Color Crush of the Month: Turquoise

As the temperatures continue to rise here in Las Vegas, we’re preparing for the sweltering heat of July and August by looking for fun ways to cool off. You’re probably already wearing those super cute sandals and you probably have that teeny bikini in queue, but don’t forget about the place where you’ll be hiding from all that unbearable heat…your sanctuary, your home! It can be so refreshing to bring the energy and excitement of summer into your living space all year long. Here at Benson’s we’re preparing for the summer months with the addition of TURQUOISE!

Turquoise is a highly energized and bold color that can be incorporated into any space seamlessly. It gives off the calm and tranquility of blue and the balance and growth of green with the uplifting energy of yellow. Basically it’s the perfect color. Because it has both cool and warm undertones, you can mix the color with almost any other color, and because of its versatility, you can incorporate as few or as many elements as you want into a space depending on the statement you want to make. The key to decorating with turquoise is to use it in a way that works for you and your personality.

Turquoise joined with red is one of my favorite color combinations. I love the cheery energy and vintage appeal it can bring to a space.

By pairing your turquoise accents with white, you can obtain a beachy, airy environment.

For a more masculine approach, try mixing turquoise with charcoal or brown.

For a dramatic effect, bring turquoise and gold together.

For a bold look that can be modern and classic, you can pair turquoise with black.

For a more shabby-chic, cottage-y feel, try mixing turquoise with softer pastels like pink, purple or blue.

For those retro lovers, adding turquoise with orange or yellow can create a nostalgic harmony and fervent energy.

The beauty of turquoise is that it comes in so many shades that you can be sure to incorporate it into any existing space and color palate. Don't be afraid to experiment in conservative or unexpected ways (whatever your heart can handle). You'll be amazed by the energy created just from adding a splash of color. Turquoise may become your favorite accent in any room of your home. Let the summer in and keep it all year long! We can all use more sunny days!

-Lindsay

Era Inspirations: The Grandeur of Gatsby

To pay homage to the late Fitzgerald in conjunction with the new film interpretation of “The Great Gatsby,” we wanted to reacquaint you with the classic design era of the Jazz Age and give you some fresh ideas for adding a little bit of the Roaring 20’s into your home.

Art Deco affected all areas of the decorative arts during the 1920’s and 1930’s and was considered very dazzling, sophisticated and modern. The style featured shapes and materials that were very contemporary for their time: bold geometric prints, streamlined shapes, lacquered an inlaid wood pieces, mirrors, glass and polished metal detailing. Because Art Deco utilized expensive materials such as ebony, marble and rare woods, most homes designed in this style were accessible only to the wealthy. But not today. We’d like to show you a few concepts and elements that will incorporate this glamorous style into your home without having to be a millionaire on Long Island.

The greatest thing about Art Deco design is that you can incorporate it into your existing style flawlessly if done correctly. It’s very simple to add one or two pieces, if you’re looking to bring a fresh look into your existing space, or to decorate a whole home in the characteristic style.

Color

The colors used in Art Deco are usually bold and striking with a lot of contrasts. Vivid and deep reds, purples, greens, blues, yellows and pinks mix seamlessly with silver, black and chrome. Color is probably the easiest element to incorporate into a room. If you’re on the color-shy side, start small, add color with throw pillows or blankets, accessories and artwork. If you’re looking for a more dramatic approach, try a blue or red sofa, accent chairs or an area rug with a bold pattern. Painting your walls, ceiling or both can change the energy and ambiance of a room with little effort. But make sure you choose your colors wisely (pick a shade that speaks to you), accessories are painless to change over time, but wall color requires a little more effort.

Fabric

Try incorporating elegant fabrics, such as velvets, silks and satins. Try to stick with solid colors, color-blocking or geometric shapes.

Artwork

Nowadays it’s simple to find artwork in any style you prefer. If you’re looking to frame your own artwork, Etsy.com and art.com offer great Art Deco prints, including artwork by Mrs. Zelda Fitzgerald herself. Artwork is a more expensive element, and people tend to skimp when it comes to decorating their walls, but you must always remember that your walls are the first to speak. If you prefer, use wallpaper as an art expression on your walls, or try metal elements if you don’t feel confident in picking out prints to put on display. But my favorite rule: always hang something on your wall that speaks to you, even if it contrasts your decorating style. Artwork doesn't have to follow style; it can be the most eclectic décor in your home.

Zelda Fitzgerald Prints on Art.com

Furniture

Art Deco furniture was known for clean lines and strong shapes. Mirrored or metal pieces are a great accent element as well as dark lacquered or black wood pieces. The best Art Deco accent pieces are sideboards, armoires, chairs and chaise lounges.

Lighting

Add some sparkle to your lighting. Dazzling crystal chandeliers with elegant curves are the staple of an Art Deco room. It is still possible to find lighting original to the period, but there are many reproductions out there that will flow gracefully with any Art Deco style of today. The glitzy-er the better!

FYI

Graham & Brown make an entire line of wallpaper dedicated to Art Deco in beautiful designs and patterns.

Restoration Hardware makes an iPhone Gramophone! Perfect for blaring early jazz music.

Always remember that there are no rules to decorating your own home! Make it yours! If you love the fun and freedom of the Jazz Age and want to bring that energy into your home, you can do it with a lot or a little. You be the judge. Let the Gatsby inside you run wild and hang that flashy chandelier in your living room. Bring in a blue or red chair into an otherwise neutral room. Hang an unexpected painting over your bed. Put a bold geometric-patterned throw pillow on your sofa. And make sure you're playing Van & Schenck's "Ain't We Got Fun" while you do it.

Benson's...A Unique Home Boutique

Benson’s was a dream of my mother’s for as long as I can remember. Over the years, interior decorating had become more than just a hobby for her, it was a passion and she took pride in every single piece she brought into her home. And it really was a home, not just a house. Growing up, friends and family always congregated at my parents’ house (usually around the kitchen table) because of its comfort and hominess. But as children, we moved a few times, and not until we were older did we realize that it had a lot to do with my mother’s decorating obsession. She would become complacent and would need a new space to let her creative juices flow, but my dad finally put his foot down after our fifth move and my mom had to find a new outlet. Moving was getting too expensive. She knew that she had the eye for design and everyone was always complementing and imitating her taste, so she needed to bring it to the public and expand her love of furniture and décor without having to move her and her family into a new house. In the meantime, as my sister and I got older and moved into our own homes, we both found that we loved the art of interior design as much as our mother. When she came to us recently stating that she had made a decision to open a store, we both were immediately on board.

We had started experimenting with painted furniture after discovering a love for vintage and antique pieces that had lost their life, and we thought it would be great to sell our newly enlivened furniture to other people who would love their character and individuality as much as we did. And so Benson’s was created: a seamlessly eclectic mix of new and old.

After the store was open and shoppers had such a genuine response to what we were trying to achieve, we wanted to be a resource to people who may not have the innovative vision or confidence to make their house into their home. So as an addition to the items we sell in our store, I’ve created this blog as a source for anyone needing inspiration, looking for unique decor ideas, furniture painting tips, party planning concepts, diy designs, and anything else remotely interesting. I hope to make the fearful designer more fearless and make lifeless rooms livelier.

Thank you for stopping by. Make yourself at home. And make sure to check back often as I will be updating weekly.

-Lindsay