Jody Gorlock, author of this 34 Secrets article, compiled color tips from an extensive list of designers to offer readers approachable advice for their homes.
Of course, it was a surprise to him, but I was thrilled when I first got the call back in November to provide color tips for the article. (thanks for the heads up, Lane! I’d almost forgotten to be on the look out for the March issue!)
It’s funny, sometimes my days run into each other and I’m not sure if me and my team have accomplished enough. Projects get held up by back orders, interviews are often done months in advance, video editing takes weeks of drafts, and timing purchases and services can take Matrix-like coordination. There are a lot of moving parts and, of course, my goal is to be moving them and myself forward at all times. So when these moments arrive- the magazine comes out or the video goes live or the finishing pieces go into a project- I just can’t help but stop for a sec and smile. I love my work!
Go pick up the magazine for lots of great color tips for your home, and stay tuned this week to see- in real time- what I’m up to every day to make the Shannon Kaye Making Room for More machine turn. I’m headed to Phoenix tomorrow for a last minute color consultation… can’t wait to tell you about it! Stay tuned…
It’s been a spooky warm winter here in the San Francisco Bay Area and I for one feel parched (must be my Oregonian blood)… But it’s raining today!
Local photographer, Kurt Rogers, captures San Francisco so beautifully
Ahhhh, feels like I’m standing by the sink drinking a full glass of water from the faucet in one gulp knowing I’ll fill my cup again as soon as the last drop hits my throat. Californians aren’t known for embracing this weather (you’d think the occasional change in climate would be welcome here!). They call it dreary.
But I see colors come to life and textures jump to the foreground… somehow perspective even seems to get deeper… I love the rain.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right? Take monochromatic interiors, people say they’re flat and boring… like this:
But the good ones look like this!
People end up with one-note rooms simply because they’re afraid to try putting colors together, afraid to mixing patterns and prints… That’s not a monochromatic plan, that’s a fearful plan! Stop, you don’t have to live this way!
Even if you don’t feel brave enough to put colors together, monochromatic schemes can be unique and beautiful because they (the good ones) rely on texture, contrast, and intensity to dress an entire room in one color. A few weeks ago we explored complimentary colors and how to bring them to your home. This week, we’ll take a look at monochromatic color schemes and do the same. So, take a look around your room and grab something that inspires you in terms of color, style, theme… and let’s get started.
In the meantime, here are a few rooms that might get your imagination going. See you tomorrow!
I've shown this room before. Steven Gambrel's monochromatic schemes amaze me.
Another Steven Gambrel special
When the main elements are one color, changing out the accessories can totally transform the space. Imagine this room with a round blue ottoman and green artwork... it would work!
I love Make: Magazine and often feel amazed by the commitment and curiosity of the geniuses who are driven to create the most amazing inventions, art, products, cool stuff… this is the latest art piece I saw in Make that took my breathe away…
Made from PVC pipe and paint, Kang Duck Bong from Korea sets everything in motion with his speed inspired sculptures. When I hear myself staring at a piece thinking, "how on earth did he think of that?!" I know I'm being inspired.
For some reason, this sculpture makes me feel like superman. It makes me want to be in motion.
I also discovered this super cool chandelier…
Designed with testtubes by Polish designer Pani Jurek, the chandelier is named after Madame Curie (whose full name was Maria Sklodowska-Curie), the Maria S.C. chandelier
So beautiful and perfect with this prism inspired configuration, but you can put any color liquid in any pattern into these tubes- A-Mazing!
The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London is dedicated to design and that artist, designers, makers who live to create- especially with their hands and lives. Check this out:
“The purpose of the Victoria and Albert Museum is to enable everyone to enjoy its collections and explore the cultures that created them; and to inspire those who shape contemporary design. All our efforts are focused upon a central purpose – the increased use of our displays, collections and expertise as resources for learning, creativity and enjoyment by audiences within and beyond the United Kingdom.”
…can’t believe I haven’t been here! Oh, it’s on my list now!
Make: also introduced me to this clever artist. Why didn’t I think of this?
I could go on and on about Esther Coombs and her adorable approach to decorative art, but here’s how she explains it on her site:
I began illustrating discarded ceramics about two years ago, and I have found people want objects in their home that, in addition to being beautiful, are useful and have a story. The cake stands are a particularly pretty way of giving a new lease on life to unwanted crockery. My range has now expanded to include up-cycled china seed markers, up-cycled printed tea towels and the newest addition to my work which I’m very excited about up-cycled cushions.
Check out Make: if you’re looking for crazy motivation from crafters, makers, inventors, artists… like this…
Christopher Jobson writes on the colossal art and design site Colossal:
Japanese artist Riusuke Fukahori paints three-dimensional goldfish using a complex process of poured resin. The fish are painted meticulously, layer by layer, the sandwiched slices revealing slightly more about each creature, similar to the function of a 3D printer. I really enjoy the rich depth of the pieces and the optical illusion aspect, it’s such an odd process that results in something that’s both a painting and sculptural. Wonderful.
Last week, my brother, Lane, and I had just one day to spend in San Francisco. I’ve mentioned our tradition of exploring a street whenever we visit each other. This time, I decided to hop around a bit hitting a smattering of hot spots like super succulant shop Flora Grubb,
Lane and friend, Jeff, checking out this light up drafting table
No joke, Lane told me about meeting Harry Bertoia's granddaughter and the tour she led through his studio... of course, we were sitting in his diamond lounge and side chairs. I wanted to take the chairs AND the remarkable green table you see here. Being in Big Daddy's is like being in another world and time...
Owner, Designer, Erin Martin has a remarkable sense of scale and drama I've never seen before. Her store, Coup d'Etat in SF AND Martin in St. Helena are must see shops if you love unexpected and wondrous things...
‘Course we also hit more pedestrian but no less enchanting Divisadero Street shops The Other Shop and Cookin’ on Divisadero Street.
We got so distracted, but this shop that we forgot to take pictures! Here's a beautiful little montage of the magic from the folks at KKRB blog
Lane and I always have so much fun together. We laugh, create, play… he inspires me for sure, but he also motivates me. When we hang out the creative energy in me rises to the top and I just want to get to work. It got me thinking about all the ‘stuff’ that gets me going- that just calls to me, “do it, Shannon! Get to work!” So this week, I’m just going to show you people, projects, and all kinds of things that inspire me and hope they do the same for you.
Whether you’re inspired by music, literature, design, construction, craft (or my fabulous brother!) this is the week to let it all in, let everything motivate you to take any little step towards building your life, designing your space, making your dreams… this moment is for you.
So, I’ve got the inspiration, the idea, the frame… It’s time to make my version of an inspiration board!
I headed to the hardware store for some wire. I’ve seen this done with chicken wire, but I was attracted to some wire with a grid pattern:
I stretched it across the back of the frame then drew some butterfly shapes on poster board and cut them out:
For efficiency sake, I cut out half shapes in the posterboard
Find an image that fits the butterfly shape and it tear out. Fold the page in half and trace the shape with a pen. Cut it out…
Play with the shapes, colors, sizes, patterns...
Then, using wire and straight pins (I used multi-color pins for fun) start arranging the butterflies let them cluster and stream in a fluid arrangement…
Et voila! My inspiration board full of butterflies like wishes for all the things I’m loving, appreciating, and working for. It’s not a “real” inspiration board, but the project made me feel open again to putting my dreams in the room so I can see them, and more, believe in them, again!
And my super cool business coach, Kim Kuhteubl, is pushing me to go for it again too- to create an inspiration project with defined goals and dreams. I promise, I’ll do it! And you’ll be the first to see it.
Now, stay tuned tomorrow for more work by the artists who inspired this project. You’ll be amazed by their work.
