60-30-10 Rule To Designing Your Rooms

Courtesy of Kenneth Brown

Hi Friends,

Decorating a space in terms of color is as easy as 60-30-10. Don't believe? Take a look at some rooms in magazines or in Designers' Portfolio. You'll notice that the rooms you like the most are almost invariably divided into percentages of 60-30-10. Why this works is anybody's guess. Perhaps it is the human tendency to see an overall theme in the 60 percent hue, unifying the coloration. The 30 percent provides visual interest and the 10 percent, not unlike jewelry, provides that little spark of sparkle.

So, when decorating a particular room, divide the colors into percentages:
60% of a dominant color
30% of a secondary color
10% of an accent color

When you think about it, this color breakdown is similar to a man's business suit:
60% of the outfit's color is the slacks and jacket
30% of the outfit's color is the shirt
10% of the outfit's color is the tie

Translated to a room setting, it typically means:
60% of the room's color is the walls
30% of the room's color is the upholstery
10% of the room's color is, say, an accent piece or a floral arrangement

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Live well,
Yvonne

Twin Symmetry

Courtesy of HGTV

Hi Friends,

It's difficult to achieve a beach look in your home without being too cliché. That's why we love fresh, sea-inspired decorating ideas from users who have successfully brought the coastal feel home.

For RMS user Beachyone's guest bedroom, the secret of making the most of a small space is simple: symmetry. The matching beds and perfectly proportioned artwork create a room any beachcombing guest would adore.

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Live well,
Yvonne

Chic Appeal

Courtesy of HGTV

Hi Friends,

This urban beach-accented living room is perfect for those that like to dress up sea accessories without appearing too theme-oriented or formal. The casual shabby-white sofas and linen draperies help to keep things laid-back for everyday comfort.

Get the Look: One of the best places to display your sea finds is the mantel. Even if the setup is only around during the summer months, it can still bring that casual warm-weather feel into your home. And for a more formal piece that looks like it belongs all year long, try a stunning light fixture, like the white coral chandelier. Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone, fun with it...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Desert Vacation

Courtesy of HGTV

Hi Friends,

Even though she's located right in the middle of the Las Vegas desert, RMS user homemom knows how to turn her home into a beach getaway. Repurposed furnishings, natural bamboo materials and a white color scheme deliver a shabby chic feel with a crisp, polished look.

Get the Look: Don't feel like you have to be on the beach to incorporate a shabby coastal feel in your home. If vacations don't come often enough, let your sea-inspired decor become your getaway.

Go Shabby Chic...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Happy Easter!

Courtesy of Sassy Cats

Happy Easter Friends!

May the simple joys fill your day, hope light your path, the many blessings of Easter stay forever in your heart, and the Origin of The Easter Bunny make your day.

Origin of The Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny is a symbol that originated with the pagan festival of Easter. The goddess, Easter, was worshiped by the Anglo-Saxons
through her earthly symbol,
the hare or rabbit.

The date of Easter is determined by the moon whose symbolism is strongly tied to that of the hare. In fact, the hare is the symbol for the moon. Ever since the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D., Easter has been celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon after March 21st.

The Easter bunny was introduced to American folklore by the German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 1700s. The arrival of the "Oschter Haws" was considered "childhood's greatest pleasure" next to a visit from Christ-Kindel on Christmas Eve. The children believed that if they were good the "Oschter Haws" would lay a nest of colored eggs.

The children would build their nest in a secluded place in the home, the barn or the
garden. Boys would use their caps and girls their bonnets to make the nests . The use of elaborate Easter baskets came later as the tradition of the Easter bunny spread through out the country.

Happy Easter from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Easter Deviled Eggs

Courtesy of Laura, Real MOM Kitchen

Hi Friends,

One Easter tradition usually includes dyeing the shell of hard boiled eggs, but why not dye the eggs out of their shell this year? It can be done and is a fun way to include deviled eggs, another Easter tradition, on your Easter menu.

Just used regular old food coloring from the grocery store baking isle or go a little out and select the neon variety. Remove the shell from your hard boiled egg, cut each egg in half, and remove the yolk to reserve for later. Dye the whites of the eggs just like you would dye an egg with it’s shell on.

NOTE: Some colors take longer than others to achieve the level of darkness. Here pink, purple, and turquoise were used for this festive arrangement. The turquoise took the least amount of time to get it's intensity; the pink and purple took more time to achieve the desired color. It's a fun way to dye eggs and bring some color to your Easter dinner.

Ingredients

• 10 hard boiled eggs
• food coloring
• 1 tsp vinegar for each color you are using
• water
• ½ cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip or half of each (I use Miracle Whip)

Instructions

1. Remove the shells from the hard boiled eggs and slice each egg in half.
2. Remove the yolks from the egg halves and place in a bowl. Set the yolks aside.
3. Get enough glasses or mugs for the number of colors you want to use. Fill the mugs or glasses ⅔ of the way full with cold water.
4. Add 3 drops of desired food coloring along with 1 tsp vinegar to each mug or cup.
5. Place egg whites in the mugs and allow to sit in the food coloring until desired color is reached. I could fit 3 egg whites in each of my mugs at a time.
6. Remove whites from dye and drain on a plate lined with a couple of paper towels.
7. Take the reserved yolks and mash them with a fork. Then mix in the ½ cup mayonnaise with the mashed yolk.
8. Pipe or spoon the yolk mix into the colored egg whites. Makes 20 deviled egg halves.

Bon Appétit and Happy Easter...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Best Places to Find Color Inspiration

Hi Friends,

Designer David Bromstad shares some of his favorite places to go for color inspiration, which can sometimes be the most unexpected and unusual places. Think outside the box, come up with some ideas of your own for great inspiration; you will be surprised...

Get Outside
Nature is the most amazing place for color inspiration, since each season offers different and amazing color combinations. The warmth of the summer and fall, the cool colors of winter and the fresh hues of spring are the perfect examples of Mother Nature's work. Color doesn't just exist in the growth of nature, but in every aspect. A stormy sky against fall leaves is unbelievable, while a yellow rain jacket on a gray, rainy day is the perfect color combination for spring.

Go Shopping
Take a look at the fresh produce aisles at your grocery store. Nature went crazy with the most amazing and vibrant colors of fruits and vegetables. Grab a few of your favorite shades and see how you can make them work together in your home.

When walking through the mall, take note of the clothes on the racks. Also, pay attention to the interiors of the actual stores and the color choices they used to create their atmosphere.

Don't forget to check out your favorite home stores. Vases, dishware, rugs, pillows and artwork are huge sources of color information.

Read the Fine Print
The greatest color inspiration comes from fashion and magazines. First, it's the best way to stay on top of color trends and styles, since fashion is always the forefront of what then comes into interiors. If you see interesting color combinations on the runway or in a European magazine, they're sure to be in your favorite home store in the near future.

Take a Stroll
Getting inspired by color can also come from being in the midst of the city. Look at the materials used on buildings and how color affects the feel of the architecture. Check out the sidewalks and roads, which use various colors of gray and black combined with pops of white and yellow of the lines on the road. Translating this palette creates a surprisingly sophisticated interior.

All the colors you see in everyday life can be a part of your home. Carry a camera to take snapshots whenever you find the perfect combination. If you see something in a store that inspires you, pick it up and make it a part of your home.

Check back for more great inspirational ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

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Live well,
Yvonne