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Learn How to Conquer Your Fear of Color

Angela Swinderman Elias — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 05:00:58 PDT

Even though you may admire colorful spaces, it's sometimes hard to muster up the courage to introduce non-neutrals into your own home. Deciding on a hue that you like enough to splash across a room is already anxiety inducing, but then there's the dilemma of figuring out how much of it to use, what other colors to use with it, and of course, where to put it. If this sounds like a fitting diagnosis, try to embrace color by following these insightful tips!

Choose one color, but use many hues

Designer DD Allen chose a blue palette in a variety of shades for this Long Island home. The custom watery blue of the polished Venetian plaster walls echoes the blue in the floor tiles.

Keep pink in check

Designer Barry Dixon chose a feminine pink but tempered it with a masculine shade of brown for the living room in this Capitol Hill row house. The result is a sophisticated, gender-neutral palette that feels perfectly balanced.

To discover the five other tips for conquering color, check out the full story at House Beautiful!

Designers Show Beautiful Winter White Ensembles at New York Fashion Week

Noria Morales — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 05:00:04 PST

At New York Fashion Week, we've seen a common thread throughout the collections: gorgeous Winter white outfits. It's a look we typically shy away from only because we're positive that wearing it out would cause coffee and city grime to attach to us like a magnet. Still, the look on the runway is dreamy, and we're thinking about giving it a try (we'll just drink water and eat tofu all day). Take a look at these Winter white outfits, and then shop our picks for pretty pieces to style out now.

Color Theory: Soften Your Spring Wardrobe With Lilac Hues

Marisa Tom — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:00:38 PST

Pastel hues are a regular favorite of Spring wardrobes, but this particular shade of light purple is soft enough to emphasize a sweet, feminine sensibility and cool enough to balance edgier add-ons for a surprise twist. We've been enamored with all things lilac-infused since spotting it float down the runways of 3.1 Phillip Lim, Adam, Boy and Girl by Band of Outsiders, Jenni Kayne, and more. From lacy, boudoir-ready shorts to structured blazers, this color translates effortlessly into a variety of shapes and styles. While a pop of lilac may seem more cotton-candy friendly than downtown chic at first glance, we're here to prove that color theory wrong. It's sweet, sexy, demure, and dynamic all in one go. Click through to see how these street style setters show off new ways to flaunt this purple palette, then shop your favorite pieces.

11 On-Trend Orange Wallpapers That Reflect Pantone's 2012 Color of the Year

Elka Karl — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 04:00:28 PST

Back in December, I reported on Pantone's new color of the year. Pantone, the global authority on color, helps to determine the color direction for interior design, fashion, cosmetics, and graphic design every year with its choice of color. This year, the color is Tangerine Tango, a vibrant shade that will add energy to any space where it's introduced. I've rounded up 11 different wallpapers that riff on this shade, some keeping it more muted, while others going big and bold. See if you can find a favorite pattern when you keep clicking.

Hue Knew? Shades of Blue and Green Work Magic Together

Noria Morales — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:34:05 PDT

Turquoise, mint green, blue-green - these are the hues we're excited about right now. Whether it's a monochromatic look a la Rihanna in Antonio Berardi, or a tonal look a la Diane von Furstenburg Fall 2011 runway, it's high impact and we love boldness of it for Fall. To pull it off after Labor Day, try mixing it with neutrals: these hues look fabulous with shades of gray, camel, or rust. Avoid pairing it with lighter colors like cream or pale yellow as it will feel too unseasonal for Fall dressing.

Clockwise from top left: J Brand twill skinny pants ($176); Irene Neuwirth mixed stone bracelet ($3,915); Asos colorblock satchel ($137); Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti mongolian fur coat ($4,295)

Make Your Friends Emerald With Envy

Julia Millay Walsh — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 04:00:25 PDT

The fashion world is abuzz about the gorgeous new emerald addition to the 3.1 Phillip Lim collection, the Regine T-Strap Sandals ($750). Unfortunately I won't be adding those haute heels to my wardrobe anytime soon, but it's got me thinking about bringing some emerald accessories into my interiors, instead.

I love how sparkly and bright the Flavor Paper Starglint Wallpaper ($150) is; it seems like something that would have been used in Emerald City in The Wizard of Oz! The deep shade of the Pfaltzgraff Emerald Pedestal Mugs ($25) is so dapper and sophisticated. I'd love to use them in an all-white kitchen. Much more of a splurge, the Emerald Goatskin Console Table ($10,000) would not go gently into the good night: it's a major showstopper. Click the product images to shop the rest of this look!

Celebrity Lookbook: The Blush Tones

Brittney Stephens — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 03:30:18 PDT

Listen up: blush is not just for your cheeks. The soft, girly hue looks great in big or small doses, whether it's a floor-length gown, pleated blouse, or pair of heels. We've spotted stylish celebs wearing shades of the neutral color all season, and if the runways at Michael Kors, Joseph Altuzarra, and Valentino are any indication, we know it's a color we'll be seeing through Fall. It looks great paired with almost any other color, and it translates well whether you're at the office or on the dance floor. Click through to glean some celebrity inspiration, then shop some of our blush-toned picks right now.

Feeling Mint: The Season's Surprisingly Cool Color

Noria Morales — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 08:16:23 PDT

We first saw a saturated version of mint green on the Chloé Fall 2011 runway; since then, subtle versions have been popping up, like on Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's minty green skirt and Olivia Wilde's Chloé Resort 2012 dress. The color can seem a little like candy, but paired with the right colors we think it will provide a fresh, cool contrast to neutral tones like camel, charcoal, gray, and slate for Fall. If you're keen to try one of the season's bold color combos, pair mint green with royal blue or deep shades of red. Avoid other pastels, so you don't look like you missed the Easter parade. To get minted quick, shop our widget below.

5 Perfect Pairings For Orange

Mandy Harris — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 03:05:00 PDT

August can be a tricky time in terms of decorating: we're trying to squeeze the last bits of inspiration out of the bright, warm days of Summer, but as September approaches, our thoughts can't help but turn to Fall colors. Orange is the perfect color to help bridge the gap between seasons; the vibrant, citrusy hue simultaneously evokes warm Summer days and crisp autumn afternoons. And it's surprisingly versatile - if you know what to pair it with. Read on for five perfect complements for this chameleon color.

7 Days, 7 Ways: How Celebs Work Red Into Their Wardrobe

Noria Morales — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 06:00:42 PDT

Wearing a sexy red dress is one thing: you're looking to make a statement. Working some red into everyday wear is a slightly more daunting task - how do you balance the boldness of the color in a way that isn't overwhelming? We've spotted the color in a variety of easy-to-wear outfits from some very chic stars and took some notes. What if we wore red every day? If we follow these looks, we imagine it would be a pretty cute week. Click our slideshow to learn how they did it, and how you can too.