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 Natalie Weinstein is President of Natalie Weinstein Design Associates, The Natalie Weinstein Home Decorating Club and Uniquely Natalie, a quality consignment boutique. Enjoy Natalie’s Long Island Focus featured in House Magazine or call: 631-862-6198. |
| Who’s sick of gray? Anyone? Who’s sick of winter? Everyone! Color – glorious color – is a designer’s best friend. It can also be yours and spring is the time to make it happen. The color trends for this year are ice cream pastels, glittery golds, indigo blues and pops of color all over. These can appear on walls, doors, area rugs, throw pillows, accessories, bedding, chairs, tableware and linens – inside the home and outside on the patio. Like ice cream, we can add more than one flavor to a space and in more than one texture. Color and pattern are back on wallpapered walls. From geometrics to super flowers, “big and bold” have definitely come around again. This year, another trend is the look of tile in wallcovering. There is even a specially designed decorative membrane that is so watertight that it can actually be used directly on the walls of the shower or as a kitchen backsplash (check out: www.westonebathrooms.com). Live plants can also add a wonderful spring look bringing in a bright green color as well as supplying a healthier environment. Indigo blues paired with glittery golds can wake up a space with regal color. You can also add the metallic look of gold to accessories, art work and cabinetry. With a dark wall color as a backdrop, any room can be awakened. So, what can you do this spring to wake up your existing surroundings without breaking the bank, while keeping up with the trends of today? Try: • A new colorful area rug to replace your neutral broadloom or place on top of existing carpeting • A colorful painted or wallpapered accent wall • Bold patterned throw pillows to enliven a neutral upholstered piece • Adding some metallic in placemats and accessories • Adding some fringe with a new throw or curtain topper • Brightening your neutral bathroom with colorful towels and accessories • Setting your indoor and outdoor table with a mix of bright colors on cloths, linens and tableware So, whatever your pleasure, get out of that long, long winter mode and bring colors into your home that make you happy. Color specialists this year have touted “bold” yellow, “thoughtful” purple and “misty” blue greens along with the ice cream colors of bright pastels. But you need to make your own decisions as to how much color is just enough for you and how far your budget will take you. A word of advice. What’s in today… you know the rest. So, don’t just run right out and decide to paint all the walls hot pink or orange. Perhaps you should start with the theory of “one” important wall and a few accessories – the toe in the water, before you jump in with both feet method. Adding more when needed, as in cooking, is the best approach to decorating. Happy decorating, happy spring and happy Mother’s Day! |
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20 lucky winners will win $500 each in prizes totaling $10,000. 