Balance

Happy weekend to you all! :)

Turquoise!

In case you didn't hear...

Pantone Selects 2010 Color of the Year

The hue is one of 3,000 colors available in Pantone's line of eco-friendly paint.

LAUREL PETRIELLO -- INTERIOR DESIGN, 12/14/2009

Hot and fresh out of the Pantone color guide is 2010’s color of the year, number 15-5519 Turquoise.

The global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, selected the luminous color based on its juxtaposition of tranquil blue notes and energizing green tones. In the essence of color therapy, the hue should evoke soothing, serene emotions, while restoring vigor, zest, and motivation.

“In many cultures, Turquoise occupies a very special position in the world of color,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “It is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that Turquoise represents an escape to many—taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting, even if only a fantasy.”

A universally flattering color with warm and cool undertones, Turquoise complements neutrals, reds, deep blues, greens, and yellows, making it exceptionally easy to translate to fashion and interiors. The hue is also one of 3,000 colors available in Pantone’s line of eco-friendly paint, which combine the accuracy of Pantone Colors with high-performance Dutch paints.

I have loved the color turquoise {and all of its similarly hued friends ~ aquamarine, mint, etc.} for YEARS, so I'm glad that the design world recognizes how wonderful it really is! :)

I have a secret...

I am utterly obsessed with decorating our child's bedroom...and I don't even have any kids!

{And, to answer the inevitable question, no I am not pregnant!}

I can't help it; decorating for babies and kids is just so much fun! I've already decided that I'm going to stay away from traditional baby themes. However, I'm not choosing anything too bold, either, as I want it to remain a soothing environment for our little one.

We'll probably go with a contemporary color scheme (aquamarine, gray, etc.), stenciled designs on the wall (trees, animals, etc.), and definitely some cute monogrammed pillows, blankets, etc.

Our official nursery details will not be divulged until I actually have a bun in the oven. Since we're not going to start "trying" for a few years, I hope you enjoy disappointment...anyone catch where that quote is from? ;)

In the meantime, feel free to peruse some of my favorite spaces for kids and babies...

Aren't they all just adorable?! I can't wait 'til we can decorate a sweet little room of our own! :)

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Oh my gosh, I won another giveaway!!

Stephanie, of UrbanNest, was giving away free desk calendars, and I was one of the 3 lucky people who won!

Aren't those pages adorable? I can't wait to put the calendar on my "new" bamboo desk in our Guest Room/Study. Now all I have to do is buy some paint and the desk makeover will begin.

Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway, Stephanie! :)

A New Year

Well, I completely failed at sharing pictures of our home in Virginia during 2009. Now that it's 2010 and we are officially Pennsylvania residents, perhaps my New Year's Resolution should be to post more frequently?

In honor of a fresh new start, I'll begin by sharing some pictures of the revamped bookshelf in our Guest Room/Study. The idea was to spend little to no money by using items previously located in other rooms and repurposing them here.

AFTER: The bookshelf, complete with "new" accessories {taken from various rooms in the apartment}.

BEFORE: A photo of the bookshelf when it was still in our old guest room, decorated with my husband's former bachelor pad items...I had been dying to get my hands on this room!

BEFORE: The plant was previously housed in an old casserole dish...oh so classy ;)

AFTER: It now lives in a white planter from Ikea.

Bottom Shelf: A tiny frame containing a picture of my parents dancing at a wedding a few years ago, husband's souvenir from Caesar's Palace, an old gardening book {beautiful color}, etc.

Second Shelf: A pencil drawing of Abraham Lincoln {drawn by me and given to Ben several years ago}, as well as a cute little mint-colored candle tin Deb sent for my 27th birthday {just one of the many wonderful gifts she sent!}.

Top shelf: I received this 5x7 print in a free giveaway over at Brooke's blog. The colors are perfect ~ in case you can't tell, I absolutely love all shades of turquoise. The frame was purchased for 50 cents at Good Will and was previously a muddy brown color ~ I simply painted it white.

Third Shelf: Dried roses my parents gave me after graduation, filling up a Ball jar {yet another gift from Deb ~ received last Easter, filled with gorgeous, white hydrangeas}, various books topped with a shimmery aquamarine bowl (a gift from my sister a few years ago).