Calm It Down: Blue Bedrooms

Who doesn't love blue? It's a calming force, physiologically, slowing metabolism. Symbolically, it's associated with trust, loyalty, intelligence, and stability. It's intellectual and it imbues spaces with a feeling of cleanliness and peace.

It's all those traits, plus the fact that its different shades work with design schemes from classic to modern, that makes us simply love blue in the bedroom.

On the classic and simple end of the design scale, we love the pretty wooden daybed in Wedgewood blue in the photo on the right. Combined with pristine whites and cool grays, the room feels beachy and calm and very, very relaxing.

We'd accessorize with lighting that's similarly simple, playing up the color's neutral properties with a three-cylinder pendant lamp in Bungalow Dots in Cream, Hampton Blue, and Chocolate Milk:The simple pattern works with the pillows' stripes, while the cool combination of colors is in sync with the rest of the room. Calming, from start to finish.

One of the things we love about blue, though, is the variety of shades and the different moods they can convey. The electric blue headboard at the left, complemented by a fish with bright blue accents, has a coastal vibe - so that's calming - but its coupled with preppy energy.

We'd add even more color, taking a cue from the bright pink monograms on those pristine white shams. We think a Signature Leaves lamp in White and Crimson would be a perfect addition to this room's strong feminity:

We're all about the eclectic look right now and we think blue provides a great base for funky, interesting spaces. The bedroom at the right is the epitome of "eclectic," from the oversized Expressionist painting on the wall down to the rug and its Middle Eastern influences.

We think the lapis wall acts as a sort of neutral in this space, providing a calming respite from the intensity of the patterns and painting. But that doesn't mean we wouldn't tie that blue into even more accessories.

In a space like this one, we say, "Load up on pillows!" We love the pile on the bed already, but we'd also add one of our own - Folk Heart in Cream, Hampton Blue, Chocolate Milk, and Sage:

Another of our favorite blue traits is the color's ability to work so well with a variety of accent colors. We especially love how pale, pale blue looks next to intense, pinky reds - like in this smart spare bedroom:

Pale blue, black, and red don't necessarily sound good on paper, but neither does that crazy combination of super-symmetry, stripes, and butterflies. And in the end, all of it works, and the blue provides a background that keeps the rest of the room from venturing into harsh territory.

We might even swap out the fussy throw pillows (though they are pretty) for something a little more tailored, but add a lamp in a similarly feminine and busy pattern, like Napa in White, Gray, and Aurora Red (at right).

Blue - it's as diverse as colors get. But from the most electric to the sweetest and calmest...what a color for the bedroom.

[Photo credits: All rooms from Houzz.com. All lighting and pillow images from Alluminare.]

Design Trends for 2010: Global Harvest

2009 is rapidly drawing to a close and we're busy exploring all the great new design trends we're likely to see in 2010. We've looked at the trend towards fun, lively interiors and the trend towards incorporating "weathered and treasured" items in the home. But those are just the tip of the iceberg.

A number of trends we're seeing for 2010 are likely to take hold in part because they really work together. When designing rooms, we can incorporate two or three trends at once without the room looking weird or overly decorated. In fact, in these cases, two trends are even better than one.

Two of our favorite new design trends offer the perfect example. The first, Global Village, is all about desigining with, well, global themes in mind. Our friends at Sherwin-Williams call this trend "rooted" and describe it this way:

"Rooted," embodies the rich, earthy colors associated with African, Aboriginal, and Native American cultures. Jackie Jordan, the director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams, says inspiration comes from members of Ethiopian tribes who paint their bodies with green and red pigments sourced from volcanic ash, as well as weeds, grasses, and shells. The deep teal and ash gray of African wildlife and landscapes, as well as the bright designs of the locals' textiles and beads, also serves a launching point for new designs.

And the San Francisco Chronicle reminds us that a carefully curated "well-traveled" look works on a lot of levels. We like it best when globally-inspired items are mixed and matched with simple and traditional pieces, so the room doesn't look overly "designed." The comfortable sitting room at the top left is a great example of this style working. We might even add a little more color with a Bridgehampton Strip pillow in Ochre, Hampton Blue, and Pumpkin:We love the way the strong colors in the pillow complement the rug, but the simple stripe doesn't overpower the rug's elaborate design or any of the amazing pieces in the room. In fact, it lends a little bit of a preppy edge to the space, keeping it from veering into kitschy territory.

We think Global Village is a match made in heaven with another trend - Harvest. While it sounds a little hokey, this trend really got to us. Here's how the UK publication UpWorld describes "harvest" in the home:

Natural - Innocent - Conservative. Think white linens with attention to detail, restrained but textural, sentimental. Wholesome and innocent, this style will have a slightly sophisticated edge through the use of neutral colours such as beige, ivory, black, taupes and caramels. Formality is mixed with informality. This style is all about family and acknowledges where our food comes from. Think rural, wheat fields in the sunshine, farm houses - abundance of an earthy kind. The current ‘Classic Contemporary’ interior style will evolve into this.

Since we're always designing with family in mind (after all, isn't that who uses our spaces?) this trend appealed to us. We love clean lines and calm colors in comfortable, family-friendly spaces like this one:

And wouldn't this space look great accessorized with a Linoak on Second pendant in Pumpkin, Cream, and Light Hampton Blue?

love the way the warm colors are set off by the cooler shade of blue. Overall, we think it conveys that feeling of home and harvest - in a cool, modern way.

Best of all, of course, would be to mix the two styles. Pepper a room with souvenirs from fabulous family trips, like amazing rugs or framed artwork painted by roadside artists, then accessorize with big cushions and warm throws to encourage family lounging. Add a low table and a bunch of appetizers (inspired by those trips abroad, of course) and you've got yourself the perfect mix of a couple of great design trends.

[Photo credits: Family rooms from Houzz.com. Throw pillow and pendant lamp from Alluminare.]

Pantone Names Turquoise the Color of 2010

Just last week, we were waxing poetic about color trends - specifically, trends of the past, with a look ahead to what the future holds for blue and brown. Well, the color experts at Pantone must have felt their ears burning because this week they've announced their "color of the year" for 2010: Turquoise!

We're not surprised, of course, and we heartily approve. Turquoise is fun, it's lively, and it's a great foil for so many other shades. We love turquoise mixed and matched with other blues, and with sweet or fiery pinks, purples and reds, as in this pendant lamp in Serendipity in Turquoise, Baby Blue, Twilight Blue, and Pale Lavender:

Turquoise is perfect for a feminine pattern like Serendipity because its girlish, but not terribly saccharine. This particular lamp is perfect in a young girl's bedroom or for a pretty living room or master suite, but the color itself would work nicely in boys' rooms and casual family rooms, as well.

We love turquoise paired with other shades, but we like it on its own, too, or matched with crisp white, for a preppy, beachy feel. Wouldn't the Parkside pendant in Caribbean Blue and white look perfect in any Palm Beach condo? Preferably one decked out in Jonathan Adler furniture, with a splash (or two) of Lilly Pulitzer in the closet, of course.

You can be sure that we'll have our eyes out for any new and innovative ways to use turquoise in the year to come.

What do you think about turquoise? Any favorite spots for the color? Or favorite memories (of that great Caribbean vacation, maybe)? Does Pantone's choice surprise you? Please tell us your turquoise stories in the comments.

Meet Designer Libby Unwin

We're proud to have Libby Unwin as one of our first World-Class designers. Her work is fresh, bold, and with an inimitable style that is unmistakeably modern.

More of Libby's favorites and her bio statement can be found on her profile page.  She's generously created a few colorways for us that she thinks you'll enjoy.

We recently had a chance to sit down with Libby, and discuss her design influences. We think you'll fall head-over-heels for her work like we have!

What designer has inspired you most and why?
I have loved Abigail Borg's work for quite some time, and really admire that her work is hand-drawn. I get really excited about Patty Young's designs, especially her colorways. It seems like I discover someone new every day - someone who is pushing the bounds of pattern design, someone who is creating work that astounds and inspires me.

Who do your designs appeal to most?
My designs appeal to people looking for something new and versatile, and who are wanting to meld several themes together in one room. I try to leave room for that one extra color, so the pattern can work with other things going on in the same area.

Where do you see yourself, as a designer, in the upcoming year?
I plan to push on my own boundaries: do more hand-drawn work, venture into high-detail designs, create collections of patterns with innovative colorways.

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
Everywhere! I was watching TV last night, and a baby was in a high chair with dots on the seat. My brain quit watching the show for about 30 seconds while I was rearranging the dots, adding other shapes, sneaking in a very hot pink, mapping out another pattern, and then another, and then another. All from a couple of dots. It's endless! Sometimes I sit down and draw something that's been percolating for awhile; other times I'm drawing with no direction, no ideas, just a pencil.

What is your favorite room in your home/apt. and why?
We just moved into our first house and lately I am obsessed with the living room. I have plans to fill the room with Moroccan-esque colors and fabrics. I love texture and color working together, and of course, patterns. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

What are your favorite colorways and products?  How do you see them being used in people's homes or businesses (like restaurants and hotels)?
Lately, I'm in love with purple, so I think this purrple colorway is gorgeous.

I can see it in an office as wallpaper, and/or as throw pillows in a purple room. Because it's two very versatile colors, the pattern would provide a good backdrop for other accents and decor touches.

I also am drawn to colorways that feel soothing and refreshing at the same time. I would use this colorway as a fabric in a spa's window coverings, in a reading room's lamps, or in an indoor garden's lounging furniture.

The colors are so gentle, but punchy enough to add a "fun" element to the room. Because the colors are earthy, but fresh, you could use rich browns to make the room feel warm and cozy, or add a coral or a blue and make it feel bright and alive.

This lampshade would look killer in my home office.

I've got grass green and bright sky blue with browns and blacks working together. Bright and poppy! I like to see colors bouncing off each other. I love overhead lighting for reading or drawing, and I love the circles in the Stop Drop #4 pattern working with the rounded shade, especially since everything else in the room has very straight lines.

In setting up our dining table last night, I realized I need to make covers for the chairs. The room is gold and red with black dishes, so I am thinking this fabric would look great on the chairs.

I love that on Alluminare's site, I can change the colors of the patterns not only to create new colorways, but even change the pattern itself by using two of the same color. This fabric is Linoak on Seventh with Classic Red on two of the three color options, isolating the small background squares.

Brown & Blue: Hot or Not?

As we mentioned earlier this week, we cannot stop talking about decorating with brown and blue. It's been holding strong as a trendy color combination for the past few years, but has its time passed?
Well, we for one still think it looks pretty nice. The wedding industry still agrees with us, too. Brown and blue are holding strong as popular wedding colors, with brides choosing flowers, decor, and dresses in sweet and bright shades of both. And at home - wouldn't the Duo pillow, shown above in Baby Blue and Classic Brown, look fantastic in a little boy's nursery? The shades are soothing and comforting, but still feel pretty hip.

But while the color combo isn't exactly out, it might be drifting toward the less trendy end of the scale, as yellows and bright greens take over blue's spot in the, well, spotlight, and cooler neutrals like grey bump brown off the scene. According to color experts from Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, and Pantone, 2010 will be all about those cool neutrals, yellows, and some surprising new shades.

If you love the brown and blue combination but want to update it, one way to do so is to brighten it up with a little bit if yellow. We like the Linoak on Seventh pendant in Baby Blue, Classic Brown, and a shot of Pale Buttercup:

We think it's got all the good things about the brown and blue palette, plus a little energy from the yellow.

But if you're not tied to brown and blue specifically, but like the muted + bright tone of the lamp, lavender and gray are great to play with. Here's the same lamp, still with Pale Buttercup, but adding Charcoal Gray, and Light Plumb in place of the blue and brown:

The lamp has the same vibe, but a slightly fresher feel. Perfect for 2010 (and beyond).

Gray and yellow alone are a great pick, too. One of the nice things about the brown and blue combination is that, depending on the specific shades, it can be energizing or calming - or somehow both at the same time. Gray and yellow have the same magical capabilities. We think Tribeca wallpaper in Bright Yellow, Silver, and Gray would be perfect to fall asleep to or to wake up to:

Of course, if it's still really blue you're after, all you need to do to freshen it up is to make sure your palette is bright...because 2010 is all about aqua and we love it. The Granted three-cylinder pendant in white and Caribbean blue is exactly why:

It's bright and fun and exciting. Beachy, but perfect for a winter white landscape, too. And most of all - it's blue.

Where do you fall in the blue and brown debate? Still fresh? Feeling stale? What colors say 2010 to you? Please share in the comments.

Color Trends: A Retrospective

We've had a bit of a color debate going on around Alluminare. Our big question? Brown and blue: hot or not.

But more on that (and other current color trends) later this week. We escaped from our modern day trend debate to take a little trip down memory lane. Today is all about color trends from the past. What they were, what they remind us of, and how they hold up today.

Back in 1999, Serena Fenton published an article called, "Architectural Follies," in which she listed the most popular color combinations in school media centers and libraries from the 1960s through the '90s. As it turns out, those color combinations are good examples of the colors that ruled those decades. We couldn't help but check them out.

It all started in the 1960s, when avocado and harvest gold famously ruled the day, kitchens adopted a look that felt outdated a few years later. But how would it hold up today?

We actually like it. Green and orange feels pretty fresh right now, especially when it's punched up with white accents, like in this Brickell three-cylinder pendant lamp in cream, Army, and Pumpkin:

A few years later, in the early '70s, colors shifted to the primary section of the color wheel, when designers latched onto strong yellows, blues, and reds. We tried the combination out on a Commonwealth two-cylinder pendant in Bright Yellow, Blue Iris, and Classic Red:

The combination is fun for a kid's bedroom or playroom, but we find it a little strong for the kitchen (though using just two of the three colors would look great).

In the mid-70s, the look got a little funkier, with electric blue and Kool-Aid orange energizing interiors. We like the combination now, too. The Linoak pillow (at left) in cream, orange, and Wild Blueberry is a great modern look - fresh and fun and clean.

And then came the 80s - the days of pastel and wine and roses. In the early '80s, Fenton cataloged a great deal of gray with mauve and jade - we can just picture the early '80s wedding parties decked out in those shades.

We've modernized the combo, with a drum pendant in gray, Classic Pink, Tutu, and Forest:

We think the clean stripe saves it from looking overly saccharine, creating a lamp that would work in a variety of modern homes.

Of course, things didn't get any less pastel as the '80s progressed and Miami Vice, with all its linen blazers and candy-colored t-shirts, came on the scene. In fact, Fenton called the late '80s palette "Miami Vice pastels."

Even though the show went out forever ago, we think pastel color combinations never get old, especially not in little girls' rooms or feminine living rooms. The Granted pendant in Light Plum and Light Spring Grass would look just as perfect in any of those spaces today as it did during Don Johnson's heyday:

In the early '90s, girly shades were finally out, when interiors followed fashion with an emphasis on deep earth tones. They're still relevant, too, especially in traditional homes and masculine rooms, like libraries.

We love Beach Vine wallpaper in Rosemary and Ginger (at right) - it's warm and welcoming, and just as relevant today as it was fifteen years ago.




Fenton's research ended in the late '90s, with her assessment that pale citrus shades were all the rage. It's only been a decade, so we thought the combination might look dated, but as it turns out, we still love the look of lighter versions of sunny shades, like this Maven pendant in white, Pale Buttercup, Cantaloupe, and Light Spring Grass:

We think it hits exactly the right spot and is perfect for a sunny kitchen.

What are your favorite eras for color combinations? Any great color memories you've tried to recreate at home? Share with us in the comments.

Pendant Lighting in the Bedroom

The other day we were having a talk with a close friend about lighting for her bedroom.  She was saying she wanted to get matching table lamps for her bedside tables, because that seemed like the easiest route.  We interjected and showed her a few options that we now want to share with you.



We really like the idea of using pendant lights for the side of the bed.  They will provide enough light for reading and will free up some space on those smaller bed side tables.

For the first room, I chose to go with a White Linen drum pendant because there was already so much red and green.  The White Linen will brighten the room when lit, but won't be over powering.  The white also helps play with positive and negative light, which is always an eye catcher.



The second room, I chose to go right along with the colors in the room.  The drum pendant fixtures in Commonwealth don't overpower the room; they serve as functional accent pieces!

Lighting Your Home: Yellow

Yellow can be a real challenge---too bright, and you're regretting it every day, too mellow, and you're finding ways to bring in that pop of yellow you were hoping for. Lighting your home in yellow is one of the best ways to bring in the yellow, and still keep your sanity.

Benjamin Moore's Weston Flax is a brilliant shade of yellow. It is pale, yet still delivers. I happen to love it. We have a shade of yellow called "Pale Buttercup" that pairs well with Benjamin Moore's Weston Flax. To punch it up, pair the Pale version with the standard "Buttercup", as we did below. Happy days are returning, the popularity of yellow in the home is proof. :)

Here are my quick picks for yellow lighting. Try any of these in your home or restaurant when your design calls for yellow.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="100" caption="Home Lighting in Buttercup Yellow Tulip Print from UK designer Rachel Cave "][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="100" caption="Home lighting featuring Buttercup Yellow Stripes"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="100" caption="Home lighting featuring Buttercup Yellow Damask from designer Jen Furlotte"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="100" caption="Home Lighting in Buttercup Yellow Mod from designer Libby Unwin"][/caption]

My Favorite Light Fixture

There are so many options for lighting now a days and it can certainly be daunting. My personal favorite lighting fixture from Alluminare.com is the 24-inch Drum Pendant Light Fixture. The reason it's my favorite is because it's extremely versatile and you can use it in various rooms.

The Drum Pendant Light Fixture is so sleek, chic and simple. However, you can make spice it up a little bit depending on what color and fabric choice you order (that's always the exciting part!) I chose 3 color and pattern options that are my favorite. First is the Drum Pendant covered with Giraffe in Charcoal Gray/Cream. I also added a black trim to the top and bottom to give it a polished, sophisticated look. When I was selecting colors to use for the Giraffe print, I had such a hard time deciding which was my favorite. Also, it's easy to look behind the fact that it's an animal print. It can easily be mistaken for an earthy pebble or rustic pattern- depending on which color combination you select.

The second combination I chose for the Drum Pendant Light Fixture is Manhattan in Margaritaville/White. It's a pop of color that will work well in a simple, sleek room. It's paired with an enlarged modern pattern, Manhattan, that helps with the use of such a vibrant color. This fixture would look great above a large, white parsons inspired dining room table.

The third combination I chose is a more traditional approach to the Drum Pendant and it's a crowd pleaser. It's an easy addition to any room because it's a solid color. You can choose pretty much any solid color for this shape and it'll look great. The Drum Pendant fixture comes in so many sizes that it'll work in a living room, bedroom, or dining room. I love the chic look of a White Linen Drum Pendant fixture in any room. The White Linen helps to really illuminate any space, and without distracting from other elements of the room. This White Linen also looks really great when a pair is hung above a really large rectangular dining table.

For each of these, I chose to use the Silver Suspension Stem because it would be better in a room with a light colored wall. I tend to stay away from the Black Suspension Stem because usually it's going up against a light colored wall and it tends to stick out.

My Favorite Light Fixture

There are so many options for lighting now a days and it can certainly be daunting. My personal favorite lighting fixture from Alluminare.com is the 24-inch Drum Pendant Light Fixture. The reason it's my favorite is because it's extremely versatile and you can use it in various rooms.

The Drum Pendant Light Fixture is so sleek, chic and simple. However, you can make spice it up a little bit depending on what color and fabric choice you order (that's always the exciting part!) I chose 3 color and pattern options that are my favorite. First is the Drum Pendant covered with Giraffe in Charcoal Gray/Cream. I also added a black trim to the top and bottom to give it a polished, sophisticated look. When I was selecting colors to use for the Giraffe print, I had such a hard time deciding which was my favorite. Also, it's easy to look behind the fact that it's an animal print. It can easily be mistaken for an earthy pebble or rustic pattern- depending on which color combination you select.

The second combination I chose for the Drum Pendant Light Fixture is Manhattan in Margaritaville/White. It's a pop of color that will work well in a simple, sleek room. It's paired with an enlarged modern pattern, Manhattan, that helps with the use of such a vibrant color. This fixture would look great above a large, white parsons inspired dining room table.

The third combination I chose is a more traditional approach to the Drum Pendant and it's a crowd pleaser. It's an easy addition to any room because it's a solid color. You can choose pretty much any solid color for this shape and it'll look great. The Drum Pendant fixture comes in so many sizes that it'll work in a living room, bedroom, or dining room. I love the chic look of a White Linen Drum Pendant fixture in any room. The White Linen helps to really illuminate any space, and without distracting from other elements of the room. This White Linen also looks really great when a pair is hung above a really large rectangular dining table.

For each of these, I chose to use the Silver Suspension Stem because it would be better in a room with a light colored wall. I tend to stay away from the Black Suspension Stem because usually it's going up against a light colored wall and it tends to stick out.

Don't Be Afraid of Color!

I've said it before and I'll certainly say it again, don't be afraid of color! White walls certainly have their place in the world, and hey, I have a white wall in my house. Color doesn't necessarily mean the brightest color you can find at Home Depot, or on Alluminare.com, you can choose something subtle and it'll be just as great (sometimes even better!)

A really easy way to incorporate color into your home is with fabric and wallpaper choices. They are a great way to add a pop of color that won't be overwhelming. A few really great throw pillows on a solid colored couch will add character and charm to your living room - they also make for great conversation pieces. Guests will want to know where you got those amazing pillows from, or how you chose such a fabulous color! A great fabric and color combination I recommend from Alluminare.com is Fan Club in Basil and Light Spring Grass. These colors are neutrals and will go with the majority of other colors that are in your house.


Another great way to add a splash of color in your home is to reupholster an old sitting chair in your living room, or your set of dining room chairs. A great thing about textile designs today is that they can be mixed with older furniture to provide an updated look. If you're working with traditional furniture, try to choose a color that you can relate to yesterday and today. Kingston in Twilight Blue is a great option that combines a modern color with a traditional pattern that helps bridge the gab between an outdated piece of furniture and a modern home. How great would this fabric look on a wooden traditional chair that has been painted white? Super chic and modern, and it will hardly cost you a thing!

If you have trouble committing to a paint choice or wallpaper, a great way to add color to a room (and not feel like it's a life sentence) try putting fabric on the wall! I used fabric as a wall covering in my guest bedroom and it was so easy! A fabric and color option I recommend for wall use is Pearl District in Ginger. It's a classic design with a classic color, and it leaves a lot of room for furniture selection. Black, white, dark or light wood would all look great. All you'll need is a tape measure, staple gun and scissors- afterwards you'll wonder why you never thought of it before.

Don't Be Afraid of Color!

I've said it before and I'll certainly say it again, don't be afraid of color! White walls certainly have their place in the world, and hey, I have a white wall in my house. Color doesn't necessarily mean the brightest color you can find at Home Depot, or on Alluminare.com, you can choose something subtle and it'll be just as great (sometimes even better!)

A really easy way to incorporate color into your home is with fabric and wallpaper choices. They are a great way to add a pop of color that won't be overwhelming. A few really great throw pillows on a solid colored couch will add character and charm to your living room - they also make for great conversation pieces. Guests will want to know where you got those amazing pillows from, or how you chose such a fabulous color! A great fabric and color combination I recommend from Alluminare.com is Fan Club in Basil and Light Spring Grass. These colors are neutrals and will go with the majority of other colors that are in your house.


Another great way to add a splash of color in your home is to reupholster an old sitting chair in your living room, or your set of dining room chairs. A great thing about textile designs today is that they can be mixed with older furniture to provide an updated look. If you're working with traditional furniture, try to choose a color that you can relate to yesterday and today. Kingston in Twilight Blue is a great option that combines a modern color with a traditional pattern that helps bridge the gab between an outdated piece of furniture and a modern home. How great would this fabric look on a wooden traditional chair that has been painted white? Super chic and modern, and it will hardly cost you a thing!

If you have trouble committing to a paint choice or wallpaper, a great way to add color to a room (and not feel like it's a life sentence) try putting fabric on the wall! I used fabric as a wall covering in my guest bedroom and it was so easy! A fabric and color option I recommend for wall use is Pearl District in Ginger. It's a classic design with a classic color, and it leaves a lot of room for furniture selection. Black, white, dark or light wood would all look great. All you'll need is a tape measure, staple gun and scissors- afterwards you'll wonder why you never thought of it before.

New Designer Pattern: Suzani by Jennifer Mitchell

Click here for an entire gallery of fabulous starting points using Suzani.

Hand-drawn and high-end, our newest pattern is graciously contributed by Jennifer Mitchell at DesignHole (the fabulous, on-trend design blog). Suzani is a traditional pattern, with roots in the Silk Roads that connected Europe, Turkey and China with the Muslim world. Suzani draws from the natural world of plants, animals, and the stars to visually describe the beauty of nature.

Custom wallpaper, custom fabric, lighting fixtures, lamp shades, and pillows are all available in a huge range of colors and you can even change the scale of the pattern. Even if you don't buy anything---it is a great way to spend the afternoon!

We had a chance to talk with Jennifer about her lovely Suzani pattern and hope you enjoy reading about Jennifer's lovely Suzani pattern and its origins as much as we did!

[P.S., would you like to send us your pattern? Add a comment or touch base with me on Twitter.com/Alluminare ]

What inspired you to make this pattern?

Aside from the fact that I love Suzanis, my inspiration came from a practical matter. I was working on a bedroom project for a client and thought a Suzani would be the perfect thing for curtains and a matching bedspread. But the perfect thing (at least to my designer's eye) was not to be found. It was a bit of a Eureka Moment when I learned that Alluminare was looking for new patterns. I especially liked the fact that my design could be made into wallpaper, fabric and pendant lamps.

Have you used it in other projects before? If so, how and why?

I used a couple of Suzani pillows as an accent on a client's bed. The pattern's colors pulled the other elements of the room together. It was the perfect finishing touch.

Why do you love Suzani?

My forté as a designer is color. I love playing with using color in unconventional ways, like painting ceilings red. Suzani prints are often very colorful, so I'm naturally drawn to that aspect. But they're also organic - with all the motifs going this way and that. Although Suzanis have been around for centuries, there's something about them that seems very contemporary, which is why they're an emerging trend. Suzanis can be used on just about anything: curtains, bedding, accessories and wallpaper. They're playful, colorful and fun.

Anything else you would like to share about your Suzani pattern?

I think your readers would be interested to know that Suzanis are very old and come from Central Asia - Uzbekistan in particular, which was part of the Silk Road. The traders spread the design beyond the world of the nomadic people who made the original Suzanis. Their lives were hard and bleak, so the women decorated just about everything, including rugs, tents, saddlebags - all the things they used in everyday life. They also made wall hangings. Original Suzanis are embroidered, woven and appliquéd.


About Jennifer:

Jennifer Mitchell is an interior designer from Detroit, Michigan. She also writes a popular blog called Design Hole. Jennifer's design work and blog are dedicated to showcasing her unique and creative perspective on beautiful living in the 21st Century. Jennifer studied at The College for Creative Studies. Design Hole has been featured twice in The Washington Post, and her work as been published in Detroit Home and Metropolitan Home magazines.

Yellow Paint Colors: Which is Better? Bold vs. Safe

We study consumer preferences all the time at Alluminare. We like to call it "Alluminare Labs" - our behind-the-scenes look at what people prefer. Our approach to Alluminare has always been to let people be the driving force of our product development (not just what we think is cool). And now, we are starting to share this information with anyone who wants it.

So in this week's Alluminare Labs study, we decided to look at Yellow paint colors. Why? Well, Pantone(TM) has released it's Color of the Year (Mimosa), and with Spring coming up, we're seeing a ton of bright, cheery yellow out there. And we wanted to see what 100 random people thought. Would they actually like it in their homes?

Our survey showed two very simple walls. One with a bold color to mimic the Pantone Mimosa color, and one to mimic Benjamin Moore's Weston Flax paint color (a butter yellow that is quite popular)--- A "bold" and a "safe" option.

Here's the survey we sent to 100 people this week:
Which wall color do you prefer for a living room?

Safe

Bold

Why do you prefer it?

We also asked respondents to tell us where they lived (urban, suburban, rural, etc.) and age/gender.

Results of the Yellow Paint Color Survey

The results were surprising. We watched them as they came in, and at first, it looked like nearly everyone selected the "safe" butter yellow paint option. But then, we started seeing more and more go for the "bold" yellow paint option. We were stunned to see that the "bold" color option received about the same number of preferences over the "safe" color option.

All respondents
52% favored the "safe" butter yellow option
48% favored the "bold" yellow option

Men
52% favored the "safe" butter yellow option
48% favored the "bold" yellow option

Women
52% favored the "safe" butter yellow option
48% favored the "bold" yellow option

Suburban
47% favored the "safe" butter yellow option
53% favored the "bold" yellow option

Urban
44% favored the "safe" butter yellow option
56% favored the "bold" yellow option

Rural
57% favored the "safe" butter yellow option
43% favored the "bold" yellow option


Men and women were split in exactly the same ways. Urban dwellers preferred the "safe" option slightly: We had assumed that urban dwellers would be more willing to take the risk, but it seem that suburban dwellers are more likely to favor the daring, bolder yellow paint option. Rural dwellers preferred the "safe" yellow paint option by a larger margin than any other domicile grouping

In the final analysis, we'd like to go back and survey a larger sample to see if we can get a bigger preference differential. If we decide to survey a larger sample, we'll post the results here.

Comments from respondents

Here are some comments we were interested in:

"It is more alive, and would still match with many furniture sets." (Bold, Suburban, Male, 34)

"I like to relax at home, in the living room. The bolder color would rev my nerves up more, after awhile. The safe color is bland but soothing." (Safe, Suburban, Female, 37)

"With the white couch, the bold color really makes the couch pop out. I can imagine then using some bold color pillows and accessories to really liven things up. I think also with the gloominess of the recession, a bold color lifts my spirits."
(Bold, Urban, Female, 57)

See for yourself

We've posted the raw data on our server. Go ahead and pull it down and take a look at it yourself. It is in .csv format so you can import into any software you wish.
Download it now

Have a topic you want covered?

We have a team of scientists on deck at all times just waiting to study something. Just let us know what topics interest you and we can work them into the schedule! (Just kidding about the team of scientists, but feel free to post a comment with your request.)

Pep up your room with color

Does your room feel drab and uninspired? Plain gray walls are common in modern homes; while you could spice them up with a fresh coat of paint, adding too much color can be dangerous.

According to the 1961 Better Homes and Gardens Decorating Book (one of our favorite Eames-era guides), "A little bit of bright color may look alluring, but on your walls it will just jump at you. The larger the amount, the more intense it will seem.... You're probably be more comfortable and 'at home' with your color scheme if you select soft neutrals or grayed tones for the largest areas in your home -- the walls and the floor."

Where bold, vivid color can best be used is in accent pieces, such as your lighting fixtures. This can add life to your room and help to pull a color scheme together. Bold colors will sharply contrast with the gray wall, emphasizing your lighting as a focal point; if you use them in a pendant over your dining table, your family and guests will be subconsciously pulled to gather around it.

If your room is sunless or the primary source of light during the day is your pendant fixture, add warmth with red and orange; these suggest "the friendliness of a campfire, the warmth of the sun, the natural 'belonging' or rich soil and rock and sand... these colors will give you the same comfortable feeling of warmth and friendliness." If, on the other hand, your room is already sunny, you may want to cool it down with blue and green, the color of water and trees. In either case, don't be afraid to be bold!