I have a confession to make. When I was kid, I got caught in the act. I’m not talking about singing ‘Sunrise, Sunset’ at my parent’s dinner parties while going through puberty. It’s actually far more embarrassing.
I’ve often wondered how I turned out the way I did and I think it all started when I was 8 years old.
I remember playing with my best friend in the living room of our house in Cleveland, Ohio. We were doing what most little boys do at that age, coloring in our Colorland coloring books. We each had our own set of Crayola crayons, the 64-pack with built-in pencil sharpeners – a dream come true for any kid. Right?
Aquamarine, Bittersweet, Burnt Sienna, Periwinkle, Orchid… so many colors, so little time. Enamored by the kaleidoscopic cornucopia of colors, I got caught up in the moment and inadvertently slipped one of my friend’s crayons into my Crayola box. I distinctly remember it being Goldenrod.
At that precise moment, my older brother walked in and accused me of stealing. I didn’t even know what stealing was. All I knew was that I was obsessed with crayons. In fact, my Mom says I would sit quietly for hours coloring with the TV on in the background; lost in my own private Ohio.
As an interior designer, this explains a lot. If a picture is worth a thousand words than color is priceless! When used without abandon, color on the outside can speak volumes about your true color on the inside. For me, Goldenrod is an inside color.
It makes sense, I’m a Leo and lions sport yellow-brown coats. I also love all kinds of mustard, my favorite time of year is Autumn, and just now realizing as I write, a shade of Goldenrod is on the cover of my recent book.
In fact, our living room today is anchored with a beautiful Artisanat Moroccan rug that embodies these wonderful shades of Goldenrod with a pattern reminiscent of the pages I laboured over for hours.
These are all cues to remind me of the day I fell in love with color; which ultimately led to a lifelong obsession with it.
As a designer, I always look to connect my clients’ childhood passions to their present day lives through specific design elements (like color, texture, silhouette, etc.); not only to remind them of where they’ve been, but also, how they got there.
Think back to something you dreamed of as a kid and make sure it’s represented in the design of your home today. And if you need some direction, start by asking yourself… If I were a color, what would I be?
I’d love to hear your answer in the comments below.
Until next time…
P.S. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTACH A PICTURE TO YOUR NAME ON THE BLOG POSTS, GO TO WWW.GRAVATAR.COM AND CLICK ON GET YOUR GRAVATAR TODAY!
Great post! Well written. Those boxes of crayons with the sharpeners were the bomb! I love that you remembered the color… Golden Rod. 232 days ago
When was little, (as a future graphic designer), I felt the same about crayons. I had one box of 64 I never used, just arranged in different color combinations and memorized the names. I matched the colors from pages of magazines and made collages, which I still love to do today. Thanks for sharing your memory so I could remember mine. 232 days ago
Red! I have always loved Red! Bright colors. yellow,orange, and jewel colors. Red walls, red accents. Chocolate brown, cream. I love color. I like your rug. Thanks Mark! 232 days ago
Burnt Sienna rocked. To this day I am attracted to spice, pumpkin, terracota (you get the idea) shades. In fact that is the base of my color scheme for my new apartment! 232 days ago
Hi Tanya, just curious how you were able to add a photo next to your name?? Would love to be able to do the same.
231 days ago
Go to http://www.Gravatar.com and attached any pic to your email address. 229 days ago
Thanks for the heads up sweetness! Got it now.
228 days ago
I would have to say that I am more of a pattern than a color…. I very much identify with houndstooth. Classic, yet unique… just like me. 232 days ago
If I were a color I would be Blue. 232 days ago
I agree with leslie! Red is definitely the “kerri color”. And my previous kitchen was a beautiful mustard color! I love experimenting with color and anything earthy, ethnic and original…. 232 days ago
pthalocyanine blue! seriously. it’s a beautiful color. Love your new blog! 232 days ago
When I was purchasing my first new (to me) car, the style I wanted only had 1 color left. The dealer told me the color was “Ocean Blue”. When they brought the car out, it wasn’t “Ocean Blue”, but Blue/Green from the Crayola box! I had to have it … as that was the first color that would be GONE from my crayola box as I used it so much!
Blue green houses, blue grees trees … blue green clouds. Everything was blue green! What a great memory – thanks Mark! 232 days ago
I always treasured the 64 count box of Crayola Crayons. my favorate was lilac and violet 232 days ago
As a child growing up in the 70s, I used to complain to my mother that everything we owned was some shade of brown: our car, our shutters, our carpet, our couches, my hair, the dogs !
I vowed that, when I grew up, I would own a large house in which every room was a different color and also a different STYLE. That way, you could hang out in whichever room you were in the MOOD for. As an adult, I don’t have a large house and the styles don’t vary, but I have 8 rooms and 7 different wall colors! 231 days ago
I know just what you mean, only my mom’s color was green. Green carpet, chairs, even the porch swing was painted “park bench green”. 231 days ago
I like the soft quiet colors. Don’t remember coloring when I was a kid. Too long ago. 231 days ago
I totally agree! One thing I didn’t like about apartment living was all those white walls. First thing I did when I bought my first home was have fun with color. My favorite room is a blue/green/grey that is warm and cozy. 231 days ago
Purple – have always loved any shade of purple, violet, orchid or plum. Love the fall seasons when these colors are always in style for fashion. 231 days ago
Love all pastel pinks, lavender, sage, blues… And white too.
~Stay Beautiful Within, Erica~ 231 days ago
Forget my color – where the heck did you get that amazing rug! 231 days ago
Actually it was a wedding present to Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman awhile back. How I acquired it is fodder for another blog post. Stay tuned. 230 days ago
Can’t wait for that blog post! 228 days ago
Aquamarine all the way!
Mark, where in Cleveland did you grow up? I was born there as well and spent time in Warrensville Hts., Burton (Geauga County), Parma, North Royalton, and Medina.
Clean House isn’t the same without you! 231 days ago
Willoughby area. Happy you’re a buckeye. 230 days ago
Silver was the crayon that stood out for me. I love sparkly things!
231 days ago
Mark.. i am totally impressed by your designs.. i have been a fan of Clean house all along liked your design ideas and implemented some in my house too..
231 days ago
if i were a color… i would not like to be one single color but a rainbow… bringing the most beautiful thoughts and images to each ones mind
My fav color is turquoise and any shade variation of it. Growing up, whenever we headed to our cabin in northern Michigan we would stop at a store that sold Indian jewelry. I always had to get a turquoise ring or bracelet or necklace (50+ years later I still have many of them). I’ve always had some shade of turquoise in any home that I have had. Right now I’m redoing my new kitchen and dining room in shades of turquoise. 231 days ago
I amso greatful for your blog, a way to get to know you; your opening up. You are such an artistic person. Such a pleasure to get to know you. 231 days ago
Turquoise has always been my favorite color. It’s interesting that your rug has turquoise in it. Although I usually think of coral with turquoise, the goldenrod complements it beautifully! 231 days ago
Pick ONE color…too hard. Depends on my mood. Do they make wall paint that changes color, like mood rings? That way my wall color would match my mood! I love all colors, except gray. Pinks, yellows, reds, oranges, greens, purples…aww too many lovely ones to choose just one.
Love your blog and your rug is fabulous! Miss Niecy and you on Clean House 231 days ago
Mark, I totally agree that our childhood memories play an important part in how we decorate our homes. I was raised by my grandmother, who always had red in her kitchen. When I became an adult and began making color choices, I always grativated to red, not really knowing why. Then one day it dawned on me that the color red brought back fond memories of a happy childhood. Today my kitchen walls are red and I never tire of that color. It energizes me and brings a smile to my face. I’m a Gemini (the twins) so that means I have a split personality when it comes to color. I adore turquoise but not for decorating. It is my favorite color to wear. 231 days ago
“Roy G Biv” All of them! 231 days ago
I’m a magenta….all the way. A 1949 color. Reminds me of one of the marvelous colors in a sunset over the ocean. 230 days ago
Green because it reminds me of the grass i sat in and the tree i sat under while enjoying a good book. LOVE your blog, thank you for being here!
230 days ago
Mark- I’ve been a fan for quite awhile and emailed you about my redo of my daughter’s room a bit ago. I let her do her room in colors she chose even though they wouldn’t have been my pick because I think it makes you feel good to surround yourself with “your” color. I always thought green was my favorite until I realized that I actually ahd several favorite colors over the years. I love fall so green fits in well with warm browns, reds and oranges which I also have come to love. I also like colorful roosters and they have those colors too. Now it all makes sense. Your subconscious knows what you like even if you aren’t sure. 229 days ago
I’ll immediately grab your rss feed as I can’t find your email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly let me know so that I could subscribe. Thanks. 228 days ago
I was infatuated with crayons and coloring books when I was young. I always knew I would be an artist and every shade of green was my favorite. Somewhere on my journey I realized I am not an artist, but a designer, a graphic designer now to be persise. Thanks for sharing your wonderful story. 205 days ago