Pantone just announced that Turquoise is the  Color of the Year for 2010! 

oh goody.  this color is dreamy, vibrant and looks amazing on everyone.  it also pairs well with a variety of colors to add visual interest and your personal stamp:

 - pair with black for a jewel-tone effect
 - pair with chocolate brown for a earthy feeling
 - pair with winter white for a crisp, clean look
 - pair with other brights (orange!  yellow!  fuchsia! violet!) for pizazz!

Whether in small doses (like a great turquoise necklace) or as a main player (like a fab sweater) or as the kicker (as in a great pair of flats!) – you’ll be wise to invest in a few turquoise additions as we move into 2010.  after all, it’s not like colors ever really go out of style, right?!

if you know me, you know i have a thing for bright colors.  my closet looks like a wild rainbow of colors.  my drawers are stacked with every color, stripe and polka dot.  i have a stack of thank tops that look like they could be in a display – one of every possible color.  it’s my thing.

i also happen to love classically tailored clothing – timeless looks that never go out of style and so long as i don’t change sizes – i should be able to wear for the next 20 years if i so choose. 

take your classic styles + heavy doses of bright colors = Jennifer Reale Designs.

she’s chic, modern and always appropriate.  trends don’t exist in the line – only happy, fun, girlish creations that are perfect for gals who always wear a gigantic smile.  i imagine the resort/spring collection works well while lunching al fresco, at a summer wedding, or an afternoon of shopping.

buyers:  the resort/spring collection consists of 5 deliveries beginning on 12/30 and spreading through to 4/30.  there include many items that are available the entire season.  great cotton sateens, fluid jerseys and dreamy silks round out the fabric choices.  prices are better contemporary.  hangs well with Trina Turk and Nanette Lepore.  contact sales@jenniferreale.com for linesheets and lookbooks.

shoppers:  though you’ll have to wait awhile until you see these preview items in store – you can always shop online now for current collections.

happy October!!

usually at this time of the year, i’m thinking deep oranges, golden yellows, reds – the colors that burst from the trees in Fall.  but now i’m into a cooler palette.  feels almost wintry – but so chic and modern.

it was all inspired by a sweater i purchased on a recent visit to St. Louis.  and now i’m diggin the deep grey, bright chartreuse and lilac palette.

Enjoy~

items featured in this months color story include:

paint:  sherwin-williams

fainting lounge:  urban outfitters

rug: the Rugstore NE

shoes:  J. crew

mirror:  target

urns:  Carolyn Roehm

pouf:  Graham & Green

i’ve always been obsessed with combining colors.  i enjoy mixing odd pairs, bright with subdued, jewel with neutral and so on.  inspiration for color combos can be found virtually everywhere –  wrapping paper, fabrics, gardens, toys, magazines, groceries, cosmetics, museums,  – and especially your own closet.

i used to paint one room in my bedroom a different color each season (yes – four times a year) and then change various accessories, throw pillows and the like.  i wanted my room to reflect my mood.  often my need to change came by seeing something that sparked an interest in a new color combination.

whether styling an outfit with your existing merchandise, determining unique color combos for your displays, or simply deciding on a color scheme for your store (logo, etc) – color is a very important and malleable trait.

because i’m so in love with color – i’m going to begin doing monthly posts about a scheme i dream up or that gets me excited.

so here’s my color palette for August:  chocolate, pumpkin, magenta, light mustard, graphite.

lovely things shown include:

• rowen pillow : Crate & Barrel
• feelin’ groovy : Flor
• acco wallpaper : Twenty2
• camille pendant : Seascape Lamps
• vintage orange chair:  eBay
• raindrop mirror:  pottery barn
• paints:  Benjamin Moore

 

this palette reminds me of candy, though it was inspired by the richness of impending fall and the aura of back-to-school shopping sweetness.  these colors translate beautifully in a room, a shop – and especially an outfit!

what do you think?  what color combos are you into right now?