Moody Blues

A natural follow up to the 2008 Color ‘Cast is a full week dedicated to the how’s of PAINT.

It’s been said once or twice that the absolute quickest way to dramatically change the mood of a room is PAINT. A beige room is reinvented with stormy blue walls creating a calming atmosphere. This deep, dusky hue will enhance your artwork and your black and white photos will be even more dramatic. A youthful yellow or invigorating red will fill your kitchen with energy. Pop these colors with a crisp, white trim. Any room in your home can be reborn in a dark plum: living rooms become cozier, bedrooms are more intimate and dining rooms are instantly elegant.

I recommend the following colors for your home in 2008. You will love them for the year and they may even become your trademark color!

Deep Hues:

• A gorgeous blue that leans to the gray side is Granite Peak from Sherwin Williams. Try trimming this room in Evening Shadow instead of the traditional white. I also love the color Black Pepper from Kravet for Benjamin Moore.
  
• Blackberry and Plum Brown are amazing shades that are new to Sherwin Williams in ’08.
  

Soft Tones:

• Pale Blue can help create an informal setting and works well with natural wood tones and Carrara marble. Use Shore from Restoration Hardware


• Try Pink Shadow in your master bedroom for a feminine touch.

*photo from Sherwin Williams 2008 Color trends.

The 2008 Color 'Cast!

Welcome to the maiden posting of the Laura U Blog! My mission is to create a space for inspiring design discussion and ideas that are a natural extension of the Laura U Collection. The Collection focuses on one-of-a-kind finds for your home, local flavors in art and singular artisinal furnishings.

As 2007 draws to a close designers of both interiors and fashion look to the color forecast for 2008. What better way to ring in the new blog, and the new year, than with a new color 'cast? One of the key components in design is COLOR and here I will focus on the hippest of the current color combos.

Taking cues from both Pantone View Color Planner and Sherwin Williams Color Forecast, I have pulled together three palates that will transition us stylishly into 2008!

Happy New Year!

Laura U

Color Story 1: the Sophisticate

Peach, Black, Gold.

This dewy look is absolutley timeless.

To acheive the poised nature of this scene, use a fleshy peach on your walls and accent with a crisp white trim. I often use black on base and crown mouldings, but only when a bold statement is in order. The designer of this space keeps the backdrop consistent by continuing the same color on the walls and window coverings. Then he pops the look with a wide drapery flange in black. Hardware, mirrors and furnishings in gold are classically current.

C1: Peach - "Fragile Beauty" from Sherwin Williams is a fresh tone from their 2008 Concepts in Color collection.

C2: Black - When I use black paint I use Sherwin Williams "Tricorn Black."

C3: Gold - The Triton shell from Bungalow 5 design group makes an assertive statement.

Color Story 2: the Romantic

rosy brown, purple, pewter & gold.

This combination is very boudoir. I love the glam feel of the deep purple with mirror and metallics. Try a mix of mink, bold purple and a pinch of burgundy for good measure.

In this scene the mirrored chest from Century Furniture grounds the room with a beautifully crafted metal base in a pewter finish.

Gold is very now and works perfectly when paired with pewter tones.

C1: Rosy brown - try this subdued shade from Sherwin Williams: "Dutch Cocao."

C2: Pewter wallcovering (like Gracie "Pewter Leaf" available to-the-trade) is gorgeous when installed in a barrel vault ceiling and uplit.

C3(s): Deep purple and burgundy - Stop by Laura U Collection to see the newest pillow collection from Ankasa. The Arabian Nights pillows mingle purple, burgundy, pewter and gold.

Color Story 3: the Dramatist

green, cream, gold (yet again)

How fabulous is this decaying and startling green? I am in love with the idea of painting a wall and it's baroque mouldings a fantastically flat green. I am not sure this will work for everyone; in fact, I am sure it will not work for many. Maybe we can all begin with a small, verdant accessory!

Down the rabbit hole anyone?

C1: The Spring-leaf green walls and mouldings will be the only sound you need in this room.

C2: A lovely, cream, tone-on-tone carpet will quiet the noise and compliment your look.

C3: Again with the gold - I love the Weathered Pearl finish from Century Furniture. It is available on all of their chairs. Visit Laura U Collection and http://www.centuryfurniture.com/.

***Please send us your favorite interior looks! Let us know where you love to shop in Houston and elsewhere!

Check Back for a photoshoot with Whitney Casey in her home designed by Laura U!"

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