Color Of The Year: 2020

Color of the Year: 2020

“Color is a power which directly influences the soul.” ~ Wassily Kandinsky

Melissa Mathe Interior Design | Photography: Ansel Olson

The new year is a time for reflection of past growth and a time to look towards all that lies ahead. As you sit back and develop your New Year’s resolutions, your new fitness routines and organizational goals, also think about your whole self-wellness in how your surroundings aid in your 2020 goals. This is a great time to give your home or office a freshening up, too. I truly believe that how you feel in your home when you wake up each day will set the benchmark for how you bring out the best you every single day. And lucky for us we have some color theorists who study all things economical, environmental, and political. Their research gives us a color palette that will have you feeling refreshed and invigorated every day and ready to take on your most ambitious resolutions.

As the esteemed American Interior designer Barclay Butera says, “Blue and white is not just a color combination, it’s a lifestyle.” In other words, “Blue and White is Always Right” and we couldn’t agree more. Thought of as the color theorists in the market, PANTONE has given us the first color of the year: Classic Blue 19-4052. “Instilling calm, confidence, and connection, this enduring blue hue highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.” Reflective of the sky at dusk, or the James River, this indigo blue is color with a regal history dating back to Ancient Egypt.  Classic Blue is reminiscent of the deep blue sea, a place of trust and faith in what lies ahead. As you may have noticed in Melissa Mathe Interiors, classic blue is one of our favorite vibrant statement colors to weave into home interior designs.

New Year’s Resolution hack - if lessening stress is a goal, Classic Blue can help.

“The use of color in interior design is changing. It’s not just about what a space looks like anymore, but how it makes you feel,” said Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. “People want to feel grounded and inspired to pursue their mental, physical and emotional well-being. Naval is reminiscent of the night sky, which people have looked to for centuries for guidance, as a muse and as a reminder to live more mindfully.”

Similar to Classic Blue, Sherwin Williams has chosen Navel [SW6244] as the Color of the Year. This bold hue of blue embodies a sense of empowerment. This striking rich color represents very well in both a classic and contemporary design.

New Year’s Resolution hack - if being more confident is a goal, Naval will help show you the way.

While Classic Blue and Naval come from the darker sensibilities of the sky, Benjamin Moore offers their color of the year: First Light [2102-70], thought to be the sky at dawn. “A soft rosy hue blooming with potential.” First Light 2102-70, is an uplifting soft airy pink that is a flattering refreshing alternative to white and beige. This color pairs well in complementing a vast array of color palettes in any design scheme, evoking a sense of playfulness to enliven a home.

New Year’s Resolution hack - if a renewed, better you is a goal, First Light can help you shine.

Melissa Mathe Interior Design | Photography: Ansel Olson

To jump in on the fun, Mathe Design is announcing our Color of the Year 2020: Pine Green. A fresh take on green that offers a deep saturation combined with a bright hue. A delightful color that we find on trend for the new year. Adding a traditionally classic color to contemporary interiors takes a room to a new level with freshness and strong color intensity as the star of the show, it rounds out the color palette of blues and pinks.

New Year’s Resolution hack - if being more grounded is a goal, Pine Green can help provide that balance.

This year when I look at these four colors, my Interior Design heart skipped a beat. Not only are they wonderful colors on their own, but also they speak to each other creating a harmonious color palette.

I know what you are thinking – how can I add this to my existing space? We have some artistic talent in our community that can help us pull this palette together. All it takes is a bit of goal-setting.

Contact Melissa Mathe Interior Design to purchase items shown here.

Paint Color / Table Lamps / Scalloped Iron Tray / Console Table / Area Rug

We hope you are as excited as we are to find new ways to use these trending Colors of the Year 2020.

Happy New Year!

Melissa Mathe

Contact us for all your Interior Design and Decorating needs @mathedesign.com

Melissa Mathe Interior Design: A Year In Review

Melissa Mathe Interior Design
– A Year In Review –

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” ~ Audrey Hepburn

We’re taking a look back at 2018 and the many projects we’ve had the pleasure of working on with our wonderful clients. Just like each new year a new project has it’s hopes and expectations and most often times the finished result is even better than envisioned. We love talking with our clients about how they wish to use a new space and how they want it to feel. While each project has it’s new adventures and obstacles to overcome we cherish the laughs and victories along the way. Whether a client wants to show a more stylish side of themselves or simply have more functioning light and flow in their space. We guide them on a journey helping to make their interior design dreams and visions come true. Here’s a look inside the highlights of 2018

We started the year out showing design concepts to work on furnishing a new custom built home with large spaces to be filled. Beautifully coffered ceilings and a blank slate were outfitted with a light palette in mink and muted blue. The before and after of the entryway show it’s grand nature, with neutral tones and clean finishes to make an elegant statement.

As the construction was complete in the spring we were ready to start installing. In the dining room the accent color painted in the tray ceiling along with a paint-style patterned custom drapery fabric give the space an uplifted serenity.

This past spring the Mathe Design team attended High Point Market taking in new inspiring finds for the season. Connecting with other designers and meeting with our manufacturer reps to see more details about whats available to designers.

Spring Market is a highlight of the year as designers enjoy time amongst others in our industry… as you can see we have our fair share of fun there too. Shortly after spring market we wrapped up a kitchen remodel that had been in conception since the previous fall. This refreshed crisp classic kitchen is now equipped with brand new custom built cabinetry and an updated dining space.

Photography by Ansel Olson

Along with several client installs this year we have had a pretty large project that’s been underway since May 2018. This project is a home renovation that includes eighty percent of the home. A full master bathroom and master closet area renovation is a major part of the project. Most of the other rooms with exception to the kitchen have new lighting, furnishing and rugs. As we come to the completion of a few of these projects into 2019 we’ll get house tour images up to show you.

While we had been serving our clients Melissa Mathe Interior Design also entered into a presentation for a room design at the Richmond Symphony Orchestra League Designer House 2018. To our excitement we were selected to design a bedroom upstairs in the recently restored historical victorian mansion – Holly Lawn. This started the adventure of bringing together the classic contemporary black and white room design to show during the event. We were more then ecstatic to have the honor of working alongside other esteemed Virginia designers at this charitable event, a definite highlight of 2018.

We’re also excited to share the honorable mentions Melissa Mathe Interior Design humbly received in 2018 press with you.

a new face in the mathe design office

This fall Charlie, the Mathe family’s new puppy, joined the shenanigans in design. Wrapping up a project filled 2018!

A warm thank you to our wonderful clients, vendors, reps, crew and design team for helping us to make 2018 a big success.  Melissa Mathe Interior Design appreciates all of your support and warm friendships.

From our office to you have a safe and Happy Holiday – Cheers to 2019!

Melissa Mathe

*Contact mathedesign.com for all your Interior Design needs.

A Refreshed Crisp Classic Kitchen: Grab Your Apron

A Refreshed Crisp Classic Kitchen: Grab Your Apron

"A party without cake is just a meeting" ~ Julia Child

Photography by Ansel Olson

The Mathe Design team got a call for a kitchen renovation and we were pleased to find a nice space that needed some life brought back into it. This previously 90's style kitchen had natural wood stained cabinets which were beginning to fade and sag. Functionally it worked, but yet not as well as it could. So we grabbed our aprons and got to planning.

The homeowner was interested in a kitchen that is fresh and clean, but also warm. We settled on a clean white cabinets and warmed them up with matte black jewelry - I mean hardware. 

Before Pictures

We closed in the doorway that led from the kitchen to the dining room. The dining room had another adjacent entry, so by losing this door we were able to grab more lineal square footage for the kitchen while maintaining access to the adjoining dining room.

We settled on a U-shape design that increased their counter and cabinet space. It was a little adjustment getting used to the idea of no island - and so far nothing has been placed/dropped on the once-upon-an-island space where a rug adds warmth to the room. 

With our clients desiring an updated transitional style we sourced lighting from Currey & Company, Visual Comfort and Arteriors Home in a beautiful silver toned finish. Keeping the themes of fresh and warm in mind, we used large lighting to create a sense of space within a space and intimacy. The large pendant over the table gives definition to the eating zone, while the large semi-flush defines the prep/work space. Additional recessed can lighting properly lights the space for prepping without taking away from the focus on the main decorative fixtures. All the lighting is dimmable for flexibility in light levels depending on how the space is being used. 

We finished out the kitchen adding a fresh and warm tile backsplash that adds texture but is easy to wipe clean from Ceramic Technics. And grounded this delightful space with an exciting blue pearl royal granite. That creates contrast against the clean white cabinetry as well as adding warmth. 

This once outdated kitchen is bright, fresh and a perfectly inviting place for our clients family to come together. Can't you just hear the dinner conversations in this space....

Melissa Mathe

Contact us for all your Interior Design and Decorating needs @mathedesign.com