Pick Your Favorite Modern Sugarluxe Art Print | Holiday Gift Giveaways

Have you heard the news?  It’s our LAST day of the Pick Your Favorite Art Print Holiday Giveaway! 

If you follow Sugarluxe on Facebook or Twitter, you’ve likely seen that all December long, we’ve been giving away great gifts.  It’s just my way of saying THANK YOU for all the years of support and friendship.

For me, nothing feels better than playing Santa.  It warms my heart to be able to reach out, give FREE goodies and show you how much I appreciate your business.

The drawing of the WINNING name will take place right before midnight tonight – December, 18th, 2011.  So, if you have yet to participate, you still have just a bit of time left.

Entering is super easy, too.

Simply comment, like, share, RETWEET, place on Pinterest, blog about it, or do what you can to spread the word. 

In the face of so many businesses who have not survived, all of the overseas outsourcing, and the competition posed by big box stores, your help in talking about Sugarluxe with your friends and family goes a long way in supporting a business with manufacturing in the USA, a female owned and operated company, further job creation, and our economy.

I just can’t say it enough, it means everything to hear your feedback, make your orders, and read your comments.  It helps me grow, both as an artist and business woman, and for that, I try very hard to exceed your expectations at every turn.

So let’s get to it:

PICK YOUR PRINT -

I want someone to win a SIGNED SUGARLUXE ART PRINT right before Christmas!  The best part is – you get to choose your favorite!

Head on over to the Sugarluxe Archival Art Print Gallery to make your selection.

Wall Art Ideas, Modern Room Decor, Voluptuous Sexy Afro Lady Sugarluxe Art

Pop art perfection!

Purple, lavender, violet – if you like the colors of royalty – this artwork is for you. But don’t worry, this Limited Edition Signed Archival Print comes in two other color ways as well.

Perhaps you like the soothing calm of blue mist aqua with pops of tangerine orange or the lemon-lime combo is more in line with your modern wall art aesthetic.

From the shagadelic carpet, to her sky high platform pumps and super sexy over the shoulder cocktail dress - these bold punches of color are certain to liven up any bedroom, office, or living room, home decor.

You can order a signed, numbered Voluptuous print, and be sure to check out our Facebook Fan Page and see what other’s have to say.

Modern Room Design Wall Decor Art, Sexy Gibson Guitar Girl Glam Rock

I adore modern home design and decor.   

And, it’s probably no secret that turquoise, aqua, seafoam or any variation thereof – is one of my most favorite colors of all time.   

I particularly love this print with the sleek, low profile white leather upholstered headboard.   

But for me, I actually have this canvas hanging in my family room next to the display of my husband’s first Les Paul.  Although most of my original paintings go to galleries, this original stays home for my hubby.  

To learn more about the inspiration behind this artwork (or to leave a comment) jump on over to the story about the love of my life.    

The Rock Candy giclee art is available on archival paper or as a gallery wrapped wall canvas at Sugarluxe.   

Is it a Coincidence? The Power of Pantone’s Color of the Year

Do you ever feel like you have a knack for predicting the future? Me, too!

As long as I can remember, I’ve been struck by flashes of inspiration. Or maybe it’s just that I do a lot of wishful thinking.  Either way, I’m not one to chalk things up to coincidence. Whether it’s being in touch with our intuition, the power of prayer or even the self-fulfilling prophecy of positive thinking – I believe it’s possible to envision what you want – and then make it happen.

THE COLOR INSTITUTE

One of the best examples in my recent past is late last year when Pantone, Inc. announced their selection for Color of the Year.

If you’re a designer – fashion, graphic, web, interior – or any other creative professional, you’ve likely worked with Pantones Colors.  In fact, now that programs like Adobe Photoshop are so prevalent and accessible, more people than ever are familiar with Pantone.

In 1963, Lawrence Herbert, Pantone’s founder, developed an innovative system of identifying and matching colors to solve the problems associated with producing accurate color matches in the graphic arts community.

For more than 45 years, Pantone’s Color Institute has been the world-renowned authority on color.

Have you ever wondered why when you walk into a store and see new seasonal merchandise, it all coordinates so well?  Is it a conspiracy?  Do designers really dictate trends in color?

TREND FORECASTS

Designers do play a key role in determining color trends, and the Color Institute relies on this input.

The semiannual Pantone fashion color report surveys top designers. The Pantone team takes the information and utilizes that as a collection for their Trend Forecasts for the coming season.

Hot up and coming colors:  Pink Champagne, Chocolate Truffle, Lagoon, Red Lipstick and Oyster Gray.

But the one I love the most?  Pantone’s 2010 Color of the Year:  TURQUOISE!

Carolyn Kelly, from The Magazine Antiques writes, “Turquoise has been one of the most sought after colors in decorative arts history starting with the turquoise ground, called bleu céleste, developed in 1753 for Louis XV at the porcelain factory at Vincennes.”

Let’s start with one of my favorite kitchens ever.  Created by architectural designer Peter Napolitano and interior designer Thomas Britt, this photo, featured in Architectural Digest and first spotted on a blog I adore – House of Turquoise – serves as a constant source of inspiration.

In fact, if you’ve ever visited the Sugarluxe Studio, you’d think HGTV Designer, Judith Balis, channeled my space when she created this beautiful room below.  From the hot pink chairs and zebra print pillows, to the glossy black accents and turquoise walls, I love her balance of traditional furnishings with a totally modern flair made possible by the smart use of color.  (photo via HGTV Designer Portfolios)

Here’s another gorgeous room that pays homage to the Sugarluxe Life.  Interior Designer, Debbie Sheaf made perfect use of my fav color combo (photo via Southern Hospitality Blog)

Click below on examples from the Sugarluxe Gallery and you’ll see that I’ve been predicting the need for these upbeat, vibrant colors for years.

Pantone says they represent a psychological shift toward the need for optimism and hope.  I say – EXACTLY!

Oh, how I just LOVE color!

HAPPILY EVER AFTER

Speaking of love, fashion mavens and modern designers aren’t the only ones coveting my favorite color this year.

Brides to Be are filling our inbox with orders for mirror compacts and keyrings that feature even the faintest hint of turquoise.  These items have always been great gifts for bridesmaids, but now it seems big orders for bridal parties are coming in like never before.

We are even adding more designs to our SMART Cufflinks Collection because the demand is growing. Even the grooms want in on the action.

I think that speaks to the global reach and impact of Pantone Colors which now permeate every industry.

For even more inspiration, be sure to check out some of my favorite blissful blogs:

It’s a Jaime Thing |  Cocktails & Details |   The Wedding Chicks |  Wedding Paper Divas

In addition to my personal preference, the psychology of this color helps to explain its inherently optimistic nature.

IT’S TIME FOR TURQUOISE

Color can help to build confidence.

Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, adds that by combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise inspires thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a comforting escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of well-being…

She explains that whether envisioned as a tranquil ocean surrounding a tropical island or a protective stone warding off evil spirits, Turquoise is a color that most people respond to positively. It is universally flattering, has appeal for men and women, and translates easily to fashion and interiors.

With both warm and cool undertones, it pairs nicely with any other color in the spectrum.

THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT

I also believe that Turquoise is a color of compassion and inner healing.  It relates to our ability to love ourselves, as well as others.  That’s why, even before it became trendy, Turquoise has always played a dominant role in my art.

I feel so blessed that I get to do what I do.  This week, we celebrated our Anniversary at Sugarluxe. Here’s to 5 FABULOUS YEARS of trying my BEST to make the world a brighter place…