Skip to main content
Colour TrendsTop 10 Posts

Best of Colour Me Happy 2015

By 12/29/2015January 23rd, 201721 Comments

goldsunburstmirrors

It’s time for my round-up from 2015! Hope you are enjoying this holiday week!

Maria Killam’s Trend Forecast for 2015

Here’s the first one. Read and tell me if you think I nailed it or not ; )

black and white

source

 

My Creative Business Model and How it’s Evolved

Here I’m talking about how less is more when it comes to posting on social media and also how my business model has evolved over the 7 years I’ve been blogging.

curtains

 

Grey is OUT! (Maybe) The Colour Trend is In!

This was the best post of March and also the worst! I lost 150 Facebook fans in one day and I was totally traumatized, haha. A lot of people obviously just read the headline and thought “YOU ARE SO WRONG LADY”.

But just read this post before you judge. Grey is the backdrop for clean and bright colour which you have to admit is now officially EVERYWHERE in shelter magazines.

I’m just saying, as I’ve said many times in the past, DO NOT buy grey everything for your house. That’s the only thing that’s OUT because it’s never been IN.

blueandyellow

source

Trends you Need to Know Right Now for 2016

Hey, there’s a trend here, doesn’t it seem like my most popular posts are about trends? This one is no different. It was my recap from High Point Market in April last year.

The spotlight in this post was on tissue pink which was one of Pantone’s colours of 2016 this year.

This year, I’ll be holding my Specify Colour with Confidence™ training in Charlotte right before market for those of you who are already going. Register here.

crlaine

Style your Home Like a Pro Using the Triangle Principle

Do you use the triangle principle unconsciously like I do or will this be one of the best tips you’ll learn about styling in a long time? Read on to find out. . .

styledphoto

Photo and Styling by Maria Killam

Transformation from Brown to Blue: Before & After

Strong blues are definitely a trend that is not going away anytime soon.

Here’s a lovely space that I had so much fun transforming with my lovely client Barbara.

 barbblueandwhite

 Click to see the before picture ; ) Interior Design & Styling by Maria Killam

This is the Home Dreams are Made of: A Private Tour

This year I was in Italy for 3 weeks and while I was there, a few of my True Colour Experts™ helped me out with some guest posts. Here is another beautiful blue space decorated by Ruth Chancellor:

ruthkitchen-683x1024

Interior Decorating and Styling by Ruth Chancellor

 On Success, Compromise and Living your Dream

Photos of my trip to Italy this past summer and my thoughts on living your dreams!

cortona

Photos by Maria Killam

Tour my House; Learn the 6 Best Ways to Transition Colour

A lot of designers say that the best way to create flow is to take one strip of paint colours that go from light to dark and use them throughout your home.

Readers of my blog know better. Flow is about transitioning colour by keeping clean colours together and muted colours together. See the tutorial on how it’s done right here.

family

Photo, Interior Design and Styling by Maria Killam

There are 9 Neutral Undertones in the World. Do you Know What they Are?

This year, I introduced the distinction 9 undertones to help make it even easier to understand my system. Everywhere you go in the world, they are the same.

See them all here.

Christmas Tour of My House; Flocked or Green?

And if you missed the tour of my house all decked out for Christmas INCLUDING my Master bedroom (below) see it all here.

mariatour

Hope you had a wonderful and relaxing holiday my lovelies! I’m hanging out this week, catching up on some reading, movies and we’re going to Harrison Hot Springs and taking my Mom with us for New Years Eve. That should be fun! I’m posting what I’m up to on Instagram this week if you want to follow along!

See you Next Year!! xoxo Maria

Related posts:

Read the last 6 years of best post round-ups here. 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014.

21 Comments

  • Joanna says:

    Maria, Can I ask you what your fabric with the horizontal stripes is called and where you purchased it? It would be perfect for my master.
    Happy New Year!

    • Maria Killam says:

      It was from Robert Allen, I can’t locate the name but if you show them the picture, they’ll be able to produce it. Maria

      • Joanna says:

        Thank you Maria! You’re always my first read in the morning.
        I look forward to what’s new in 2016. Happy New Year!

  • KA says:

    Yay blue! Glad you’re so on top of things! Great round up.

  • MaggieS says:

    love the tour of your house–it really shows how to use color to make a home look happy!!

  • Linda Fitzgerald says:

    Okay, I say that grey is never going away completely as it’s become a neutral ‘classic.’ But, I do agree about the addition of some colour – I’d prefer small hits and maybe more subdued, but that’s just me – there’s room for versions of it all.

    I do see ‘blues’ coming on strong and I’ve been saying that navy will be the new neutral, which pairs well with many shades, including whites, especially if going classic Hamptons/ Beach/ Nautical. My Pinterest boards have a ‘blue’ theme on all of the face boards this week.
    https://www.pinterest.com/writer11/

    My brows went into a deep furrow when I read that you lost so many FB followers just by suggesting that grey is out! What? Why?.. would they just stop following you for that reason? For that reason, I’m guessing that it’s not that big a loss, but I feel your pain – we just can’t help taking it personally.

    I’m predicting a wonderful year ahead for you and for colour. Happy 2016!

    Best,
    Linda

  • Maria – I love your blog. I’ve been reading it for awhile and look forward to your posts in 2016. Happy New Year!

  • Janice says:

    Nailed it! I love your frank statements ie ‘Grey is out’ and find myself intrigued as to what you will have to say, whether my initial reaction is to believe it or no. Sounds like 150 people with no sense of adventure. Don’t be surprised if they find their way back 🙂 Wishing you continued great success in 2016 and thanks so much for all that you give.

  • Nancy says:

    Thanks Maria what a awesome year of blogs you have given to us this Year !
    Thank you for blessing us with your gifts and Knowledge.
    I never get tired of your blogs or stop learning from them.
    Have a blessed New Year
    Hugs

  • Susan Telfer says:

    Thank you. I had just reread your Highpoint Market forecast post a few days ago. Re-reading From Brown to Blue just now gave me new ideas about my house. And I had missed completely the Portland show house the first time! Now I look forward to a new prediction for 2016 list!

    • Susan Telfer says:

      Oh, and I have never loved grey as a colour for decor! You are right to call it out as a passing trend.

  • Adelaide says:

    Something I have noticed here in Oz is the fact that cars are having new colours added to their brochures, which tells me colour is making an entrance. Other than blue, silver, black, white and red, that is.
    Apart from navy blue, I am not a lover of blue. Particularly I dislike blue and brown together. Greys I don’t mind, but I take your point that we will look back and know the decade that
    house/bathroom/kitchen was decorated in.
    I don’t mind being out on a limb, because if i don’t have the colours I love around me I don’t feel happy.
    What a challenge that can present, But when we see tours of your home Maria, I always feel you have followed your heart, whilst following your head with some damned good decorating criteria. Just looking at it makes me feel happy. Thank you for all you do for your followers, and only the best for you and your family in 2016.

  • Gina says:

    Great round-up! Although our aestheics are different, the same rules apply. You’ve taught me SOOOO much in the years (four?) I’ve followed your blog. I love being part of the TCE group and I am grateful we’re all part of each other’s lives. Our new build is deep in the planning stage with ground breaking scheduled for spring. I am moving forward with confidence (except when I wake up sweating and overwhelmed by the many choices I must make!), thanks to you!! Love and many blessings in 2016!!

  • Susan L says:

    I have hickory floors, natural. Very busy! Butter yellow cabinets, white granite. Touches of cranberry and black accents! Lots of generous trim painted Super White BM. Was thinking of painting all walls Manchester Tan! Large open floor plan! Kitchen, dining, family rm., foyer, hallways! Please advise! Want it light and cheerful, calm and happy

  • carolanne says:

    that was fun, as for grey… I did it and I never ever thought I would and I so love it…
    I love your style like a pro triangle, an interesting post !
    all in all I have to say I always always enjoy your blog posts, have a wonderful 2016 ! x

  • Meger Anski says:

    Have been following you for several years, and have to share:

    I have two family pieces (from 1880 or so) that I am getting re-done. I have been pulling in and using EVERYTHING I have ever learned from you.

    I was flipping through the 20th batch of leather samples, and I could see immediately which were too yellow, which were too ashy, which ones would make the carved wooden chairs pop and which ones would make them ‘sag’. I could see the value and weight the color would add to the piece and how it would achieve balance or overwhelm the room.

    It felt empowering. I could not wait to tell you and express my gratitude for teaching us to ‘see’. I could not have done this without your tutelage, guidance, and enthusiastic spirit.

    You make people’s lives better. Please keep being you!

    Happiest of Happy New Years to you and yours!

Leave a Reply