Category Archives: Romance

Romancing the Home

Birds do it, bees do it

Even educated fleas do it.

Let’s do it, let’s fall in love.

The ancient Romans and Greek did it,

Even nice young men who sell antiques do it,

Let’s do it, let’s fall in love. – Cole Porter

Recently I became inspired about falling in love, being in love, lost love, unrequited love and love at first sight. This inspiration came after seeing the  movie, Letters to Juliet.  I adored the sweet story and the gorgeous scenery of Italy. 

Where do you spend a third of your time? - The Bed

Here are some examples of romantic beds:

Sleep on a Bed of Roses – Sheets

Nothing is more luxurious than crisp and soft sheets. Since you spend a third of your life sleeping and other activities in your bed, it is wise to invest  in high thread count  sheets.

Beautiful and Billowy – Pillows

I have been known to take my pillow with me when I travel in fear that I will be subjected to a break your neck foam pillow. I recommend a combination feather and down pillow. The feathers will give you support and the down will add softness. I recommend feather and down fill pillows. Placing decorative pillows on top of the bed made out of luxurious fabrics and lace is a lovely touch also.

Glowing and Twinkling – Candles and Lights

Everything looks better in the soft, warm glow of candle light.  Dimmer switches should be added to overhead lighting so the mood can be changed.

Shimmer and Sparkle – Crystal

Make a room sparkle and shimmer with crystal. Saying the word crystal even sounds elegant!

Symbols of Love, Beauty and Passion – Flowers

Flowers are the sweetest thing God ever made and forgot to put a soul into – Henry Ward Beecher

There is always a place for flowers on a night stand, a bed side skirted table, an entry table, a dining room table and more. Trust the flowers to be fragrant and beautiful!

Come on Baby Light My Fire – Fireplaces

Is there anything more romantic than a fireplace in the bedroom?  This is me at the Lodge at Pebble Beach. I became transfixed for hours on that fire and kept it roaring for hours!

It’s Music to My Ears – Music

Everyone’s taste is different when it comes to music. Please remember to turn off the television and listen to music.

Aroma, Aroma, Aroma – Scent

The association of fragrance and emotion is not an invention of poets or perfume-makers. Our olfactory receptors are directly connected to the limbic system, the most ancient and primitive part of the brain, which is thought to be the seat of emotion.

I recommend the scent of jasmine to enhance your mood. Jasmine is used in aromatherapy to calm the emotions, and as an aphrodisiac. It is a valuable remedy in cases of depression because is produces a feeling of confidence, optimism and euphoria.  It revitalizes and restores the balance of energy.

I hope I have inspired you to add a little romance to your life!

Love is my religion – I could die for it. ­– John Keats

Ultraviolet

Once the color associated with royalty, purple is a rich and regal color. Deep purple represents luxury with a touch of romance.  On the color wheel, purple is a secondary color achieved my mixing blue and red pigments.  The hue varies according to the proportions of blue and red pigments to either a bright violet or soothing lavender blue.

Analogous color schemes of red violet, violet, blue violet, blue naturally occur in nature and make for harmonious color arrangements.  Violet is the color associated with a meditative state and is represented by the third eye chakra. Lavender is fresh and visually calming and looks good paired with blues, pinks and white.

Hues of Purple

Designers Guild Textile

Designers Guild Textile

Designers Guild Textile

Floral Arrangement by CMC Design Studio

Color Board by CMC Design Studio

Olioboard by CMC Design Studio

 

 

 

 

Francophilia

Yesterday I went to see the latest Woody Allen movie, Midnight in Paris and today I have been thinking about all things French. The beginning of the film is a picture postcard of memorable French landmarks and throughout the film you are presented with a visual delight of the allure and beauty of Paris. Since seeing the film, I have researched some of the locations of filming and would like to share my visual delight.

This is the official poster from the movie Midnight in Paris

This is the hotel location Hotel Le Bristol where many of the scenes were filmed in Paris.

The panoramic suite at Hotel Le Bristol decorated in Louis XV furniture style. I love the beautiful bombe chest.

Hotel suite at Hotel Le Bristol decorated in Toile de Jouy textiles in Rococo style.

Hotel suite at Hotel Le Bristol decorated in Louis XV furniture style

The lush gardens at the Hotel Le Bristol

Sculpture of The Thinker by Auguste Rodin at the Rodin Museum in Paris

Scenic view of the Seine River with Notre Dame in the background.

A painting by Claude Monet at the Musée de l’Orangerie which is an art gallery of impressionist and post impressionist paintings on the Place de la Concorde in Paris.

A Paris Metro station sign designed by architect Hector Guimard in the French Art Nouveau style.

The Eiffel Tower in the City of Lights designed by Gustave Eiffel who also designed the structure of the Statue of Liberty.

 

Amorous for Glamorous

You’re just too marvelous
Too marvelous for words
Like glorious glamorous
And that old standby amorous

– Johnny Mercer

What makes a room glamorous?


Attractive    Alluring     Beautiful     Charming       Captivating     Elegant     Bewitching

Color     Texture   Shine    Sparkle   Touch

 


 


Resource List:

Amy Howard

House Beautiful

Nancy Corzine

Safavieh Rugs

Sherwin Williams

Tufenkian

Williams Sonoma Home

Happy Valentine’s Day

Red Hot

“A room without red is like a woman without lipstick.” I heard this statement more times than I care to mention from a teacher I had in interior design school. Since I have quoted it here, obviously the statement made a lasting impression. The color red is associated with passion, love, blood, luck, fire, heat, anger and power. You cannot help but react to seeing the color red, which is why it is used so often in advertising, fast cars, stop signs and red ink. It is considered good luck to paint a front door red. Restaurants use the color red for its physiological effect of stimulating the brain and the appetite.

Painting the color red on walls makes an intense design statement. Dining rooms are a good place to paint the walls red, cranberry or vermilion. When used with the other primary colors of blue and yellow youthful color schemes are often created. The classic complementary scheme of red and green is what we are accustomed to seeing at Christmastime. Red pairs well with other warm colors of yellow and orange. Roll out your red carpet, put away the red flag, get red hot and ready to see more red.

Botanicalbird on Etsy
Botanicalbird on Etsy
Eleni's Cookies
Eleni’s Cookies
Botanicalbird on Etsy
Botanicalbird on Etsy

 

Pierre Frey
Pierre Frey

 

Pierre Frey
Pierre Frey
Pierre Frey
Pierre Frey
Bungalow 5
Bungalow 5
Lamplight Designs
Lamplight Designs
Patina Bombe Chest
Patina Bombe Chest
Patina Secretarie
Patina Secretarie
Jaima Brown Wallpaper
Jaima Brown Wallpaper

By:  Charisse Marie Colbert, CMC Design Studio