Passionate for Purple

Knowing my love of color you'd think it would be difficult for me to choose a favorite, but anyone who is familiar with my work knows that my passion for purple rises above all others! The color in itself can be moody and romantic, flirty and feminine, playful and daring or regal and bold all depending on the hue you choose. From amethyst to aubergine, eggplant, violet, magenta and everything in between, the color is so multi-faceted it deserved  to be featured throughout the month of May. Here are some great color combos and purple places I'm passionate for!

** Purple and green  are a natural combination!

Lavender drapes with olive cushions

 

Miles Redd/House Beautiful



Pat Healing/House Beautiful

I love how these purple pillows add pop to serene seafoam green.

Ana Cordeiro/VT Interiors


  ** Lavender, egglplant or magenta and orange are exciting and unexpected together!

A new take on a child's bedroom!

Kelly Wearstler

Eggplant chair with kumquat sofa

Eileen Kathryn Boyd Interiors

** Paired with neutrals, violets and periwinkles are pretty and powerful!

A throw blanket goes a long way in this family room.

House Beautiful

John Saladino/Veranda

Caitlin Creer

William Waldron Photography



** Trust your color wheel - opposing colors are always complimentary like yellow and purple!

purple walls, lamp shade and chair with yellow table

Duralee Designer Eileen Kathryn Boyd Textiles amethyst animal print on chairs

 "... I'm very loyal to my colors. I love violet." --Elizabeth Taylor



Highpoint's Hot List

I just came back from an exciting (and exhausting) week at High Point Market. For those of you who don't know, it's the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world and where I count on finding inspiration for future projects. I love going -  it gets my creative juices flowing and I always find myself in sensory overload - so many fabulous pieces, so little time! Of course I always walk away with a few faves - items I can picture in a client's home or my showroom (which you really must visit)! Here are the five dreamiest from this year's market. Enjoy!

1 - Blue Bottle Chandelier: Can you just imagine how the light filters through?

Arteriors

2- Watercolor Chair: I would grab two of these and maybe accessorize with some mustadry yellow throws.

The Hickory Chair Furniture Co.

3-  Purple and Brown Color Story: My love of purple is no secret but the color story in this Festoni showroom is especially gorgeous. The brown walls serve as an anchor while the orange chair and pillows brighten up the space!

 

Festoni

4 - Modern Bench: This geo-print, orange bench is incredible and such a statement piece. While it would look fabulous in a living room, I might put it in an unexpected place like an office or bedroom. 

Pearson

5 - The Best Starburst Mirror: Love this mirror from Chelsea House. I adore starburst styles and even included a starburst pattern in my fabric line. 

Chelsea House Inc.

Enjoy your weekend!

Shopping for Yellow

While inspiration and ideas are the first steps to designing a space, learning where to commit to color is the most important!

Fabric First: There is no way to add a splash more effectively than through the use of fabric.  And while I can certainly help you create a complete look, you can tap into your inner designer by simply adding a yellow throw pillow which can transform a space. In these rooms I instantly added some sunshine to a blue and purple palette.


Eileen Kathryn Boyd Textiles Exclusively for Duralee



Eileen Kathryn Boyd Textiles Exclusively for Duralee

In designing my own fabric line, I dedicated a whole book to citron and fuschia. Some of my favorites include a modern floral, Greek key, zebra print and of course a sunburst style.

Eileen Kathryn Boyd Textiles Exclusively for Duralee

Wallpaper: While many people are afraid of wallpaper, others say it's making a major comeback. I never thought it went out of style and love a graphic print like the one I used in this kitchen. Next time I might try this citrine shade - what better place to make a sunny statement!
 

Wallpaper: Manuel Canovas through Cowtan & Tout/Kitchen: Eileen Kathryn Boyd Interiors

Accessorize: If you want to test out a hue in your home, try a statement lamp and colorful coffee table book for a modern touch or a simple bouquet of yellow tulips in a pitcher for something more country.

Bar: Eileen Kathryn Boyd Interiors/Lamp: Jonathan Adler Capri Bottle Lamp



Book: Modern Glamour: The Art of Unexpected Style/Flowers: 1-800-Flowers


"How wonderful yellow is. It stands for the sun." --Vincent Van Gogh

Yellow: Making it Work

Eileen Kathryn Boyd Interiors

I've had many clients over the years who want to use yellow in their homes but don’t know where to begin. I'm sure many of you can relate. This is where I step in  - I can transform an inspiration or idea into a bold statement in an actual space. Yellow need not be an editorial color alone. It CAN work in YOUR home if you follow these tips!

*** Hi Yellow, Nice to Meet You …

Take it slow with this bright hue. Start to get to know yellow through your accessories. Introduce it into your home through pillows, artwork and floral arrangements (there’s nothing like a large arrangement of yellow tulips in a predominately white room). One bright yellow pillow can add a shock of color to a space allowing you to not only step back and watch how it interacts with its environment, but to be entertained by the effect it has on your room.

Eileen Kathryn Boyd Interiors

Eileen Kathryn Boyd Interiors



 You can also paint an accent wall (like in the kitchen) rather than a whole room or try adding grosgrain ribbon  to your drapery. 

Eileen Kathryn Boyd Interiors

*** Make a Splash … 

Use yellow to brighten up a neutral environment like your summer space. People often lean on blue and white for their vacation homes, but I suggest turning to shades of yellow instead. It’s a sunny, happy color!

Eileen Kathryn Boyd Interiors

-       *** Mix and Match ...

         Don't be afraid to work other brights into your color palette. Yellow looks great with blues, fuchsias and grays.

Remember, use yellow in spaces you need to feel inspired.

Check out some of my favorite yellow EKB Fabrics from Duralee. 


Yellow wakes me up in the morning. Yellow gets me on the bike every day. Yellow has taught me the true meaning of sacrifice. Yellow makes me suffer. Yellow is the true reason I am here. 
- Lance Armstrong

Yearning for Yellow

Eileen Kathryn Boyd Interiors

With spring in full force I’ve decided to dedicate the month of April to the sunniest shade! And while yellow is absolutely optimistic and always makes me smile, it can also be mellow and laid back and peak my curiosity.

A Moody Hue

Bright, happy yellows are sure to radiate joy and breathe life into any room, while mustard tones inspire a more sophisticated space that set the course for a jewel-toned palette. 
 

Eileen Kathryn Boyd Interiors

 
If you are scared to give yellow a go, try using it as an accent color – a little can go a long way. Whether you choose a moody hue or something saturated and sunny, yellow will add a modern touch to any home.  

Don’t know where to start? Here are a few tips for you design lovers …

 
** Look for inspiration in your everyday life. I find it in books, artwork, clothing (my scarves and my husband’s ties) and even cars – I’m dying for a bright yellow jeep.

Eileen Kathryn Boyd Interiors

 ** Take baby steps whether it’s adding a lamp, pillow or bowl of lemons to your tabletop.

Eileen Kathryn Boyd Interiors

 
** Add a bit of yellow to your wardrobe. Start with accessories!

Kate Spade Isabel sandal $328

Coach Poppy Leather Hippie $258

 Check back next week for more creative ways to brighten your home with yellow!

Some painters transform the sun into a yellow spot, others transform a yellow spot into the sun.
- Pablo Picasso

Nuts for NEON

Nanette Lepore, New York Magazine

It’s no secret that I often look to fashion for inspiration - I love the challenge of transforming a runway look into an inspired interior. This season I’ve been dying to incorporate the latest trend in style - NEON into my design repertoire.

I decided to create a chic pool house! Like I’m sure you do, I’ve got summer on my mind and can’t seem to kick the idea of creating a glamorous oasis in my own backyard (you’ll remember I designed the pool house at the 2011 Hamptons Decorator Show House).
I hope this slightly fantastical space makes you feel rejuvenated and inspired.

My Mood Board

Far sofa upholstered in Duralee Designer Eileen Kathryn Boyd Textiles: Pulse

Here are a  few takeaways for you design lovers ...

Mix Tones and Textures:  In this space, I made raffia and grass cloth work with bold, shiny, neon hues.

Find Inspiration in Unexpected Places: The show-stopper here is the design on the far wall of my pool house created by layering neon orange, pink and yellow duct tape in a zig- zag pattern. Look for design elements at your local hardware and craft stores. 

Give Something Old a New Face: Take your tables and chairs to your local auto body shop and have them powder coated or spray painted with a bright new color for a fresh and fabulous look.

Check out my facebook page for photos of the event!

It's the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary. 
Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

I'm in the Mood ...

I am thrilled to be participating in Caesarstone's SET THE MOOD event where I was asked alongside 16 architects and designers (including Sara Story, Tilton Fenwick, Scout Designs and more) to help unveil their latest collection. Caesarstone is a quartz surface manufacturer – think counter and table tops and bathroom and kitchen surfaces. I’ve created a mood board  (a collection of inspiring images and objects) using Caesarstone’s newest palette as my inspiration.  It’s my job to put an EKB spin on this classic material and to convey the feeling and flavor of the room I’ve designed around this basic surface. You won’t believe how I've transformed this material into the centerpiece of a vibrant, whimsical, modern space. My inspiration: NEON!
Check back Thursday to see my mood board and how I breathed some life into Caesarstone's newest surface.

Vibrant colors & lucite-what more can I say!

Walking through this year's New York International Gift Fair in NYC 

I spotted a couple of trends I love; lucite and color. 

 Nothing melts my heart more!  

Lucite: love when it's paired with fabric, metal, and wood.

Vibrant bursts of color, color, color: accent tables, bar carts, and accessories!  

Love is the greatest refreshment in life.  Pablo Picasso

Inspirations from High Point Market!

Twice a year I head down to High Point Market in North Carolina to immerse myself in what's next and new in the industry.  This time around was a little special since Duralee asked me to dream up their showroom using some of the fabrics from the EKB line!  

Here are two of my favorite images of the Duralee showroom, too many to choose from.

Walking through the market is such a fuel-charge for me.  So many great products, color stories, compositions, and best of all-networking.  Here are the memorable and eye-catching peices I fell in love with.    

Loving this Starburst mirror by Christopher Guy.

Love the organic feel of these chandeliers by Low Country Originals.

Green was the color that stood out in this year's market.  

It was everywhere from case goods, art, fabrics, to accessories!   

Oscar De La Renta for Century. 

 Those fashion runway colors translate so well!

Modern green horizontal strie artwork by Leftbank

A lovely composition that's well balanced!

Color does not add a pleasant quality to design-it reinforces it.-Pierre Bonnard

  

&

Are teaming up to bring you an amazing 

Tastemaker Tag Sale

Thursday November 10th 2011

Mark your calendars, less than a month to go!  

The sale will run from 6pm Thursday November 10th - 8am Monday November 14.

I hand selected great pieces for the event.  From my many travels throughout Europe to the things I have custom designed......I know you'll find some treasure that you'll have to have! 

Here are some images of the photo shoot in prepping for the big event.  Ellen Warfield, the photographer, did an amazing job.

The talented photographer Ellen Warfield

The set up.

From camera to mac.....images look great!

All achievements, all earned riches, have their beginning in an idea-Napoleon Hill.