Tangerine Tango part 1 - Do you like orange?

It's begun to feel a bit autumnal and I've started noticing  warmer colours appearing again in the stores particularly  russets (not to mention Christmas decorations). It reminded me that an orange colour was singled out by the Pantone Colour Institute as the Colour for 2012 - the one colour expected to have the strongest impact on fashion and home decor during the year. Pantone called the specific shade of orange 'Tangerine Tango' and describe it as a spirited reddish orange with a lot of depth to it - sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive.

I can't say that I'm a huge fan of orange - perhaps it has something to do with my dislike of marigolds. But, that aside, I have been interested in watching how various designers have been using this colour. So, I've rounded up a few pics to show off tangerine and to see what you all think about it!  Let's go, let's tango.....  

If you are a follower of fashion, you will know that bright orange is the signature colour of the luxury French brand  - Hermès. I'm mentioning this because all their products come packaged in orange gift wrap. And, it's their distinctive orange boxes that seem to have been appearing more and more as interior designers' accessories .......

Stacked Hermès Boxes

Here orange makes a stunning stair runner burst with colour in an otherwise white interior ....

Many different designers continue to use orange as a stunning 'tangy' accent colour -  in table lamps, cushions, stools, throws and lampshades .....

Garden designers have also been adding some tantilising tango to their schemes.

Well, I certainly could embrace a little tangerine as used in some of these  lovely images.
How about you?  Can you see adding Tangerine to your decor?  If you're tempted, my next post gives some tips for using orange successfully ~ see Tangerine Tango part 2 - How to decorate with orange ....... now, where did I put those marigolds seeds? 

Post by: Sharon

Tangerine Tango part 2 - How to decorate with orange

In 'Tangerine Tango part 1 - Do you like Orange?'  we looked at how the colour orange has been widely used in the design world - and how it was designated the colour of 2012.

However, many people shy away from  using  such a bright colour in their homes because, in large quantities,  it can easily overpower a room.

There is no doubt that tangerine tango  packs a punch - it's  a strong attention grabbing colour.  So, if the idea of all-over orange makes you feel somewhat faint, then here's some tips on how to use it:

TIP 1: Use orange very selectively on walls - limit it to a feature wall or as the background of shelves or a bookcase

TIP 2: If you want to use it on a piece of furniture, such as chairs or a cabinet, set it against lots of light neutral colour to cool it down - white works perfectly in this respect

TIP 3: It looks beautiful with charcoal grey too. Its warmth will really dress up any grey-inspired room 

TIP 4: Use it to add energy to a soft coastal scheme, it particularly co-ordinates well with aqua and soft blue 

TIP 5: Use it just as an accent colour on a few accessories – cushions, pillows, bedspreads, lamps, a rug to give your decorating a 'pop' of energising colour 

These tips can even apply to outdoor decorating.  I think this blue and white coastal style scheme with accessories in a coral/orange is just delightful set against the garden greenery ....

Remember, the trick to easy decorating with orange is to use it sparingly and to pair it with a complimentary colour that will tone it down and not try to fight for attention.

Need more inspiration? 
Click here for over 150 images showing inspirational decorating with orange.  
Have fun adding a citrus boot to your decor!

Post by: Sharon

Blue Lake Boathouse

This boathouse took my breath away when I stumbled upon it online at Style at home magazine.

It is the stunning lake home of Canadian architect and interior designer Dee Dee Taylor Eustace. It has fabulous interiors, with a rich royal blue colour scheme, and was deliberately built to include a platform for jumping into the lake - such fun!

Architect, Dee Dee in her Screened-in Porch

Screened-in Porch

Dining Room

Tabletop Accessories

Kitchen

Elegant Dining Chairs

Having Fun!

Photography Donna Griffith

More images and full story at Style at Home.

Post by: Sharon

Anna French - New Collections

We have just received the newest fabric and wallpaper collections from Anna French called 'Aria' and 'Lyric', and wanted to share them with you.


The Aria fabrics’ fresh patterns and beautiful colours have been woven into luxurious cut velvets, gauzy madras, and embroideries, and printed on luscious linens. The lovely fabrics also achieve a good balance between masculine and feminine tones that work well in both modern and traditional settings. 

I love this lace voile called Rope Madras

To create the aptly named 'Lyric' wallpaper collection, Anna was inspired by listening to music from the opera as she worked on the designs. 

As you can see Anna has also taken a lyric here and there from her Aria fabric collection, so that you can co-ordinate the two collections.

A little bit of background about Anna…

Known for her courageous use of colour and flair for the dramatic, Anna French has been designing and producing fabrics since 1976, when she and her husband, John French, moved from London to Scotland, where they formed the company on the top floor of a Victorian lace mill. Anna decided to make Scottish lace, and to this day her lace still sells wordwide.

However, it wasn’t until 1994 when Anna began to design children's collections that things really took off. I remember falling in love with Anna's soft focus designs particularly 'Ready Teddy Go' - and the good news is that they are all still available today. 

In 2007, she teamed up with Thibaut (pronounced Tee-Bo), the oldest continuously operating wallpaper company in the U.S., for which she has since produced a wide range of vibrant designs and award winning wallpaper.

Anna French designs

We are delighted that Grasshoppers Interiors have become a stockist for Anna French and Thibaut fabrics and wallpapers.

Post by: Sharon

Oast House Style

Having just returned from a great warm and sunny (at last) British holiday in rural Kent I was inspired by a number of the pretty places we visited. Villages had a distinct Georgian feel (which I love), mixed with typically English cottage style. Many properties featured white painted weather boarding and were surrounded by pretty flowering gardens enclosed with picket fences.

Oast House cowl

But the most stunning landmarks were the old Oast Houses (buildings designed for traditional hop drying as part of the brewing process), with their distinctive white cowl on the roof that turns with the wind.

Many have been renovated and turned into private properties.

I was just itching to take a look inside one. Fortunately, I found a lovely example which has been beautifully decorated, and even has prettily trimmed curtains! 

The Oast in Wittersham

It's a bed and breakfast near Tenterden on the Kent and East Sussex borders called The Oast in Wittersham. 

Want to go explore inside .....

Breakfast room

Sitting room

Dining room

Dining room

Garden Suite

Garden Suite Drapery Detail

Garden Suite

Garden Suite Bath Room

Orchard Suite

Orchard Suite Drapery Detail

Orchard Suite Bathroom

Orchard Suite Rondell

Romney room

Romney Room Drapery Detail

Romney room Bathroom

Romney room Bathroom

Happy bunnies at The Oast in Wittersham

Oast house cowls

I love the Scandinavian feel of the decorating style; the simple linen curtains with pretty trim; the punch of colour in the sitting room and the Tilda style Nordic bunnies.

I would enjoy living in an Oast house like this one!  See there website here  The Oast in Wittersham.

Post by: Sharon