Pantone 2012 Color of the Year: Tangerine Tango

Oscar de la Renta Spring 2012.  Image from Harper's Bazaar.

I love using orange in my designs and wardrobe; so naturally I was excited to see that Pantone's 2012 Color of the Year is Tangerine Tango.  What better way to start a new year than incorporating this spirited color into your life?  Pantone describes this color as, "Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy."  In these hard economic times, everyone can stand to use this vibrant color as a much-needed energy boost; so below are some fun examples on how to use it in your home and wardrobe:

1) Rothko prints look great in every space.  Available through art.com, No. 3, 1967 is available in multiple sizes. $7.99-$27.99.  2) Chic storage boxes aren't only functional, but beautiful as well.  Available in 4 sizes through The Container Store. $6.99-$17.99.  3) Take this color with you as you're on-the-go; custom iPhone 4 case from etsy.com. $39.99. 4) Make a statement with this colorful medallion rug, available at zgallerie.com. 5'x8' rug, $599.95.  5) The best way to incorporate a new color into your home is with decorative pillows; this luxe pillow is available at Room & Board, $129.  6) I'd be lying if I said I don't own this necklace, and that it isn't my favorite.  Available from Jenni Jewel through etsy.com. $33. 7) Add a punch of color to your wardrobe with this clutch (available in multiple sizes and hues), available through American Apparel. $68.  8) Show 'em who's boss with  Essie's nail polish in Tangerine. Available at beauty stores and Target. $7.49.  9) "Tray" chic!  Display this gorgeous tray on any surface to organize your things.  Available at www.cb2.com. $39.95.

Love this color but afraid to go full-force?  Take a hint from Betsy Burnham and use the color in accents. 

Paint your front door in tangerine tango to rev-up your curb appeal.  

Ready to paint your walls in a bright color?  Keep everything else neutral as seen here.


Take a cue from Hermes and use orange boxes for storage.


Paint a frame or piece of furniture for some extra pizzazz.


Again this color works perfectly with neutrals seen here.


Add bright pillows to your bed or sofa for an unexpected pop of color.


This modern color perfectly compliments this modern architecture.

Merry Christmas!

We hope everyone is having a great Christmas with their family and friends!  We'd like to thank everyone for reading and following our blog; it means the world to us.  In keeping with the holiday spirit, here is a collection of our favorite gingerbread houses.  Which is your favorite?

The Season of Giving

All photos from vmsd.com

What better way to celebrate the Christmas season than giving back?  The new Treasure&Bond does just that.  Nordstrom's new pet project (located in New York City's SoHo district) gives 100% of it's profits to charity each quarter.  Their website explains the store as: "Part gift boutique, part art gallery, and part neighborhood gathering place, it’s an exciting new experiment in giving that has, at its core, one simple goal: To help people help people—and to do so with wit, imagination and style."  We love this idea, but we also love the retail design and visual merchandising just as much.  The industrial architecture works beautifully with the eclectic furnishings.  Their small budget is also admirable--they recycled old fixtures from other Nordstrom stores to save money.  But most impressive is the store's modular design: everything in the store is easily movable which means the store can change it's look daily.  Complimenting the store's eclectic design is their eclectic range of merchandise: they sell home, accessories, jewelry, books, stationery, men’s and women’s apparel, bedding, tabletop and furniture. Here's a look inside the store:

Merry {DIY} Christmas

We know the holidays can add stress on your wallets; not only due to purchasing gifts, but also from decorating.  But you don't have to break the bank to have a beautifully decorated home for the holidays, you can make it all yourself and have it look just as good (if not better) as boutique-bought decor.  Below we have a few ideas and tips to get you started on your holiday projects:

1.

An elegant addition to any tabletop, mantle, coffee table, or console table is faux fruit.  Even more elegant? Glitter the fruit in a beautiful holiday shade.  My favorite holiday glitter is Martha Stewart's fine glitter (available at Michael's) in "White Gold".  Try mixing different shades and textures as seen above.

Ivy & Piper Holiday Issue

We are thrilled to announce we are featured in Ivy & Piper's Holiday Issue!  We love this interior design magazine because they really encompass our chic & sophisticated design aesthetic.  Based out of Australia, Ivy & Piper offers interior design inspiration, workshops, and products--all available online!  Our online design packages are featured on page 7 and 9; but please, read the whole magazine (you won't regret it).  Please tell us what you think!  www.ivyandpiper.com

It's A Wrap!

So you started your Christmas gift shopping...what's next you ask? Wrapping it of course! The way you wrap your gift really makes a gift that more sincere. A nicely wrapped present shows you care and that you spent time trying to create something special. So I found some very cute and inventive ways to wrap your gifts. So open up a bottle wine, put some old Mariah Carey Christmas tunes on and...GET CREATIVE!