Emily Followill Photography

I love this dining room and it's unique mismatched seating. The use of a tufted banquette, upholstered French style chairs, and fabulous antique side chairs make the room feel as if it has been collected over time, thus adding to its character and charm.

source unknown

Mismatched modern and antique style chairs are perfectly wedded in this great kitchen. Also I like to see large upholstered chairs at the ends of a table.

Anne Robert Photography

Is this not a charming table? The crystal chandelier, lovely florals, and lace tablecloth all add to the look, but those fabulous mismatched chairs steal the show.

housetohome.co.uk

The mismatched, gold painted chairs add elegance to his setting.

There are many ways to get the mismatched look. Paint your chairs the same color but cover them with different upholstery selections. This gives a look of cohesiveness for those of you that are having trouble letting go of the matchy matchy look.


Using the same fabric to cover your mismatched chairs as well as painting them all the same color will  help you to achieve the look without a glaring difference.

europeanchicdesign.blogsp

Painting all the chairs the same color will help you keep things in control and will present a semi-unified look as opposed to a more random one.

elledecor.com


A fun collected dining space with several styles of mismatched, primitive antique chairs.



Even in very formal dining rooms mismatched chairs will still work for you. In fact, I think it tends to boost up the interest and the elegance if done right.

via pinterest

A very eclectic dining room with many fun, mismatched chairs to choose from.


Mismatching like chairs in different colors is a great way to spruce up a tired space.  Add in some pretty seat cushions or coordinating pillows on a window seat or other area near by. Imagine how dull this space would be without these great pops of color.


When you entertain outdoors try some mismatched chairs around your table. The look is as equally lovely outside an it is indoors.

via pinterest

Also don't forget the banquette........a perfect addition to your mismatched look.


Consider placing a bench alongside your mismatched chairs and let guests be impressed by just how smart you are.

pandashouse.com

If you love vintage, enjoy surprising your guests with this style of decorating using mismatched dining chairs. 


Wonderful chairs just waiting to be painted and displayed can be found at yard sales, flea markets and antique malls and they are inexpensive in most cases.  It's something to have fun with so what are you waiting for....... get out this weekend and start YOUR collection. 




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