I'm no April fool...

Well actually I am, my sister got me pretty good with some foolishness about her husband being arrested. But nope, this isn't an April fools prank, I'm actually getting back to writing...

Follow Boden's advice and add a pop of red

Heat things up in the kitchen with a Cayenne stove

Use Cayenne for pops of color in the bedroom

Don't be afraid to dress up with some fiery lipstick

Or add a fun pop of color to your living room with Society Social's  The Hostess bar cart

So here's hoping that April showers bring a flood of ideas!

When one door closes...

"When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us." -Alexander Graham Bell

Over the last two weeks I have cruised up and down the GW Parkway more than a few times and every time I hit the south side of Old Town Alexandria this adorable dance studio caught my eye... Adorable name, adorable clients but really what could be more chic than pink front doors?
I love a painted front door, and I am loving that people are branching out from the standards of black and red...

the transom window says it all! Loving the bubble gum pink!

Mediterranean blue sets the tone for a soothing home

Pale pink speaks to the southern elegance of this old charmer

I don't know if I like the color or the patina better on this pair of old doors

The yellow doors add to the sunny feel of this airy entry way

Apple green makes these old door pop and highlight the architecture of the building

Cap off a Barbie Pink door with the perfect finishing touch of a crystal door knob!

And if committing to the whole door is just too much for you, consider Martha Stewart's trick

paint the edge of the door in a pop of color to compliment your home's color scheme. This is a great way to add a bright bold color that you might not use otherwise.

You never know unless you try it on....

I remember so vividly, being in a dressing room with my mother and my sister, and my mom demanding to one of us that we must try on a certain dress that we both thought was awful...and my mom said: "You never know how it is going to look unless you try it on...you never know, you just might like it."  And while I don't remember what the dress looked like or even who she was talking to, I do remember her being right...the dress ended up being perfect for which ever of us it was.
This one sentence of my mother's has stuck with me and become my best advice to throw around (and remind myself of) for fashion, dating and paint colors... Yes- I am saying you can apply the same theory from the dressing room to both dating and paint colors, and it works!

So before you go committing to a color (or guy) just consider my words of advice...

Don't put too much stock in names... Balboa Mist might sound a lot better than Mannequin Cream but the reality is- you have to find the shade that works for your house...and it might have an awful name. When I work with single guys on picking paint colors, I try my best to never let them see the names of the colors before they decide.

Coincidentally, I have found that in the dating world, there are some unique names out there...don't worry I'm not going to actually name names but I will say, some of the coolest guys I have dated and become friends with over the years  have had strange names...girl's names, porn star-ish names, single letters and just down right bad names. I mean really- who am I to talk, my name is a city, granted it is The Queen City but still...

Don't rule anything or anyone out based on a name.

They all look the same on paper/ they all look good on paper

Paints in particular are hard to judge on paper- they look very similar and they aren't actually the real paint- thus the subtle differences don't really come through...

Once we enter the working world, we all learn the importance of  selling ourselves... so any guy worth his salt can make himself look like a catch on paper...and most of them describe themselves pretty much the same way- funny, outgoing, athletic....you see where I'm headed with this

Just as a paint chip can appear to be the perfect 2x2 square of color- a guy can be a dream boat on paper...living with the reality is quite another story.

There is a reason for paint testers... Try them out, and try several different shades- throw in a wild card color, even just to assure you that you don't want that color

Don't start planning your life away with the first guy who asks you out...date and date different guys, how will you know if you've found a good one if he is the only thing you have to compare it to? My Dad calls it the Raisin Bran theory- You have to go through a bunch of flakes to find a raisin. Now don't get me wrong- the first guy you meet might be Prince Charming but have fun and date a few other people so that you can fully appreciate him when you are ready to settle down.

Go ahead and paint them on the wall! and pick the wall that the light changes the most on... the paint color will change dramatically depending on the light.

When planning a date, I find it is always interesting to go somewhere to see how a guy handles different things...pick a restaurant with a broad menu to get a feel for what kind of pallet this guy has for food- does he go the easy safe burger route or is he daring and try a sophisticated sounding appetizer...or does he just drink his dinner (run now if that's the case). Don't choose a place that has glowing comments about good service, try the one that has a few negative service remarks and see how he handles poor service- how a man treats his mother and service people (like waiters) tells a whole lot about a man's character. 

I'm not saying forever, but live it for a little while, let the colors grow on you... as you see the colors shift with the daylight you might realize that on Sunday afternoon you like the second from the left but on Wednesday night it might be the first on the right...Don't over think it too much but do give it some time to soak in.

First dates can be inherently strange and awkward... every now and then you have one that is great and you talk for hours without realizing the time that has passed, but more often than not, one or both of you are nervous and you don't always put your best foot forward due to that... Now if it was horrible- let it go...but if it wasn't too bad- go on a second date, more relaxed and more yourself (he will be too) and see if there are any sparks...

If you are going to do it...do it... you are looking for paint to paint- so go ahead and paint big squares on the wall- they will get covered up once you pick one! little tiny samples are no better than the paint chips- you can't tell anything from that! and if you are too scared to paint squares of tester paint on your walls them maybe you aren't ready to paint your walls...or just stick with a fresh coat of the same builder beige you no doubt have...

If you are not ready to date- don't! there is nothing wrong with needing to figure yourself out or be alone. But don't date and meet people who are ready- if you're not...or at least be clear on what you are looking for- it's just not fair, plus how much would that suck to meet Prince Charming when you just aren't over your ex and so you blow it!!!

When you find the right one...go for it! Stop hesitating and commit!

You can't live with squares of paint on your walls forever- so after some time to marinate- pick one and paint!

In dating- when you find that one, I like to believe you know it, go for it- tell him you like him! No risk no reward... you might get hurt, your heart might get broken...or you might get everything you are hoping for.

After all, we are just talking about dating and paint...if you pick the wrong one you can always start over with a fresh coat. Wallpaper, however, is a bit more like a marriage- it's a big expensive commitment so make sure you really love it!

You can take it or leave it with my advice, either I'm good at dating or horrible at dating since I've now been dating for half of my life...but, I have gone through loads of paint testers and can't think of a room that I've finished that has had to be repainted due to the color being a shocking surprise...

someone was lazy....

I was scrolling through one of my tried and true favorites for good basics and stumbled across this press release that is predated and posted to their website already...apparently the web crew over at Kravet is planning on taking Monday off like the Federal Government:

New York, February 21, 2011- Kravet announced Monday the introduction of a new collection from its upscale line of couture quality fabrics. The collection, called Modern Colors, is made up of bold, sophisticated fabrics with a modern twist.

Available in a range of bright, fresh colors and patterns, these fabrics are perfect for any interior décor style. The collection mixes embroidery, silks, velvets, leathers, linens and textures in modern hues of purple, aqua, chartreuse and coral.

Kravet Couture fabrics, inspired by the designs and styles of the haute couture fashion houses, translate the world's most luxurious fabrics and textures into upholstery, drapery, bed coverings, accessories, pillows, headboards and more.

The Modern Colors collection is the latest example of the quality and craftsmanship of Kravet Couture fabrics

Now I know that press releases are written in advance I was just tickled to see that it is already on the website and well...Monday hasn't happened yet! But regardless I am so excited about the looks of this new collection- finally some great color, texture and pattern from an affordable resource!

Eclectic

adjective.-selecting or choosing from various sources. not following any one system
noun. -a person who follows an eclectic method

Yesterday I mentioned my former "transitional" neighborhood, but the new one is not transitional...it is firmly eclectic! I love eclectic but it isn't a style just anyone can pull off...eclectic can easily pass for messy or possibly a hoarder, however, when you stop for a second and start to look at the parts not just the whole you start to notice all the beautiful unique parts that make up the whole and then you see the whole in a new light. The first time I saw my new neighborhood I thought it was the most hodgepodge crazy neighborhood but then I started looking at the individual houses and gardens and suddenly I realized this was a marvelous patchwork of homes, each unique and each shining with their own character and style.

Homes are just the same way...eclectic homes are most often occupied by someone sentimental, each piece holds a story. Now don't get wrong- there is the fine line between eclectic and hoarder. I don't think I need to explain hoarders- just watch the show... they can't throw anything away! Eclectic is achieved by editing, by carefully selecting each piece, by mixing patterns and colors with various textures and memories.

The best thing about eclectic is that it doesn't happen over night...you can't force it and that is what makes it most difficult to pull off. To start setting your sights on an eclectic style buy things that you love- even random little things- you have to start somewhere. Collect things on your travels or make you local antique and consignment stores part of your routine stops. Or for a quick fix head over to Anthropologie and peruse their home section or start clicking around Etsy....

So start collecting those items that speak to you and go boldly...eclectics aren't afraid of color!

photos: Houzz, House Beautiful, Elle Decor, Alkemie, Anthropologie