Oscar’s gold inspires sparkling spring decorating trend

Daisy Fuentes gold dust bedding at Kohl's.

If you love movies chances are you'll be parked on the sofa tonight. The 86th annual Academy Awards ceremony, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, airs at 7 p.m. on ABC (locally WXYZ-TV). The Oscars are entertaining and inspiring whether you're an actor trying to break into the business or a fashionista following the red carpet arrivals. Hollywood's brightest stars accept the ultimate honor in their industry. And while audiences may never own their own golden Oscar there's no reason they can't add a little sparkle to their life.

Especially this year, being that incorporating gold into one's home décor is one of this spring's hottest trends, according to design experts at Kohl's and J.C. Penny.

In the spirit of the Oscars and its best picture winners of the past -- here are a few ways to incorporate a little bling into your spring décor:

•  "Shakespeare in Love" (1988): Replace your bedroom linens with bedding that has sparkle and pizazz. The Daisy Fuentes Gold Dust bedding coordinates available at Kohl's cost between $44 and $290. If you don't want to spend the extra money on a new comforter consider adding a gold afghan or a selection of throw pillows (Gatsby Decorative Pillow, $40). Any chance of adding a splash of gold - is trendy and likely to give the old room a new look.

• "The Artist" (2011): Got an old black and white photo of you and a sibling horsing around in a tub full of bubbles? How about grandma pulling weeks in the garden? Put either of these in a gold frame and you've got a new look for the bathroom and the kitchen. No photos? How about a drawing by one of the kids? 

• "Million Dollar Baby" (2004): Animals fashioned out of gold are a wonderful way to add a little sparkle to the nursery. How about a gold piggy bank or other gold accessories such as gold trinket box?

• "Platoon" (1986): Decorate the den and honor the veteran in your family by displaying their service medals. Shadow boxes are readily available at most department stores or companies that specialize in engraving. Bonus if they're gold but silver and bronze medals can also be displayed along with a photograph of the veteran in a small gold frame.

• "Mutiny on the Bounty" (1935): Being Michigan is home to the Great Lakes and plenty of beautiful shorelines - many homeowners choose to decorate rooms with a nautical theme. Nautical accessories like a ship's wheel or a gold diver's helmet are a great way to add some bling this spring. How about mounting a model ship with gold accents onto a wall or in an entertainment center?

• "The Sound of Music" (1965): Instead of pictures on the wall of the family's playroom how about mounting a trumpet? Yes, they're made of brass but they shine like gold.

• "West Side Story" (1961): Instead of just a random stack of books consider adding a few novelty items. Visit any bookstore and you're likely to find a classic tale such as those by Tom Sawyer or Emily Bronte with leather covers with gold embossing or gilded edges.

• "Chariots of Fire" (1981): The great thing about lamps is there's always a design available to address one's personal style or theme. J.C. Penny's Red Velvet crystal block table lamp ($160) has the elegance one would need for a formal living room or master suite. Whereas Kohl's Safavieh Jayne three sphere glass table lamp set is more for the funky, modern setting ($350).

• "Around the World in 80 Days" (1956): Lastly, there are always knick-knacks. Gather up those gold Eiffel Tower or Nantucket trinkets that you've gleaned from traveling around the world, state or your home turf and use them to dress up your new look for spring.

Gina Joseph is a reporter and columnist for The Macomb Daily. Send comments to gina.joseph@macombdaily.com, follow her on twitter @ginaljoseph and visit her beat blog at macomblife.blogspot.com.

No need to shout U-S-A! The Olympic uniforms speak for themselves

I like that Ralph Lauren's new Olympic opening ceremony uniforms were made in the USA – but what American made these?

The new look to be worn by TEAM USA at the opening ceremony for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russa were modelled by American Olympic ice hockey players Julie Chu and Zach Parise on Thursday. They feature a knit patchwork cardigan emblazoned with big stars, American flag and the Olympic rings. It's being worn with a cream cotton turtleneck, white athletic pants and black leather boots. Completing the ensemble is a wool reindeer hat - with braided tassels - and of course red, white, and blue make up the hat's pattern.

I get him wanting to reflect his patriotism. It's the Olympics. His designs will be premiered on an international stage. He's also proving that he got the message during the 2012 London games - voiced by critics who were more than disappointed to hear that Lauren's TEAM USA uniforms were made in China. "A dynamic mix of patriotic references in a classic color palette of red, white and navy defines the Ralph Lauren 2014 Team USA Opening ceremony uniform, which is proudly Made in America," the company said in a statement Thursday.

Still, I think he could have conveyed his message with one less star or stripe.

 

As for team Norway -– I love that they're trying to draw attention to the game of curling.