MBDG: Insights

(Researched and written by Beverly)

As my neighborhood waits to see if the young couple down the street puts a pink or blue bow on their door announcing their new baby’s arrival, I wondered how it came to be that we use pink for girls and blue for boys. Being the “researcher” and resident history junkie here at MBDG, I promptly Googled the question and found out.

In the early 20th Century it was actually the reverse. Pink was considered more of a boy’s color, (as a watered-down red, which is a fierce color) and blue was more for girls. The association of pink with bold red affected its use for boys. Blue was also considered more feminine due to its strong association with the Virgin Mary. An American newspaper in 1914 advised mothers, “If you like the color note on the little one’s garments, use pink for the boy and blue for the girl, if you are a follower of convention.” [The Sunday Sentinel, March 29, 1914.]

“There has been a great diversity of opinion on the subject, but the generally accepted rule is pink for the boy and blue for the girl. The reason is that pink being a more decided and stronger color is more suitable for the boy, while blue, which is more delicate and dainty, is prettier for the girl.” [Ladies Home Journal, June, 1918]

It was not until after WWII that we reversed and began to use pink for girls and blue for boys! Some think the decision was influenced by the color labeling in concentration camps by Nazi Germany or by the fact that men’s uniforms were blue and this became associated as a stronger, more masculine color. The 1950’s saw a color explosion in clothing as well as appliances and furniture. The rise of a more affluent middle-class lent itself to the dressing of children in gender-specific colors.

Who knew?!?!?!?!

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Valentine’s Day seems like the perfect time to mention that I have been toying with a Red and Pink scheme for one of the rooms of my house. I like the complete frivolous feel of the pink tones paired with clear reds. I never think of red as a grounding color, but, in this situation I think it does bring Pink back to earth. Analogous Schemes (those using colors next to each other on the color wheel) are so soothing to me…no big jumps across the wheel. The lack of the complementary color (the one across the color wheel, in this case green), gives the room a feeling of ease. Sure there is not a big punch of a contrasting color, but, some contrast can be made by the different values of the colors….and not every room needs to be high drama!

Gorgeous Rose Print

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Look beyond printed sources for your interior design inspiration! With the dark and cold winter upon us, I have watched more television in the last few weeks than usual. I have seen some really great interiors and in general I am seeing very fresh takes on some classic styles. By fresh, I mean colors….cool and light tones used as neutrals. Blue walls dominate a home in Modern Family and also a very clean palatte creates a hip house for the FBI agent, Peter, in White Color. I have had many clients in the past few years mention that they would be comfortable in Monk’s house - a very crisp take on California Mission Style. Adrian Monk’s home also speaks to the appeal of organization and edited accessorizing. Burn Notice, also on USA, sports a fun contrast between Michael’s ultra urban warehouse conversion dwelling and his mom’s retro pad. Okay…gotta go…there is a Monk marathon starting……

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Gone is the day of Yellow-Orange (Pantone’s 2009 color of the year - Mimosa) and here is the year of Turquoise. Pantone unveiled the color of the year for 2010: 15-5519 Turquoise. Of course yellow-orange and turquoise are quite nice together…so no need to toss last year’s color.

A highlight of the press release states:
In many cultures, Turquoise occupies a very special position in the world of color,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “It is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that Turquoise represents an escape to many – taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting, even if only a fantasy.”

Without knowing what direction Pantone would go this year… I painted my main areas of my home Benjamin Moore Turquoise Mist earlier this year! I chose it as a backdrop to my other colors because I like the way it recesses and makes my tiny spaces seem more wide open. I also love the way tomato reds and rich kelly greens look with it. It feels cool, liquid and refreshing in my spaces.

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We at Minta Bell Design Group are very thankful……for health, good friends, family…….and those great people we work with, who, as clients, become friends. As we move ahead towards 2010, we look forward to helping those friends, and new ones, find comfort in their homes without neglecting the importance of good design. GOOD DESIGN is that hard-to-define property that includes scale appropriate to surroundings, color, suitable fabrics……whether super durable or glamorous………; lighting; rugs and carpet for comfort and sound absorption; art and accessories; and enough creativity to make the interiors unique and fun.

We encourage you to consider what you have to be thankful for, as we wish you HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

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I just downloaded and labeled the last batch of market photos after a very busy week last week. A few brought back memories of funny ‘Market Moments’.

“Ahh..Market is such hard work….”

“You just never know who you will run into at Market!”

The very last to leave……

…and some inspiration……

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Color has rained on Minta Bell Design Group! The new color on the walls is Benjamin Moore After the Rain.

We love the way it looks with all the crystal and silvery accents we have in the shop. It also is great with our red rug and our taupe, beige and browns. Did you know that deep lavender can be so versatile?

We selected the matte finish. It has a very tiny amount of sheen, between flat and eggshell. After a thirty day curing, the matte finish is scrubbable. It is also able to be touched up more successfully than eggshell.

We are excited about our new look and are debating more changes to come! Join the discussion and let us know what you would like to see in the shop!

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I love everything about Miami Beach—the international flavor, the nightlife and, of course, the heat! When Nathan and I were in Miami in August, we booked a room at the Tides in South Beach. It was fantastic! The interior of this classic Art Deco hotel was redesigned by Kelly Wearstler in 2007. She did a spectacular job. When you walk in the lobby, you have to stop and take it all in. Cool leather couches, fantastic light fixtures and amazing art fill the lobby. One morning I spent an entire hour just walking through the lobby taking pictures of all the details.

The Tides has 40 simple, yet luxurious guest rooms. The floors are stone and are perfect for the beach. The bathroom countertops are a super thick slab of red granite with white streaks. The view of the ocean from our room was unbelievable.

You can walk right across the street to the beach where chairs and umbrellas are all set up for you. You can also enjoy the pool at the hotel. When you are poolside, be sure to order their signature cocktail, the Tides Royale. Heaven on earth!

Check out their website for more great photos: www.tidessouthbeach.com

My gratitude to Karrie Andrews for sharing her recent experience at the Tides in Miami Beach and agreeing to be our special guest blogger! Karrie’s extraordinary sense of style and eye for detail are not only reflected in her own home, but she seeks great design everywhere she goes. Thanks Karrie! I hope you enjoyed her article.

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After brushing off a lengthy article about Syrie Maugham, a great pioneer of interior design, I ordered The Decoration of Houses by Edith Wharton and Ogden Codman, Jr. I’m on page four…..after reading it for a week. This one may take awhile. Published originally in 1902, the language is, well, long. Long sentences, long explanations. Not that I am not excited about reading this book (I will diligently plug along as is my lot in life), it is just going to be journey.

I have underlined one sentence so far. It is really one of the main reasons I would be reading an interior design manual from 1902: “The survival of obsolete customs which makes the study of sociology so interesting, has its parallel in the history of architecture.”

I will keep you informed of my progress through the story, but don’t worry, I won’t spoil the ending!

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Everywhere I look I see deer heads, antlers, moose and buffalo, skulls and horns, oh my! Is it an attempt to connect with nature or a display of man’s dominance? Whatever the reason, clearly, it is a trend.

I just spent a long weekend at a cabin with a deer head and a large hog head. I grew sort of fond of them. In fact, I didn’t really find them menacing or creepy at all, as I often hear. Their eyes really didn’t follow me around the room, I’m disappointed to say.

I’m not sure of my opinion regarding the furry critters hanging on the wall. I like them, yet I want to not like them. I think I should be opposed due to a moral feeling or by the trendiness itself. I like animals and respect life. In a weird way, I think that is why I do like them.

I consulted my design reference manuals and there is absolutely no mention of using real stuffed animals as an element of the interior. I did find a few firms that specialize in hunt rooms, including real rock cliff features and “natural” settings and an old article I saved that describes the use of silver-tipped ram horns in Western Style interiors.

Deer heads do seem to work as a surprising contrast in a super contemporary room and are really at home in a rustic cabin. I am definitely intrigued by some of the antler chandeliers I have seen recently and have contemplated the “right” room for them. They can be sort of tongue-in-cheek or rather serious, depending on the style of the rest of the house.

I think my advice to myself is to go forth with caution….if the piece fits the personality of the home and the person dwelling in the home, then go ahead and let the outside in.

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