whether it’s because it’s finally springtime or it’s just another cyclical trend, pastels are so hot right now. (i have a theory that the soft blown-out colors of instagram pics and other digitally created ‘vintage’ photography are bleeding out of our iphones and into our homes. that plus the repopularization of unabashed femininity. and after all who doesn’t love warm, dusty sunshiney colors. it just feels happy.)

spring romance by photographer alice b gardens

but say ‘pastel’ to many people and they recoil in horror. clients will often poo-poo a color saying, “it looks a little pastel.” pastel has become code word for fussy or boring. we were all scarred by the dusty blues and rose colors of the 80′s. no more i say! pastel colors are beautiful in a contemporary home. here’s how you do it right…

#1 find the right color

we want colors that look muted not dull. they should have clean white or grey based undertone, anything too golden or creamy is going to look dirty and dated. if the paint swatch looks almost white, you’re on the right track. now hold it next to a charcoal grey, does is look nice? it’s a winner.

#2 use it sparingly

choose one place to splash on your color choice and go to town. one chair or on the walls or in accessories. don’t overload, this is the special ‘one of a kind’ at me color. use only where you want impact.

#3 pair with white and bright

white is timeless and lots of white is undeniably modern. it gives your pastel elements room to shine and doesn’t overpower or get busy. you really can’t go wrong with lots and lots of white. then, accent with a super bright color. have a pastel pink chair? how about a neon pink pillow?

#4 include modern shapes

how can a pastel chair look blah and dated in a super-sharp modern shape? it’s impossible for a pastel to look fussy with so many clean lines and sharp shapes around it.

let’s look at some that got it oh so right…

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i’m particularly partial to that pink sofa and the minty green dining chairs. so sweet. what do you think? can you handle the pastel comeback?

sometimes lauren and i play a game called, “would you still be my friend if…”  for instance, i might say, “hey lauren, would you still be my friend if i titled this post, “if you’re thinking of being my bathroom, it don’t matter if you’re black or white?”

in this case, lauren would probably say no.  hence the post title.

but i’ve been thinking about bathrooms lately, and ways to make them awesome (i just painted the vanity in my downstairs bath, and refreshed the curtain and accessories in the master, pics coming soon), so i decided to look at my pinterest board to see what i like.  sometimes i have to do that, because i forget.  so apparently i LOVE a black and white bathroom.  who knew!  since i didn’t get to choose the tile in any of my bathrooms, black and white was never an option for a color scheme (we have a purple-y slate in one, which sounds weird but is kind of pretty and spa-like since it’s floor to ceiling, and a dark green slate which is not my fave in the other.  and we’re not going to talk about the tile in basement.) but in my next house/life i would love to do a black and white, vintage-inspired, but still modern and cool bathroom.  here are some of my pinterest faves for your enjoyment.

this tile is so fun!  it reminds me of confetti.  this is a bathroom that could turn even the grouchiest grouch (me) into a morning person.  ok, to be honest, that tile is probably not enough to perk me up.  i would need that tile, plus coffee running from the faucet.  it sounds gross, but don’t you kind of think it’s a good idea?

the dark wall color here is super sexy, and the addition of a HUGE vintage mirror (if you see one like this, please buy it for me) is totally inspired.  it just goes to show that basic and classic foundation of subway tile, a great pedastal sink, and marble hex can be anything but boring with the right mirror and paint color.

i mean, come ON.  everyone knows i love hot red.  and that sink is super cute for a tiny master that can’t fit a double sink, or a kids bath.  trough sinks are so cute for kids!  but look, it’s just basic white tile, and then bam!  that does look like a fancy custom medicine cabinet though.  luxury.

bathroom images via here, here, and here.

so those are my picks for awesome black and white baths.  what do you think?  would you do a bathroom in black and white?

oh, and for more where that came from, follow me on pinterest!

here’s an easy project you can do right now…hang art on a bookcase!

hanging art on the frame of the shelves creates a focal point on what can be a visually overwhelming element in a room…the items on the shelf fading into the background and the art piece being the pop! it will help ground whatever furniture piece is placed in front (we especially love a sofa in front of bookcases) and creates a casual, boho, library look.  try it today!

 [images from pottery barn, winslow smith home via decorpad, canadian house and home, jan showers, lonny]

can we all just take a moment and look at this crazy amazing chair…

found on pinterest, from swiss antique dealer okay art. a classic eames side chair, gold leaf, and lacquer. and i die now.

yes, it’s gold and shiny and a little over the top, but how amazing would this look in a sunny, bright all white dining space. what do you guys think? too much? or just the right mix of mid-century sleek and bold glamour?

that is all. i just felt like i had to share. off to buy some gold leaf and cover everything in my house. toodles!

every once and a while, we have a client who insists that they don’t have a style. nonsense, we say! everyone has an innate style, an individual sense of taste informed by their past, their hobbies, their experiences etc etc etc. our advice in these situations is the same…start pulling images of rooms that speak to you, think about what you’ve bought recently, and remember the items that, when you spot them across a crowded store, make your heart beat faster. there’s a through line in there somewhere.

so…this past weekend, i bought this chair.

perusing my pinterest today looking for client inspiration, i came across this pic in my board titled ‘dreamhome’ which i captioned ‘favorite headboard ever.’ huh. okay.

then i remembered the pair of mirrors i scored at a yard sale last year.

and this picture from i suwannee that i pinned yesterday.

AND this sofa i favorited on etsy.

HOLY COW! you guys…i love vintage rattan! i had know idea.

now, i’m pretty confident in my tastes. i know what i like…mid-century wood, shiny colorful lacquer, geometric prints, wacky thrift store art but this was a totally surprise to me. and now i want to shout it from the mountain tops! i love weird old rattan furniture! i love furniture meant for fern and macrame invested patios, chunky neo-deco seen in the golden girls living room, the curly femme/boho pieces perfect for a 1970′s teen girls room! i want it all!

i can’t be alone here, dear readers. anything you’ve have found yourself drawn to that’s been a total surprise? anything random or strange or over the top that you can’t help but love?