Do you know the color of your soul?

Picture a beautiful bright rainbow breaking through rainclouds.  The storm has passed.  The sweet smell of negative ions fill the air - a clean, fresh smell.  A feeling of hope - a new day.

          Shades of gray and brilliant  colors of the rainbows prism inspired this year's Fall Furniture Market.  Could it be a sign of better days ahead?  I certainly hope it is so.  While we wrestle with color trends and an uncertain economy, maybe we can take a hint from nature.

(Fabrics from the Stickley Showroom at the2011 Fall Furniture Market featuring grays, blues, yellows & peridot green.)

          Nature is one of my favorite sources of inspiration when it comes to creating a color palette.  So, you can imagine my shock when someone asks, "Do blue and green go together?"  I reply, "Look at the sky and the trees.  They're beautiful."  The same rule applies when someone asks about mixing different wood species.  I cannot imagine a forest of trees all one color.

          When I talk to someone who is color blind, it makes me appreciate that I am blessed with a gift to see colors and combinations of colors.   Like an artist who learns all the rules of art and, then, breaks them, I've learned to appreciate the evolution of color in historical designs and, yet, love to revive those same designs with new color combinations and patterns.

          My favorite style is Oriental - a nod to my Chinese ancestry - but with my own twist.  I have used the same fabric for twenty years.  It is a 20th century interpretation of oriental fans - a timeless combination, especially when you examine the layers of sixteen colors. 

So, there is my secret formula:  find a design/style you love and choose a complex palette.  You'll be able to play with different colors through the years and discover the many seasons of your heart and soul.

Of course, if you are color challenged, I invite you to contact me - we'll find the perfect colors for you!