15 Top Articles on Color Trends

Click on picture to go to Article.

  Turquoise Aquamarine

  Farrow & Ball Launch 18 New Colors

  Beige is Magic

  The Color Purple

  The Best Yellows

  Think Pink

  Color of the Year

  Blue is the New Black

  The Color Orange

  Turquoise Bliss

  Back to Black

  White Bedrooms

  Beautiful Brown

Pink for Spring

Green Chic

Patricia Gray Inc is an award winning Interior Design firm in Vancouver who blogs about Lifestyle and WHAT'S HOT in the world of Interior Design.
2011 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™

A Sip of Summer

The Mint Julip

One of the ladies at my church volunteer meeting the other day offhandedly made the comment, "Mint Julip season starts this weekend." Ahh. And I had to smile.

What makes this comment even better was that it was from a very proper, older Southern woman (80s???). While my life has certainly passed too quickly as it is, I must admit I look forward to my retirement days when I can sit on my porch in my rocking chair sipping Mint Julips.

So, in the spirit of Mint Julips and Southern Summer Porches, here are some pictures of great potential sipping spots- of course, with a recipe courtesy of Pittypat's Porch via Girly Drinks.

Tonic Home

Southern Accents

Southern Accents

Southern Accents

Southern Accents

Southern Accents

3 oz. of Bourbon Whiskey
1/2 oz. of Mint Juilip Mixture (simple syrup-melt sugar 1 cup sugar in 1/2 cup of water
Crush mint and mix with sugar mixture )

Serve over crushed ice

Pictures of You

Like many new brides (I think??) I am captivated by the idea of creating a picture wall. However, at this stage of the game, I'm not satisfied with the super-cheap frame job or over-the-top matchy-matchy. There are numerous designers that pull together collections of frames (some photographs, some not) and they look quite simply divine. I also love how Picture Walls can exist in a traditional home, modern/contemporary, rustic, etc.

My biggest design challenge is which look to go for- I love the symmetry of one-size, one color frames. However, I adore the put-together look of Eric Cohler's assorted style and size frames in his stairway.

Ken Fulk

Kenneth Brown

Riverside Location via www.beachstudios.co.uk

Eric Cohler

Phoebe Howard

Sarah Kaye Represents

Westbrook Interiors via Southern Accents

Coming Clean

Super quick post- and slightly advertorial. I discovered Charlie's Soap on The Nest and had to try some. I found a small bottle of the liquid version at my local Whole Foods and I am IN LOVE. Seriously, my whites are whiter, the red clay dirt that the dogs bring in (and put on the bed) has come out. And, it seems gentle, is environmentally friendly, and generally animal friendly (as in, they haven't tested on animals, haven't paid for animal testing, but can't attest to the history of all of their raw materials. So not as Method "clean" but pretty good). They also seem to be a nice little family company out of North Carolina. Check out their website for locations from which to buy as well as their cool "cleanability" chart.

Happy Laundry!

Interview on All The Best

The following is an interview posted today on me by Ronda Carman on her fabulous Blog: All The Best Profile: Patricia Gray by Ronda Carman

I adore the words of Jan de Luz, "Style…isn’t something that you apply like hand cream. It comes from within, as an emanation from your own being.” Vancouver based interior designer Patricia Gray is the perfect case in point. For those of us who follow her blog, we are well versed in Patricia’s inimitable style. Her designs are both studied and precise, while being completely livable and inviting. It is one of the main reasons Patricia never fails to excite and inspire. As I have alluded to numerous times, my design tastes run the spectrum. Patricia’s timeless and classic designs, with an undeniable modern edge, are the perfect prescription for my neuroses. Patricia received her training at the Parson's School of Design in Paris. She is a member of the Inter-Society Color Council of New York, the National Council for Interior Design, the Interior Designers of Canada and a certified Feng-Shui practitioner. Patricia's portfolio includes feature projects throughout the US and Canada, as well as in Japan, Singapore and Africa. A few notable design clients include John Travolta and Rob Feenie.

How would you describe your design style? I like furniture to have good lines, rooms to have good ‘bones',
juxtaposition of good antiques and artwork with modern design.

What inspires your creativity and designs? Travel, being around young people, the ocean and the desert.

What is your most prized possession? I don’t know if you could call her a ‘possession” but my 4 ½ pound Yorkshire Terrier, Nicole.



What is the one thing in life you cannot live without? My cup of coffee in the morning.

Who are your style icons? Interior Designers: Michael Taylor, Andree Putman, Antonio Citterio Fashion: Coco Chanel, Dianna Vreeland

Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project? The great Albert Hadley.

What is your favorite luxury in life? Travel. The best holiday I ever gave myself was a cruise from Rio to Barcelona.
10 days at sea crossing the Atlantic. It was the most relaxing time I have ever had. Nowhere to go, nothing to do….eat, sleep, eat some more.

What is your idea of earthly happiness? Clients that allow me be creative.

Past or present who has most influenced your direction in life? My Mother for nurturing my creativity in childhood. My Father for teaching me good values: integrity, self reliance, and perseverance.

Who would you most like to meet and how would you spend the day? The dowager Queen Noor of Jordan. I have admired her for years from a TV interview with Larry King. Her style and humanitarianism left an indelible impression on me. However she would like to spend it!!

Profile by Ronda Carman
To see this interview in full visit All The Best and please leave a comment for Ronda.
Thank-you Ronda!!!
Photos by Roger Brooks

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design,
architecture, and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog, 2009

Ode to Cville

Friends, I'm heading to C-ville this weekend (Charlottesville, VA, the home of THE University). It's our 5-year reunion from graduate school. While I could be lamenting that I have not truly accomplished jack since graduating, I'm focused instead on how excited I am to be back in Charlottesville and to catch up with my girlfriends.

If you know anyone who went to UVA, you also know that we have a cult-like reverence for the little town of C-ville. Not to mention, it's Foxfield this weekend. I generally DO NOT condone horse racing (or animal racing of any kind) but I admit that Steeplechase races get to me and I love dressing up in my sundress with the guys in seersucker suits.

And of course, this will be the 5-year anniversary of Mr. Southern Aspirations and my first kiss.

Some photo love:

Tie needs to go, but... J.Press

Ben Silver

Lilly

Vineyard Vines

J Crew

Various Designers (Tibi, Shoshanna, ABS, Betsey Johnson, Nanette Lepore) from Bluefly, the source of many of my dresses during my graduate school years.