Colorful Designers Share Their Secrets

In March I ran into Amy Lau as she was days away from beginning yet another amazing project. A two story stairwell smack dab in the middle of the 75 million dollar townhouse that was to be this year's 37th Annual Kip's Bay Decorator Show House.

The space would be a collaboration between Amy's visionary design, Maya Romanoff wall coverings and fabrics and the skilled work of the incredible paper artist Jo Lynn Alcorn.

Amy had me so excited over her visionary ideas that I knew I had to talk to Amy further about what had inspired her.so I scheduled a quick phone chat. During the interview Amy tells me what inspired her color choices for this incredible project.

A Colorful Interview: Amy Lau Talks Inspiration and Color

Our cars and their colors have fascinated consumers for almost a century now. Immortalized in songs like Little Red Corvette and Pink Cadillac and driven into our psyche by pop culture-after all, could you ever imagine batman driving a yellow Batmobile or James Bond pulling up in a blue minivan?

As I watched a video on Chevy's site featuring GM's Lead Creative Designer Chris Webb letting us in on the importance that color plays in his job, I became even more intrigued. Chris's enthusiasm for what he does was infectious and I found myself really wanting to know more about what goes on behind the scenes as he and his talented crew are developing new products and colors and I got my big opp- a chance to have an actual cyber chat with Mr. Webb himself:

A Colorful Interview: Chris Webb, GM's Lead Creative Designer

A few weeks back a friend sent me a link to an article called Paint Trends: Predicting The Hottest Colors For Next Year on Shelter Pop, that her friend (and real life style editor) Allison Lind had written- I of course clicked right over.

Once I spotted the amazing array of projects on Allison's own site that she had styled and produced for Ty Pennington At Home, it took less than a NY minute to shoot off an email and get a coffee date on the calender. After all, I couldn't have such a talented style editor this close within my grasp and not attempt to shake a little colorful information out of her.

One yummy latte later- I had all my answers!

A Colorful Interview: The Highs And Lows Of Editorial Style With Allison Lind

What do you get when you take one gi-normous pile of recyclable cardboard boxes, some choice snippets of Americana pop culture and a whole lotta creative genius?

Why the art of Michael Albert of course.

Since I had recently discovered Michael's book 'An Artist's America' -- a colorful retrospective of his amazing career thus far -- I was thrilled at the prospect of being able to ask him a few questions about his work and inspirations.

Color and Inspiration- A Quick Chat With Pop Artist Michael Albert

I first caught word of NYC's Rescue Beauty Lounge a few years back from a discerning, pamper- loving friend who swore it was the go- to place for a luxurious pedicure. What struck me first was it's clever name- after all isn't there a little part of all of us that desires to be 'rescued' from the rigors of this crazy world?

When I began writing a report on nail color trends last Spring- JI and her amazing line of polishes immediately came to mind. After a quick read over her bio on the company's website (a refreshing down-to-Earth rendition of the facts behind her amazing can-do story), I knew right away that she would be the perfect person to talk to about color inspiration.

And I was right. Ji shared inspiring insights and so much more.

A Colorful Chat with Rescue Beauty Lounge's Ji Baek

I have the privilege of knowing some very talented people and can't wait to share their stories with you. Joe Grant is a wonderful man, talented artist, and all around good time friend (and a pretty awesome drummer) . I got the opportunity to visit him and his lovely wife Tracy, also an amazing artist and lifelong friend. Our meeting took place over a long summer weekend at their lakefront home in Nebo, North Carolina. Not bad work , if you can get it.

Heart Of Glass- Meet Joe Grant

I had the thrill of sitting down for a colorful chat with the delicously chic and talented Micheline Taillardat. In case you don't know- Ms. Taillardat is the creative mind and eye behind Taillardat, the furniture firm that she began back in 1987. Over the past 22 years, Taillardat has been hand crafting beautiful and unique pieces 'inspired by' the furnishings of 18th century France.

I knew Micheline was going to be a fun interview when one of the first things she said to me when we met was "Look around my showroom, what color don't you see?"

Was it a trick question? I was so amazed being amongst such brilliant hues ( a raspberry chair in particular had my full attention) that it took me a moment to get my barrings before I finally realized that the answer was 'blue'.

"Blue, for fashion yes,yes -- but for home no, not for me.

Colorful interview: Micheline Taillardat and the French spirit