Dreams do come true. Keep them big.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Monday, July 15, 2013
"Blush and Bashful"
"Colour is my day-long obsession, joy and torment." - Claude Monet
I think we all feel for Claude. Color has a way of grabbing us and holding us captive, spurring us to make impulsive purchases for no other reason than that "this towel is the absolute perfect shade of coral-y salmon." Maybe that is why the color palette of their wedding is one of the most favored topics amongst brides. It requires no budget nor any permission, merely some nostalgia for one's favorite hues and an affinity for the imagination.
When it comes to choosing the palette for your wedding, my only rule is that it is not allowed to be a color (singular), but, instead, must be made up of an array of colors (plural), and in this case, "colors" means more than two. It is a mistake that I see brides make time and time again. They confine themselves to an imaginary boundary, feeling that everything has to match exactly. Please don't do this to yourself, it's not worth it. A well-balanced design needs variation, otherwise details will begin to look contrived. But how do you design a palette that has enough variety without looking like nothing more than a high-class circus? The process is a lot simpler than you think.
Everyone has a color that speaks to them, perhaps that they've always identified with, one that lights them up inside. That's your color. And it's also the starting point from which you will build the rest of your palette. Now, of course, every color has many different shades within its family. Knowing whether "your" shade falls within the cool or warm spectrum will cue you on the direction you want to head with the rest of your color selections. This rule can be broken, and is, therefore, not a rule. But for the color sheepish, staying within either the cool or warm color fields is a good way to insure that your palette doesn't go too far off into left field. Still worried about that circus? Another option is to stick within the color family all together. If red is the color choice, mixing in shades of wine and blush will keep the look monochromatic without being flat. In other words, the best of both worlds.
For the bold and adventurous, your options are literally endless. If electric yellow gives you your jollies, by all means, go with it. Maybe mix in some softer shades of pink to keep it grounded, a pop of orange for an even bolder accent, and of course a few well chosen neutrals to tie it all together. Yep, we just took it there. And you have my full permission to steal it. I'll even provide you with the color chips below.
Dream big, my friends.
I think we all feel for Claude. Color has a way of grabbing us and holding us captive, spurring us to make impulsive purchases for no other reason than that "this towel is the absolute perfect shade of coral-y salmon." Maybe that is why the color palette of their wedding is one of the most favored topics amongst brides. It requires no budget nor any permission, merely some nostalgia for one's favorite hues and an affinity for the imagination.
When it comes to choosing the palette for your wedding, my only rule is that it is not allowed to be a color (singular), but, instead, must be made up of an array of colors (plural), and in this case, "colors" means more than two. It is a mistake that I see brides make time and time again. They confine themselves to an imaginary boundary, feeling that everything has to match exactly. Please don't do this to yourself, it's not worth it. A well-balanced design needs variation, otherwise details will begin to look contrived. But how do you design a palette that has enough variety without looking like nothing more than a high-class circus? The process is a lot simpler than you think.
Everyone has a color that speaks to them, perhaps that they've always identified with, one that lights them up inside. That's your color. And it's also the starting point from which you will build the rest of your palette. Now, of course, every color has many different shades within its family. Knowing whether "your" shade falls within the cool or warm spectrum will cue you on the direction you want to head with the rest of your color selections. This rule can be broken, and is, therefore, not a rule. But for the color sheepish, staying within either the cool or warm color fields is a good way to insure that your palette doesn't go too far off into left field. Still worried about that circus? Another option is to stick within the color family all together. If red is the color choice, mixing in shades of wine and blush will keep the look monochromatic without being flat. In other words, the best of both worlds.
For the bold and adventurous, your options are literally endless. If electric yellow gives you your jollies, by all means, go with it. Maybe mix in some softer shades of pink to keep it grounded, a pop of orange for an even bolder accent, and of course a few well chosen neutrals to tie it all together. Yep, we just took it there. And you have my full permission to steal it. I'll even provide you with the color chips below.
Dream big, my friends.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
We use this stationary in our rotation of thank you cards that come out of the flower shop and, somehow, I only just realized that they are part of a whole invitation suite... It's a good Sunday.
I'm a little bit excited. Just a bit.
I'm a little bit excited. Just a bit.
Thank you, Elum Designs.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
One Flower Wonder
There is a saying that we've all heard, all like to ignore, and eventually all have come to realize as true: Sometimes, simple is better. Leonardo da Vinci is actually quoted as saying, "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." You know, according to the internet.
I don't know if Mr. da Vinci dealt much with flowers, but today I feel like he is speaking to my soul. Don't get me wrong, I love the voluptuous, over-flowing flower arrangements that are flooding the wedding market as much as the next person does, but I can't deny that the overwhelming urge to return to something more refined is taking over me. I think of Calvin Klein, who had the fashion bravado to present a collection centered on clean lines and purposed minimalism when everyone else was still marching out models that looked like Madonna. And in so doing, he managed to present the style that would come to define a decade. Bravo, CK. Bravo.
So let's call this my Pre-Fall fashion show, featuring a collection based solely on one not-so-humble flower. I present to you, The Ranunculus by MB.
I don't know if Mr. da Vinci dealt much with flowers, but today I feel like he is speaking to my soul. Don't get me wrong, I love the voluptuous, over-flowing flower arrangements that are flooding the wedding market as much as the next person does, but I can't deny that the overwhelming urge to return to something more refined is taking over me. I think of Calvin Klein, who had the fashion bravado to present a collection centered on clean lines and purposed minimalism when everyone else was still marching out models that looked like Madonna. And in so doing, he managed to present the style that would come to define a decade. Bravo, CK. Bravo.
So let's call this my Pre-Fall fashion show, featuring a collection based solely on one not-so-humble flower. I present to you, The Ranunculus by MB.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Color Story: Fall Preview
So we're working on our fall flower collection over in these here parts, listening to a lot of James Taylor while we do it. And to be perfectly honest, I'm so seriously happy (and inspired) by how it's coming together, I just have to share a little taster.
It's no secret that I have a long standing love affair with the color orange. And I stand by my claim that it has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I'm a Texas Longhorns fan (Hook 'em!). I mean, how can you not love orange? There's just something about it... It's fun and bright, not too girly and not too masculine, and well, it just makes me happy. So it's no surprise that every time I start working up a color palette, orange usually finds its way into the mix. But for a fall collection, you start flirting dangerously close to Halloween shenanigans when orange is involved. Add black and all you see is pumpkins and witches. And while that's not exactly the look that I'm going for, those colors are definitely what comes to mind when I start dreaming of weather that doesn't make you feel like you're dying and the earth seems to suddenly slow down and prepare itself on its journey to a new beginning.
Below you see where this all has landed me, with a color palette that is as luscious and dark as it is light-hearted and cheery. I hope you find it as inspiring as I do, and I can't wait to reveal the full fall collection to you in the coming months. Stay tuned, my dears.
It's no secret that I have a long standing love affair with the color orange. And I stand by my claim that it has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I'm a Texas Longhorns fan (Hook 'em!). I mean, how can you not love orange? There's just something about it... It's fun and bright, not too girly and not too masculine, and well, it just makes me happy. So it's no surprise that every time I start working up a color palette, orange usually finds its way into the mix. But for a fall collection, you start flirting dangerously close to Halloween shenanigans when orange is involved. Add black and all you see is pumpkins and witches. And while that's not exactly the look that I'm going for, those colors are definitely what comes to mind when I start dreaming of weather that doesn't make you feel like you're dying and the earth seems to suddenly slow down and prepare itself on its journey to a new beginning.
Below you see where this all has landed me, with a color palette that is as luscious and dark as it is light-hearted and cheery. I hope you find it as inspiring as I do, and I can't wait to reveal the full fall collection to you in the coming months. Stay tuned, my dears.
Credits, from top left:
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