About Me

Mijn foto
Welcome! Thank you for visiting my weblog. I am Irene, Elisabeth Pouw, a Dutch blogger. As blogger I am connecting my readers with beauty, style, quality and craftsmanship in various subjects like interiordesign, architecture, haute couture, photography, art etc. I created this blog to share my passion for decorating as well as the many other things which inspire me. From time to time I am also highlighting certain interior designers, decorators, architects, stylists, photographers etc. I hope you enjoy your visit. Feel free to give a comment on my blogs. I will react back as soon as possible. Best regards, Irene Pouw from Holland.
Posts tonen met het label Blue. Alle posts tonen
Posts tonen met het label Blue. Alle posts tonen

10 september 2026

Painting colors: Top selling Benjamin Moore Blues ......

I am in love with these lovely soft blue hues from Benjamin Moore. I always had some blue colors like these in every house I have lived before. I am not surprised that the colors below are top selling colors at Benjamin Moore. They are inviting, fresh and pleasant to see. You can also use them very well for homestaging, to sell your house quicker as they give a soft and harmonious atmosphere in house. Here they are: Boothbay gray, Breath of fresh air, November skies, MT Rainer gray, Nimbus gray, Quiet moments, Santorini, Van Cortland blue, Van Deusen blue. I wrote earlier a blog about the positive effect of the color blue for homestaging, see THIS LINK Be Inspired .....

This photo is an example of the positive effect of using a blue hue for the kitchen. 

Thank you for reading this blogpost.

10 augustus 2026

Interior: Decorating in blue & white colors

As interiorstylist I love the use of soft blue colors & white tones in combination with wood. It looks very fresh and bright. Below you will find some inspiring pictures for a fresh and bright interior. Be Inspired ....... Earlier I wrote more blogs about Colors, SEE HERE
Thank you for reading this blogpost.
All pictures are from my Pinterest moodboard PINTEREST

21 juni 2026

Color Inspiration: Summer Colorpalette 5

 Would like to share with you today this lovely Summer color palette in blue hues combined with soft pink & soft yellow. What a delightful color combination! On my PINTEREST account I am sharing lots of more color palettes. For more inspiration see also my PREVIOUS COLOR BLOGS. Be Inspired ......
Thank you for reading this blogpost. 
Sources: Pinterest and Design Seeds.

27 september 2025

Color Ideas: 12 Iconic Colors from around the World

Would like to share with you these 12 iconic colors from around the world. What an inspiring colors to use for decorating your house. Each color has its own beauty. I can hardly choose. :-) My favourites are Chinese Red, Caribbean Blue, Burgundy, Tibetan Yellow, Jaipur Pink and Prussian Blue. Which colors do you prefer? This blogpost is a repost of my blog of 03-11-2020. Be Inspired .........

Jaipur Pink
"The whole city of Jaipur, India is painted pink. It's an exuberant color, optimistic and positive. Jaipur pink reminds us that we're all alive and everything is possible. I like this type of paint, because it has a chalky layer underneath that blooms through and gives it a patina. Try it with saffron and orange." — Windsor Smith.
Painting: Sydney Harbour Paints Lime Wash Pink Ginger.
Chinese Red
"In Chinese culture, red is the color of good fortune and you see it everywhere — on pagodas, on tugboats in Hong Kong harbor and on paper lanterns swaying in the breeze. This is my all-time favorite Chinese red, in high gloss — like the lacquered tip of one of Diana Vreeland's fingernails. Red is the great clarifier. A touch of it will add crispness to any room." — Miles Redd.
Painting: Benjamin Moore Impervo Alkyd High Gloss Brilliant Red 20.
Pompeian Red
"Pompeian Red is the red — with a bit of rusty orange — that you see in the background of all those frescoes in Pompeii. Amazing that they've survived for millennia. Red creates a wonderful contrast that brings everything else into focus. It's gorgeous, very Italian and very romantic. It has the glow of the sun in it." — Brian McCarthy.
Painting: Farrow & Ball Estate Emulsion Blazer 212.

Caribbean Blue
"My idea of Caribbean Blue is this gorgeous turquoise that takes me straight to the beach. It's the color of water in the sunlight with brightness as well as depth. And like all the Glidden blues, it has a beautiful undertone. It might be pretty intense in a whole room, but try it on one wall, a ceiling, shutters, or a door — all great ways to use a strong color." — Suzanne Kasler.
Painting: Glidden Premium Deepest Aqua GLB24.
Tangerine 
"Apparently the first tangerines were shipped to Europe from Tangier and the city gave its name to the fruit and the color. Try tangerine lacquered in a dining room or a foyer to envelop you with warmth and make you feel as if you've jumped on a jet to some exotic destination." — Jamie Drake.
Painting: Benjamin Moore Impervex Tangelo 2017-30.
Swedish Gray
"I've always responded to Swedish interiors, maybe it's the quality of the light. The color I think of as Swedish gray is subtle and complex. You can see other tones in it and that ambiguity is intriguing. Set it off with dark charcoal or bright white and a bouquet of pink garden roses." — Victoria Hagan.
Painting: Benjamin Moore Aura Feather Gray 2127-60.
Tibetan Yellow
"This is the color of the robes worn by Tibetan Buddhist monks. When you see them walking down the street, it's like a ray of sunshine. Tibetan yellow is vibrant, but somehow it still has a softness and a sense of peace." — Vicente Wolf.
Painting: Pittsburgh Paints Manor Hall Naple's Gold 116-7.
British Racing Green
"I think fondly of British racing green, as I had an MG in exactly this color when I was in my twenties. I would use it in high gloss for a library, because it gives a room lots of shine and drama, creating a cool, quiet space. It goes well with old leather bound books and comfortable furniture." — David Easton.
Painting: Benjamin Moore Advance Hunter Green 2041-10.
Burgundy
"The color Burgundy takes its name from the color of the wines made in the Burgundy region of France. And like a glass of my favorite Pinot Noir, this rich red has depth. It responds dramatically to light and shade. Recommended for rooms where you want to curl up and read." — Katie Ridder.
Painting: C2 Paint Luxe Curtain Call C2-004.
Chartreuse
"Chartreuse is such a happy, spirited color. The name comes from the yellow-green liqueur made by monks in the Chartreuse mountains of France. I tend to gravitate toward the yellow side of the spectrum, and this shade is so multifunctional and rich. It looks amazing with anything from ebonized woods to whites." — Kelly Wearstler.
Painting: Pratt & Lambert Accolade Casava 15-10.
Prussian Blue
"The formula for Prussian blue was born in what is now Poland. It was one of the first artificial pigments and replaced the ultra-expensive ultramarine, unleashing a tsunami of blue into the world. Without it, we wouldn't have those smart Prussian military uniforms or Picasso's Blue Period. I'd use it in a bedroom with crisp white trim." — Alexa Hampton.
Painting: Benjamin Moore Satin Impervo New York State of Mind.
Aegean White
"You see a particular shade of Aegean White all over the Greek islands, where the whitewashed houses seem to incandesce in the light. Each village looks as if it has been planted into the side of the cliff, and this lime-wash paint feels equally organic. I've used it in a dining room where the mottled, chalky texture creates a sense of age and looks beautiful in candlelight." — Darryl Carter.
Painting: Virginia Lime Works Limepaint Bright White.
Thank you for reading this blogpost. 
Source: House Beautiful

01 mei 2025

Kitchens: Positive effect of colors for homestaging - the color Blue

Earlier I saw this interesting article from Elle Decor about the positive effect of colors for homestaging. A fresh coat of paint in the right color may help sell a home for more money. According to a Zillow analysis, homes with walls painted in shades of blue or light gray may sell for as much as a $ 5,400 premium. Homes with soft blue kitchens sell also very well. For more information, see also the links below, also for other favourite colors for homestaging. This blogpost is a repost of my blog of 12-08-2020. Be Inspired .......
Thank you for reading this blogpost.

01 juli 2023

Decorating Ideas: Luxurious ocean blue bedding from Donna Karan Home (02)

While surfing today I found this elegant and luxurious ocean blue bedding from the brand Donna Karan Home. Inspired by the shimmering ocean, this luxurious bed echoes the shifting light on watery blues and lush textures. The hand dip-dyed ombre velvet duvet travels from deep navy to light blue. I am totally in love with this elegant duvet from the Donna Karan Home collection. I hope you're inspired! 
Thank you for reading this blogpost.

03 september 2021

Color Inspiration: Summer colorpalette 7

 Would like to share with you today this lovely Summer color palette in blue hues. What a fresh and delightful color combination! On my INSTAGRAM account as well as my PINTEREST account I am sharing lots of more color palettes. For more inspiration see also my PREVIOUS COLOR BLOGS. Be Inspired ......
Thank you for reading this blogpost. 
Sources: Instagram, Pinterest and Design Seeds.

29 mei 2021

Amazing hotel with sophisticated atmosphere in Mallorca


Hotel Cort. What a beautiful hotel in Palma, Mallorca! Love the choice of materials, textiles, colors and details. Hotel Cort is situated in the center of the old town in Palma, Mallorca. It has an unique character and a warm and relaxing atmosphere. Each room has its own charm. 

They created mood boards for the rooms with the aim to potentiate the differences that they already had on their own. They wanted to create in the guest´s mind a memory of well-being and warmth to take away with them after their stay at Hotel Cort. The choice of materials, textiles and colors as well as the attention to detail were the propositions to achieve this result. The resources of blue and ultramarine colors representing the Mediterranean sea and warm materials such as wood, leather and linen mixed with “llenguas” (traditional Mallorquin fabrics) give the whole an up-to-date and sophisticated atmosphere.
Thank you for reading this blogpost.
Sources: Decoholic and HOTEL CORT

20 januari 2019

10 januari 2019

RUNWAY: JEN KAO F/W 2013-14 RTW

Be Inspired by this beautiful Ready-To-Wear collection from Taiwanese fashion designer Jen Kao for the season Fall/Winter 2013-14. 
Thank you for reading this blogpost.
Sources: Vogue Italy and Vogue.com