I really enjoy browsing the portfolios of photographers and stylists online, I find them to be very inspirational and packed with decorating, color and placement ideas. Today I’d like to share views from the portfolio of Brooklyn-based stylist Randi Brookman Harris. I’ve been waiting for her portfolio to go live (the site wasn’t ready last time that I checked) so I was excited to click over today and see it up and running. It looks great!
Randi’s work has appeared in numerous publications and in ad campaigns — she once styled for Kate Spade and has worked on numerous shoots for Martha Stewart Living and Weddings magazine. Aren’t these colors sublime?
I don’t know about you but I’m currently inspired by red, white and raw linen and for a more jazzy palette – I’m loving jewel tones, too. It’s funny, I’m not a “red” person. I think it competes too much with my personality so I tend to shy away from using it in my home. I remember reading once in one of Shannon Fricke’s books that she had red in her extroverted daughter’s room and it affected her quite negatively, though her son didn’t mind the color at all. She removed the red and her daughter’s mood improved significantly. I believe color can have a strong impact on mood, and when I studied color theory I become even more aware of this fact — it’s not some decorator’s myth or something, it’s true. And so when I have red in my home, I feel very uneasy and my brain starts to race and I cannot concentrate. I’ve noticed this because I had red pillows and lamps several years back and really, really disliked them and stayed out of my bedroom (where they were) as much as possible. Then in my class, that same year, I learned about the power of color and so I purchased softer hues for my bedroom and instantly felt better there. In fact, it became my favorite room in the house once the colors were softer. I could think more clearly, my breathing slowed, I felt great and very peaceful.
But back to being inspired by red, white and raw linen… I tried to figure out why this is based on my own experience with red and well, I guess it has to do with shops I’m visiting here… it’s everywhere! But aside from that, red, white and raw linen seem to be a good match for me as the color doesn’t stress me out nearly as much when combined with white and raw linen. I guess the white cools down its heat and the linen adds a natural, relaxed feel to the palette. But I think I’ll refrain from decorating with it so I don’t go bonkers!
And I bet your favorite color is red right? And you think I’m hating on red now? he he. Well I’m not. I actually like it very much and find it to be very lovely but I cannot live with it in my home. And I wish I could. But no chance.
In additional to red, the seasonal themes here seem to be jewel tones, red/white/linen, purples and greens with brown, and another palette is gold and white. It’s all so very pretty! I remember growing up, all you could find in stores in November and December… well take a guess. Pine green and bright red. That was it! Now, there are colors for every taste and style and I really appreciate this as I don’t like to feel confined to use certain colors. And goodness, we need variety. Life is more exciting when you try different types of experiences!
So tell me, what colors are you seeing out there lately that really inspire you? Any specific palettes that have your attention?
(images: randi brookman harris)
Tags: stylist
November 11th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Yellow! All shades but mostly it’s that yellow that has that hint of going more towards the orange shade than your average banana/sunshine yellow.
A skirt, a duvet cover, a purse, heals, and top…all yellow! I think a cardigan and a pair of flats and then maybe I’ll be satisifed. :)
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..LYP Likes This =-.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Drop to the floor stunning photographs! She is so talented!
My best friend’s favorite color is red. She uses the color throughout her house! Every time I visit I like red even more! And her 4 year old always humorously points out that her mommy’s favorite color is red.
I love the combination of Loden green, gray and red. As well as chestnut brown and gold. I feel a yellow/deep green combo approaching in the spring. Until then, I am satisfied drooling over the color palettes shown here! xo, Katy
November 11th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
I have been really liking a muted, deep, dark purple and dark gray. Maybe it is the colder weather. Usually purple isn’t my thing, but I keep seeing these gorgeous darker shades. It is closer to my usual color choice for everything…black…with a bit more sass.
.-= Andrea´s last blog ..journals =-.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Such inspirational pictures – the beautiful images stylists create continually astounds me! On the subject of red, I find en masse it really does make me feel uneasy. Years ago, in our first home we painted a feature wall red in our bedroom, hallway and also our front door. The one in the bedroom was the first to go, it was promptly replaced with a taupe (soo much better!). The wall in the hallway was eventually painted over also, but being a transition space, it worked quite well. The red front door I absolutely adored and wouldn’t have changed for all the world. I must admit thought that since then I have been a little red-shy myself. I have seen some great room using red and I am always a little tempted. Linen and white with red accents, sounds very Country Road (Australian retailer).
.-= julie´s last blog ..remember =-.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
I feel the same about red as you do. I always tell people I like red in small doses. We used to have a quilt on our bed with alot of red in it because my husband really liked it, but I had a hard time liking my bedroom with that color in there. I changed it to soft blues and greens and now I love it, it feels calm and more romantic to me. I did a little post about a week ago, because I noticed a trend in the colors of the items that I had been putting into my favorites on etsy. I seem to be drawn to aqua blue and harvest gold this fall season.
.-= Melissa Allam´s last blog ..So you want to know a little bit more about me… =-.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
My husband’s favorite color is red and, like you, it makes me uncomfortable and anxious, so we limit it to small accents in one room. I did just add touches of orange to my office and I surprised myself by finding it invigorating and energizing.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
I’ve felt this exact same way about yellow my entire life. I HATED it before. Being in a yellow room would spur gnashing of the teeth.
But. Then I saw the yellow, gray and white palette in Domino. Wow. I can’t do that, because white walls call for loads of natural light, or else they look dingy. So now my walls are…a gorgeous sherberty yellow color.
And when I made the switch from a deep blue to yellow, I became a noticeably happier person. But I still love blue. ;)
November 11th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
First I want to say, found your site last week and Im hooked. Usually in looking at blogs, well, thats just it, I look at the photos. Im a Photographer. But your blog…I actually read the text. How wonderful!
Tonight driving back from class I did take notice in the colors on the streets (don’t know why just did) Red and green lights, different tones of headlights, lots smooth cream tones for signs, and slick blacks.
For me however, red is it. Since first visiting England ten years ago, and seeing the different tones of red, now I can not live with out this warm nestling hue in my home. My living room has been five different tones of red since, and now red Victorian wall paper. It soothes me, comforts me, and spikes my creativity. On the other hand, wearing red is impossible. I physically get sick and become completely uncomfortable. Such a juxtaposition…no?
.-= Elizabeth´s last blog ..Metropolitan Museum of Art. =-.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Design Lovely posted a color scheme with pumpkin, black, caramel, seafoam and deep sage green (inspired by a parrot). It really captured my imagination. I also love the hydrangea blue, black plum and khaki that J. Crew has been putting together.
The orange, rust, caramel and gold tones of sunsets with that soft lavender is amazing. Great post!
November 11th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
well, i don’t think this is any new color palette, but i always respond to the palette of Cath Kidston designs. rosy or bright red, robin’s egg blue, minty green. i just love it. my kitchen is definitely in these colors, but not the rest of my apartment, although i am tempted always to decorate it that way. i am afraid of too much bright maybe, so i stick to a more muted, Shabby Chic palette in the other rooms.
the photos in this post are lovely, especially the first few with the purple grays and orangey reds!
.-= A Sort Of Fairy Tale´s last blog ..What I Want Wednesday 11/11 =-.
November 11th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
ooh… I am with you. Can’t do red….in my home. Don’t know why…..
I am still loving grays, lavenders, white/gold and really? Every time Leslie posts here, I begin to be in love with the palettes she features. She is THAT good, isn’t she?! Love these palettes above as well…..adore all of those soft lilacs. *sigh*
xo
Melis
.-= Melissa de la Fuente´s last blog ..It’s my bag, baby! =-.
November 11th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
the only way i can really do red, is when it is paired with lavender.
now THAT i love
.-= my trampoline´s last blog ..RESERVED Antique Bradbury Seaweed Specimen…Gorgeous Rare Engraving =-.
November 12th, 2009 at 12:25 am
I am not sure why, but I love the combination of gold or yellow, with red and orange :D Fall colors are so festive!
Holly, you’ve been awarded at http://kirantarun.com/2009/11/11/and-the-award-goes-to/… Don’t forget to claim your loot :)
.-= Kiran´s last blog ..And the award goes to… =-.
November 12th, 2009 at 4:18 am
Lila ist die Farbe der Saison :)
Seriously, last week 8 out of 16 people in our seminar group showed up wearing lilac. That looked awesome, as they all were sitting next to each other – for no reason at all!
And of course, there’s no single store that doesn’t have lilac in it. Impressionen? GreenGate? It’s everywhere! And it sure is pretty…
As for red – I’m rather close to agreeing with you. When I moved in a year ago, I painted one wall of my little studio green and another one, the one closest to my bed, bright tomato red. Somehow, I’m not feeling that drawn to that tomato goodness any more and will be sticking to pastels as soon as my mission here is over.
.-= Frau Mayer´s last blog ..My green wall & some stories behind it =-.
November 12th, 2009 at 5:07 am
These pictures are so great. I love it.
My favorite color is a warm gray. I love it because you can combine it with so many other colors. At the moment I prefer to combine gray with a very bright blue, warm beige tones and of course white.
.-= caro´s last blog ..In love with gold and white =-.
November 12th, 2009 at 5:32 am
Hi Holly!
Well, lately i’m into dark greys, brick orange and soft white ( always white! ).
In terms of colours, i specially liked the first 4 pictures of Randi’s work, the sweet lavender and brick are just a perfect match :)
.-= Maria Helena´s last blog ..Kiosk store in NY =-.
November 12th, 2009 at 5:45 am
Beautiful work and photos!! I’ve been inspired by the color melon lately, though it makes me feel guilty because it doesn’t feel like a “fall color”
November 12th, 2009 at 6:39 am
Red is my favorite color but for some reason I am very attracted to green right now. Particularly the apple green that is being featured in many of the design magazines.
November 12th, 2009 at 7:01 am
oh I’ve had my head in color palettes all week! I’m trying to think about colors to represent my freelance work as I prepare to work with a designer for graphic representation of my business. It’s so hard to tell myself to think of something timeless, yet fresh, yet something I won’t get sick of or portray my business in a certain, possibly negative light.
I, too, am really attracted to deeper colors – browns, jewel tones, heathery grays, etc. But is that just because it’s winter? Our common areas at home are all blues and reds, which suits us, but if I were thinking about this in spring would I be dreaming of yellows, creams, and taupe?
ah color. i do love you.
.-= juliette´s last blog ..Twisting and turning: yarn and thread =-.
November 12th, 2009 at 7:50 am
Randi’s work is soo inspirational! Im loving lavender and green these days! :) I know colors have a certain effect on our moods but didnt know that infact it has a HUGE impact. Good to know and thanks so much for sharing! Have a lovely merry happy day and love to you!
.-= Jacqueline´s last blog ..sweet and savory =-.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Hi Holly: I do love a yellow and red combination but recently I have started liking purples – but light purples and grayish-purples…I have always disliked this color but I think as you get older, tastes change.
November 12th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Interesting stuff!Love the way you post here.
~Ashley~
November 12th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Fashion-wise, purples, including royal, lavender, magentas and fuschias are trending up. I recently purchased a bright fuschia coat – I wear a lot of denim – and that was a step outside my usual palette. I showed the coat to my sister who had just returned from Italy, she was like, “This is one of the hottest colors happening there.” Lucky for me ;) but now that I have the coat I do love wearing it and the color really cheers me up.
As far as red in the home, I love it in the kitchen, especially when paired with indigo and turquoise, sometimes accented with bits of pink and/or yellow (seasonal). That said, my kitchen is very white so the red warms the space and provides cheery pops of color. I’m not sure I could take a full on formal red room.
November 12th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
I would always go for white! I also love apple green/dark brown combination, pastel colors and black/hot pink.
.-= eve´s last blog ..Small place design inspiration =-.
November 12th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Wow beautiful styling and photography. The colors in the first set of photos really drew me in when I ‘m not usually a big purple fan. Lately I’m being drawn to lots of white. I also like avocado type greens too.
Love find Holly, thanks for sharing!
{ Lindsey }
http://greatfullday.blogspot.com
.-= lindsey´s last blog ..Day 11: K =-.
November 12th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
What an interesting post! I have a glossy deep scarlet red kitchen, and I absolutely adore it. I’ve contrasted the red with pale blue walls, and a warm wooden floor. I also have scarlet accents in my home office.
However – I could absolutely not have red in my bedroom, or my living room. I have to say, I have never considered why this might be – but upon reflection, I guess a stimulating colour like red works well in the kitchen and office, where I am usually buzzing around, but not in the living room or bedroom, where I like to chill out.
The rest of my house has a palette of blues, browns, creams and ivories. So the pops of red work very well with this palette, I find. I based the colour palette on an wonderful abstract painting by my Grandpa (an artist) which has shades of deep blues, browns, and creams, with a single splash of red in the bottom corner.
The one colour I can’t stand in my home is yellow. I think I was traumatised by spending a year living in a student house with a hideously bright yellow kitchen that spoke very badly to my hangovers. Oh, apart from daffodils – which I grow in abundance in my garden, and love to bring into the house in spring time. For some reason that works for me. As we say in the UK, there’s nowt as queer as folk!
Oh, and I’m with Elizabeth – this is one of the few blogs where I tend to pore over the text, rather than the pictures!
.-= SimplyTheNest´s last blog ..DIY Kitchen Installation Guide – Figure Out Your Budget (Step 2 of 10) =-.
November 12th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Oh I am a fan too! Color combo’s right now? I am still in a graphite/dove gray love affair it seems to pair well with most everything-violet + gray, yellow + gray, indigo + gray, white + gray..well that’s where my color lust is these days:)
.-= Miss B´s last blog ..SIMPLY SILHOUETTES =-.
November 15th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
thanks for the post, holly!
interesting read on red, too. (especially the comments!)…
i adore red, but only as an accent color in small doses. it’s a cheap trick, but an effective one and whenever someone designs or styles with a perfect hit of red in an otherwise neutral or softly tonal landscape, i find myself entranced and excited by the warm punch of color! (especially with linen-y beiges and warm greys and whites.)
November 16th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Very talented, her photo’s draw you in.
.-= Penny Patten´s last blog ..A Plain Brown Sheath Will Become More… =-.