trendey

…is a successful colour combination. I think it looks both fresh and calming and I love how the deep and lush shade of teal (or dark turquoise) makes the white pop out. Red and yellow accents completes the look.

[pic: Living Etc]

[Right: Andy Warhol Butterflies print, 100 GBP at Heals Left: pic from Promove]

The word for this colour spectra is definetely beautifulness. There are so many pretty, delicate, spiritual and intriguing hues of purple and pink. The caring pink derived from red and white, and the meditative purple mixed out of warm red and cool blue certainly add interest and that special vibe to a room.

| image collection from Damian Russell, Trine Thorsen, House Beautiful, 4Homes and House to Home |

I have one more post on my mind in this colour spree. And this one will lead us back to some serious trend talk. Have you noticed the emerge of black furniture recently? These are lovely news from IKEA and Graham & Green.

Black conveys elegance and sophistication. It denotes strength and authority and it’s also a colour associated with death and mystery… Black gives the feeling of perspective and depth, and contrasts very well with bright colours. As a background it gives a sharpness and clarity that is hard to beat. As a wall paint though, it is seldom used at home. Or hasn’t been yet really – just wait to see what this autumn has to say about it. There are numerous shades of black, whereof the softer toned ones, like dark charcoal grey, and black velvet and suede are particularily interesting.

What colours suit black? I guess there are as many opinions on that matter as there are personal styles. No rules. Personally I am very fond of the combination soft black-grey, powder-rose and crystal/glass. And a touch of gold or copper. I’d put some sharpening black items, like the sofa above, into this scheme to enhance the soft luxurios athmosphere.

White is innocence, cleanliness; the “colour” of perfection. The mother of life. Fresh milk, crispy cold snow, and fluffy cotton clouds on a summerblue sky… White heals, liberates and purifies. However, it can make a room feel naked and bare. White is eyestrain. People who work in bright light in white rooms have become blinded and suffered from fatigue damage. As a background for other colours though, white is striking. It’s easy to change colours in a room that has white as a base. A broken white colour (like the “Stockholm-white”) is sometimes the better option since it allows space but is more pleasing to the eyes. The white walls-or-not-debate is a common theme here at Trendey,( just ask Josef Frank what he thinks .) so for variation I give to you some white details.

| all-white room pic from RUM, white details on mantelpiece pic from House to home, and lighting by Graham & Green: Kitsch Moulded Table Lamp (the skull), Labware Lighting Collection and a Hercules Giant Floor Lamp |

Brown is such a used and useful colour – countless images would be needed to represent all the styles and atmospheres that is dealing with brown! Whether brown is used in a nature style, ethnical, traditional or any other style, it’s a multi-functional colour. Just think of all wood and leather, which is largely involved in the brown range. Brown can for sure be a stabilizing colour. It’s a natural and neutral, wholesome and earthy colour. Brown can provide a snug, homey and secure feel in a room. Now here’s some inspiration on brown.

| mouse over pics to view sources |

Yellow has appeared previously in Trendey Magazine. Yellow is, like nearby orange, a warm and positive colour. It symbolizes energy, awareness, sunshine and joy. Pure, bright yellow is the easiest colour to see, and as it contrasts well it is the perfect accent colour. It has been said that yellow rather sings solo than in a choir. Much yellow, like yellow walls, can be too demanding, though it depends on the hue. Yellow goes from the lightest ray of sunrise to the strong shade of an over-ripe lemon, almost orange, and almost green. Yellow fits very well in modern interiors – along with black, gray, red, dark blue ….

| pics from housetohome and rum |

Green symbolizes nature, growth, fertility and life. The colour of the forest is said to be the most calming and reassuring of colours. There is no coincidence hospital walls are often pale green. Decor-wise, green has never held a strong trend-position – it is a colour that’s always there, always has been. Green is a grateful not to say perfect colour on interior details and single furniture items, because it’s a colour that provides balance and stability.

| pics picked at House to Home |

I never get tired of blue. It’s my favourite colour. It is a creative colour (great for home office/study), a soothing colour (great for bedroom); an easily matched, versatile, cold colour. I picked these three lovely blue rooms for today’s colour inspiration.

|1st and 3rd pic: House Beautiful, middle: Shoot Factory |

We have tropical temperatures in the cold North right now! The mercury is stable at 90° F, the sun roasts and you yearn for the blue, blue sea and lapping waves. This contrast is useful in home decor – the hot and the cold. Sunny yellow and cool blue-turquoise for dining..

| pics: channel4 – 4homes |

…in home decor and especially on walls, in definitely marching in. I almost dare promise colour explosion will be one of the major trend themes for AW 2010. French Marie Claire Maison gives many inspiring examples. Strong, cheerful and energizing colours in kitchens…

…and pastels with extra spice in bedrooms as well as living rooms.

I must draw attention to yet another wonderful home featured at The Selby. It’s carpet designer Malene Barnett’s home in Brooklyn.

Just look at these incredibly gorgeous colours! A strong turquoise, a warm sun-burnt yellow, a cool lavender; all sleek and clean with ethnic and personal details.

It’s so many different feels out of these colours you can choose rooms to suit your mood! The happy warm yellow towards a lighter yellow, the clean light turquiose in the kitchen … the lavender, oh the lavender bedroom is my favourite.

In conjunction with the 2010 Milan International Furniture Fair, opening today, the YoungDesignerBook exhibit is held. In this arena, two young Italian designers, L.Bregoli and M.Fanelli, are presenting their first design collection under the brand Rocket. These designers believe in design that’s fun, original and unconventional; design that reminds you that life is anything but dull. [we fully embrace this!].

The 2010 collection was born ’where the indie scene brought rock back to its heights’, between Milan & London’s east-end. That same electrifying vibe is expressed in the Rocket design. Inspiration is, quite obvious!, derived from their infatuation for rock n roll and disco culture. Out of the 10 design items in the 2010 collection, three items are awarded trendey points:

First, the GuiTray, a shot tray in the shape of a colourful guitar. It’s a little tray ’dedicated to all those who, every now and again, savour a cheeky drink’:

True rockstarness with a twist! A functional yet playful decor item. It will easily blend and immediately give the situation a rock vibe. Compared to the coffee table in similar design, whose steel legs and overall feel don’t appeal to us as much, these mini guitars are lively and fun. Not for eveyday use maybe…(?) but definitely something to bring out for the party. Trendey points: 7,5 out of 10. GuiTray is made of Plexiglas® and aluminium alloy, and is available in transparent, translucent orange, translucent red, and translucent violet. It includes 6 glasses. Price tag approx. EUR 59/$80.

Secondly, the wine rack, Wine Jack. As the designers state, it is ‘an innovative interaction between container and content’. Any music nerd of a home decorator would embrace this! It is set to be a focal point of any room. A statement item. Late 80′s early 90′s feel: it’s nostalgia. And it’s smart.

The nerd factor is obvious, but you know what, there’s nothing trendier these days than being a nerd! Design shows a high level of originality, but because it only hits *the true music geek* straight in the heart it gets trendey points 6 out of 10. Wine Jack is made of metal and Plexiglas®. Price tag EUR 149 (approx.$200).

Lastly, but not leastly, the coaster set Nap(kin)ster. It’s a cheerful set of 6 headphone-shaped napkin holders. Material: Plexiglas®. Music nerdiness is again (as with GuiTray) well-balanced to playfulness.

Also, the strong colour trend is observed; the vibrant colour mix will actually bring joy to any dull table. Some may see an underlying message of ‘sit back, relax and be yourself in your own world’ or maybe… ‘at this table, we listen, we don’t just babble on about us and ours’. Hah, either way, a nice decor item! Trendey points: 6,5 out of 10. Price tag EUR 29 (approx.$ 40).

Have a further look @ Rocket and for purchases visit Yook.