Quick Therapy For Those Afraid of Color

this is not my kitchen, but I wish it was
- dark red and dirty pink love it!

There is a design movement out there that thinks no color makes good design.  Everything is white, gray, cream. I know I am treading on thin ice here because I am probably talking about 3/4 of YOU, my beloved readers.  But I do like to shake things up every now and then.  Basically design movements are all just a reaction to what came before, same as with fashion.  I'm laughing recently because my 14 year old daughter is all over "high waisted pants".

Here in Italy you can't imagine how many spaces I have painted neutral colors, my clients are so happy (relieved) to to pick "Tortora" Taupe.  And Taupe can be grey or brown or lavender so it is a good neutral.  Guess what this reflects, how scarred we are and of course people are scarred look at what we have been through with the world economy and years of war and violence.  These colors make people feel safe, I understand.  But I believe that color makes us feel happy and happiness reimburses it's self.

Here is Nat's quick therapy for those of you afraid of color.

You can start by eating something that is very colorful, then imagine something in your life that color.  What might it be, a dresser, a wall, bathroom towels...

blood-red orange slices

You can go out and buy an accessory that is totally crazy for your style and see if people react more joyfully toward you.  When women wear red or pink subconsciously men think it is sexy.  Why because in the animal world the blush is a sign that the female is ovulating.  We are all just animals, keep that in mind.

I bought this travel bag this week.  It is not a great color for a
 dish-water blond like me but it makes me so happy it's ridiculous

Pick something colored that does not go in the house for a tester.

in turn I believe guys who like color are sexy, confident and fun

Throw a colored blanket over your couch and see if there is a family revolt or if actually everyone wants to sit there.  If you live alone, take note how you feel.

change is good

Add colors that you like.  Do you like warm tones or cold tones?

kiwi-green and blue-gray

And lastly it is a fun idea to add color to your Foyer this way the rest of the house can stay neutral and you still have a welcome when you get home.

What does everyone out there think of color?

Natalie

I am linking with:

French Country Cottage
Savvy Southern Style
Romantic Home
The Shabby Creek Cottage

Contrast

yellow and white field with fruit trees

we all have an orange ladder and a yellow path in our grasp

I had to go to Spello today.  I took the bike, it didn't rain (since it did last night) and there were sure signs of spring.  I felt a little like I was in heaven.

Umbria and a flash of color

this guy is doing something cool with the fruit trees as vines

the rosemary is blooming

I do love this little bridge, I already crossed over

We have had a long rainy. cold, gray winter here in Italy.  For a while we had no Pope and we still have what you might call "not a government".  I'll just say they fight a lot.

I don't want you to get any romantic ideas about Foligno, Italy.  So I'm going to burst the bubble, I want to show you some of our reality.

Then maybe I'll go back to being a good girl.

One friend says can't you write a blog on Foligno because then maybe you could make it pretty.  They are working on the sewer system and the streets for YEARS.  You literally can't get through it, or you thought you could get through because you did an hour ago, and I'm talking on foot, forget the car.  It is hard not to go completely insane.  The only thing they can do fast in this country is down an espresso in 2.5 seconds, that is after stirring in the sugar for 1 minute and then thinking about it and caressing the cup for another half a minute then boom it's down.   I know, I know you are thinking about the Lamborghini's and Ferrari's and maybe other events I did not mention.

here's our main piazza.  how did they even get the trucks there? not by crain as usual

I guess I won't go to the market this way.

don't think about going to church to pray 

oh and here' behind my house, they are very good at moving dirt for months

On a design level Contrast is just lovely.

It is important to have a plan that works and functions.  If it isn't functioning then, guess what you can change the plan.  It's called Plan B.

You know what is so funny.  In my own life I often forget about Plan B.  I get so concentrated on making Plan A work, forcing it to work.  Then I remember I can twist my brain a little and it is such a splendid surprise to realize that Plan B is better.

Natalie