Vancouver Winter Olympics

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height="350" width="425"><param value='http://youtube.com/v/_xMz2SnSWS4' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/_xMz2SnSWS4'/></object></p><p>The Winter Olympics start today, and as I am writing this I can hear the cheers from the crowds on the street outside my office and the hum of helicopters overhead. Exciting times. The city all a buzz and full of people from all over the world. I live and work downtown, so I will be able to walk to all the activities. I am sure a lot of you will be glued to your TV rooting for your Countries. <br /><br />This YouTube video is amazing. Sometimes I forget just how beautiful my city is.<br /></p></div>

Vancouver Winter Olympics

The Winter Olympics start today, and as I am writing this I can hear the cheers from the crowds on the street outside my office and the hum ...

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Reinventing Blue

<p align="justify">And I mean a deep, dark, luscious Blue. It is showing up in walls, fabrics, carpets and accessories. It is a blue that doesn't have green or red in it. It is almost black and is warmer than lighter blues and has more life and depth than Black. It is the deepest shade of Indigo as seen in <a href="http://patriciagrayinc.blogspot.com/2007/07/ikat-textiles.html" target="_blank">Ikat Textiles</a>. It is the color of the sky on a moonlit night. It is mysterious, moody, classic, timeless, calming, and refreshing. It can have a glossy finish or be totally matt. It is beautiful when contrasted with pure white. My favorite Benjamin Moore paint colors are Polo Blue, Blackberry Punch, Kensington Blue, Blue Gaspe, Hale Navy, and Old Navy. Some deep blue colors are: sapphire, azure, beryl, cerulean, cobalt, indigo, navy, royal, midnight blue, slate, steel blue, Prussian blue.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3d_D6P1CVLSMoRcNb2DQXJMo29W_2gmkUejNCjC10B5PPdWdmNeGZN5kRAC1n_GhxmoOORISaSgPh0LOTZxHPxgNCRc-uXFQ_ptLNKHQtHTza9aVWj4XCt6dGW_Q_-kCA5yR2FP_lg6bF/s1600-h/image13%5B1%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="605" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcc-C37dEArX3TpEfupPKafHnVOuOBdZmFC4pBFEqpZPA76xaKrvvDAlrEoTMnVAMgcBdXfzTOS3ihopIVV8i8_7soYFI0YzIDR8iFEbyVe7k2w8cBEv9DuNuFiASSAComavEwllcl_WK/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="image" width="500" /></a> </p> <p align="center">The high gloss finish on this wall has a subtle reflectivity to it that changes at different times of the day and literally sparkles at night. </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3oFvSyBwtQCxfT7EpaVj-ZWYDJN1bhgOf49dtLf0jB3b-gd_XeIUW9txX_DvF8_2ba46PwkKVBVyCOsA_S515H7V33meWj7v7lSRHeSjVnf4FS3FMiBTXQ-ky4Aiq4VSXWFjfN4I3sge/s1600-h/psychiko5631%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="psychiko-56" border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRRao_X9u-rm42rxmRGupIJReZ_Y9yt_RW0AeRl3LJQt4OHyFcaf1ICfSPRCh9rzgqbZJPSBoc4rKR3ZgSKrX67qjFOOGY_vZSYreAW6NUEZHCRcipDh15EQ1HG7BnNrYhr5CKflLKimu/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="500" /></a></p> <p align="center">Alberto Pinto has used a deep blue in the bold geometric carpet as his only color in this wonderful Master Bedroom.</p> </a> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiub8vqkCzr8O9eA_7eZYeA3viOUO9SLlQvjfaINNAguoTnPc1VWm204SN3rK8h7LnnFIOmMnuKyB2qI1b1r8qMbwvxnbSg886O7n-Lcvhpx3Ptr9qhe2_w_MghpwnoWPUY8_K8DIhIBvAs/s1600-h/image30%5B1%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kkaSLFb5fTCojiQM38mKRQzCK5Hfknk79dTgMbaZuKTxnZcIBIqklCVo0MPaFVqtodSm9-uiQwC2E9UqTnFATsTZE7rQ3C8DDLmJ9vtdSS4mBO-rR_w8hPWFKqmmgzSWG7EIZF9VeMhh/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="image" width="500" /></a> </p> <p align="center">A deep and refreshing Mediterranean blue has been used on the walls at JK Capri Hotel in Italy.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrjE_c7h_w3DiNeNxpMrKpnqrd41pMy-0FclOehsHgwnDz9kNqKMdFZCxJ1jnfKlrfyDWdo1G6-1KRUpoA5XYxU0M6ofkahE16Gf0qphOGq7p-ggVVHAO80aq18GUMZndaTqWKcY0plVx/s1600-h/image%5B29%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafobxdmMPxKJgf4Kb-QVwWHhBDDyVwvbOPiPjHIgvBvg3apgkihZLRJQukg4o9MF7B201PXHdC_6zIcec-kMoDzX7dhwFJowgXTjmxULtht4tDb_iwP_QvpExVf7PWw4VTksI6xkn_mp2/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="image" width="250" /></a> </p> <p align="center">A deep "French Blue" velvet for this classic chair.</p> <p align="justify">  <br />I am in the process of designing a guest bedroom and I have chosen a deep blue silk for the curtains called Moonlight. I am putting a natural woven raffia roman shade on the window behind the curtains for some textural interest. The walls will be painted the same shade as the silk curtains: Benjamin Moore "Blue Gaspe". The Headboard is a heavy white Belgium linen. The bedding is white Egyptian cotton with an Hermes cashmere blanket in a deep charcoal color on the end of the bed. The carpet is wool and is the color of white coral. I will hang black and white "ocean" photographs that I have taken on my travels on the blue walls to finish it off. </p> <p align="center">Let me know if these deep luscious shades of blue are slated to become one of your new favorite colors? <br /> <br /><font size="1">Photo Credits from top: Dominio, Alberto Pinto, JK Capri Hotel, Jayson Home. </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://patriciagrayinc.com/"><font size="1">PATRICIA GRAY INC</font></a><font size="1"> is an award winning interior design firm writing about lifestyle and <br />WHAT'S HOT in the world of interior design, architecture, art and travel. <br /></font><a href="http://patriciagrayinc.blogspot.com/"><font size="1">2011 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™</font></a></p>

Reinventing Blue

And I mean a deep, dark, luscious Blue. It is showing up in walls, fabrics, carpets and accessories. It is a blue that doesn't have gree...

Read more »

2010 Color Reform Trends

<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhIBvOns2VxdldGz96erAVdVieco6mKl14k1QdJSLZ1rfX5-i26dIp9W6wkrL7gtwDNSBoCs_udgGFPK3fyFkkyloMaC-lQzIwOf9FPxFbTZEdncp1XfLLzXJtEIi57dVFfAunH9jn6-n/s1600-h/image%5B1%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUH4ikKn7l16MKK0K4zeFvuRZiO3oJ1lzx2Do5toNuNV9_yTR0cGKH2LbiFu3hLjSBLN4SbuaPrje6GPL5jVmaPu9DgB3R5hfHpAWTlNt4jgZ9NJBHl2Msge4zpZCuh_TxooxMf_QXYTY2/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="500" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="1">ABC Carpet & Home Vintage 'over-dyed' carpets</font> </strong></p> <p align="center">ABC CARPET NEW YORK INTRODUCES COLOR REFORM TRENDS COLLECTION TO SALVAGE OLD RUGS </p> <p align="justify">I got an interesting email from <a href="http://www.abccarpet.com/" target="_blank">ABC Carpet & Home</a> New York this week, that captured my interest - they (ABC Carpet & Home) is encouraging us to look on the bright side for 2010 with a their new rug collection that promises to: "<em>escape predictability, embrace the unconventional, and help preserve our planet</em>." This new assortment of hybrid carpets called Color Reform, transforms imperfect, vintage rugs into modern works of art. ABC Carpets are literally  “...rescuing carpets from the “rug graveyard” and giving them a new lease on life.”</p> <p align="justify">ABC Carpet & Home has utilized this notion to develop the concept of Color Reform, which refers to evolutionary change through color. Each one of a kind rug was individually handcrafted by Turkish artisans in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mountains_in_Turkey" target="_blank">Toros Mountains</a>. The vintage rugs are neutralized to remove their original color and then over-dyed to create their remarkable chromatic state. The variations in the tonality of pigments result from the carpet’s original concentration of color combined with the dye application process conceived from each artist’s distinct vision. </p> <p align="justify">Exotic rainbow hues range from neon pink and electric green to opulent reds and saturated yellows. The striking compositions evoke an almost translucent appearance as irregular, partially faded motifs emerge through the color, adding complexity and interest to each piece. Below is one of my favourites in the series, in a more neutral color palette, that I think you would be able to live with for many years to come and pass on to future generations.</p> <p align="center"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-UtOiD25gVytbj1zoVhQF1BkcAqYGTiMdn6mB6XQgGAaDS-otsK_V1nrEFCZGdQLRFEBXs4y4RH6CNHlZ0pDgFc0epzKi6t1Cc9o8XOIIJXhPvIC9-HTjjW9QPsPq3hwgYynS8qL6AXF/s1600-h/image6%5B2%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplgnH10jLKd_wjp0AN3M9VEiUWLAdsicU4eYgYWVPFPYLrDKTRzmziO2j9Ql3nxs0XvMwPT9SRSDReQ9-nM_OObmZ2-lhTLqUztUJSqpYTb_YvbHHjumpGUOF9VZyOhBxQrGyFpOijp7U/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="250" /></a> <br /><font size="1">ABC Carpet & Home Color Reform <br /><strong>Vintage 'over-dyed' carpet</strong> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://patriciagrayinc.com/"><font size="1">PATRICIA GRAY INC</font></a><font size="1"> is an award winning interior design firm writing about lifestyle and <br />WHAT'S HOT in the world of interior design, architecture, art and travel. <br /></font><a href="http://patriciagrayinc.blogspot.com/"><font size="1">2011 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™</font></a></p>

2010 Color Reform Trends

  ABC Carpet & Home Vintage 'over-dyed' carpets ABC CARPET NEW YORK INTRODUCES COLOR REFORM TRENDS COLLECTION TO SALVAGE OL...

Read more »