More about color.....

I recently took part in a Pantone webinar and learned about the spring/summer 2011 color forecast.  The palettes are very similar to the Leatrice Eiseman presentation I attended a few weeks ago.  For me, and maybe for you, it's important to reiterate the many and varied influences on the palettes for the upcoming seasons:

• Environmental Preservation - 70% of consumers support companies dedicated to preservation of the environment
• Plastics - reuses of it in new, unusual ways  - see some of Anthropologie's window displays fashioned from recycled plastic
• Sustainability
• "Re" words - Recycle, Repurpose, Reuse
• Wellness and de-stressing
• Food, in particular the fresh, wonderful items found in local farmer's markets
• Africa - its colors and textures will be more and more evident
• Anime - the super vivid colors will translate to products

So, what I'm taking from all of this is that greens will become a staple for a neutral palette; brights are here to stay for a while;  calm, muted tones will be important, too; warm tones and interesting textures will be strong; and metallics in paint and fabric will be huge!

Neighborhood Beat: Georgetown

I was in Designer heaven for about an hour last night!  First, there was a celebration at Dixie Stark Home to toast the boutique's grand opening.  What gorgeous things - it was a treat for the senses!  Custom designed furniture, lighting, accessories; deliriously scented candles; incredibly luxurious Loro Piana fabrics; handmade wallpaper -- really cool stuff and worth a trip.

Then we stopped in Susan Wheeler Home on Airport way......

She has amassed a glorious selection of vintage furniture, accessories, tableware, glass.....

....and even vintage clothing.  The store is right next door to Great Stuff Vintage Furnishings, home to way- cool industrial/re-purposed, chicness - and down the block from scrumptious Stellar Pizza .

A Francophile's dream

I just paid a visit to Maison de France, in Bellevue, WA and it is a Francophile's dream!  Everything is imported from France: tableware, linens, music - all wonderful things!

Opened by Blaise Bouchand in 1996 it's definitely going to be a destination on the Eastside for me.