from Bluebird Hill

Pantone is one of the industry's foremost color forecasters.  This is a very big deal, because as such, they influence trends for automobiles, fabrics, appliances, clothing and just about everything else in our lives that has color. So, since I am a nature lover, I decided to see what Mother Nature shows with this vibrant shade of green.  It may give you some ideas on how to use it in your home furnishings, or your wardrobe. To take advantage of a trend, I feel it is important to analyze how long you think it will last, and most importantly, does it suit your personality. You can see in these pictures how very different the color is depending on what colors it is used with. Using neutrals and lots of white makes it fresh and almost neutral.  But it can also be used with pastels, as with the sculpture, or other brights as with the canoes.    How would it best suit your needs?

I love to travel, and walk the local neighborhoods... We recently visited Key West, and it is a very laid back city. Lots of charming neighborhoods, and all of the cottages have front gardens and fences. The gardens are loose, and the fences as different as I would imagine the owners to be.  Orchids attached to trees, and what some would consider houseplants, grow to the size of schrubs.                                                                                                                                                                                 I love this quirky fence, with the vibrant small blue flowers, waving in the air like a greeting. Notice the charming architectural details on the cottage above.  It is that detailing that makes it special and charming. I noticed that most of the homes were soft pastels or white, with black shutters.  Don't you love that haint blue ceiling on the porch? It's supposed to keep the bugs away, and I have

I love the whiteness of the snow, fresh fallen and all sparkly.   Then, we drive through it with our cars, and it becomes dirty.  After it falls, the winter months are often cloudy and gray. I choose to plan my surroundings so there will be color all year.  I love the look of this metal art in the snow.  It draws the eye, and brightens things up. Add greenery to your landscape with fruit and berries.  It will provide food for the birds, and winter color.  The birds will stay and take care of pests the rest of the year. Gardens that have borders of green, like low hedges, provide structure to the winter garden. I also like to add features like ponds, birdbaths, fountains and benches. They all have a seasonal function, but also add interest in the winter, like this bench in the photo below.

 After the storm        The trees are dressed in gowns of ice.  Crystal earrings adorn the leaves of the shrubs, and the snow on the eaves fall like teardrops,  sliced by rainbows.                                               

After the holidays, I am soooo ready to return to a quieter palate in my home. Don't get me wrong, I love color.  But I prefer a neutral palate so I can change my accessories and have a completely new look. Last year I reupholstered my living room furniture with Sunbrella fabrics in a neutral cream color.  I used a twill on a chair and sofa, and a wonderful herringbone on my favorite wing chair.  With dressmaker details, like pouf buttons on the one chair back & nailheads on the wing chair, they are anything except plain or ordinary. I took all of the Christmas decorations off the mantle, and put up this wonderful old window that a friend gave me.  I like the texture of the peeling paint, a little bit of old colors showing through and the old wavy glass.   With the finials and a plant, it is just the perfect feel for my winter room.                                                                             My rug has warm reds, corals and light blue

sophia collection from Pottery Barn I am seeing some distinct trends for 2017. The colors are neutrals, used with lots of textures. Mixing periods of furnishings in the  same room. Lots of patterns, checks & plaids, florals. Leather, fur, and vintage fabrics. Lighter woods with a flat, dry finish. Rough and smooth, in fabric and woods. Pottery Barn In this photo from Pottery Barn, you'll see some indo-chinese furnishings with a shabby slipcovered chair, and  a contemporary leather sofa. It is all brought together with a calm color scheme of neutrals, with blue & coral, Notice how the artwork & accessories on the floating shelf in the background are not centered, but are  2 separate yet cohesive vignettes. Williams Sonoma  In this photo from Williams Sonoma, you'll notice a very cool and calm look.   Larger scale furnishings a nd accessories.   Again, neutrals, with blue added.     A  suble pattern in the carpet, as well as in the