#SpringColors | Valentina Expressions

Spring Vibes

02 Apr 2023 4 Comments

by Valentina in Friday Fashion Tags: #ColorEnergy, #Pink&Green, #SpringColors, #SpringVibes, #ValentinaBookOnColors

After the Equinox there is an update of the vital forces and a repositioning of all the elements that move nature. Around the equinox (aequi+nox-night) the sun shines directly on the equator and consequently day and night have an approximate length all over the Earth. Due to this new event, Spring is born, we must sing at a different tune and think a little more clearly.

Last year I discovered a felt artist who I invited to my show. I fell in love with the art of felting. Wet felting is an ancient method of fusing together silk and natural wool from which scarves, shawls, lightweight garments, and even jewellery can be made. The process requires the use of olive oil soap, warm water and the motion of the skilled artist’s hands that will produce original, delicate, one-of-a-kind creations. The application of heat, moisture and friction causes the wool to felt.

Nuno Felting or Laminated Felting is a more modern technique in fabric manipulation that produces highly textural textiles, lightweight, visually appealing and fun to wear, says Nadia Bevegni, felt artist.

I sent one of my tulip photos to the artist and she reproduced it onto a piece of silk. It was an easy process, at least it was for me, and we communicated well. I like it when that happens, people in the art business seem to be much more relaxed than in any other business.
I added to my collection of scarves a beautiful, warm piece made by a real human with her hands. Here are a few of her creations. Find the artist Nadia Bevegni here https://itfelt.wordpress.com/

Photos by Nadia Bevegni.

On this first day of April, open the door to new possibilities, colours and all the energy colours can bring.

In my book RED -A Voyage Into Colors, Second Edition one can find a variety of information on how colours affect us in life.

Ciao,
Valentina

My books on Amazon

Valentina Cirasola is an interior-fashion consultant, author of 6 published books, a storyteller, and a blogger of many years. Her books are non-fictional practical ideas to apply in the home, fashion, cooking and travel.
Get a copy of her books here: Amazon and Barnes&Noble

Spring, Beauty and Books Series Has Ended

31 May 2022 16 Comments

by Valentina in Books Blog Tags: #SpringBeautyandBooksFeatures, #SpringColors, #SpringEnergy, #SpringInspiration, #SpringThoughts., #ValentinaCirasolaAuthor

This Spring flew by, between winds of war, fake news, new diseases, corrupted politicians, investigations, and protests around the world to gain the lost freedom, we have arrived almost at Summer. What will it bring us? My hope is always that humanity will mend itself and be infused with so much love, compassion and empathy, as without these elements, life cannot be called life.

With the arrival of Spring, my goal was to instill beauty. Beauty multiplies as it is an entity that everyone wants and everyone recognizes for their wellbeing. I also wanted to spread kind thoughts. Who better than authors can do that? Authors are good with words, they know how to craft them to let the readers live a fantasy, see places and experience new emotions.

Spring is the perfect season for renewal. The authors I have invited to participate in this new series called “Spring, Beauty and Books” each have their own sensibility about Spring and I hope they have inspired the readers. I want to thank them for spreading beauty with their books and thoughts. I had a great pleasure hosting them. Enjoy the video I made with their words on Spring and their books.

Sharon Marchisiello – htt ps://www.amazon.com/Sharon-Marchisello/e/B00NH6N4WK
Colleen Chesebro – mybook.to/WordCraftProsePoetry
Anne Goodwin – https://linktr.ee/matildawindsor
Effrosyni Moschoudi – https://bit.ly/3pAP3rf
Ann Chiappetta – www.Annchiappetta.com
Liesbet Collaert – https://amzn.to/3jZRrpm
Yvette Calleiro – https://www.amazon.com/HYPE-Yvette-M-Calleiro-ebook/dp/B09L7BFNXG/
Christine Robinson – cerobinsonauthor.com
Debby Gies – www.amazon.com/author/dgkaye7
Valentina Cirasola – https://www.amazon.com/Valentina-Cirasola/e/B0031A02H2

“Nature is the source of all true knowledge. She has her own logic, her own laws, she has no effect without cause nor invention without necessity” – Leonardo da Vinci.

Ciao,
Valentina
Amazon Author’s Page

Copyright © 2022 Valentina Cirasola, All Rights Reserved

Flamingo Pink | Valentina Cirasola | Interior Designer

20 Mar 2018 Leave a comment

by Valentina in Home Designs Master Tags: #FlamingoColorPalette, #FlamingoInspiration, #FlamingoPink, #OrangeFlamingo, #SpringColors

Finally, I got the chance to know the flamingos in person, I waited my entire life for this opportunity. I had seen them in photographs and documentaries, until my recent trip to San Diego last week put me face to face with these tall and gracious birds living in San Diego zoo. Immediately, I felt innamorate of their elegance and their color. They are not pink, as I imagined them, they are orange color, kind of a salmon orange and I was pleasantly surprised. Their voice sounds as if they laugh constantly and I laughed right along with them. I can’t stop thinking about them. I want to have their photograph everywhere in my home, maybe I will have the best picture stretched and printed digitally as a wallpaper, or perhaps I will paint one flamingo on one of my interior doors with a nice scene surrounding it.
(Click on each photo to view it larger).

The brilliant color of their feathers made me think of how fun it would be to have this bright salmon orange in a home. Looking at the pictures I took, I see all the other colors that I can combine easily with that salmon orange. There are all the possible shades of the green vegetation, the yellowish color of the water they play in, or the sandy color of the ground they stand on to sunbathe.

On my facebook wall my friends were debating what color is flamingo pink. Is it like pink and orange together, or is it a type of red that didn’t turned out quite red, or is it salmon-with a rose hue? It is a color with an uncertain personality, like periwinkle is for blue and lavender. One woman suggested that Crayola should have one color in their collection, one stick which encompasses pink, fuchsia, orange swirled meld, that would changed as used.

One of those friends took the time to check that Crayola didn’t already have a color called Flamingo Pink and good enough there is. Looking at the chart below, one has a clear idea how many colors possibilities we can have with Famingo Pink and the list goes forever, it’s insane, but makes me very happy. http://www.crayola.com/explore-colors/flamingo-pink.aspx

In past few years we had a few bold colors to pair freely with other bold colors or any color we liked, for instance, in 2013 Tangerine Tango was made the color of that year, in 2014 we had Celosia Orange and Cayenne, in the 2016 Peach Echo was the color of the year. (Below: Pantone Colors)

I would be happy to use Flamingo Pink as an accent colors and have all the neutral colors around as a calming and buffering colors. I found this Victorian chaise long, at Laurel Crown, I know it is an old classic style, but I see it as the only antique piece in a modern décor. The fabric with golden designs on this chair is exquisite. The company calls it Batavia Salmon, but it is very close to flaming pink.

160.preview

(Sofa and Fabric from: https://www.laurelcrown.com/victorian-single-end-show-frame-sofa)

Life is a play and I like mine to be a colorful stage. Ciao,
Valentina
http://www.valentinadesigns.com

Valentina Cirasola is an Italian Interior Designer working in the USA and Europe since 1990, specializing in interior and exterior, color analysis, kitchen, bath, wine cellar, and outdoor kitchen designs. Often people describe her as “the colorist” as she loves to color her clients’ world and loves to create the unusual. “Vogue” magazine and many prominent publications in California featured Valentina’s work. She also was seen on RAI – Italian National TV and has made four appearances on T.V. Comcast Channel 15. Author of three published books, the latest ©RED – A Voyage Into Colors is on the subject of colors.
Barnes&Nobles: http://goo.gl/q7dQ3w
Amazon: http://goo.gl/qNxXrB

Saint Patrick’s Day And The Interesting Green | Valentina Cirasola | Interior Designer

17 Mar 2016 Leave a comment

by Valentina in Home Designs Master Tags: #ColorGreen, #DecoratingWithGreen, #HomeDecorating, #HomeFashion, #HowToCombineGreen, #SpringColors, #StPatrickDay, #ValentinaInteriorsDesigns

Here we are already approaching Saint Patrick’s Day!
Saint Patrick, in Latin Patricius, is the patron saint of Ireland. It is traditionally celebrated as a religious event in Ireland, America, Canada and Australia by Irish and non-Irish alike.
Up until the 1970s, Irish laws mandated that pubs be closed on March 17. Beginning in 1995, the Irish government began a national campaign to use St. Patrick’s Day as an opportunity to drive tourism and showcase Ireland to the rest of the world.

A note of history: At age fourteen Patrick was captured from Britain by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Ireland, where he lived for six years before escaping and returning to his family. After entering the Church, he returned to Ireland as an ordained bishop. One traditional icon of Saint Patrick’s day is the shamrock. An Irish tale tells how Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity. Shamrock represents the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit existing as separate elements of the same entity.
Today, people of all background celebrate the day with parades, wearing something green, drinking beer and eating traditional Irish food. Tradition says that people who don’t wear green will be “pinched”…. in an affectionate way.

One reason St. Patrick’s Day might have become so popular is that it takes place just a few days before the first day of spring. Spring is time to renew, refresh and upgrade any space in the home.

I love surrounding myself with bold colors, but not everybody thinks that way. Calm, no need to paint an entire room in bold colors to brighten it up. Use bold and colorful accessories such as rugs, throw pillows, and window treatments to add punch to a room painted in a neutral shade. This way, bold colors can be contained in small areas, making it easy to change or eliminate if later you decide to go with something else, or go with the change of seasons.

Using a bold color in a small room, will add a feeling of coziness. Some people think it will shrink the room, I think it is only how you perceive your space and how you intend to make it work for you. With a bold color in a small room, it is a must to use a spectacular light effect to avoid that shrinking feeling.

Depending on the mood you like to create, green combines well with purple and grey for a modern high tech hipster décor. Soft pink and green tones if you want to create a feminine environment, or yellow and golds if you like your home to have a summer feel all year round. Use cool green and turquoise hues for tranquility.

(Source: Color Palettes)

If you want to use a darker color in any size room, consider painting one accent wall in that color, then paint the remaining walls with a lighter tone of the same shade, or with a different neutral color to set off the bold color.
In the kitchen get creative with your backsplash in contrasting colors. Using a contrasting grout draws attention to the tile. In this example, a light-color grout lets the round green tiles pop.
(photo below: BH&G)

In home décor all the different elements can co-exist in the same space to create rhythm and a dynamic space. Green often is the right color to repaint a repurposed piece of furniture that can be used for beauty and functionality.

I am always available to resolve any design challenges and yes, I am the colorist who brings happiness in any décor. Ciao,
Valentina
www.Valentinadesigns.com

Valentina Cirasola is an Italian Interior Designer working in the USA and Europe since 1990, specializing in kitchen, bath, wine cellar, and outdoor kitchen designs. Often people describe her as “the colorist” as she loves to color her clients’ world and loves to create the unusual. “Vogue” magazine and many prominent publications in California featured Valentina’s work. She also has made four appearances on T.V. Comcast Channel 15 and on RAI – Italian National TV. Author of three published books, the latest ©RED – A Voyage Into Colors is on the subject of colors.
Amazon: http://goo.gl/xUZfk0
Barnes&Nobles: http://goo.gl/q7dQ3w

Colors To Eat | Valentina Cirasola | Author and Designer

21 Apr 2014 2 Comments

by Valentina in The Good Life Tags: #BH&GColors, #BritishScones, #ColorEnergy, #RedVoyageIntoColors, #SpringColors, Chromotherapy

(Photo: BH&G)

This flower arrangement I found on BH&G looks perfect for today’s Easter table. It’s cheerful and vibrant and is definitely a resurrection of the spirit from the winter gloom and snow. Every color has healing power. Color therapy techniques have been around for over 5,000 year. Today we call it chromotherapy. It’s roots go back to Ayurveda Indian natural remedies medicine. Decorating a home or office, or preparing food we bring those healing energies from colors into our life and if we use them correctly, colors will enhance our qualities.

Photo sources in this board:
Cup Cakes – http://www.ju-licioustastytreats.com/ – Blackberries – http://ilovemealplans.com/ – Blueberries – www.nipic.com –
Cauliflowers – www.greenprophet.com – Lilac & tea cup – http://www.free-hdwallpapers.com/wallpaper/nature/tea-cup/11991 -Salmon Sashimi – https://goo.gl/qTLyDf –
Round Squash – http://www.oahufresh.com/ingredient/round-squash/ – Limes – http://instiks.com/pin/3740/

Experiment with this color palette, I turned the same flowers arrangement into colors to eat and I came up with food with a perfect healing power. Let’s see what it means to eat nourishing food with these colors and which chakra will benefit from them.

Blue affects the chakra in the throat. As a calming color, blue lowers blood pressure, calms anxiety and helps insomnia. It enhances communication skills and increases will power. Blue food will help de-cluttering the mind from over-driving thoughts.
Orange food will balance too much blue. It’s perfect to serve blackberries mixed with orange slices.

Lavender/Violet is the chakra meditation on top of our head. Wearing violet helps treating mental problems, nervous disorders and tumors. Eating lavender/violet food will lift depression and the sense of disconnection.
Balance violet food with yellow food. When serving lavender tea is best to use lemon and not milk.

Yellow is the color of survival chakra in the upper stomach, or solar chakra. Yellow stimulates concentration and learning abilities, but if the solar chakra is imbalanced will promote fear and anxiety. Yellow food enlivens the solar plexus and reduces stress.
Balance yellow food with blue food. Roasted yellow tomatoes and roasted blue potatoes are a delicious combination.

Orange represents the inner child issues chakra, the sacral or sex chakra, which regulates the metabolism. Psychologically, orange color promotes happiness, increases creativity and socialization. Eating orange food will help curing depression, digestive problems and increase metabolism activities.
Grilled salmon and broiled green squash balance each other well.

Green represents the emotional heart chakra, connected to love, trust and forgiveness. It’s the perfect color for emotional stability and calmness. Eating green food will put you in a calm state of mind, balance the emotions and increase metabolism activity.
Magenta balances too much green.

Let’s transfer the lightness of spring into our food. Enjoy my British lavender scones recipe. I love them fluffy and warm on a breezy spring morning.

Ingredients for 12 scones:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ stick unsalted butter (very cold)
¼ cup sugar 1 teaspoon of dried culinary lavender (fresh lavender is better)
2/3 cup milk
egg wash

Preheat oven at 425° F. Grease and flour a baking sheet. In a mixing bowl mix flour and baking powder together. Add cold butter and make the mixture like breadcrumbs. Mix in sugar and lavender, then add milk to turn the mixture into a sticky dough.
Transfer the mixture to a floured surface or cutting board. With a cookie cutter cut the dough in a thick 1” round disk. Place each disk on the baking sheet previously buttered and floured. Brush the top with an egg wash and sprinkle a small amount of sugar.
Bake for about 12 minutes or until the sconces are golden brown. Serve with candied or natural nasturtium flowers and a home-made orange marmalade.
Bon appetite, I hope your Easter was beautiful and serene. Ciao,
Valentina
http://www.valentinadesigns.com

Valentina Cirasola has been in business as an interior designer since 1990 improving people’s life by changing their spaces. Often people describe her as “the colorist” for a reason. She lives in a colorful world, wrote a book on colors ©RED-A Voyage Into Colors and loves to color her clients’ environments by creating the unusual. Her deep interest in food led her as an autodidact in the studies of food in history, natural remedies, nutrition and well-being, then finally she wrote two books on Italian regional cuisine. Find Valentina’s three books on
Amazon: http://goo.gl/xUZfk0
Barnes&Nobles: http://goo.gl/q7dQ3w

Liebster Award | March Appreciation | Valentina Cirasola | Interior Designer

06 Mar 2013 33 Comments

by Valentina in Home Designs Master Tags: #GratitudeDay, #RedVoyageIntoColors, #SelfImprovement, #SpringCleaning, #SpringColors, Colors

Are you getting ready for spring? Are you looking into your wardrobe to see what looks good for keeping and what doesn’t? Are you ready to change into spring colors? Do you usually invite spring into your home with new colors, deep cleaning, moving furniture around, or adding nature in some corners? Before my March is over I do all that and I make a special appreciation day to everyone and everything contributing to the “good and pleasant” in my life. Ask me how to do it, if you have challenges. Decorating for Spring with your skin and eye colors is fun.

Today I am recognizing Sindy at http://bluebutterfliesandme.wordpress.com for nominating me with the Liebster Award. Please visit her site, Sindy writes about spirituality. Sindy, I know a few weeks have passed since you awarded me, but I haven’t forgotten you, just needed to find the right moment. Last December, I stuck the beautiful amaryllis’s bulb in the pot and waited for a miracle to happen, until one day it bloomed literally before my eyes. I dedicated this flower to you Sindy (it came out a little dark, I don’t know how to fix it) and thank you for nominating me, I feel honored.

~Award Suggested Guidelines~

Answer the questions below.

Nominate 11 bloggers

Inform your nominees by posting a link on their blogs

The Questions Are:

What first inspired you to start writing a blog?
In 2005, I was blogging on an Italian designers’ site and didn’t even knew it was called blogging. I thought I was participating to discussions. Then, my business coach said I needed to have my blog site and three years ago I landed on WordPress.

What is the biggest challenge you have had to face when writing a blog?
What is on my mind, it’s also on my tongue. I was concerned my words would start a third Punic War.

If you traveled through time, what time would you want to arrive at and why?
I am very sure I lived in the 17^th Century between Venice and France. I have too many déjà-vu examples that I have been there already.

However if I were to just pick one time in the past..
Definitely it would be Paris in 1920. I agree with Sindy, Woody Allen’s movie, “Midnight In Paris” project the perfect time for my character. I watch that film religiously at least once a month.

Do you prefer to eat chocolate, sweets or neither?
Chocolate for sure, no guilt.

Do you prefer to read or write?
I am addicted to both, it’s hard to choose.

What is your favorite non-fiction topic to read about and why?
Famous people autobiographies to learn from successful, smart or rich people how to make a better life and travel novels to learn and dream from people’s experiences about distance places I will never see.

If you could buy one book that would help you solve a problem in your life, what would it be and why?
As practical as I am, no book will ever solve my problem in life, unless I work at my problem with action. A book can only give me some inspiration.

Do you prefer to write at night or during the day?
Anytime, I am a nightcrawler and early birds, depending on my mood.

If you could be any character from a book, who would you be and why?
I am very happy being me, but for the sake of this award, I would try a man’s role, just to see how it is on the other side. I would choose to be Casanova.

Do you prefer to read a printed book or an e-Book?
A printed book smells like a book and knowledge.

These are my 11 nominees, all very talented and creative people. Please visit each other, I am so grateful for all your knowledge, spirit and insights you bring me.

http://greendoorhospitality.wordpress.com/

http://astimegoesbuy.me/

http://terry1954.wordpress.com/

http://marianne365days.wordpress.com/

http://thepalladiantraveler.com/

http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com/

http://50yearproject.wordpress.com/

http://petit4chocolatier.wordpress.com/

http://katrinaperkins.wordpress.com/

http://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/

http://misbehavedwoman.wordpress.com/

Life, colors and bread go on. Take control of your own food and the happiness that will follow. Those who have seeds and know how to make food will survive. Create a great week. Ciao,
Valentina

http://www.Valentinadesigns.com

Valentina Cirasola has been in business as an interior designer since 1990 improving people’s life by changing their spaces. Often people describe her as “the colorist” for a reason. She lives in a colorful world, wrote a book on colors and loves to color her clients’ environments by creating the unusual. Her deep interest in food led her to study food, natural remedies, nutrition and well-being as an autodidact and finally wrote two books on Italian regional cuisine. Find Valentina’s books on
Amazon: http://goo.gl/xUZfk0
Barnes&Nobles: http://goo.gl/q7dQ3w