Hazel is: Almond Cream

It doesn’t take much to intrigue me and bring me into the daydream world of reminiscing cherished memories (past), savoring the height of the moment (present), and vision casting in excitement of things to come (future). Isn’t it fascinating how our senses can play heavily into how we build memories, build present moments, and build our futures? What we see, hear, smell, touch, taste are all threaded into experiences as time goes by. When I ponder the creamy-white color of Almond Cream, so much comes to mind. I recall skipping across the powdery white sands of Destin, FL as a toddler, indulging in my grandma’s famous banana cream Nilla wafer pudding when visiting her house in Augusta, GA over the years, and entering the Italian luxury furniture showroom called Cyrus Company that I managed a couple years in SoHo, NY. The entire design concept of that furniture manufacturer was to only feature the designs in showrooms globally in white. I quickly learned to appreciate white, cream and everything in between and to also convince consumers that white was the new black. It wasn’t per se the go-to color of wardrobes and spaces in the concrete jungle of NYC, but I enjoyed the challenge of designing beautiful spaces in pure minimalism.

While at the Barber Parlor in Naples, FL earlier this week, I watched my seven year old’s curls fall like autumn leaves to the ground and then I caught myself captured by the tv mounted nearby as it was airing a Bob Ross session. As a kid, I used to watch old reruns in suspense as he would use Titanium White paint layered with other colors until the reveal of his masterpiece. When he had the perfect foggy background of a deep bluish-black forest or a dark violet-gray mountain range and then took that crisp creamy-white he called Titanium White, my heart paused as it seemed he was absolutely about to destroy the painting altogether. But no, he was sprinkling on the white snowfall with his fan brush and it all made perfect sense. The same feeling on the reverse can be felt when I watch the artful creation of a master chef who places the itty-bittiest delicacy in the center of a white porcelain plate and is sure to ruin the dainty dish with a dark drizzle over the whole thing. These are the autographic brushstrokes of creatives and it’s truly a beautiful thing.

Playing off this concept of tasteful brushstrokes with the integration of creamy white (i.e. Almond Cream), it’s a breeze to incorporate in the design of a space or a wardrobe. Try decorating with accent pillows of black pinstripes on creamy linen or cotton canvas pillow covers at indoor or outdoor seating areas. Consider adding textured layers of Almond Cream in a wardrobe with a plush cashmere scarf in a bold or dark color that has a creamy white contrast stitching (in cooler temps) or a crisp linen scarf in sheer antiqued white with black pinstripes. (in warmer temps). Another way of varying design on a creamy white background is simply by way of layers of texture (cream-on-cream, white-on-white), which can highlight contrasts of light and shadow simply by raised surfaces such as our handmade Berber Rugs with skillfully-knotted designs that appear as elevated pom poms.

Need more color or style inspiration? Visit our online store here to shop any of the shown products and more, bearing in mind that all items are handmade with custom color options available beyond what is shown. Almond Cream is no exception. Click individual photos in top banner of this post if you’re curious to shop those specific Hazel Coasts items.