Est. 2001
October 2015 

  

Greetings! 

  

Margaret Blunt, Owner,
Sew Beautiful

Autumn has arrived! While falling leaves may remind some of raking, they remind me that nature is a master painter! The glorious colors of fall - rusts, reds, and golds - stimulate my senses and inspire me to use those colors to enhance my surroundings.
  

This month's Feature Article is all about color - how to select colors that make you feel comfortable and that express your own personality. In our Feature Project, we have shown how we utilized cozy autumn hues to enhance a client's wall of windows with stationary panels and sheer shades. 


October is Window Covering Safety Month. Technology now makes it possible to eliminate dangerous cords from shades and blinds, and even allow you to program or operate them remotely from your smartphone! Check out Hunter Douglas' Fall Season of Style Rebate, available through December 7.
 

May you enjoy the colorful ballet of falling leaves this season as they dance and decorate the outdoors.

 

All the best -

 
 
Margaret
SewBeautiful
In This Issue
Did You Know...
Feature Project
Choosing Color with Confidence
Hunter Douglas Promotion

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Did You Know...

...that colors have been known to affect your moods, feelings and behavior? 

While perceptions of color are subjective, there are some effects that have universal meaning. For example, colors in the red area of the spectrum are known as warm colors, and include red, orange and yellow. These colors evoke emotions of comfort. Colors on the blue side of the spectrum are known as cool colors, and include blue, purple and green. These colors are often described as calm.

To learn more about the psychology of color with regard to decorating your home, click here.

Feature Project


  




Challenging windows are our specialty!

In this client's home, we brought the cozy colors of autumn indoors for year-round enjoyment. These beautifully embroidered faux-silk panels, in vibrant shades of rust, bronze and green, add warmth without interrupting the natural flow of light - which is important during the shortened days of fall and winter.

The Hunter Douglas Silhouette Shades were the ideal solution for this great room's wall of windows. Not only do they provide light control, but they also come in specialty shapes, as you can see in the arch. See below for the special fall Hunter Douglas rebate offering.



Choosing Color with Confidence


Imagine how dull the world would be without color! The orange sunset and the red rose would not appeal to our emotions if they were mere shades of gray. Luckily, color is real and vibrant, and it reflects our personalities, from the cars we drive to the rooms we live in. Yet, perhaps because of its importance, selecting color is often the most difficult part of decorating. Playing it safe can be boring, but for those who can't decide, it often ends up being the default. If you dare to show your personality, here are some tips for easy color selection that might allow you to boldly go where you haven't gone before... with no regrets:

Determine the purpose of the color. Is it a backdrop or an accent in the room? Color can change the perception of a room's size, shape and personality, and can also make a small room feel larger and a larger room feel cozier. Color can help hide imperfections in walls or showcase great art. Once you determine the purpose for your color, you've already narrowed your choices considerably.

Feel comfortable in your space. It may be the latest trend, and it may be splashed all over your favorite magazine, but if it doesn't make you feel good in your space, then it's not your best choice. Color is personal. We experience emotional reactions to certain colors, and this affects our perception of it. For example, in color psychology, yellow is the color of the mind and the intellect - optimistic and cheerful. However, it can also suggest impatience.

Pay attention to lighting. Natural daylight shows the truest color. Incandescent lighting brings out warm tones and yellows. Fluorescent lighting casts a sharp blue tone. If a strong color is overpowering next to a large window, it might be perfect when used as an accent wall with indirect light.

Don't believe the color myths. Do white walls really make a room feel larger? The reality is that contrast is what will impact the illusion of size. If you have dark furniture and you want the room to feel larger, steer away from light colored walls. Instead use a color closer to the furniture, so they melt into one another rather than contrasting. Another myth is that ceilings should be white; it is simply a matter of preference. For a dramatic effect, paint the ceiling one shade darker than your walls - a fantastic look!

Find your inspiration. If you're redecorating a room and you're not quite sure where to start, find a rug, or dynamite artwork that you're drawn to and pull your colors from that piece. You'll be amazed at how that focal point can set the mood and color story for your space.

Hire a professional for a color consultation. If you're still apprehensive about choosing the perfect color palette for your room(s), seek the help of a professional. Your favorite decorative painter or interior decorator should be able to help you confidently select the colors and the look you've been seeking.

Choosing colors doesn't need to be overwhelming; you just need to know some tricks of the trade, and you'll be well on your way to selecting your own color paradise with confidence.

If you, or someone you know, are looking for help with a decorating project please contact us for an in-home consultation. We help homeowners dress their windows and complete their rooms with well designed and beautifully made custom window treatments, pillows, cushions, bedding, upholstery and more. To schedule an in-home consultation, call (410) 544-3300 or email margaret@sewbeautifulwindows.com.

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