What Happens in Paris . . .

Actually didn't stay in Paris, but came  home with me in a surprising way.

We had the wonderful opportunity to spend a week in Paris recently. We stayed at a beautiful apartment in a neighborhood just as you imagine Paris neighborhoods to be, lined with outdoor cafes and shops selling fresh vegetables, flowers, bread, wine, and cheese (among many other enticing treats). We spent our days wandering museums, visiting beautiful cathedrals, and even managed a trip to Versailles. Our evenings were spent on one of our two balconies overlooking either the Eiffel Tower or Sacré-Cœur, eating our fresh market purchases and drinking wine.


When we returned  home, we walked into our by now unfamiliar home and were immediately struck by . . . the colors! Our home does not have vivid colors but I do like color. Color is on the walls, in the rugs, and in accent pieces to bring it all together. Our apartment in Paris was pretty devoid of color. The sofa was black, the chairs gray, the bedding white with gray, the stonework in the kitchens and baths gray - even the photos were black and white. We spent our days saturated with the colors (not to mention the sounds and smells) of Paris, then our evenings enjoying the beautiful colors of the views from our balconies. 

And what I realized in a very profound way is that the colors we live with inside our homes are very reflective of what goes on in our lives outside our homes. I find color inspirational, so having a home with colors that work for me but aren't overwhelming not only makes me happy but also helps me bring color inspiration to my clients. But in Paris, the color-less apartment was a respite from our very colorful days. So if our lives outside our homes are chaotic and "colorful", then less color may be much better inside our homes.  

Paris

And that awareness has helped me fine-tune my skills in working with my clients. So in thinking of colors, what do YOU want and need from the colors in your personal environment?

Connecticut

Do you need calm after your colorful days? A little stimulus to energize you for the evening ahead? Whatever it is, the colors you surround yourself with can bring it to you.