Sunday, April 4, 2010

Araucana Blue Inspiration & A Big Surprise!!

With Easter Sunday right around the corner I wanted to share with you some beautiful Araucana Eggs. A few years ago, a friend who raises Araucana chickens presented me with a gift of a dozen Araucana eggs. They were the most spectacular soft shades of blue, green and beige. I admired them for several days then blew them out so I could display them and preserve them forever.
Aracuana eggs have always been a favorite of mine since I first saw them in Martha Stewart Living. This is a similar photo of what my eggs looked like, before my new puppy thought it might be fun to play with them and crushed them. Notice the pale shading and incredible colors.
'
Inspired by these eggs Martha Stewart created the Araucana Collection of 22 soft shades of blue, green, beige and brown through Fine Paints of Europe. Though the paint deck is no longer available, I still have it and still love the soft palette she created. In honor of the Araucana Collection I wanted to share several rooms painted in those lovely shades.
(All photos from Martha Stewart Living) Above notice wonderful pale blue on the walls. I think it is interesting to also notice that the small demi lune table is painted in a very similar shade as is the urn below. So often we are afraid to put similar shades against each other, but if they are in the same color family the result can be beautiful. I also love the bleached wood floors. Beyond our blue room we transition to a wonderful beige tone also from the Araucana collection. Beautiful antique chairs draw your eye through the hallway and into the next room.
This is the far room we see from the above photo. Araucana Sage is a gorgeous choice to highlight these antique chairs, linen and pedestal. Again floors are pale and windows are unadorned.
This photo is from Martha Stewart's Turkey Hill home. This room is at least 7 or 8 years old. It is a testament to the fact that good design is truly timeless. I love the color of this room. Again notice Martha's repetition of color with the plates on the wall. Antiques add patina and texture to the space. I may be mistaken but I believe the ceilings are also painted very pale blue.
Finally a beautiful bedroom in another Araucana pale blue. Slipcovers and white bed coverings pair beautifully with the drab painted floors. What a soothing bedroom.
This photo, though not from Martha Stewart, is also wonderful mix of subtle shades to create a striking effect. It reminds me of the beach and where I am heading to enjoy sun this holiday weekend.
'
Finally the big surprise......Stop by on Sunday night for a fantastic (and extremely generous) GIVEAWAY!! Our wonderful friend, Kym Fraser of 3 Fine Grains, has selected the most fabulous new item for you - It is the most valuable treasure we have ever had in the history of Willow Decor so don' t miss it!! Until then you can visit 3 Fine Grains or click here and see if you can guess what fabulous surprise lies ahead for you!!!
'
To all my readers, I wish you a wonderful and relaxing weekend! Happy Holidays!!
xx-Gina

50 comments:

  1. Gorgeous! These are all of my favorite colors-wrapped up into one glorious basket of eggs. So calm, so subtle... so perfect!
    Those gothic windows are fabulous-along with the simple metal bed. Have a wonderful weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Such a wonderful mix of natural colors. Thanks for sharing these pretty pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love all pictures. They are great. Thank you for showing.

    Happy Easter with famous days

    VINTAGE

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful pictures!
    Happy Easter!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Calming and very relaxing colors. Love them. Look forward to a pic of your display show casing them.

    ReplyDelete
  6. The color of the eggs is so tender in its beauty.
    Love all the rooms you pulled to show us.
    Have a lovely Easter.
    xox o

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a fun story about the eggs, I had no idea... Incredible images, love the room with the plates on the wall.
    I'm SO excited to hear about your giveaway- LOVE 3 fine grains!!
    Happy Friday to you Gina.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautiful rooms. They have a softness about them. Hope you have a wonderful Easter! ~Debby

    ReplyDelete
  9. those colors are fabulous. but i'm really drooling over those windows in that bedroom. looks like a church and so beautiful!
    easter blessings to you....
    see you back here sunday night! ;)
    kathi

    ReplyDelete
  10. hmmmm....think my comment didn't go through....
    lovely paint colors! but i'm really drooling over the windows in that bedroom. they look like church windows....how beautiful!
    easter blessings to you...i'll see you back here sunday night!
    kathi

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Gina~
    Oh yes, that is a most beautiful color collection! I have saved it, too. And used it several times over the years. The colors of eggs from brown to blue to green are just spectacular in their subtle beauty aren't they?!

    Hope you have a wonderful Easter Weekend!
    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  12. what a wonderful post! thank you so much!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Gina! I have (and covet) the Martha Stewart swatch book myself. Beautiful, beautiful colors and photos!
    Have a wonderful Easter!
    Health and happiness,
    Angela
    http://angelawalkerjewelry.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  14. martha has such clean and pretty colors....love these images.....love the color araucana sage....
    maureenlynne

    ReplyDelete
  15. Beautiful colors...will have to hunt down a generous chicken farmer!
    Thanks for sharing...

    ReplyDelete
  16. Gina, what a gorgeous post. Those colours are so gentle and perfect. I had not heard of Araucana chickens before! I love Martha's Turkey Hill house - traditional but so fresh with the colour. xo

    ReplyDelete
  17. The colours in all of these pictures are so beautiful and well chosen!
    Also for you a Happy Easter weekend my friend!
    xx
    Greet

    ReplyDelete
  18. The eggs are so beautiful. I could move right into any of these rooms!

    ReplyDelete
  19. The bleached floors are wonderful. I also like that last photo with the beach style striped wall.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love, love, love the colors of those eggs so much so that I may sneak some chickens into our garage! Seriously, I have enjoyed reading your blog for well over a year now. Thank you for all your great posts! You and a few others inspired me start a blog. Here is my URL: http://graciousinteriors.blogspot.com. Stop by and see what you think. I am open to any and all suggestions! Thanks for being a role model!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love the egg-colors. Do you think my husband would notice if I sneaked some chickens into the garage? I have been reading your blog for well over a year now and really enjoy your posts. In fact, you and a few other bloggers have inspired me to start my own. Here is my URL: http://graciousinteriors.blogspot.com. Please stop by and see what you think. I am open to any and all suggestions!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Absolutely stunning, my most favourite colour palette. The eggs are beautiful. It makes me want to revamp my whole house.
    Happy Easter:) Ours will be in gails with plenty of rain!! Enjoy the beach

    ReplyDelete
  23. I've never heard of this eggs...what beautiful colors! I love the Martha Stewart paint colors and my previous living room and bath were painted with Martha's colors. I am now your newest follower. So glad I found you.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh, just stunning. Those colours are incredible and the rooms display them well..Rachaelxx

    ReplyDelete
  25. Very cool eggs - never seen anything like those before :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. I remember this collection! I loved it back then and you are so right - it really is timeless. Those rooms are still fresh and beautiful today. I painted my bathroom walls in that blue way back when and only last month I painted it out a soft silvery grey. Thanks for the great post as usual!
    Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  27. just visited your blog, please would you want to visit my blog again, I hope my blog will give you a new information, thank you

    ReplyDelete
  28. Love the colors of the walls in these photos...very serene and springy ;) Love your blog! Just became a follower!

    ReplyDelete
  29. What a pleasing palette! Perfectly relaxing!

    ReplyDelete
  30. What a wonderful inspiration for Martha Stewart - nature truly is the best inspiration for soft and subtle colors, don't you think?

    Clearly this is a palette that we both love!

    ReplyDelete
  31. The eggs are (or, were) beautiful! This post brings back memories because the walls in my house are currently painted Martha's Ameraucana Buff and the ceilings are Araucana Blue. I did this about nine years ago after first buying the house when she developed those paints. They are gorgeous colors, but I'm thinking of repainting the walls something lighter like white or pale gray.
    Deborah

    ReplyDelete
  32. I have m.s. book and these rooms are all in it. I had it out just the other day and had the same thought ... timeless ! Love this post. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  33. Love the eggs and the colors I have a friend that gifted me with these wonderful eggs, I wish I had been as clever as you and saved the egg shells. I buy them at Whole foods when they are available. Love all of the images, Martha knows how to do soft colors, that is for sure, Have a wonderful Weekend with you loved ones, Happy Easter, Kathysue

    ReplyDelete
  34. What swet eggs...we have friends raising hens and they give them different type of food to bring on different colours of the yolk.
    As a matter of fact the shell slightly changes tone as well....it's kind of strange to eat a blue or green yolk! Tastes the same.

    Happy Easter

    ReplyDelete
  35. What beautiful colors! Good to file away for future reference.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Oh I love those eggs, and the colors on the wall - I'd love to go to sleep and wake up in that little bedroom each day - those windows are dreamy and the colors.... I feel more relaxed already! =)
    I drool at Kym's beautiful site almost daily!
    Happy Easter, sweet Gina.
    xo Isa

    ReplyDelete
  37. A very appropriate post for Easter! We see a lot of these out here, the colors always inspire me too. Happy Easter!Maryanne:)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Always loved the color of those eggs. Very inspiring....And amazing.......They don't taste bad either!!!!Maryanne ;)

    ReplyDelete
  39. I remember when Martha first "introduced" me to that lovely shade of blue--it must have been at least 20 years ago. It was the inspiration for the first color I painted my master bathroom. I have used that blue more times than I can count in the years that have passed and I love it as much now as I did then--I recently re-upholstered a pair of bergere's in my living room in araucana blue linen. This color is definitely a classic! Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  40. What beautiful, inspiring colors. They offer such a quiet and elegant beauty. I downloaded a bunch to my inspiration folder! Happy Easter, Trina

    ReplyDelete
  41. Such amazingly pretty egg colours... I love them! And the rooms you show even more! :)

    Happy Easter, Gina!

    XX
    Victoria

    ReplyDelete
  42. divine colour combination, just love it!
    alicia

    ReplyDelete
  43. Does anyone know of some current paint shades that are close to these? Anything in Benjamin Moore?

    ReplyDelete
  44. Bellissime idee e immagini. grazie Clementina

    ReplyDelete
  45. beautiful images! I love these shades.
    If i thought they would make it, i would send you some more egg shells! we have the very same chickens that lay these beautiful eggs.
    each one is a treasure!
    if you are ever in maine, stop by and pick some up!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Something deliciously smooth about these rooms- like a rainy day latte. I love the pale blue ceiling. Did the same thing in my bedroom and it gives a calm feeling.

    ReplyDelete
  47. I'm completely in love with this old line of Martha Stewart colors (made by Fine Paints of Europe) and wonder HOW I can get samples to have matched by the machines at the paint store. I was doing a search on another old line of hers, and someone on one discussion board posted they had written down the color formulas when they worked in Home Depot, or wherever, so she could still mix them for herself. I wonder if any of these out-of-production paints still exist?? I WANT THEM!!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Just as a follow-up on my previous post, I found out (!!!) that the Araucana colors are still made by “Fine Paints of Europe”, but marketed under a different name. (I guess the contract with Martha Stewart expired.) They are in their “Designers Collection I” line (which also includes the older “Colors of the Garden” colors.) There are samples here: http://www.finepaintsofeurope.com/collection_designer.aspx I'm very, very excited by this, as I love the colors and thought they were gone forever :(

    ReplyDelete

Please leave comments! I love to hear from you!

But since we have had a recent influx of Anonymous comments, I will not post comments which do not have an email account listed with them. This will cut down on spam.

If you are inquiring about a paint color, finish, etc, please take a moment to read through all the comments. More often than not it has been identified. If not, please send me a direct email.

Finally, please no advertisers. Thanks so much for reading!

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.