Monday, November 21, 2011

Gratitude Giveaway from Elements of Chic

We are thankful...Our First Give Away!!


Last year we decided to join our creative forces and do some holiday decorating.  As we were working on decking halls and trimming trees, we talked about how great it would be to join our businesses of interior design and event planning.  It would be a natural fit we thought...and talked...and planned...and dreamed.  

And that is the short version of how several months, lots of work, excitement (and many a few glasses of wine) Elements of Chic came to be in March 2011.  We all know what a challenging time it is and that just makes us all the more appreciative of the support from our family, friends and clients.

Ssooo....we're going to do our first giveaway to say "THANK YOU" and show our gratitude. 

We've got a $25 gift card for Pier One in our hot little hands and would love to give it to someone...namely you.  It's easy to enter, nothing to buy...honest.  Just leave us a comment at the bottom of this blog post of one thing you are thankful for right now or go to our Elements of Chic Facebook page (just look to your right), "Like" our page and leave a comment there of one thing you are thankful for this year. If you want to ask your friends to 'like' our page that would be awesome too! The winner will be randomly chosen on Wednesday from the comments left by everyone.

 We'd love to see all that gratitude flowing out and know that it's flowing right back at you from us here at Elements of Chic.



Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving!

Elementally,

Michele and Linda

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Orange Can Mean Coziness, Motivation and Health

We thought since it's Autumn and Thanksgiving is only ten days away, it was only appropriate to feature the color orange.  After all we love it for it's boldness and yet it can also evoke a warmth in our hearts and it has had a resurgence in popularity in the past year or so.  It wasn't always love...I mean I've always liked the color orange but the new oranges that range from coral to russet, well they just had me at O.
  
October is out of here (can you believe it?)and November is half over. We have spent time putting out the Fall decor , changing out throws, pillows and cozying up the joint (see Fall Wreaths here) because we're wired that when the calendar says its September or so, we need to start getting ready for 'ol man Winter and orange is not just for pumpkins. It symbolizes coziness, motivation, security and so much more.  So before it's time for mistletoe and holly let's see how orange can show us a few tricks and help turn our rooms into treats shall we!


The color orange occurs on the color wheel between yellow and red.  You can see from the chart above that it can have different meanings; it is a power color.  It can stimulate appetite, enthusiasm and creativity.  Think about Home Depot, where DIY and creativity are king and you don't have to think too hard about what their signature color is...ahem...it's orange and lots of it.
·         American Indians associate the color orange with kinship. 
Orange is the Netherlands' national color, dating back to the Dutch War of Independence and the rebel Prince of Orange.
·         In Ireland, the use of orange dates from the reign of William of Orange, the Protestant English king and a Dutch stadholder.
·         In China and Japan, orange is used to symbolize happiness and love. 



Colors that compliment orange range from blues, grays, purple and chocolate browns.

Orange is a power color and is also a healing color.  It is known to be the color of Lady Luck, something you might want to remember when you're packing for your next trip to Vegas. 


Like red, it can stimulate appetite so a few well placed pops of orange would be great for a dining area.


This beautiful table setting by Carolyn Roehme in House Beautiful shows how to pair natural elements with a complementary blue and a few pops of orange.  Not sure about the antlers but you could always use them as coat hooks...just kidding.
Pinterest

 Here's another way to add some orange to your table...so easy to spray paint these candlesticks and add complementary candle colors.

If the thought of an orange wall freaks you out...how about putting some color on the floor.  This is a great way to introduce a bright color.



Love this chair from Anthropologie

Want to add a little excitement in the bedroom...I'm talking with color of course.

 Johnathan Berger


Ken Faulk



Love, love, love orange and turquoise together.  Notice the two tone walls and carrying the blue on the ceiling.  The room sits back and lets the comforter do the talking...what a bright, happy room to wake up to!


Now for a completely opposite look.  This room is drenched with warmth of gold, apricot and terracotta.  The sheers on the window allow light to flood the room and keep it from being too heavy.  Wouldn't this be cozy on a cold Fall night?  The trunk completely marries the colors and the wood furniture...beautiful.


 Pinterest

This room with all white walls, lets the artwork and furniture provide the color.  The mantel is not overdone but the color of the vases says this person is not afraid to let their color flag fly.


Tom Samet, Designer

Love the pops of orange provided by the lampshades and reflected in the mirror.  Now this is a room that looks like people actually live here.  Wouldn't you like to join us for a glass of wine and hang out here?

So whether you're into traditional, boldly contemporary, or like most of us, somewhere in between, orange can provide a little spice and warmth to wood tones or a pop to white walls and woodwork.  Take your cue from natures earthy brown tones, soft apricots or that Jack o'Lantern from a few weeks ago and play with adding this versatile color to your space. 


Elementally,

Linda and Michele








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