More cool toned, rosy and clear “modern gold”.

Copper has really jumped into the 2013 spotlight. Unlike the very orange or brown copper of years gone by, this “modern copper” is more cool toned and clear in colour (also inspired by the popularity of rose gold). Streamlined shapes, cutting edge applications and more matte/hammered finishes are also making copper of any shade feel more modern. In my latest post for Rena Tom, I discuss this shift and the many trends and possibilities it has created. Mixed with other colours and materials, exposed piping, used in print – the article is rather plump with inspiration. I have always liked copper but I am officially in love with modern copper. Read my post here if you fancy…

(photographs via: acrimony, analogue life, magpie studio, poppytalk, lettered olive, stockholm street style and stylizimo; interior images: remodelista, dwell, real living magazine, and homelife)

Modern neon, bright colour and strong typography — is there a better combination? The Melbourne Theatre Company utilizes all three elements in their 2013 season identity created by Interbrand. I love the custom typography called ‘MTC Neon” and its modern angles, glowing finish and nod to theatrical heritage. A glowing typeface could easily appear cheesy or fake in print but I think Interbrand does a smashing job of using the effect in an truly elegant way. Appearing on dark photographs and backgrounds, it allows titles and type to dramatically “light-up” different scenes (regardless of application). I particularly like the program covers as they highlight how the typeface could be used in photographed or physical 3D. Arts are an illuminating pillar in our society and here, Interbrand has crafted an identity that really captures that sentiment…

(spotted on and images via BP&O) 

I’m not sure anyone “needs” hair chalk but honestly, how fun would it be to run one of these vibrant hues through your locks? The Hair Chalk Set by Urban Outfitters features 32 semi-permanent colours that are blendable on wet or dry hair. I particularly like the look of small hints of colour on thin sections or hair ends. Maybe I do need some pops of fuchsia…

(photographs via urban outfitters) 

I love this photograph of vibrant sarees scattered across the stairs of the Ahilya temple in Maheshwar, India. Captured by photographer Eli Shams, the contrast of old stonework and drops of rich colour create one smashing palette…

(photograph by eli shams; via imagekind)   

“Private Moon” by Russian artist Leonid Tishkov has captivated me for quite some time. The mobile art installation and visual poem tells the story of “a man who met the Moon and stayed with her forever”. Leonid has travelled the world with the piece for ten years, placing the illuminated artificial moon in unexpected places across China, New Zealand, Taiwan, Moscow, Italy, the Arctic, France, Austria and so forth. I love the massive scale and glowing beauty of this work and how it manages to bring a rather inaccessible natural wonder down to earth. A “private moon” indeed. As Leonid puts it, “the moon is a shining point that brings people together from different countries, of different nationalities and cultures. And everyone who gets in its orbit does not forget it ever. It gives fairytale and poetry in our prosy and mercantile world.” Personally, I find it simply magical. Fingers crossed this installation reaches Canada one day very soon. I will be first in line to see it…

(there is a great interview with leonid about this project on his blog. read it here)
(photographs by boris bendikov, po-i chen and marcus williams, all via leonid tishkov) 

Intriguing lights, mattress box spring inspiration boards, neon pink desks, pegboards, layers of design details…

Studios under the stairs or in attics, all white spaces with pops of colour, half walls of hue, huge blackboards, bins of supplies…

Supplies organized by colour in bins, shelves and stacks…

I really love studio spaces. Yep, I even have a Pinterest board devoted to them! How can you not love seeing the environments that inspire people, the supplies they use and all of the interior details that make a space one-of-a-kind? In my latest post for Rena Tom, I showcase studios and some of the facets that make them efficient and artful. Designer, accountant, candlestick maker — we all need a creative spot to call our own. Whether you build an entirely new studio or simply buy a desk chair you really love, the new year should include the creation of a space that truly inspires you. Take a peak at my post here if you are interested…

(images via/ first set:lovely shelter, desire to inspire, apartment therapy, smäm, remodelista, sf girl by bay; second set: practically modern, sf girl by bay, sa decor, vtwonen, fjeldborg, ikea family live; third set: the design files, martha stewart, i art u) 

I have a fetish for well-designed cushions so these handmade Kisshions by the fabulous British shop Room39 make me giddy. I love the unique shapes and overall combination of vibrant colour, metallic pattern and metallic leather piping. Two very different but equally great sides make for twice the interior design options. Pink or jade with gold, tangerine or vert with silver and a dual-sided charcoal denim pattern… One of each please?

(photographs via room39)  

Black and white packaging with a pop of colour just plain tickles my fancy. Showcasing the colour contents of a product, serving as a copy or brand hue highlight, creating a colour-coding system, adding a burst of bright hue — there are no limits to the various ways this approach can look fantastic. With so many great examples, perhaps this post will need parts one through ten…

(photographs from top: lovely package, prospector co., anaise, the dieline, heydays, the dieline, frontier, mox botanicals, refinery 29, design work life & packaging of the world)  

The hues attributed to fruit photography often focus on juicy primary colours. Captured by Jojo Filer-Cooper, this beautiful photograph caught my eye because it is a unique showcase of the elegant colours and textures of fruit (all against an ocean turquoise backdrop). Not your average fruit bowl…

(photograph via jojo filer-cooper)  

Wow, it is 2013? That sounds rather futuristic. Shouldn’t we be living like The Jetsons by now? Best wishes for a happy, healthy and creative 2013. May the new year be so wonderful that colourful confetti explodes all around you (literally or figuratively). I may take matters into my own hands and make a joyful wall like Beci Orpin….

(photograph of beci orpin’s confetti wall in find and keep, via wee birdy)

British artist Richard Caldicott creates beautiful abstract colour in his series “Chance/Fall”. What could easily be striking geometric paintings are actually layered photographs full of ethereal and filtered light. Oh, the blocks of vibrant colour…

(photographs via galerie f5,6) 

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday week! Back to regularly scheduled colour posting. On that note, maybe you need some vibrant correspondence for your festive season thank you notes? This Pantone Stationery Set might be the ticket. I particularly love the colour chip salutation stickers that seal each envelope…

(photographs via urban outfitters)  

How did 2012 end so quickly? Yikes. Luckily, a new year means a brand new canvas of design and retail trends that we can watch emerge and evolve. Three trends I have noticed climbing confidently forward lately are cutouts, holograms and emerald. It will be interesting to see which will become big design players in 2013 and which will be subject to niche popularity. In my latest post for Rena Tom, I discuss this intriguing trio and how it may apply to retail, design and even personal style/home decor. We need more hologram buildings, don’t you think? Take a peak at my post here if you fancy…

(photographs via: dezeen, spin, elle, style, vogue, munaluchi bridal (cutouts); abriwin, moffat, fashion week berlin, hello sandwich (holograms); design work life, we heart, paul smith (emerald))     

White, pops of colour, edge painting, letterpress — the personal identity of Brooklyn designer Daniel Renda is chalk full of details I love. The colourful logo slash and back of the letterhead are particularly strong punches of hue. Oh the power of colour and personal branding…

(photographs via daniel renda; spotted on design work life)

I am woefully behind on my Christmas cards this year. Let’s hope they don’t turn into “happy spring” messages! While I may be in denial of how far we are into December, I wanted to round-up some holiday cards that have tickled my fancy this year. It’s not too late to mail cards, deliver them in person or choose winter-focused designs that can be used for “happy new year” messages. While there is plenty of interactive potential in e-cards, there is just something warm and wonderful about a true paper card. Beautiful illustrations or modern typography, I love how holiday cards manage to be full of great design and messages of good tidings from your loved ones. Oh and they sure perk up mailboxes and mantles…

(designers/sources from top: sugar paper, terrain, cotton on, the indigo bunting, the indigo bunting, pretty paper please by mélanie kimmett, paper source, Rifle Paper Co., kate spade, pretty paper please by mélanie kimmett, slim paper, cotton on, terrain, present+correct)

Sometimes, it seems the many options that brands have for displaying colourways are sort of neglected. That’s why I’m always thrilled when colours are not only displayed but showcased in design-focused and 3D ways. J.Crew is tops in that department. I love how they cut squares from actual fabrics, pop in real pins and snap a photo (allowing one to see texture and hue). I made the above mashup of their Spring 2013 and Holiday 2012 wedding hues. So many fabulous palettes for fashion, home and design (and some great colour names too)…

(images via j.crew)