"You're Invited too..."

"The Invitation"

In one of my previous posts - "You're Invited"... I posted about how much I enjoy weddings. I just received a Wedding Invitation in the post today...and I am super excited. The Invitation is the "Key". It sets the tone for the Wedding. This Invitation says "Dress: Formal" and looking at the "Style" of the Envelope and Seal - this is going to be a very "Elegant Wedding."

Whilst examining the Invite - my creative juices started flowing...I started pondering on the "Decor" of the Wedding and the Attire of the Bride and her Retinue....Oh how my mind wondered off...From the "Flowers" to the "Cake"...to The "Ceremony" and "Reception"...A Day to Remember for a Lifetime...

"The Ceremony"

"The Flowers"

"The Wedding retinue"





"The Brides Attire"



"The Cake"

"The Reception"

So next time you get an Invitation to a Wedding...try this it's great Fun. It allows your creativity to flow...who knows there could be a hidden"Wedding planner" in there somewhere...'Til next "Happy Planning"...:-)FK

"Colour Dilemma's"

I often get asked which Colours do you work best with or which Colours do you steer away from...My answer is Simple - I love Colour and I am not afraid of it. I can work with any Colour...or should I say I can make any Colour Work. If you use simple guide-lines like "Lighting"; "Basic Colour Rules" and lastly taking into consideration the other contributing "Design Elements" in the Room - You should be fine.

I often get handed a Picture from a Magazine or Internet and then get asked to match up the Colour on the Wall.

FOR EXAMPLE : Take these Pictures and Match up the "Chartreuse Green" that's on the Wall.

The first thing I consider is Lighting - You will notice this room has a lot of "Uplighting"-Therefore all the Light is bouncing towards the Ceiling. To brighten up the Room I would suggest that the Ceiling be Painted White as this also Opens the Room up allowing it to appear Larger. The other "Basic Colour Rules"are :

1)Ceiling Colour

2)Floor Colour

3)Furniture/Softs/Accessories Colour

4)Ect...

These need to tie in with the Choice of Colour....ie: They need to Compliment or Contrast off each other.

You will notice that "Grey" Tones work very well with Chartreuse or Lime Greens. White is a Perfect "Accent/Back-drop" Colour and the "Gold" also adds not only "Glamour" but is included as a "Statement" Colour...to create a Stir.

The Elements of Design are always important - Line;Colour;Flow and Layout of a Room. You will see that the "Grey" in the Sofa is the grounding Colour as this is used to tie the "Colour Scheme" together. The Wall Colour is used as a "Back-drop/Accent" Colour so that everything placed around it bounces right back at you...The Black and White Frames on the Wall once again create "Statements" and are accentuated by the Wall Colour. The Patterned Carpet and Scatters add Texture and Print - which in-turn creates depth and balance to the Room.

http://www.benjaminmoore.com/

Margarita 2026-20 (Benjamin Moore)
70 YY 39/613 (Dulux)
8077-5 Lime Gold (Dekade Paints)





These are just a few Colour Palettes I have matched them up to.

Hope you have Fun Colour Matching. 'Til next time...FK:-)

"Oh Natural"



"Natural Inspiration"


I am inspired by almost anything and everything. My creative "right side of my brain" sees Colour first, then Patterns and lastly imagines the Texture and Feel... Nature always inspires me and never fails with her bountiful fruits of her Labour...From Wood-carvings from a dried out tree trunk; to Gemstones un-earthed from her Depths and even the outlined Skulls of animal caucuses that lie about the Saharan Desert.The sounds of the trickling Stream brings some kind of Balance to this unstable World of Existence. Just her way of her reminding us that we're ALIVE!!

"Texture - Love the Assortment of Natural Weaves"

"Nature's Bountiful Fruits of her Labour"

"The Trickling Sound of a Stream"

"The Comfort of Nature"

I have such a Passion for Naturals...be it "Fabric" Blends like Cotton; Linen and Jute to "Colour" tones from Beige Sands to Cappuccino Coloured Creams...Naturals create Simplicity and Balance to any Room. They are not only Grounding Composites but add Texture and Pattern without disturbing the other inhibitors of the Design Elements.


"Textured Jute Rugs"



"Natural Linen Fabrics"

"Natural Inspired Interiors"

"Beige Sands to Cappuccino Coloured Creams"

Get Inspired by Nature with all her Wonder...Happy Decorating...Til next time F.K...:-)

"Mood Boards"

I love doing "Storyboards" or "Mood Boards" as some call it. They are so Inspirational as they are a clear and direct visual for customers to view your "Desired Look" for them. I stumble upon a remarkable site :www.olioboard.com whereby you can create you own "Click";"Drag" and "Drop" Layouts at the touch of your mouse. Gone are the days of Search;Draw;Cut and Paste... It's all computer generated and you can even "Save" Folders or "Publish" Folders for others to view...the wonders of technology.

I have posted a few of my "Amateur" Storyboards...I hope you are Inspired...

'"Colourful Entrance"

"Elegant Dining"

"Tuscan Outdoors"

"Neutral Living Room"

Have fun with "Olioboard"...I know I am...'Til next time...Happy Decorating :-)FK

"Proudly South African"

I love living in South African. I think it's one of the most "Colourful" Countries in the World. That is why we are called the "Rainbow Nation".

From our Flora and Fauna; to the Culture of our People...even our Landscapes are enriched with Colour. We are Inspired because we are surrounded by Colour all the time.

The Back drops which Mother Nature creates under the "African  Sky" is almost her way of shining the light in the best position for us to en capture the perfect photograph.

I often look to Nature for Inspiration,when embarking on a new project. The Colour Palettes which Nature throws at you can be brought to life in any Decor Schemes.

http://www.hertex.co.za/

http://www.clintonfriedman.com/

So next time you in South Africa look around you - to Table Mountain rich for it's texture and foliage. To Sunny Durban with our rich  "Foamy Teal Tones" to the Rural Transkei with "Sapphire Blue" huts embedded amongst the "Emerald Green Escarpment" to the Zulu Ladies embellished with Layers of Colourful Beads and Patterned Attire. Nothing says "Colour" like the "African Spirit" in South Africa.

Hamba Kahle...(Good-Bye  in ISIZULU)...Til We meet in S.A:-)FK.