I've got the blues....in all its many shades!

Good morning. I have a small request. I get a fair number of anonymous comments which is totally fine. However many of those ask me questions about specifics on a post, like the name of a paint color or an architects name, and I am generally very prompt at getting back to people and always acknowledge the questions. But if you are anonymous I have no way of writing you back! So the best thing most likely to insure a reply is to click on the "email me" link on the right and it will allow you to email me directly with your question. Hope this clarifies things, as I am always more than happy to help/answer any questions.

Like blue? Me too, but I am sure that's not a big revelation if you have been coming to my blog for any length of time! I love blues from the palest milkiest grayest blues to the darkest inkiest navy. There is not a bad blue in my book. I find this color to be incredible versatile, uplifting, moody in a good way, dramatic when you want it to be and above all else beautiful! There are few colors paired with blue that don't look amazing, from all the neutrals all the way to rich browns. I know I will be using plenty of blue in my house as I start to decorate. So today is all about the many shades of blue that really light my fire. What is your opinion on blue? Like or love? Always love to know......

Love blue and cream, just so soothing

Love a little pop of navy in a white bathroom.....stunning! T.Keller Donovan

Rich navy is always a perfect choice against a white sofa, T.Keller Donovan

Nancy Corzine used a pale green blue in this pretty living room

This is a great little office with pops of blue, very cozy! Massucco, Warner Miller

How beautiful is this room in all its shades of blue against crisp white? Dreamy! 

Love blues in the outdoors, what a setting! Martyn Lawrence-Bullard

Love this guest room with different shades of blues, with a pop of coral/rose on the footstools, Sucasa

This is one of my personal favorite shades of blue.....so fresh!

A soft powdery blue on a living room wall brings instant serenity to the space, Suzanne Kasler

With pops of white this predominantly blue room feels elegant, airy and crisp, Diamond Baratta

How pretty is this fabulous room? Love the palest blue chairs, Leta Austin Foster

This gorgeous dramatic room gets a punch of beautiful blue, Nancy Corzine

This beautiful and serene room feels so calming with all this blue, Arch Digest

In the outdoors its nothing less than refreshing and elegant

Really like this room, the beautiful sapphire blue velvet chairs and subtle placement of blue on the pillows  and drapes is just gorgeous, Palm Design Group

I have always like navy with beige, such an elegant and timeless combination, Theodore and Co.

How about this rich blue chinoiserie for an elegant dining room? Sucasa Designs

Rich and royal.....love this setting, Thomas Burak

Love the crisp fresh feel here, the pop of the navies against the white is just stunning, Martyn Lawrence Bullard

One of my favorite colors blue, a pale gray blue

How about a vibrant royal blue paper in an otherwise light room? So pretty! Massucco, Warner Miller Designs

Navy is always a winner when paired with off white and rich wood, Lynn Morgan

One of my favorite shades, a pale gray blue, it is so soothing for a bedroom, House Beautiful

This blogland favorite is a stunning example of how stunning navy is in the bedroom, Mary McDonald

Love this cheery periwinkle blue bedroom, so uplifting! Lynn Morgan

Gorgeous dining room with subtle hints of pale pale blue, love the rug and of course the chinoiserie! Bear Hill Interiors

Love the elegant blue and white print here, Coastal Living

Traditional bedroom in soft blues against white, very serene and elegant

Gorgeous bedroom with a pale teal blue, Jan Showers

Love the blues against the creamy white walls in this fabulous dining room, Thomas Burak

Is there anything fresher than pale blue and crisp white, I don't think so! Leta, Austin and Foster

And a little recap on "the blues"...............

All this blue, has me feeling so happy...... I love blue, in all its many shades. How about you? Do you have any blue in your home? Have a favorite room here? Love to know your thoughts! Also don't forget about the exciting giveaway that Party Resources and I are doing from Peter Callahan. Click here to find out more. Wishing you have a wonderful day.

Bench beautiful........and a major giveaway!

Good morning! Things are moving fast and furious over at the house and I am going to go over today and take some pictures...will share with you tomorrow. I am also excited  to announce a great giveaway tied into today's post.  Who doesn't love a great bench! I mean this is kind of a staple don't you think? At the foot of a bed, in a library or in a family room, out on a patio, maybe a small one in a bathroom or in a mud room, a bench is just one of those little must haves that is great to have around. Like an old comfortable shoe, its practical, it fits, and you need one (or two). Benches can be found in whole host of styles, a range of sizes and more colors and patterns than you can wrap your brain around.

 I love a great bench and I think virtually every manufacturer makes them and goodness knows they can easily be found in every price range, from the very very affordable to the extremely high end collectible pieces. There is no denying their versatility and with their relatively light weight they can easily be moved around, to make for  impromptu extra seating when needed for last minute guests. Here is a look at the way benches are used in many different types and styles of rooms. I know when I move there will be benches found not only in a few of my bedrooms but in my family room and tucked beneath a console or two. Lets face it, a bench is a staple amongst a homes must have items....at least in my opinion. Just a practical little item. Do you have a favorite?  

This leads me to my great giveaway!! Safavieh has generously donated this fabulous looking bench that not only is beautiful but also doubles as great storage! How good looking is this? Some lucky winner will win this great looking bench.....that can be used virtually anywhere!! Made of a cream linen material...it is neutral and has such an elegant streamlined shape. It measures 19H X 15WX 45D. (Retails for approx. $450.00)

Its easy to win, you have to do TWO things....1. Comment on this post and leave an email address if I am unable to contact you via your blogger name 2.Visit Safavieh at www.safaviehhome.com and then visit them at their facebook page by clicking here and tell them your favorite item...that's it!!  I will announce the winner of the bench on my Friday post! Good luck!! 

Moving onto my bench post.........

                                   Sleek white leather bench with silver legs, Decorpad

Ashley Goforth chose a small grey bench for this pretty bathroom

I like the idea of adding two smaller benches around a foyer table as was done here, Rinfret

A fun black and white bench was worked into this cozy seating nook in this kitchen, Garage workbench

Love a built in bench such as this one used as breakfast room seating, Decorpad

Twice as nice....a pair of pretty benches at the foot of a bed, Decorpad

A whimsical fun bench is added to a youngsters room...Decorpad

A bench can be most practical in a beautiful mudroom as shown here!

Kendall Wilkinson added an elegant French inspired bench to this elegant master suite

Love seeing a bench in a bathroom, two is even better! Timothy Whealon

A bench with assorted wicker baskets doubles as a practical storage solution! Decorpad

This sweet little bench is a great bench to have right next to the back door.....Country Living

Benches are just not for inside! Martensen Jones Interiors gives this patio an all white makeover

Scott Laslie design added a pretty tailored bench to this elegant transitional bedroom

A combination of benches being used as kitchen seating, fun!

Having an over sized bench in your bathroom is indeed a luxury, but then again this bath belongs to Ralph Lauren!

How about a fabulous high backed shaped bench like this one for drama? Rinfret

A cozy and sun filled space such as this one makes this bench seating a perfect choice

Love this elegant little bench that Phobe Howard tucked under this very elegant marble vanity

Phoebe Howard chose this gorgeous bench to add a little pizazz to this foyer

Something really cozy about a built in bench, like this one in this home by Robert Stern

A delicate bench was added to the foot of this luxurious master bed, Brett Design Inc

Pretty sided bench gets dressed up with trellis pillows,  Studio ten 25

This charming little bathroom gets a zebra covered bench to add some zest! House and Home

Thomas Pheasant chose an elegant tufted gray bench for the foot of this masculine bedroom

Barclay Butera chose a gorgeous white tufted bench for the end of this pretty bed

A collection of benches to incorporate as kitchen seating is a neat idea too!

A delicate little silk covered bench with gold leaf is added to the side of this pretty bed, Decorpad

Suzanne Kasler thought outside the box by adding two pairs of benches to this farmhouse table in this kitchen and the result is fabulous!

Love a pretty feminine bench in a bathroom.....how decadent! M Elle

I like this built in bench in this kids playroom, practical, fun and doubles as storage!

A bench in a hallway is always a practical solution, Nathan Egan

Lucky little bench to be part of such an opulent bathroom! Photo by Andrea Trauttsmandorff

Shope Reno Wharton chose a pair of pretty benches in ivory to pair with the comfy chairs in this sumptuous master suite

Love the luxury of having a bench in a dressing room, S.R.Gambrel

An elegant bench doubles as storage for books and magazine in this beautiful bedroom, Veranda

Thornton Designs chose to put this bench at the foot of the main stair hall, love this look!

Love seeing the bench as wide as the bed....beautiful!

Gwen Driscoll chose a modern bench for this rustic foyer...I love the mix!

A bench that doubles as storage for extra blankets and pillows, Elle Decor

How luxurious....a bench in your boutique like closet! Traditional Home

Nancy Boszhardt used a narrow bench for the end of this very elegant and refined bedroom

Samantha Pynn designed this great functional and beautiful storage bench

A beach bedroom gets a wicker bench to keep the natural feeling of the bedroom, Coastal Living

Suzanne Kasler chose a pony covered bench for this living room setting to use as a coffee table

A storage bench that looks great too! Coastal Living

A leopard bench is quite luxurious! Suzanne Lovell

Love the slightly modern benches Elizabeth Dinkel chose for this traditional guest room! Great looking!

This is a neat idea, a low bench topped with colorful luxurious pillows on one end of a dining table to mix up the seating! CHM

Do you have a favorite? Is there a special way or place you like to use a bench? Any tips or creative ways you would like to share? Do tell! Hope you have an enchanted day!!