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

Artist Spotlight: Jill Seale

Artist Spotlight: Jill Seale

The creative process is captivating! One must leap off the cliff of “what is”, into a flight of fancy of “what could be.” ~ Jill Seale

We are excited to share an Artist Spotlight on the blog featuring the talented product and textile designer Jill Seale. Bringing her love for design and creativity to the world from her studio in Charlotte, North Carolina. Launching her product offerings at the Hight Point Market in 2017. Since then the Jill Seale Design Studio has won numerous awards and praise in the gifting and home decor industry. Her goal in sharing her designs is to uplift others and inspire with lively patterns and colors expressed through a journey in learning the historic art form of marbling.

Jill Seale products are sold world-wide through manufacturers, fine boutiques and leading retailers. You can see Jill at work and more about her behind the scenes marbling technique here. Melissa Mathe Interior Design has had the pleasure of collaborating with Jill Seale in our room design at the Richmond RSOL Designer House of 2018 and in our client projects.

Here are some of the product offerings in the Jill Seale Design Studio.

PILLOWS

WALLCOVERINGS

ACCENTS

HOME ACCENTS

APPAREL

ONE OF A KINDS

We’ve had the pleasure of interviewing Jill Seale and asking her some questions to share with you.

1) How did you get your start in textile design?
Seale: My background is in product design where textiles was a minor part and I've always wanted to design textiles for home. It may be genetic...my mom studied textile design at the Cleveland Institute of Art but got married and that was the end of that! We joke she outsourced it to me. When I studied my passion of paper marbling in Florence I felt I found my unique voice in textiles.

2) We know you traveled to Italy and were inspired to create marbling which led to many of your designs.
What is your favorite part of Italy and why? How often do you get to travel back to Italy?   
Seale: While I love all of Italy, Florence owns me. I can't say why exactly but I feel a deep resonance with SOUL. That's the only word I can come up with to describe the feeling. It's the birthplace of the Renaissance and every inch of the city and buildings and art carry an imprint of someone who created, carved, painted, architecturally designed, and built it.  I am especially enamored with the tiny ateliers where artisans create and sell their work. In Italy art is given the proper time it takes to be created with care and craftsmanship. There truly is something about Italian-made quality and it reinforces my belief to honor the care and time good design deserves.  I do an annual pilgrimage to immerse in that way of life and refresh my artist soul. 

3) What do you love most about creating textiles?
Seale: I love: the process of exploration in creating art,  the chance that is involved with that and being present to identify what would make a good design. I love hand-creating a repeat pattern, seeing a pattern come to life in other products such as wallcovering, trays, lampshades, tabletop. I love seeing how designers, furniture, rug, apparel and gift manufacturers envision uses for my designs, and I love bringing the ancient art of marbling and the human element of hand illustration and painting into the home in a prominent way. In other "word", EVERYTHING. 

 4) What do you find to be challenging and also rewarding about textile design?
Seale: I don't even recognize 'challenging' because everything is just part of the process and I roll. If I HAD to say, it's paring down the final selections for each release. Rewarding? By far the relationships with the wonderful people I've met in this industry. It's also rewarding to witness the delight in those who embrace my work and being able to work directly with designers and manufacturers to provide (sometimes custom) uplifting designs and solutions that people live with.  It's extremely rewarding to be able to share this journey with my Mom, as her textile design ambassador!

5) Do you have a favorite pattern that you have created in your designs?
Seale: Each design was selected because I love something special about it, but a design that is extra special to me is Tuscan Sunset which was created in Florence and was my first design selected for my foray into furniture with Wesley Hall Furniture. 

6) What major events do you love to attend to share your products?
Seale: High Point Market has been my launch pad and with two shows a year, it keeps me busy. It is the only show I currently do other than the occasional small gift show. 

 7) Do you have any new products on the horizon that you can share? (Melissa loves her pair of Banksy patterned pants)  Seale: Go Banksy! With my product design background I can't help but always be thinking of new applications (spots on this leopard!) I'm deepening my home decor offerings and have some things in the works for outside of home! Stay tuned!

 8) Any words of advice for designers who are just starting out in textiles?
Seale: Find your own voice. Tell your own story. Don't pay attention to trends - they come, they go.  Everyone appreciates an original vision. Listen to what designers are asking for, but give the unexpected right along with it. 

High Point Market 2018

High Point Market 2018

In developing the room design at the RSOL Designer House 2018 Melissa Mathe wanted to incorporate designs from local and east coast artists and designers. Having been introduced to Jill Seale at High Point Market she was over the moon excited about using the “Banksy” design to help complete her black and white classic contemporary room design. Having custom made roman shades and duvets to outfit the windows and beds. A high topic of conversation during the event room tours.

RSOL Designer House 2018, Photo: Ansel Olson

Banksy Fabric

Using a belgium cotton fabric for the window draperies in the “Mixed Metals” design was the perfect pairing to create interest in our clients office space in their newly constructed custom built home. A lovely balance in the combination of neutral decor and contemporary design.

Mixed Metals Fabric

Mathe Design Client Project

At the 2019 Las Vegas Market, Jill Seale and Company C launched the preview of the new Jill Seale rug designs introduced in their line. Along with a demo of her technique to show market attendees. An exciting addition to Jill’s home decor product designs.

Company C and Jill Seale at Las Vegas Market 2019

Company C and Jill Seale at Las Vegas Market 2019

Company C

Company C

We love sharing the special talents and products from designers close to our area and close to our heart. It has been a special treat to develop our relationship with Jill Seale. We hope you enjoy learning more about her designs and why we love them so much.

Cheers,

Melissa Mathe

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

Color Inspiration: Living Coral Pantone Color of the Year 2019

Color Inspiration: Living Coral
Pantone® Color Of The Year 2019

“Colours are the smiles of nature.” ~ James Henry Leigh Hunt

With each new year comes the anticipated announcement of Pantones new color of the year. Much like waiting to open new presents during the holidays… in early December the color trend forecast is made. To our excitement the 2019 Color of the Year is Living Coral 16-1546. As a global influencer in color systems Pantone sets color trend standards in multiple industries for fashion, home furnishings, industrial design, as well as product, packaging and graphic design.

A vivid color inspiration choice that mesmerizes the eye and mind with an optimistic fresh and cheerful presence. Durived from marine and sea life as well as present in our daily digital imagery. This warm, peachy color with golden undertones nurtures and supports other colors in it’s midst and fulfills the desire for playful expression. It also happens to be one of our favorite colors… so adding this “it” color into our clients interior projects is a welcomed second nature.

Annie Selke

Taelor Fisher Painting

Here are a few sources that we love who embody this color in their product lines. A visionary designer – Annie Selke has offered quality Dash & Albert rugs and luxurious Pine Cone Hill sheets and bedding for over 25 years. Providing happy colorways to fill your home with joy, the herringbone and striped area rugs and throw blanket are the right pop of this color. The ‘Farm Girl’ painting done by the well studied Taelor Fisher is full of this fresh Living Coral “Color of the Year”. A prime example of the way this color attracts your eye as well as creating harmony with other colors.

In a recently designed clients living room we included this bright color in the shown color palette. You can see some of the ways we balanced the room out with fabrics, furnishings and wallcovering. As the ivory and blue in the geometric wallcovering and sofa compliment the backdrop of the sand linen color in the area rug. The coral and green colors in the chair upholstery and throw pillow fabrics add a playful vibrance giving the space liveliness and balance.

Color Palette

We are delighted to introduce this new color inspiration to you and hope you enjoy the examples we’ve shared. We hope you find special ways to incorporate the Pantone Color of the Year 2019 - Living Coral in your interiors and surroundings this year.

Cheers!

Melissa Mathe

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

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.

High Point Market Highlights

High Point Market Highlights

"It's a new season, a perfect opportunity to do something new, something bold, something beautiful"

In April thousands of designers descend upon High Point, NC for the bi-annual Market. Commonly referred to as “Disney for Designers”, High Point Market is the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world. It is comprised of 180 buildings, more than 2,000 exhibitors, and 11.5 million square feet of show space. There is so much to see and only four days to see it in. So, Melissa Mathe Interior Design put on our sneakers and hit the streets to check out this year’s hottest trends.

Melissa Mathe at High Point Market

Trend: Color

The first trend we saw is color and the bold use of it. We’re not talking pops of color here and there, we’re talking flooding a room with lively fresh color. Setting the tone for this trend is Pantone’s Color of the Year: Ultraviolet. This bright purple can be paired with lots of vibrant jewel tones: greens as rich as grass, pinks bright as a raspberry, blues that look like the Mediterranean. All of these colors filling a space creating a sense of happiness and life.

Simple Saturday Makeover: Add lots of bright pillows and accessories to liven up your space. Some new table lamps, you can even throw a fun color on your ceiling in high gloss to really make a statement.

Jill Seale Design Studio

Another way to make a bold use of color, is the absence of color with the classic combination of Black and White. Kate Spade and Audrey Hepburn have proven this color combination to be a thing of natural beauty. While being a classic combination, we are seeing black and white being used in strong patterns such as wide stripes, polka dots, and even zebra.

Simple Saturday Makeover: Paint your walls white and your trim black and throw a faux zebra rug on top of a sisal rug for layers of texture.

Bernhardt Furniture

Trend: Greige is the new Grey

While we are seeing a shift to more colorful spaces, the neutral room is still en vogue. However, grey is out and greige is in. Greige is the word used to describe “grey-beige” – or warm greys. This is moving back towards the browns, ever so slightly. Greige is the new contemporary sophistication palate for those that may not want to go all in on bold colors. In 2018, we are seeing neutrals in warm tones with subtle uses of complimentary tonal colors paired with pickled wood tones.

Simple Saturday Makeover: Use Benjamin Moore’s Manchester Tan or Collingwood on your walls to set the warm tone for your room. Keep things simple with greige, brown, and white. If you want a pop of color, pick only one color and use it sparingly.

Hickory White

Trend: Fabric on Furniture

One of the hottest trends that I just adore is fabric-wrapped furniture. We saw this some last year, but in 2018, fabric covered furniture has really made its appearance. We are seeing this trend appear in Chests that are wrapped in linen, Bar cabinets with velvet doors, Shagreen-topped game tables. This added texture speaks to your senses. Furniture that you can not only see, but also truly feel.

Simple Saturday Makeover: Update your bedroom with a grass-cloth covered dresser or night stands. It is sure to compliment your existing pieces.

Bernhardt Furniture

Interior Design trends are always evolving. Find classic pieces that you can update with the latest trends to always keep your home looking fresh.

Cheers!

Melissa Mathe

*Contact mathedesign.com for specialty pricing, non-priced items and other Interior Design needs.