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A Different Kind of Red, White, and Blue

Happy 4th of July to everyone, and welcome to all our newbies!

This week we celebrate our country’s birthday.  It has become a traditional time of fireworks, barbeques, and outdoor celebrations.  Although the real events of how the design for the American flag was chosen (quite interesting!), the colors were always red white and blue.  And over the years the combination of those colors have become symbols that invoke deep emotions, a sense of history, and shared values.

They are great colors for design highlights as well!

If you live in a home with basic white walls – frame up pictures with red or blue frames and white mats.  Plant red geraniums in blue pots. African violets in a white one.  Group items in red – white – blue order.  Choose candles grouped in this color trio.

Adventurous? (Or just love these colors!)  How about using them to create a main feature. Paint varying width vertical stripes on a white wall.  Or use paint and trim to create or accent wainscoting.  These colors are a very good choice for a child’s room, and hold up well to both “youthful” wear and frequent cleaning.  (I have a friend whose son thought white walls were an easel for his artwork.  She added color to the walls to encourage the little Rembrandt to use paper for his artistic expression.)

Would you like something a bit less permanent?  How about a blue tablecloth or runner with red napkins and white dishes? I love using hardback books with the slipcover removed to highlight beautiful covers with our red, white, and blue.  The combinations are fantastic.  Use the books under a plant or lamp. Add them to a grouping of family photos to vary the height.  White slip covers with red and blue pillows.  Or try blue covers and red pillows with white trim.  The great thing with these colors is that they pair well in all intensities  – pastels, “brights”, or somewhere in between. With gray being so popular, I love the blue gray, Sherwin Williams North Star.  Roll it on the wall for a great neutral that adds some dimension.   You can use the Red White Blue accents, or replace with the ever so popular yellows when you’re ready to have the spirit of the  4th pass.

Have fun and be safe!  I would love to have you share with me your latest 4th of July design ideas!

And don’t forget, my clients always say “I never would have thought of that!”   

Want to find out why?  Use the form to the right to send me your name and email to join us!