WRITTEN BY Sarah Pickard of Pickard Design Studio
What I like most about summer are the beautiful gardens in my neighborhood. I walk past some of the most beautifully manicured lawns with the brightest summer flowers in the flowerbeds and pots. The combinations of colors, textures and patterns made by the flowers are striking.
I was inspired by these gardens one day this summer, as I was walked and designed a new project in my head (as I often do). How can I transform this rather dull, uninviting room that gets lots of sun and warm shade in the afternoon? What will my inspiration be? Fashion is often one of my greatest inspirations. Interiors are no different from fashion- bold floral prints and bright colors, white on white with pops of color, garden greens and rays of sunshine or a nice, calming neutral room of white, gray and beige. We can find all of these color combinations in fashion, but also in our own gardens.
Gerbera Daises
Gerbera Daisies are my favorite flower. Put a little excitement and fun into a room with one of these vibrant colors. Any of these colors freshens up a dull living room, bedroom or sunroom. Pop one of these eye-catching pinks or yellows on your neutral sofa or all white bedding for a burst of color. In fashion, nothing is more classic than a pair of white jeans and a bright summer shirt topped off with the right metallic accessories. The same details apply to interiors- make your room classic and allow the details to shine.
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas remind me of my grandmother’s garden in Portland, OR. Her Hydrangea plants were six-foot bushes, full of all colors. She always had a fresh vase of them on her sideboard in the dining room, never letting them turn colors. I always wanted to touch the soft texture, staying careful not to break off a flower to disrupt their perfectly round symmeterical form. I love a beautiful, calming, neutral room of warm whites, oatmeal beige, grays, taupes, faded blues, greens and purples. The neutral colors inspired by Hydrangeas work so well in both traditional and transitional interiors where the palette is secondary and texture is significant. A modern rustic home with crisp interiors, accented with textured furniture or a traditional home with classic architecture both can be inspired by the highly sophisticated Hydrangea.
Inspired by the colors of the beach with neutral sand colors mixed with soft blues, the Hydrangea colors can be seen in fashion as well. Whether you’re heading to the beach for summer vacation or simply going for a dinner out with friends in the heat of August, it’s a classic combination that’s sure to be a hit.
The Purple Flowers: Salvia, Chive and Sage
There are many things I love about the color purple with interiors. It has both masculine and feminine qualities, it is a perfect match for any metallic finish- gold OR silver, it comes in many shades from eggplant to lilac… the list goes on and on! Additionally, purple symbolizes royality and luxury – historically, it was the most difficult color to produce, so you only saw it in minimal amounts and in royality. I prefer to use the color for bold statements in a room, such as an accent wall, accessories, conversation pieces and light fixtures. We see purple frequently paired with rose gold in fasion, and the pair makes an eye-catching statement. With interiors, the combination of purple, warm gray and rose gold showcases a room’s elegance while piquing your interest.
What summer flower represents your personality? Is that the same flower that represents your interior?
Love reading these blogs from Sarah Pickard. What a talent with creativity!!!!!