Luxe Living

It's hard to believe summer is nearing its end already for 2009. It's my favorite season and I wait anxiously for it every year. It always seems to fly by, though. In a few weeks the leaves will start changing and fall will be upon us and, as much as I love summer, there is a lot to be adored about fall too. The typical description of the crisp air, beautiful colors, and fresh baked pies is familiar to all of us.

As with every other season, the Pantone Color Institute selects the top 10 colors for fall each year and their choices for 2009 are quite unique in comparison to previous years. As with the spring color trends, designers are maintaining their focus on the "fundamental basics that speak to current economic conditions..." which is wise. Vibrant hues were not completely left out of the mix, though. A splash of color paired with the classic and timeless neutral tones adds that bit of a spark to the pallette to create excitement and energy.

All of the Fall 2009 color trends are shown above, but here is a better look at some possible pairings that you could use in your home or office this season:



This is your typical fall color combination. You can't go wrong with warm hues pulled from nature during this time of year. Try these in your kitchen or family room. Light some candles in the evening to add to the warmth.



This combination of Honey Yellow, Purple Heart, and Iron add a surprising flair to the fall season. It is a playful twist on the traditional pallette above.



A touch of patriotism from American Beauty combined with feel-good hues like Purple Heart and Creme Brulee gives a feeling of refinement and sensuality while embracing creativity and excitement. This combination would be great for a room with lots of natural light to add to the fresh feel it gives off.


"Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style." ~Billy Baldwin

"Spring traditionally evokes a sense of freshness and new beginnings, with sprouting shoots and blossoming flowers that inspire designers to breakout of the winter doldrums. Bright colors return to the top 10 list for spring ’09, as designers incorporate vibrant pops into their collections, yet temper the vibrancy with deeper, translucent or neutral tones... 'New York’s fashion designers encourage hopeful attitudes with lively colors, while sophisticated, grounded hues address the need for stability in times of economic uncertainty'..." -Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®.

I have always been fascinated with the power of color. The way it evokes feelings and moods in people while we typically don't even realize it is happening. Spring and Summer are my favorite times of year not only because of the sunny blue skies and warm weather they bring, but also because of all the fun, bright and energetic colors associated with them.

This season, the professionals at the Pantone Color Institute did a great job as usual, by choosing colors that will have a positive and uplifting impact on everyone during this rough period of our economy. The fact that the use of color can create a feeling of hope and stability in a person is amazing to me.

I am a huge fan of color and my favorite is always changing. Currently I am on a purple kick! I love all the different shades of purple that are out right now. Interior design often follows the trends of fashion design, so you can imagine that both my apartment and my wardrobe are freshly stocked with some new purple pieces. :)

Another interesting color that caught my eye recently was "Mimosa" (makes me a little thirsty). It was named "Color of the Year for 2009" by Pantone. The reason they gave for choosing this shade was what caught my attention the most:

"Mimosa Embodies Hopefulness and Reassurance in a Climate of Change... The color yellow exemplifies the warmth and nurturing quality of the sun, properties we as humans are naturally drawn to for reassurance," explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. "Mimosa also speaks to enlightenment, as it is a hue that sparks imagination and innovation."

So, if you're thinking of re-painting or redecorating, mimosa seems to be the way to go right now. You have to be careful to not overuse it though because too much yellow can cause feelings of anxiety, which is the last thing we all need right now!


Keep in mind...
"Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style." ~Billy Baldwin