Source: pantone.com via Santa Rosa Tile on Pinterest

Those are all certainly things we’d like to see in the upcoming year!

I’ve pulled together a few images of items featuring this lush, bold color – as with 2012′s Tangerine Tango, it doesn’t take much to make an impact! Picture this color painted on the walls of a powder room, however, and you’ll see that it really can give a sophisticated feeling in larger doses as well. The images below plus a several that aren’t shown, are all pulled from our Pinterest board. The other Spring 2013 forecast colors are displayed there as well.

Source: housetohome.co.uk via Santa Rosa Tile on Pinterest

I love emerald green in a soft texture like velvet. It just feels so luxurious, visually as well as tangibly. Satin-finish textiles or items with a slight shimmer would give the same type of effect.

Source: topsyturvystyle.com via Santa Rosa Tile on Pinterest

This bathroom features emerald green, sky blue, and a golden yellow. Each surface has its own pattern, texture, or material, with everything tied together by color. This is a lovely example of pattern mixing and making an impact with a specific color palette.

Source: elledecor.com via Santa Rosa Tile on Pinterest

You could also consider shiny emerald – this calls to mind gemstones, flashy and brilliant. Mixed with metals, it’s a bold statement-making color.

Source: thehuntedinterior.blogspot.com via Santa Rosa Tile on Pinterest

This dresser was painted, glazed, waxed, and finished off with tassels. Inspired by a Kelly Wearstler piece, it’s had quite the transformation from a cast-off piece of furniture to focal point in the living room! It bridges the contemporary style of the graphic black and white accents and the classic style of the chair and it’s own design.

Source: poshtots.com via Santa Rosa Tile on Pinterest

Here’s emerald green used in a trendy pattern on a rug. This would work well in many rooms, from a living room to your kid’s room or wherever you want a bit of this green without a huge commitment. It doesn’t get much easier than switching out a rug, after all.

Source: habitathorticulture.com via Santa Rosa Tile on Pinterest

I just recently heard about Habitat Horticulture, a San Francisco-based company that specializes in living walls and similar items. This is an example of their new Living Tables, with live succulents housed under glass for a unique and gorgeous accent table. Green is a color that is beyond abundant in nature, so if emerald is too strong to integrate into your typical decor through paint or furniture, it may be easier to bring it in through plants and natural elements.

Emerald green is a color that work across every style. It can lend a sense of energy to rooms that need it, be used as an accent color to tie thing together, or provide a luxurious touch in a space. I look forward to seeing more of it this year!

Source: colorchats.benjaminmoore.com via Santa Rosa Tile’s Pinterest

There’s a solution, though! Mixing a bit of un-sanded grout into latex paint will give you a chalk-friendly surface in any color you want. Acrylic paints should work, too, but avoid oil-based paints – they won’t create the right surface texture.

Source: centsationalgirl.com via Santa Rosa Tile’s Pinterest

The best ratio to use varies depending on who you ask, but 2 tablespoons grout per cup of paint seems like a good place to start. You can always add more grout, but don’t mix it up so thick you can’t paint with it and be sure to thoroughly mix in the grout without lumps.

Source: abeautifulmess.com via Santa Rosa Tile’s Pinterest

As for how to use chalkboard paint? Here are just a few ideas:

• Message board from framed plywood or a painted canvas
• Trays – especially great for parties because you can label what’s being served
• Inside of a pantry or kitchen cabinet door – perfect for grocery lists or keeping track of all those hard-to-see cans and jars
• Mini signs for placecards or an appetizer table
• Paint an entire refrigerator
• Kids’ rooms or playrooms can use a little chalkboard paint right on the wall

Source: mycakies.com via Santa Rosa Tile’s Pinterest

Source: homemadesimple.com via Santa Rosa Tile’s Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Santa Rosa Tile’s Pinterest

Source: camillestyles.com via Santa Rosa Tile’s Pinterest

Since you know how to make any paint into chalkboard paint, you don’t have to worry about the chalkboard fading into the background (unless you want it to)!

Source: astylistslife.com via Santa Rosa Tile’s Pinterest

Unsanded grout can be purchased at your local tile or hardware store, or if you or someone you know recently remodeled, you might be able to snag just a little bit from them. It’s best to use regular chalk on these surfaces; chalk pens may not erase properly. Make sure you “prime” the surface after painting but before using it by completely covering it with chalk then wiping off with a dry towel.

Fern Wreath

Source: marthastewart.com via Santa Rosa on Pinterest

Table Setting

Source: creatingcoutureparties.com via Santa Rosa on Pinterest

Quick Centerpiece

Source: bhg.com via Santa Rosa on Pinterest

Click to view all on one page

A remodel doesn’t have to mean structural changes, architects, and blueprints; with just a few good installers and a little of your own elbow grease, you can make a big impact. These changes can be done in stages, too, if you don’t want to upgrade everything all at once.

When we moved into our current house, it was in need of some updates. The carpeting was dingy, the kitchen cabinets and counters were worn down, and the rest of the flooring was old vinyl. I don’t have “before” photos, but for reference, the entire living room, entryway, and hallway were carpeted. The kitchen had vinyl flooring and laminate countertops.

For durability and easy care, the entryway and hallway got tile to replace the carpet; we chose Pietre Travertine in beige, a porcelain tile with a stone look. The same tile was used on the kitchen and dining room floor. The kitchen counters were replaced with granite slabs. Along with some paint on the cabinets, a new sink, and new appliances it feels like a different space. The remaining carpet was replaced as well, and later wooden blinds were installed on the window. These relatively simple changes made a huge difference – it feels welcoming now instead of worn-down.

Details
Floor tiles: Pietre Travertine beige
Countertops: Labrador Antique granite – also called “Blue Eyes” for the flecks of blue labradorite in the stone

Via Pantone.com

It doesn’t take much of this bold color to make an impact in any living space.

Pairing this color with whites and grays lets it stand out on its own. These bar stools are a perfect example of the impact tangerine makes in a mostly-white kitchen:

Via MidwestLiving.com

It makes a more traditional style guest room look modern with grey walls and plenty of white:

Via MeredithHeron.com

Mixing it in with blues and greens adds contrast and energy – perfect for those who are drawn to bright, bold color schemes!

Caitlin Wilson Via HouseOfTurquoise.com

I love the warmth of tangerine with tans and browns, as in this room below:

eclectic bedroom design by orange county interior designer Domicile Interior Design

And if you’re not interested in adding this color to your home, what about using it in your garden? This post demonstrates some different ways to use it, discusses a little bit about color theory, and even makes plant suggestions.

Via TheDesignConfidential.com

Do you see Tangerine Tango in your future?

We offer many products that are manufactured right here in the United States. The first few lines we carry that come to mind are from Fireclay, Market Collection, and Crossville. In fact, Market Collection tiles are made right here in Sonoma County, making it even closer to home. These companies, and others, offer a wide variety of materials, including glass, ceramic tiles, and porcelain “stone” tiles.

Fireclay Crush 100% Recycled Glass

Crossville Mosaic

We also import many products; often these are things that cannot be found in the United States. Carrara marble, for example, is a well-known product that comes from Italy. If it’s not from Carrara, it’s a different product. Natural stones are just that – natural – and can’t be manufactured in the US or elsewhere (although as an alternative, some of our US companies make similar looking man-made products). Other international products are different than what you could find here. These products are unique and beautiful, and we are glad that we can get them from different places around the world.

White Carrara Marble

Similar to buying local products is simply buying from local businesses. When you support a local business, you’re also supporting the other American business they work with. We work with many American companies that the big box stores don’t, we offer a wider variety of American-made materials, and we have higher quality products. Even if you buy a Turkish or Italian product from us, by supporting our business you’re helping us to continue working with our US suppliers and manufacturers. By choosing to purchase from an independent retailer you’re supporting the US economy in an important and far-reaching way.

I think the most important aspect of this 5% challenge is to be mindful of what you purchase. Rather than buying the first and cheapest thing you find, consider who you’re working with, what you’re getting for the money, and the impact your purchases may have.

The brand that I originally saw was Mibo, a UK based company with a variety of beautiful designs.

Photo via Mibo.co.uk

 
This style is called Ventnor. I think the blue is really pretty, but it comes in several other colors as well, including some that are two-tone like this and some that are a single color.

Photo via 2jane.com

 
This animal themed one would be fun in a children’s bathroom where you want a design that you can change as your kids grow and change. And unlike many animal graphics, these aren’t too “kid-like” to work in other spaces as well.

Another company that makes tile decals is Sticviews. They have different patterns and styles than Mibo, and they also offer the ability to upload your own design.

Photo via sticviews.com

 
This is an example of a design that’s very trendy – aqua blue and a Suzani-like pattern. It’s fun and bright, but it’s not necessarily something you would want for the next few decades. Since these are removable, you could put them in your home now and switch them out in a few years (months, even!)

And if you like traditional tattoos and want something long-lasting – no temporary tattoos for you! – Modwalls offers a line of Tile Tattoos, sold by the piece and designed by two tattoo artists. These are actual tiles rather than just decals, but they’re similar in that you would probably use a few of these as accents rather than filling an entire space with them.

Photo via Modwalls.com

Designs include this anchor, a heart that says “Mom,” and more. Their Lush tiles coordinate with the tattoos and come in several colors.

Any of these decals could go on very simple wall tiles; the Mibo stickers in particular are made to go best on white 4×4 tiles but will work on other tiles as well. They would also be good accents where you’re using glass accents.

These are a few quick examples from our showroom of what you could use with these decals. If anyone has used these personally, let us know! I’d love to see how they look.