Color My World

I love the Fall. The crisp mornings that melt into warm afternoons -- but most of all, I love the colors. My favorite colors all come together then. The grey green leaves of my olive trees against the red crescent moon last night - the burnt cinnabar and saffron of the neighbor's Japanese maple which is starting to turn .... the rich and beautiful color of my favorite spices...

I am so very glad that I changed my mind about neutralizing the walls that I so painstakingly colorwashed in saffron earlier in Museville. because I find myself, at this time of year, longing for the weight of saturated colors - those which have been sun washed and somewhat faded. My walls feel like a gentle embrace each morning. As I walk down the hall, the morning sun dances slowly across the heavy texture and the subtle color differences of the paints... it's rich, warm, and lovely.



It looks wonderful as a backdrop for all my chippy and ancient treasures -

...as you can see here is the dining room of Museville in its 'during' state as we were loading things in just after painting... (I especially like the one candle... heh.) you will see this photo again later between the before and the after... stay tuned.



I used to feel that I was afraid of color, but that is not the case. Afraid isn't the right word, it's that I don't like bright colors in my home - they have way too much energy and make me feel chaotic. Too much white and grey make me feel somewhat empty and cold. No, I definitely prefer the smokey spiced hues of saffron, paprika, curry (after they have sat out in the sun for a month or so...) -- the grey greens of tarragon and the greys of fennel seeds.... the warm sun ripe hues of honey ... it seems it's always about food lately...

Being such a tactile sort, texture is big in my book - I'm always running my fingers against things as I walk by - tattered book pages, the deep grooves of rough hewn wood, the rough surface of rusted iron -- all parts of the symphony which makes my heart sing.



I'm in love with so much of this John Saladino living room - there are those delicious sun drenched and time worn colors again... I am putting that same dental moulding (after it has been beat up and tea-stained) throughout Museville. Sure it's out of scale and it's very grand for my little beach shack, but that's part of the fun. Besides, it adds some architectural interest of sort to a boring and boxy interior. I love it, and that's ... well, that's that.


Fall's food. I have been so looking forward to this -- when the evening is so crisp - the air so chilled ... there is nothing like a hearty soup and homemade breads. The scent of fresh bread baking in a warm kitchen on a cool Autumn afternoon is heaven.



Yep, trends may come and go, and the latest is planted firmly in much of what I already and always loved - the ancient, the time worn, the faded ... the rich textures of leather, wood, velvet, burlap and rusted iron .... antiques and industrial in organic glory

With just the right amount and perfect juxtaposition of bling thrown in the mix...

The element of surprise in the mix - opulent mixed with rough - the unexpected ... the ordinary made extraordinary. All things that sing beautifully together in perfect harmony to me.

I hope Fall is adding its magic and beauty to your world, too.

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photo credits: photo 1 unknown, photos 2 - 6 my photos of my dining room & home, photo 7 unknown source of a living room designed by John Saladino, photo 8 flickr, photo 9 unknown, photo 10 via Joni Webb's Cote de Texas photo 11 unknown.