Patriotic Palettes | 3 Ways
Everyone knows the colors of the American flag are red, white and blue. And at this time of year when Independence Day draws close, these colors seem to be everywhere from decorations, to clothing, to retail displays. And while this trend always fades as the summer holidays pass, there’s no denying that these classic colors aren’t limited to holiday merchandise.
Red, white, and blue is a classic combination. It has both warm and cool tones for interest, with a bright neutral to balance them out. Moreover, this color combination can be interpreted in countless different ways, either by playing with the colors themselves or by adding new textures, materials, and patterns into the mix.
Today, we’re taking inspiration from the upcoming holiday and sharing a few ideas for Independence Day material palettes - take a look below at some of our favorite patriotic-inspired combinations!
PALETTE 1
1) Triad, Midnight Blue | @Arc-Com 2) Et Bella | @Silestone 3) Eternal Marquina | @Silestone 4) Mist, Peach | @Mosaico+ 5) Eucalyptus Saligna | @Milliken 6) Woodlands, Ebony | @EF Contract 7) Tilda, Blush Lapel | @Mitchell Black 8) Skyfall, Cobalt | @Flor 9) Nero Marquina Dots | @Roca Tile 10) Mist, Paprika | @Mosaico+ 11) Quill, Swan | @HBF 12) Theo, Dark Red | @Brentano 13) Ms. Quilty, Fickle | @HBF 14) Quill, Goose | @HBF 15) Cow House, Pavement | @Valley Forge
For a sophisticated spin on the traditional 4th of July palette, red can be swapped for elegant peach tones to add whimsey. Including very saturated blues (both light and dark) helps to ground this palette while adding variety. The wood tones bring warmth and texture, balanced by timeless stone materials. When put together, this palette is a playful and sophisticated combination of styles, textures, and color tones.
PALETTE 2
1) Sommalier | @Sherwin Williams 2) Yohen Border, White | @Inax Tile 3) Bars | @Audrey Lane 4) Olaria, Blue Steel | @Roca Tile 5) Walnut | @Bacon Veneer Company 6) Skara Brae | @Cambria 7) Duet, Blueprint | @Brentano 8) Merit, Cabernet | @Maharam 9) Sideways, Blanc | @HBF 10) Theo, Dark Red | @Brentano 11) Mist, Avio | Mosaico+ 12) Walnut Tambour | @Surfacing Solution 13) To the Point, All Nighter | @D.L. Couch 14) To the Point, Gold | @D.L. Couch 15) To the Point, Graphite | @D.L. Couch 16) To the Point, Inky | @D.L. Couch
Classic red, white, and blue never goes out of style! This ensemble is an modern take on a timeless palette, with beautiful colors and sophisticated accents that elevate it to a new level. Warm, textured woods juxtapose, sleek, gold metallics to create balance. Stone with a large-scale veining pattern add elegance, while fun geometric wallcoverings add an element of playfulness.
PALETTE 3
1) Maple Tambour | @Surfacing Solution 2) Sunbeam, Matador | @Sina Pearson 3) Prime, Iceberg | @Maharam 4) Gem, Lapis | @Brentano 5) Bright Angle, Cyan | @Maharam 6) Lines, Black & White | @Olivia + Poppy 7) Deconstructed Stripe, Ivory on Black | @Schumacher 8) Maddox Deco, Black | @Stacy Garcia 9) Penny Rounds, Aqua Blue | @Artistic Tile 10) Penny Rounds, Steel Blue | @Artistic Tile 11) Penny Rounds, Coral Red | @Artistic Tile 12) White Oak Planked Groove | @Treefrog 13) Tre Super Jag, Black | @Somer Tiler 14) Marble Breach | @Florim 15) Gem I, Midnight Ocean | @Ann Sacks
Using bold corals and aqua blues, our final concept is a bright and modern interpretation of a 4th of July palette! In addition to the unique colors, mixing in graphic black and white patterns and materials adds a playful element. Geometric tiles, wallcovering, and textiles are balanced by the natural patterns of woodgrains and marble-look stone. Finally, the light wood tones tie the palette together with warmth and texture.
How are you inspired by the colors of Independence Day?
Best of Nature-Inspired Greens
As we push through the cold and snow of a Chicago winter, we find ourselves continually looking forward to the promise of spring. Growing grass, leaves budding on trees, flowers blooming - spring has no shortage of natural beauty! And even though we know that the sunlight and warmth of spring is still weeks away, we can’t help but be drawn to nature-inspired colors.
Of course, green is one of the most prominent colors of nature, signifying life and new growth. We’re looking forward to seeing it outside again once this winter is over. But in the meantime, we’ve assembled a collection of our favorite nature-inspired greens - take a look below to see the colors and products inspiring us right now!
MOSS
FOREST
SEA GRASS
EUCALYPTUS
LEAVES
Best of Warm Neutrals | Paints
We know neutrals may seem boring, but they’re the base of any palette and an essential part of good design. Selecting the wrong neutral can throw off all other selections, but choosing the right one can tie a design together and make it great!
Options for neutrals are widespread and varied, there are lots of different color tones within the “neutral” family. Today we wanted to focus on warm neutrals and some of our favorite paints within that group - take a look below at the warm neutral paints we find most inspiring!
INSPIRATION 1 | PALE TONES
Photo: Chris Round | Paints: Benjamin Moore | Colors (top to bottom): Shoreline 1471, Taos Taupe 2111-40, Gray Huskie 1473, Lambskin 1051, Lingerie AF-200
INSPIRATION 2 | NATURE’S LANDSCAPES
Photo: Mike Irwin | Paints: Kelly Moore | Colors (top to bottom): Copper Blush KM4403, Bear Hug KM4510, Americano KM4512, Myrtle Pepper KM4406, Pink Scallop KM4408
INSPIRATION 3 | FASHION
Sweater: Stories.com | Paint: Sherwin Williams | Colors (top to bottom): Sanderling SW7513, Muslin SW6133, Arcade White SW7100, China Doll SW7517, Rockweed SW2735
INSPIRATION 4 | ARCHITECTURE
Photo: Alison Brooks | Paint: PPG | Colors (top to bottom): Molasses 1079-7, Warmstone 1015-3, Caramel Kiss 1083-6, Cotton Tail 0998-1, Warrior 1076-6
INSPIRATION 5 | (MORE) FASHION
2021 SW Color of The Year
It all begins with an idea.
Sherwin Williams - Urbane Bronze
We saw grey paint hit the trends a few years ago - every apartment, commercial building, retail store, etc. was painted a shade of grey as it was the new “classic”. I still dont think grey paint is out per-say, but this year, we are seeing a return to warmth. These neutrals that we have become accustomed to lack the warm under tones that helps a space feel balanced. Sherwin Williams caught onto this trend too and has announced their 2021 color of the year - Urbane Bronze.
This dark Bronze tone looks like a charcoal, near black, in space but when you look at it next to a true black, you realize just how warm it truly is. As human beings, we all crave warmth and comfort - its part of how we are hardwired. Whether we notice it or not, we naturally gravitate towards spaces that make us feel welcome, comforted and at home.
Sources (top left to bottom right):
Chair - And Tradition
Pendant - Ross Gardam
Swivel Chair - Horne
Mirror - Lulu & Georgia
Lamp -
Sconce - Ross Gardam
Ottoman - Lawson Fenning
Side Table - Pfeifer Studio
Rug - Linie Design
Coffee Table - Hollis + Morris
Planters - Design Milk
Sofa - Hem
Team Picks: Winter Wall Coverings
It all begins with an idea.
By this time of year, we are used to seeing a lot more frost than 2020 has given us. Don’t worry fellow mid-westerners, it will happen sooner than you think!
Every year in Chicago, we watch the lake evolve with the seasons and it does something quite impressive in the winter. It freezes over and forms these jagged puzzles of art. Each one, inspires an interesting pattern of geometric and organic lines. Take a look at the collection of wall coverings we have curated below that remind us of this unique natural process.
Sources Top Left to Bottom Right
Carnegie Textiles - Mojave
Carnegie - Kaleidoscope
Phillip Jeffries - Sea Spray
Holly Hunt - Dream Weaver
Phillip Jeffries - Fade
Phillip Jeffries - Brushstroke
Wolf Gordon - Luana
Maya Romanoff - Blue Agate
Fall Colors 2020
It all begins with an idea.
Every fall we see the colors of the trees come and go. Each year they appear to leave faster and faster. This year they lingered for a day or two longer than usual and it has us appreciating this season's art & design color trends.
The funny thing about these colors is they aren't really trends. They are classic colors and patterns we see season after season in different ways. Tweeds and houndstooth jackets in the spring, bubbly boucle give the brightness we want in the summer, colorful plaids in the winter, and of course velvet and corduroys for the fall. How are you using these colors and patterns this year?