Color Inspiration: Yellow

It's the color of daffodils, sunshine, and Spring. In honor of this being the first day of March, I'm showing off some of my favorite yellows . . .

(image via Poppytalk)

I can't help but drool over these smooth, modern yellow cabinets. Those of you who think yellow is just for country kitchens -- think again!

The cover of the new West Elm catalog, featuring this sunny Everett chair, made me smile.

I'm so happy that CB2 has reinvented the traditional Mexican Acapulco chair . . . check out their Ixtapa chair in these delicious colors!

Our favorite yellow paint color is Laguna Yellow (Benjamin Moore 291). It really made this kitchen and dining room that we staged glow.

And speaking of Benjamin Moore, they've selected Lemon Sorbet as their color of the year. This buttery yellow brings a soft brightness to surfaces.

Do you use yellow in your home decorating? Tell us about it, in the comments below.

We love CB2's lookbook

Have you visited CB2 lately? We think they got it just right this season -- great colors, shapes and textures. Their latest catalog is full of inspiration -- here are some of our favorite spreads.

This photo shows how you can use bold and modern items in an older home with wood trim and details. The juxtaposition of old and new is exciting and fresh.

We admire how they've mixed colors here -- cool and warm tones against a neutral gray wall. The artwork ties everything together.

On an opposite note, these white walls and other neutrals get just a pop of color from the fabulous new green sofa. The expert mixing here comes in the form of texture -- sleek plexiglass, rich leather, painted wood and smooth fabric.

And if you need some pillows to inject a new feel to your bedroom or living room, look no further. CB2 has a terrific assortment (we've already picked up a few ourselves).

Book Review: Home by Novogratz

We just picked up the new design book Home by Novogratz, and boy are we glad we did! This book is chock-full of great ideas, tips and photos -- providing a feast for your right brain as well as practical information for your left side.

You gotta love the cover photo -- complete with the dimpled smirks of Cortney and Robert and all seven of their kids! For those of you not familiar with this dynamic design duo, the Novogratzes host their own HGTV show, Home by Novogratz, and also have a line of furniture and accessories right now in CB2. Their signature style is a modern/vintage mix, with bold accents -- most often in lighting and artwork.

I love how this book is organized. Each chapter is dedicated to one design project, and they share the budget, the goal and the client's wish list so you can really understand why they do what they do. They begin with a large photo of "Where we started" (i.e., the "Before") and end with a "Where we ended" ("After") photo. Cortney and Robert take readers through the major steps of each project, complete with photos and snappy little tips.

Each chapter also includes user-friendly info graphics like the one below.

And you even get a line-by-line breakdown of exactly how they spent the client's budget. This is a great added bonus that most designers don't share.

Here are some more treats from the book. Check out this fireplace transformation!

In this photo you see one of the Novogratzes' signature tricks: mismatching the dining room chairs -- choosing highly contrasting armchairs vs. side chairs.

How amazing is this room, created for triplets? Playful wall art (custom wall paper) and colorful lighting are also a sure sign that this room was Novogratzed.

This may be my favorite of all the excellent design books that have rolled out this past year. It has just the right balance of photography and information, and it's organized and easy to follow. If you want to be inspired and informed without being overwhelmed, this book is for you!

Sectionals for comfort and style

We're noticing that more people are choosing sectionals -- rather than sofas -- for their living spaces. A sectional is a great option if you want to include a "lounge" into your seating plan (perfect for TV watching). And when you have a sectional, you only need one other side chair, instead of two that would be next to a traditional sofa.

BoConcept allows you to create your own modular system from their pieces. We especially like the Mezzo and the Istra models, shown below.

We're also fans of the Replay sectional from EQ3:

And we think the Dual Chocolate Sectional from CB2 is just yummy!

And let's not forget the Karlstad sectional from Ikea -- one of Jill's personal favorites!

Modern Goes Global

The global decorating trend is still going strong. It's easier than ever to find unique objects that can take your home from "modern" to "modern eclectic."

For example, we just discovered a local treasure called Ring of Fire, which imports goods from Bali and Southeast Asia. Look at these colors and textures -- so inspiring!

Used strategically, these treasures can really add an extra pop to an otherwise modern space. We picked up a few of these gorgeous umbrellas to brighten up our backyard . . .

. . . and we found these beautiful white boxes that add an exotic touch to our modern orange bench.

And check out this painting, created by a Balinese street artist -- you'd think we bought it in a gallery rather than an import store!

Here in Berkeley, there are many import stores that offer eclectic decor options. For Moroccan treasures, check out Sahara, and African Fashion, Gifts and Crafts Center is full of goods from all over Africa.

Many major retailers have also jumped on the global bandwagon. West Elm's newest collection includes pieces created by Potter's Workshop, a South African artist collective.

Also at West Elm are the Kuba Benches, covered in a traditional handwoven Congolese textile called Kuba cloth. Each is one-of-a-kind.

And CB2 offers "One of a Finds"-- described as "original works created in collaboration with passionate artisans we discover on our travels around the world."

You can make a big impact in your home by adding unexpected items, especially when they're from another part of the world. Use an Indian sari as a tablecloth, or put your mail in a handwoven basket from Guatemala. Keep your eyes open for unique finds -- and bring a global touch to your modern space.

Bringing Color to the Table

This week we spent some time in Ikea, where the Reidar chair really caught our eye. It comes in 4 colors, including this vibrant blue -- and it's a great deal at $49.99.

It's no secret that we love color, so the idea of bright chairs around the dining or kitchen table really appeals to us. You can even mix an assortment together for a really fun look, as shown here:

image via Pinterest via Summer Allen

If you want to achieve this look in your home, here are some other great options for colorful chairs in stores and online right now.

These are both from CB2: the Echo Orange Chair is $89.95 and the Fleet chartreuse chair is on sale for $129 (regularly $149).

If you're ready to make more of an investment, Design Within Reach offers the 111 Navy Chair for $260; or the Era Round Armchair for $225 (both chairs are available in other fun colors too).

And for a nice shot of Kelly green, try the Ming Green side chair from Crate and Barrel, $199.

Diamonds are a decorator's best friend

Bold graphic diamond patterns are hot in the home decorating world right now. The British Ideal Home magazine called out this trend in its November 2011 issue, and we're now seeing diamonds everywhere.

We just purchased the frizzle pillow from CB2 -- and we love how it looks next to our funky retro diamond flea market lamp.

We also love the Chicago building prints from CB2, featuring abstract photographs of famous architecture from the windy city that look like geometric shapes.

Over at West Elm, the Souk Rug and the Embroidered Diamond Links pillow offer other interpretations of the diamond trend.

We say -- invest in diamonds this winter!

A First Apartment

Is there anything more exciting than moving into your first apartment? A new start, a fresh perspective . . . but what to do about those bland floors and white walls? Just take the stuff you have, mix in some new accessories, throw in a few vintage pieces -- and you've transformed a sterile, ubiquitous space into a pad that reflects your personal style.

For example, take this living room: it started as a basic box, but styling magic changed it into a comfortable, colorful hang-out spot.

Sources: Ikea lamps and couch, West Elm rug, vintage flea market art, Crate and Barrel Marimekko pillow, handmade leopard pillow.

And in the bedroom, a happy color wall makes the other accessories pop!

Sources: vintage mid-century chair, CB2 bedding and side table, Ikea lamp, wall color: Bali Hai from Glidden.

Since the dining room is also serving as a home office, we chose to paint one wall a warm red to help differentiate the two spaces.

Sources:  Ikea chairs and tables, CB2 clock, wall color: Old Glory from Glidden.

And don't overlook the entryway! This is a great focal point for colorful accessories, as seen here:

Sources: Vintage stool from Mignonne, plexi console from CB2, pop art from Ikea and our personal stash.

Although the results look like weeks of work, we pulled together this apartment in one weekend! Your first apartment can be your first interior style statement -- just try different combinations, mix old with new, and introduce some color to your world.

All styling by Allie and Jill McCoy.

CB2 Pillows

Pillows are an easy, affordable way to switch things up and make a new statement. Here are some of our favorite pillows from CB2's latest collection.  Mixing your new pillows with existing pillows is a great way to refresh your color scheme or decor.   

We mixed some of our older pillows from West Elm, Urban Outfitters, Ikea and CB2 with the new pillows from CB2.

Controlled Chaos

Oh hello, I didn't see you sitting there...

"Summer of Love" Ottoman - Mignonne

 yeah...right...

This amazing ottoman is hardly something you don't notice! And being the color-lovers that we are, we fell for it instantly. The wild print and daring accents are not for the meek or mild, but in the right setting, this piece is totally fab:

seal lamp, yellow side table - Urban Outfitters :: yellow pillows, graphic pillow - CB2 :: "A" - Alameda Antique Fair

The wild mix of prints, colors, and styles in this 18-year-old's room could easily spin out of control, but with thoughtful coordination it confidently evokes eclectic, energetic, and trés cool.

The key is to balance bold prints (the ottoman), with subtle prints (the bedspread--I know, I never thought I'd live to see the day I called leopard a "subtle" print!), and carry the main colors throughout in solids (walls and pillows). Throw in some black and white so your eye has a place to rest (photo on the wall and graphic pillow on the bed), add your favorite whimsical flea-market and garage sale finds to mix it up, and voila! Controlled Chaos! Now go get crazy...

*Credits: Allie McCoy - Contributing Stylist, Kyoko Jackson - Photography