Can You Live in a Pink Room?

In my last post I told you that I had redesigned my family room with pink as a "predominant color".  

Crater Ranch

My husband, looking over my shoulder as I was writing, was incredulous that we had a pink room in our house!  "What pink family room?" he asked.....That comment was very satisfying from a designer's perspective!  Because our family room, probably like yours, is the one room besides the kitchen that is used everyday.   And what man wants to think he is living in a pink room?!

While, I said pink was the "predominant color", I didn't say it "dominated" the room.  Clearly his comment shows that a color, such as pink, which at first seems very limiting, can be used creatively in unexpected spaces without slapping you in the face:

In accent pillows and accessories:

Domino

 On one textile piece in the room (chair, carpeting, ottoman):

via Little Green Notebook

House Beautiful

via PepperDesign

I love how the back of this desk chair was upholstered! Who would have seen that coming?!

House Beautiful

Or an unexpected accent wall---here the bookcase is the accent wall!  Love it!

Alessandra Branca

The Washington Post Local Living section last week had an article which illustrated how a creative balance of strong colors can be achieved.  Writer, Terri Sapienza, featured a sitting room with coral-pink walls.

The Washington Post

 I loved her lead in "If you've grown tired of the grays, off-whites and earth tones that have dominated the design scene in recent years, you're in for a treat."  Amen to that!

Alessandra Branca and I must be design soul-sisters because the article quoted  her as saying "she chose a coral-pink for this Georgetown sitting room because she wanted it to feel fresh and exciting. "I grounded it with chocolate brown so it wouldn't be too feminine or girly," she says".   Exactly!

 The walls in my family room are purple---do you think hubby knows?!

Pink is It!

You know how when you buy a new car and how special it feels? 

Americans Space

Then you drive out on the road and notice how many people are driving your car?!


Last year I redid my family room with pink as a predominate color (you're thinking that sounds crazy, right?!).   Well, suddenly I'm seeing the color pink everywhere.  It started with Pantone's announcement that Honeysuckle is the 2011 Color of the Year.  Yeah!  So happy it's another bright color! Read here what Pantone thinks Honeysuckle means as a color in our lives.

pantone.com

 The covers of the March issues of House Beautiful and Architectural Digest have picked it up ---each in a different way.  

Architectural Digest's cover takes pink as a soft, muted tone paired with golds and neutrals.  

Architectural Digest

House Beautiful's cover uses the the pure color of pink with bright yellows, teals and whites. 

House Beautiful

 In fact, House Beautiful's entire March issue is devoted to the color pink!

Each of the magazine's covers have a  different look and feel.  The two together really show off the range pink has--it's not just for Lilly Pulitzer fans!

Garnet Hill

I love the range of colors that work with pink: yellow, teal, brown, black, purple, green (of course, to you Lilly fans!). 

Look at Nordstrom's February catalogue for another inspiring combination: pink and gray! Subtle, soft and soothing without being dreary.

Nordstrom

Another inspiring classic is the linens from Provence,  in particular those by Le Jacquard Francais.  I have always admired the strong, unexpected color combinations--who would think pink and orange would look so hot?!

Where are you seeing pink?

Americans Space

Everyday Design - My New Iron

 I am not a good housekeeper--having to bring out the vacuum (even a great Dyson) is like torture to me.  But as I have gotten older I have been more and more appreciative of a tidy house and have noticed that I have to pick up things I've left haphazardly around the house or the untidiness starts driving me crazy!  It must be a sign of age--or of living with a man who irons his jeans!

Speaking of that, on my list of household duties I hate is Ironing.  I don't even own an ironing board---when I do iron, I put a towel on my granite countertop.

hubpages.com

 After Christmas this year, I decided that before I put away all my holiday linens I would iron them so so they'll be good to go when I pull them out next year.  As we all know the road to hell is paved in good intentions---my tablecloths and napkins sat on my laundry room counter(aka ironing board) for four weeks--unfortunately, I am good at procrastination.

CountryLiving.com

I couldn't stand the thought of using my old Target/Walmart/Kmart iron, so instead I did nothing.  After working around this pile for several weeks, I decided the reason  I hadn't completed this task was that I didn't have the right tools.  So I did what I love to do--Research the Web (another great procrastination tool in my bag of tricks---not actually doing the task but feeling like you are taking some kind of action).   After extensively researching irons, I bought a Rowenta---the Mercedes Benz of irons. I bought a "starter" model for $75:  Rowenta's DZ5080 Focus Stainless-Steel 1700-Watt iron.

 Look at it!  It even looks speedy!  Well, I am here to tell you that it was money well spent!  I read all the directions (another procrastination trick) and made sure I "understood" my iron before attempting to use it. 
 Can I tell you what a pleasure it was?!  To hear and see the loud "whoosh" of steam each and every time I lifted the iron was like pure power--wrinkles didn't stand a chance.  The pointy tip of this iron is long---reminscent of Cruella Deville's high heeled shoes.  

This "high precision tip" gets into every crevice easily and irons out pleats effortlessly.  
 The ball at the base of the cord kept the cord from tangling and the stainless steel non-stick soleplate glided rhythmically over the fabric.  

I found myself getting into almost a meditative state ironing my linens.  
 I am currently reading "Quiet Mind- A Beginner's Guide to Meditation" compiled by Susan Piver.  

Larry Rosenberg's section on Vipassana meditation talks about meditation in daily life:

"The Buddha's teachings are not limited to silent sitting meditation.  We are encouraged to bring the mindfulness we develop while sitting to all the activities that make up our lives.  Bring undivided, full attention to every situation.  If you are washing the dishes, wash the dishes."

And if you are ironing your linens, iron your linens!  Having the right tools makes all the difference in any job!

It also makes me think about a quote I keep in my briefcase and try to keep in mind when working on any client project:

"When a customer buys a low-grade article, they feel pleased when they pay for it, and displeased every time they use it.  But, when they buy a well-made article, they feel extravagant when they pay for it, and pleased every time they use it. - Herbert Casson


Happy Housekeeping!!!!

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