Lisa’s No Wallflower.
No Fifty Shades jokes here, my friends. There’s only one gray for me, and that’s charcoal: a versatile, warm, tough-but-chic choice that figures prominently in all of my favorite fall decorating schemes. (Since we live on an editorial calendar here at VP+C, we’re well into the autumn months, mentally).
I’ve just moved and, rental-rules-be-damned, am very tempted to give in to my well-documented wallpaper obsession in our new place. This design, from Brooklyn-based Flavor Paper, is a frontrunner that would provide a pretty foil for pretty much any accent color.
A few other things that caught our attention recently:
Meghan Remembers When:
Ever play the game Remember When? If not, it’s rather simple and goes something like this: Reflect, repeat, “I remember when,” and answer. I indulged in said sport the other night while watching a pal play the piano, and what struck a chord with me the most was my past practice (we’re talking 20 years ago) of playing the guitar.
I was 10 – unquestionably more fearless and coordinated than I am currently – and since neither soccer nor lacrosse were my things, I took to the strings in a forward-thinking attempt to amp up my college resume. Well that endeavor (despite Mrs. Underhill’s encouragement) only lasted a month or so, but it got me wondering why I quit. Sure, I probably stunk at it, and was as impatient with not being perfect at everything I touch as much as I am now, but that’s a lame reason to throw in the old towel, right? Right!
So, in the spirit of the shade of the month and my new promise to myself to try and try everything, again, I present you with the electric Suhr Modern Carve-Top guitar. It’s on my lust list, thanks to its sound, but more importantly because of its sleek, sexy shape and trans charcoal burst; whatever that means. The moral of the story: play on, playa. And, yeah, I think I will.
Victoria Pairs Cool Charcoal with HOT Colors:
I’m super into neon. Obviously, this seems kind of anti-theme: neon is to charcoal as Nicki Minaj is to Janelle Monae and the Lamborghini Spyder is to Volkswagen’s Passat. But, sometimes, contrasts pull an aesthetic together, and charcoal is awesome for just that reason. As we transition into fall, fashion’s neon craze can be grounded with the dark, sultry cool of charcoal.
Take this edgy eye makeup, spotted on Karlie Kloss on the Versace runway:
It’s possible that Karlie is the only person on the planet capable of pulling off this look. That said, it’s a beautiful, modern update to the classic smoky eye.
Better yet, the concept can be carried over to less in-your-face (on-your-face!) styles. Charcoal makes a great canvas for neon accent pieces that might not otherwise transfer seasons through to the fall, like accent belts, costume jewelry, and awesome, in-your-face shoes.
Brian Atwood beauties
Who could choose between them?
Margaux Can’t Help but Mention It…
Among the 50+ shades you hold a special place in my heart, straddling a myriad of connotations that make for great design. Dating back as far as 1606, when the first known use of the reference was made, you are a classic. And yet, no modern furniture collection is complete without a charcoal grey sofa. Cliché Confession – this includes my own Cassina Mister by Philippe Starck. It has endured many a spill, plus jumping and fort -making sessions in the 6 years we’ve had it. You are a hearty color).You are sexy and masculine, yet you are the perfect compliment to sunny colors like lemon, butter and hot pink.
Some charcoal highlights to celebrate right now:
A chunky knit with bad-girl leather accents from Anthropologie, whose fall catalog ROCKS right now.
A perfect men’s suit as we head into fall (and as some of us secretly aspire to live the life of Blake Lively)
Of the hipster variety – the first edition of the mute watch at Collette
And as we fondly recall our RV trip- and an endless sea of charcoal grey under tire and foot in our @PR_RV #PR_RV – you will be forever and always at the forefront of our thoughts and on our minds.
