Think Pink!

*This post was initially published on July 30, 2009. It has been updated and re-published in honor of Breast Cancer awareness month. Even if you hate pink please read through to the end to find out more information on how to donate to Breast Cancer Research and how to directly participate in the research that will eradicate breast cancer once and for all.

There was a time when I had a strong aversion to the color pink especially when used in interiors. This can most likely be attributed to a certain childhood best friend's home where I'm pretty sure the color pink showed up in every room. I've moved beyond the pink artificial flower arrangements and pink and gray textured wallpaper to realize that many shades of pink can actually can be fun and often sophisticated additions to any space.

Pink seems to be a hot color for interiors as I'm seeing it pop up in a lot of blogs lately. There are a few bloggers, specifically Nicole from Making it Lovely and Yvonne from Yvestown, that are well ahead of this trend and have been doing pink right for some time. Nicole recently shared some great advice about picking out the right pink wall color. You can check out the post here.

I've pulled together some photos where pink, whether it be a soft petal or a bright magenta, is preforming equally as beautiful as the main attraction or as a supporting player. Let me know what you think about these pink interiors. Would you use pink in your own home?

via sfgirlbybay

from yvestown

via desire to inspire

via the style files

via emmas designblogg

via home sweet home

Now for the really important stuff, what pink represents in the month of October. As I'm sure you're aware, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I want to throw some support to a few pf my favorite charities and research groups devoted to finding a cure for breast cancer. Unfortunately it is a disease that my family has intimate experience with, my mother is (two time) survivor and my aunt is currently working towards recovery.

As a family we choose to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure and have participated in several walks in Newark and Jersey City, NJ. Take a look at this soggy group of walkers from this past April (we didn't let the terrible weather get us down):

Another really interesting project I've been involved with for the past 6 months is the Love/Avon Army of Women. The Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation and the Avon Foundation for Women, have joined forces to launch this revolutionary initiative whose key goal is to recruit one million women, including breast cancer survivors and women at high-risk for the disease, to partner with breast cancer researchers and directly participate in the research that will hopefully one day eradicate breast cancer. You find more information about current research projects here.

Related Posts:

Interior Trends: Gilded Accents

Tumbling Over White Floors

Design Evolution updates via RSS feed or email

Interior Trends: Gilded Accents

I was pleasantly surprised by the gilded accents that showed up in several homes in the July/August '09 issue of Elle Decor. This is coming from a person who would normally recoil at the thought of a brass light fixture, shiny gold knob, or worse gold bathroom accessory. In a time where brushed nickel and chrome fixtures have become the norm it's an unexpected touch to see the antique brass handles, hinges, and light fixtures in the Hampton's home of Aerin Lauder. The honed finish of the antique brass is warm and refined and shares no similarity to its horribly shiny 1980's cousin.

I'm not sure if it's a look I could pull off in my own home. However, this wall of gold leaf frames in the bedroom of Monelle Totan feels like just the right touch of fabulous. Did you hear that Donald? This is a reasonable amount of gold for a home.

Pick yourself up a copy of the July/August '09 Elle Decor and check out the rest of Monelle's San Francisco home. She is the vice president of design for William-Sonoma Home and it shows. Her home is wonderfully restrained with graphic punches in the artwork and floor coverings.

Sign up to receive Design Evolution updates via RSS feed or email.

Tumbling Over White Floors

I know I've mentioned this before but I'll say it again, I read a lot of blogs. And many of those are blogs about interiors. In the past, when I came across a post with a photo that appealed to me I would star it in my google reader with the intention of going back to it at some point. Well that never happened and I ended up with hundreds of starred posts. I decided to put together a tumblr blog and use it as a place to store all of the photos of fabulous interiors I collect. It's such a simple interface, it takes seconds to upload a photo, link to the original blog post, and add some tags. It's been a fun exercise because I'm starting to see some trends develop in my interior design taste. One thing stands out, apparently I really like white painted floors.

via desire to inspire

via dwellings and decor

via desire to inspire

via the style files

The rooms feel so fresh, clean, and bright. All of the characteristics that my current home is lacking. Perhaps that is why I'm so drawn to these photographs. I wonder what it is about folks in the U.S. that makes them so uptight about painting wood floors? If I told any of my friends or family I wanted to paint my floors they would think I've lost my mind. Maybe I should show them some of these photos, that should help to change their minds. You can check out more rooms with white painted floors here. Enjoy!

Related Posts:

Went a Little Crazy This Weekend

Sign up to receive Design Evolution updates via RSS feed or email.

Explore Tessera - Treasures from Turkey and Beyond

This shot of amazing tableware from Turkey featured in the May '09 issue of Elle Decor caught my eye and sent me straight to the website for Tessera, the shop who sells it.

What I discovered there was site full of one of kind, antique, and handmade products from around the world. I have expressed my love for all things Suzani here before so you can imagine my jaw hitting the floor when I got a glimpse of these vintage Suzani throws:


I actually learned something interesting about Suzanis from the Tessera website:

Suzani is the Persian or Farsi word for needle and refers to textile panels embroidered with silk thread. The suzani was an integral part of a woman's artistic expression in Central Asia for hundreds of years. Traditionally, as soon as a girl was born her mother would start embroidering the suzani for her. As the daughter grew older, she would join in the process. The suzani would eventually become a part of her dowry and be used to decorate her home.

Knowing the history of behind the artistry makes me appreciate it even more. The Suzani's pictured here from the webiste are vintage pieces from Uzbekistan; however, they also carry reproduction pieces.

In addition to the Suzanis from Uzbekistan, they carry antique items from Central Asia, India, Peru, Tibet and Turkey.


I could dive into this sofa full of pillows from Turkey made from vintage kilm rugs and linger for hours. Couldn't you?

This set of intricately carved antique doors from Peru could be a really intriguing and unexpected element in a modern space.

Visit Tessera's website for more photographs of the fabulous items they sell. While you're there take a minute to read about the company's commitment to volunteering and donating with in the regions they source their products. A company that recognizes its social responsibility will always grab and hold my attention.

Tessera's showroom is located in Houston, TX and only select items are available for sale on their website. This is unfortunate for me in New Jersey however Tessera will be at the New York International Gift August 15 - 19 which would be a great opportunity to see all of this great stuff in person.

Related Post:

I'm Beginning to Notice a Pattern Developing

Sign up to receive Design Evolution updates via RSS feed or email.

I'm Beginning to Notice a Pattern Developing

It appears that lately I am responding to photographs of rooms with a decor similar to this West Elm room.  Until recently my personal design style as leaned towards mid century and Scandinavian decor but when the March '09 issue of Elle Decor showed up in my mailbox I gasped. The vintage framed Ikat wall hanging, the suzani draped over the settee, that gorgeous rug, all that magenta; I love it all.  I'll have to be careful how far I take this look in my home as my tastes seem to fluctuate with the trends.  A few lovely pillows or a suzani printed throw tossed over the back of my sofa should be just right.