"Lavender is the new beige." The September 2007 issue of House Beautiful is all about color and "the New Neutrals." There's a great section that features some fresh paint color ideas. Most people opt for "neutral" colors for wall color, and House Beautiful asked a bunch of designers to offer some new ideas to challenge the notion that "neutral" has to be just beige and taupe tones...
They give examples like lavender hues, greens, and even a "parrot" red that I've now become unexpectedly drawn to. Definitely check this issue out if you're considering a fresh coat of paint in your home, or perhaps going to tackle a little DIY project this long weekend. They also have some amazing house tours and several combination examples inside. The September 2007 issue is out on newstands now.
Alexis' Modern Glass House 
Before & After: A Bathroom Goes From Pinky Peach to Sleek and Chic
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Tom Black Espadrille
20 Scrumptious Brunch Recipes 
Magic One-Ingredient Ice Cream 5 Ways: Peanut Butter, Nutella, and More
Comments (9)
I've been wanting to paint my walls a mauve-ish lavendar (brown-based) for quite awhile.
"Lavender is the new beige."
Excuse my childish reaction, but: *puke*
:)
I use a shade of very faint grayish-lavender for my bedroom and bathroom. In bright light, the color is noticeable but in lamplight looks like a glowing, moon shadow white. I love it!
The Mesquite in the House Beautiful link (5 of 14) is very similar to what I want to use in my living/dining area. All of these colours are very restful and serene, I think.
"Lavender is the new beige"?
And this is news? I mean, I love HB, but John Saladino brought lavender out of the closet when he painted his Long Island bedroom that color and filled it with celadon silk curtains, taupe mohair upholstery & an Evening-in-Paris-blue silk bedspread--and that was 25 years ago.
And speaking of the 8Os & everything old being new again, at last weekend's Randolph Street Antiques Market in Chicago, I saw a pair of Patrick Nagel posters framed in historically accurate Jungle Red lacquer for only $65 apiece! Get 'em while they're fresh.
Magnaverde.
HB has been getting better and better and this last issue really blew me away. The houses they featured were truly amazing and the paint feature was really helpful. Loved this issue!
This issue is a must-read for ATers, and should be *required* reading before the Fall I've Got Color contest.
I love what this magazine has become under Stephen Drucker's guidance. And for those who missed it, he talked to AT about the changes and philosophy behind them back in March:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/at-interviews/at-interviews-stephen-drucker-019101
Well, I broke down and bought it, after taking copius notes at the library--and I'm so happy I did. There's this article, but there's also another I'd completely missed on pp. 28-30.
For the Cdns out there, BM's "papaya 957" is French Vanilla, CC 248.
I called my local BM store and they can tell you 1) whether they have the formulas and (2) the Cdn colour, if there is one.
And guess what Wende--it's actually a "red/orange" based neutral, so it'll be great with the dark wood stuff I've got.
I just had to say thank you for that interview P(2). Drucker is thoroughly charming--but more than that, his vision gives me hope.
He's right. With most shelter mags, I look at the pictures feeling like a little girl, standing outside the window, my nose pressed up against the glass, my breath fogging the view.
But Drucker--and the mag--make me feel like one day, maybe I'll actually be able to walk in and sit down in the loveliness.