Isabel de Yzaguirre,
La Colorista.
Showing posts with label Catalonia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Catalonia. Show all posts
Monday, December 23, 2013
Merry Christmas and a Happy 2014!!!!
With the best wishes of love, peace, health and prosperity for everybody from
Sunday, December 30, 2012
25 most bookmarked Colourful Homes in Houzz 2012!
I've found this collection of 25 most bookmarked Colourful Homes 2012 in Houzz and really enjoyed the collection. Of course I love some more than others, but all of them are a good example of how color can help to make you feel better in your home. Which ones do you prefer?
As for 2013, I guess blues and greens are going to be on spot...
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Tiffany's Christmas Window Displays in Barcelona
Yesterday I went to Barcelona and had a walk along Passeig the Gràcia, where you can find some well known Luxury Brands like Chanel, Loewe and many more.
Since I signed up for Instagram and Tumblr, I have become used to chase images of things I love with my mobile device. It's light, it's easy and it helps networking.I love chasing colors, and I love chasing Window Displays, since you can learn a lot from them. I confess I didn't know we have a Tiffany&Co in Barcelona, and I was amazed at their Christmas Window Display.
Tiffany Barcelona,
by IdY (Isabel de Yzaguirre), La Colorista.
They are like a window into a home, where someone has prepared a wonderful present wrapped in, what else could it be? A wonderful Tiffany Blue wrapping paper.
Tiffany Barcelona,
by IdY (Isabel de Yzaguirre), La Colorista.
I learnt from haft2, that Richard Moore is the Visual Merchandiser who has designed this beautiful displays. According to him, each window ”reveals a glimpse into the precious moments families celebrate during the holiday season, with love and romance.”As long as I could see yesterday, they have diplayed the same concept in Barcelona, and I love it!
Tiffany Barcelona,
by IdY (Isabel de Yzaguirre), La Colorista.
This precious displays remember me of the Catalan tradition of building diorama in Christmas. And what is a diorama? According to www.dictionary.com "it is 1.a scene, often in miniature, reproduced in three dimensions by placing objects, figures, etc., in front of a painted background. 2.a life-size display representing a scene from nature, a historical event, or the like, using stuffed wildlife, wax figures, real objects, etc., in front of a painted or photographed background. 3.a spectacular picture, partly translucent, for exhibition through an aperture, made more realistic by various illuminating devices. 4.a building or room, often circular, for exhibiting such a scene or picture, esp. as a continuous unit along or against the walls."
Tiffany Barcelona,
by IdY (Isabel de Yzaguirre), La Colorista.
We use to reproduce scenes from the Bible and the birth of Jesus in the Christmas Season. Every artisan makes his or her own dioram and we celebrate Exhibits and Contests. And we love to go to watch the wonderful small sceneries made with all kind of details. I wonder if the Tiffany team did know about that?
Tiffany Barcelona,
by IdY (Isabel de Yzaguirre), La Colorista.
My son is the best jewel!
I never thought a blue could be so warm as Tiffany's. I find it a precious hue for Christmas, and I confess I crave for Tiffany Blue. Not for diamonds, but yes for something bearing this jewelled color.
Merry Christmas Season to everybody!
With Love from
Isabel de Yzaguirre,
La Colorista.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Moià's Architectural Colours (1).
What did I love from this image? The citrus yellow in the old small house against the blue mediterranean sky. I could extract this olive green which pairs well with yellow and yellowish white. Together with pastel and sky blue and dark blue, they make a happy, luminous and well balanced colour palette. I'd love to gather my own collection of colours!
Enjoy!
Sunday, April 29, 2012
On White.
I have recently created some Colour Ideabooks in my Houzz profile, to collect beautiful images gathered by Colour families. Today I'll begin showcasing White.
Traditionally used in neutral colour schemes, the use of whites was a predominant trend in the 20 th. Century, between the 50's and the 70's. Considered by some to represent purity and cleanliness and thought to be an ideal background to colourful decorating items and effects by many Interior Designers, Colour Expert Frank Mahnke devoted a chapter to White in his book "Color and Light in man-made Environment". The Chapter's title was "The Case Against White". There Mahnke argues why, "on a psychological basis, white is sterile" and is not recommended in Hospitals and Old-age Institutions. It seems that we humans need sensory variety in our homes and this can be introduced with the help of colour and the use of texture and patterns (wallpapers, textiles). On the contrary, the predominance of white can become boring and tedious in the end.
There are other issues with white: in contrast with bold colours, it can lead to eye strain, as it requires "extreme adaptative changes from light to dark".
Being highly light reflectant, too bright whites can cause a distressing glare. This is why, according to Mahnke, white should not be used as a predominant colour in Interiors:
On the other hand, Design Writer Linda O'Keefe has devoted a book to White in Design. There she states that "White has the ability to pull everything together in a way that is kind of seductive". A timeless colour, it endures Seasons and Trend changes and never dates. As she says "all begins and ends with white"...
What do you think on this Colour Trend?
And if I can help you in some way, please contact me!
Isabel de Yzaguirre,
La Colorista.
Browse Lighting on Houzz- For Example:
Saturday, April 7, 2012
"Mona de Pasqua", an Easter's Catalan Traditional Cake.
Today I want to present a Catalan Easter's Tradition to my international friends. It is a sweet and colourful one. It's about a cake we call "Mona de Pasqua", Easter Mona. The traditional one looks like this:
This evolved to the current Mona, which can be made with butter,candied fruits and chocolate. And it is usually decorated with colourful feathers and yellow chiks.
It is a sweet cake that was eaten togehter with boiled eggs, chocolate and a kind of dried pork sausage that we call "llonganissa". The name comes from "munus", which in ancient greek meant "Present". Or maybe from the arab word "munna", which means "food for the mouth". The Mona is known by its name since the XV th. century. It meant the end of the fasting period previous to Easter.
Un parrain offrant une mona à son filleul. Vers 1865-1866.
This evolved to the current Mona, which can be made with butter,candied fruits and chocolate. And it is usually decorated with colourful feathers and yellow chiks.
This tradition is specifical to Catalonia and Valencia. There, the Godfather or the Granpa used to give the Mona as a present to Godsons and Goddaughters or to Grandchildren on Easter's Day. And it was eaten as a dessert on Monday's Easter familie's celebrations.
The Egg seams to be a symbol of the Resurrection of the Earth in Spring. It is found from Catalonia to England to Ukraine. And we can relate it with the tradition of Easter Eggs in Northern Europe and USA.
Isn't this a sweet tradition? I hope you will love to know about it as much as we do.
By the way,I hope a resurrection of colours in Spring.!
Happy Easter to everybody!!!
Isabel de Yzaguirre,
La Colorista.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Guest blog by Joanna from Design Shuffle: Wonderfully Colorful Walls!
Hi! I’m Joanna, a writer for Design Shuffle, a terrific site featuring everything interior design. On the site you can find the latest designs from prominent designers and up-to-the minute news on the interiors industry. I LOVE my work. I get to spend my time searching the Internet and shelter mags for the most beautiful interior designs and bring them together to share on blogs like La Colorista. Thanks for letting me share today!
If you’re not faint of heart when it comes to wearing or decorating with bright colors, then you know the joy of a boldly hued outfit or interior space. I especially love color, but have a hard time committing to just one. That isn’t a problem for the designers of the rooms below. They went all out when choosing colors that pop for their walls.
A wall doesn’t have to be a solid color to be bold and bright. This wall has all the colors of the rainbow and becomes a cohesive burst of wonderful color.
An accent wall in a modern home office acts as a decorative entrance to a master bedroom.
This dining room (from the same home as above) is full of character and personality with its red and purple
accents.
All pretty in pink, this bedroom design wears the color beautifully. This would be a lovely room to awaken to every morning, don’t you think?
This fun retro room full of 60s charm would be a blast to hang out in with its comfy, stylish seating and brilliant colors.
Mum’s the word in this pretty corner spot. I love the pink velvet chaise and the dramatic black chandelier.
This room may seem as if it is shouting, “look at me!” but I find it dramatic and chic. Does it inspire any ideas for your bedroom design, den design, or any other part of your home?
Honeysuckle and silver cover a bold wall over a daybed. The silhouette adds personality along with rich textures and hues on the throw pillows.
Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Longing for even more colorful inspiration? Then head on over to Design Shuffle where you can explore various interior design styles and browse through the portfolios of Chicago interior designers and more!
Friday, February 3, 2012
Purple
Purple is a trendy color. It was chosen by CMG as Color of the Year 2012 and they named it Boyz'n'Berry:
We are currently seeing purple and its related hues featured in many products, as in this sofa from Anéguil:
Or in this jardinière from the same brand:
Also in this glass washbasin from Courant Verre:
And in this beautiful carpet by Heuga.
As for Colour Palettes combining purple, I love this one created and shared by Kate Smith:
Recently, Color Strategist Lori Sawaya produced this Colorgraphic that shows Purple's meanings:
Color Marketing Group think that "From office to home, from youth market to luxury goods, purple has as much masculine as feminine appeal. Confident women and real men wear purple!" I love this turn of purple towards men!
Lori Sawaya has developed a palette of plums and purples in an Infographic that explains how and where you can use purple. If you want it, you can download it in PDF format here:
We are currently seeing purple and its related hues featured in many products, as in this sofa from Anéguil:
Also in this glass washbasin from Courant Verre:
And in this beautiful carpet by Heuga.
As for Colour Palettes combining purple, I love this one created and shared by Kate Smith:
Purple was showcased by CAUS as early as in their 2011-12 Trends Report in GLOBAL ARTISAN TREND. Don't you be reminded of Pantone's Tangerine Tango by some of the hues in this palette?
I love how Jane Hall used purple in this interior:
Via Pinterest
And how JPM did combine it here:
JPM Design, via Pinterest.
We could go on and on... and it would take long. I only expect you love purple as much as I do,be it trendy or not!
And if you need Color Help, please contact me.
Yours in Color!
Isabel de Yzaguirre,
La Colorista.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Celebration!
I'm feeling so happy, I have something to celebrate! This blog devoted to Colour has reached 10.000 visits this week!
I want to celebrate with friends and visitors. Which could be the best way to? A colourful one, maybe?
Via Pinterest
Let's send colourful inviting cards...
Via Semigloss Chic
... dress up in a colourful way!
Jessica Colaluca via Pinterest
Arrange a warm welcoming ambient...
Via Coco Kelley
...prepare food with the colours of the rainbow...
Via Tablespoon
...serve colourful drinks...
Via Tablespoon
... have colourful candies...
Via Pretty Things
And let's have specially a sweet Coloured Anniversary Cake!
Which of these do you like best?
By Bijoux Doux
By Baked Ideas
All of them wear colours I love. Which are your favorite colours?
If you want to, I can help you to choose Colour, just contact me!
Friday, January 6, 2012
The three Holy Kings.
In Spain, children aren't' given their presents in Christmas day, they are in Kings' Day. That is in the mornig of the 6th. of January. This has to do with the influence of Catholic Church in our country, in past days. As the Three Magic Kings are said to have taken presents of Gold, Incense and Myrrh to the newborn Jesus, children are given presents this day, provided they have been good in the preceeding year.Children write a letter to the Kings and ask for what they would love to be given.
And in the night of January the 5th., all children and their parents go to welcome the Three Magic Kings who visit their town to accomplish their so important mission. And so have done again today in the small village where I live.
Someone even was wearing white Angel wings... and a blue cap!
There is a tradition that belongs specifically to this place. While attending for the Kigs to arrive, parents and children light fires that burn big bunches of dried lavender. I think in old days this was meant to guide the Three Kings to the village, with the help of the small flames shining in the night, and of the purifying odour of burning lavender.
Children also make and light paper lanterns, with the help of their parents.
This year, the Magic Kings' Caravan was open by an Angel in the first carriage.
Then, according to the tradition, came the White King, as children call him.
The Kings wear rich clothings, throw candies to children and wave hands!
The White-haired King exhibited wintery blue and purple hues, together with white, black and sparkles of gold and red.
After him came the Blond King, wearing traditional Chirstmas colours: red, green and gold.
And in last but not least place, the Black King, by far the children's favourite since I have memory as a child. And it's still the same today.
All children are wishing to talk to him and tell him they have been good enough to deserve their presents!
As you can see, all the Kings' robes and carriages' garments were in rich jewel tones, according to their rank. I'm willing to create some royal color palettes as soon as I can!
After welcoming the Three Kings, children go home and must go to sleep soon after dinner. If they are awake when the Kings go to visit them, might be they would not be given any presents! When I was a child my parents always left some dry bread and a bowl filled with water in the balcony, to feed the royal camels. I assumed that as the Kings were magicians, the camels could fly to a fourth flat and they could open the doors and come into all the houses. Once, I heard the camel's bells ringing... and was lucky enough to stay absolutely quiet in bed! At home there was always some sweet wine and biscuits for the Kings to eat and drink. Their's was a hard work: they had to visit all the children in the world in one only night to bring them their presents. It was fair to help them have a rest and get their strength back. And in the morning, the first thing we did was to check that camels had eaten bread and drunk water. Then, findig where the Kings had left our presents was a happy game!
Now that I'm a grown up, I love to go to welcome the Kings with my son. And this day, which means the closing of Christmas Season for us, still makes me feel joyful!
Now that I'm a grown up, I love to go to welcome the Kings with my son. And this day, which means the closing of Christmas Season for us, still makes me feel joyful!
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