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g is for giveaway! win two tickets to tobi fairley’s design camp a to z

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We’re partnering with Tobi Fairley to give away two tickets to her popular Design Camp A to Z, May 16-18! To enter, simply leave a comment on this post. The contest closes April 30 at midnight.

During this three-day, all-inclusive experience at her studio, Tobi walks campers of every skill level through all 26 letters of the alphabet. The best part is, campers leave the course with all the tools necessary to help bring a room to life!

Here are a few of the topics:

  • A is for Art

  • B is for Budget

  • F is for Fabrics and Finishes

  • I is for Inspiration

  • N is for No Nos-Avoiding designers’ biggest mistakes

  • S is for Style and Shopping

  • X is for X-tra special ways to take your project to the next level

On top of all that, the camp is a complete blast. Get to know other enthusiastic design attendees during the daytime classes and also at two fun evening events featuring plenty of drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

If this giveaway doesn’t pique your interest, we don’t know what will! Don’t forget to leave a comment… and check Tobi’s web site (here) for more information about her popular design camp series.

 

**Giveaway includes tuition and food/transportation during the camp as provided through Tobi Fairley Interior Design; travel to/from design camp and hotel/accommodations are not included.

color confidential with tobi fairley: bringing home the beach

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Q: Dear Tobi,

I want to use some cool colors in my house that remind me of our beach vacations. I love the way you add so much color to a space. Do you have any paint recommendations that will help me achieve a similar look?

Sincerely,
Diana, Little Rock

A: Hi Diana. First of all, thank you for the compliment and your question! It’s certainly the right time of year to be thinking about this.

Summer is right around the corner, which means many people are anticipating beach vacations. Cool colors found in the ocean are so inspiring. Whether it’s the navy water of the Northeast, the jewel-toned colors of the Emerald Coast, or the turquoise shades found in the Caribbean – inspiration is abundant!

One of my tips for adding vibrant colors to a space, is to select a light or muted color for the wall. You can then layer in more saturated colors with painted furniture, art, or accessories. Here are some interiors that I designed using cool colors, along with a few paint colors from Sherwin Williams to help you with your space.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope one of these palettes will work for your home and that it will remind you of your favorite beach spot!

Be sure to check out my Pinterest boards boards for more “blue” ideas and watch my blog for some of my favorite beach finds later this week.

Happy Decorating!

-Tobi

Note: All paint colors are Sherwin-Williams.

color confidential with tobi fairley: warm hues

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Q: Dear Tobi,

I loved your post here last month about bringing cool colors in to your home. However, I’m more fond of deep, rich colors. I guess I tend to lean more toward warm hues in general. Do you have any go-to colors that remind you of warmer landscapes?

Thanks!

Lauren, Jonesboro

 

A: Hi Lauren,

That’s a great question! Because warmer colors tend to make a bright statement and can have a bold impact, I generally use them as accents throughout a space.

(photography by Nancy Nolan)

For example, you might cover your chairs in a fiery shade of red, like the ones I used in this dining room. You could also paint an accent wall in a vibrant tangerine. Lamps and throw pillows are also a great way to bring in these colors without making a huge time or financial commitment. If you’re DIY-savvy, you could even paint a few pieces of furniture in one of these happy colors! The options are endless…

When it comes to selecting warm colors I love to look to nature. There are a ton of naturally occurring options in everything from sunsets to fall foliage. But to get back to your original question on which colors to use, I’ve selected a few that remind me of the warmer landscapes you mentioned. [All paint colors are Sherwin-Williams.]

If you want something that is a bit deeper and more rich you might try one of these…

Hopefully one of these colors will be just what you’re looking to use in your own home!

Happy Decorating!
-Tobi

(p.s. to see more color confidential tips, visit here.)

[Images: Google Images, Tobi Fairley Interior Design]

color confidential with tobi fairley : ceiling style

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Q: Dear Tobi,

I am in the middle of a remodel and starting to plan my color scheme. I definitely don’t want to forget my ceilings, because I love the idea of branching out a bit and doing something other than a basic white. Do you have any ideas for thinking outside the box when it comes to ceilings?

Rhonda, Monticello

A: Hi Rhonda! You have asked one of my favorite questions! Why have a plain white ceiling when you can use color — and even pattern! — to make that fifth wall really stand out?

When I’m working on a project, I consider the ceiling to be an integral part of the room and give it the attention it deserves in the design process. There’s no end to the options that you can come up with as long as you take your overall design scheme and look into account.

Here are three projects of mine where I have pushed the boundaries on ceilings!

#1 Complete Classic

I designed this room for the Richmond Symphony Showhouse last year. Blue ceilings are one of the more popular color selections you will see featured in homes around the country. This is probably because they are calm, serene and remind us of the sky! If you’re working on an outdoor remodel I also love blue porch ceilings. This trend, which started in Charleston, SC, was said to ward off evil spirits and protect Southern homes several centuries ago. Spirits or no spirits, I love the look both indoors and out!

#2 Glowing Glamour

If you’re more of a glamour girl, then I suggest metallics. Have a faux-finish painter create a metallic work of art on your ceiling. This polished trend is a great accent not only for bedrooms, but also in shared spaces of your home. Greeting guests in a foyer with a metallic ceiling sets the tone for a polished and elegant home.

#3 Preppy Pattern

Last, but not least, adding pattern is a great way to think imaginatively when it comes to ceilings. I personally love using stripes, because they are a classic traditional pattern that can come to life in any palette, like this room I designed for the Hamptons’ Showhouse. If stripes aren’t your thing, you might also consider wallpaper. You can select a graphic pattern or try something a bit more whimsical like a botanical print.

I hope these ideas are helpful for your project! Good luck with your remodel.

Happy Decorating!
xo, Tobi

P.S. Want advice on your color dilemma? Send your questions to info@tobifairley.com or leave a comment here.

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At Home in Arkansas offers you a look inside the state's most inspiring homes. The magazine features monthly advice from the experts to help you plan your next remodel or redesign, entertain at home, or find Arkansas's best kept secrets. It is your definitive guide to the state's finest homes and gardens, design professionals, fashion and entertaining essentials, and premier shops and showrooms.

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