A Pantone Guide Fit For A Queen: The Diamond Jubilee Colour Guide

Pantone and Leo Burnett London chart six decades of style for Queen Elizabeth II with the launch of a limited edition Diamond Jubilee Colour Guide

the press release: LONDON, 1st June 2012 – In celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s 60 colourful years on the British throne, Pantone, the global authority on colour and provider of professional colour standards for the design industries, and leading advertising agency Leo Burnett, have teamed up to launch a limited edition colour guide to mark the Queen’s fashion-forward colour statements.

For over 60 years, Her Majesty has opted for a full spectrum of perfectly colour coordinated ensembles, from the Primrose Yellow she wore at Will and Kate’s wedding in April 2011 to the tasteful Lilac Snow outfit she wore last year during a visit to Northumberland.



To mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, this bespoke, limited-edition, numbered colour guide is designed to capture and commemorate some of the Queen’s most memorable colour choices since her coronation – featuring PANTONE® Colour references and citing the date and location that determined her outfit colour choice.



Justin Tindall, executive creative director at Leo Burnett London, said, "When you see footage, or read commentary, of Queen Elizabeth on her official engagements, at a Royal Wedding or even watching her horse race at the Derby, there is always mention of what she’s wearing. It has been an ever-present subtext to the 60-year reign of our Monarch. The Diamond Jubilee Colour Guide is a celebration of that reign through colour and its meaning – a blend of Leo Burnett’s creativity and Pantone’s expertise in honour of the Diamond Jubilee."



Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute®, commented on the Queen’s colour choices: “The Queen’s decision to favour one colour in every outfit is a strong style statement. Monochromatic colour schemes make the wearer appear taller, delivering a more stately air – perfect given that Queen Elizabeth is not tall at 5’4’’. Choosing one colour theme also ensures the outfit does not detract attention from the wearer – which is particularly important if you’re the Queen.”

Selecting feature colours from the Queen’s wardrobe, Leatrice reflects on some of the most notable colour selections:


above image courtesy of oomph

PANTONE 13-0755 Primrose Yellow “The Queen’s royal wedding outfit from 2011 was Primrose Yellow. Yellow is a colour that speaks to the future with hope and optimism. William’s wedding was a time of national celebration and this choice of yellow complements the joyous mood of the occasion. It’s a colour that is high visibility (befitting a queen), while still not detracting from the bride.”

PANTONE 13-4411 Crystal Blue “Blue is a colour staple in the Queen’s wardrobe, it’s a colour that communicates constancy and it is also symbolic of her devotion to the British people. Blues traditionally have calming properties and she is often seen wearing them during difficult times. Blue is also seen as de-stressing so it’s no surprise she was sporting a serene blue to a Royal Garden Party in 2010.

PANTONE 16-2124 Pink Carnation “Queen Elizabeth wore lighter tones of pink more frequently when she was younger, adding softness to her role as Queen and make her seem less austere, for example the PANTONE 16-2124 Pink Carnation she wore to the Chelsea Garden Party in 1967. In recent years however, she has been seen in trendier bright pinks, defying her age and communicating that she is a monarch modern in thought and spirit.”

PANTONE 13-5414 Ice Green “During the Queen’s landmark state visit to Ireland, the first since the country gained independence in the 1920s, she was seen in a cool shade of green. Her colour choice echoed the sentiment of her visit as green is widely seen to symbolise new beginnings, fresh thoughts and rejuvenation.”

To make this possible, the guide was printed by Precision Printing using HP Indigo technology. Comprising 60 images of the Queen, the challenge was matching the colours and printing the ultra short run of 60 copies. Precision Printing used its HP Indigo 7500 Digital Press and the 7-colour (CMYKOV) HP IndiChrome on-press PANTONE emulation, simulating PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM® that can match 97 percent of the PANTONE Colour range, to achieve exact colour matching.

A special presentation box was made for the book to be presented to Her Majesty.

Creative Credits for The Queen Palette project:
Agency: Leo Burnett London
Art directors/Copywriters: Will Thacker,Blake Waters,
Executive creative director: Justin Tindall
Print producer: Chris Dale
Art buyer: Leah Mitchell.
Artwork, creative imaging and colour management: Mundocom
Photographer: Andy Rudak.

images courtesy of Leo Burnett, Adweek and Pantone

Barkitecture 2012 - Photos of the Luxe Doghouse & Garden Competition Entries

above: the Bau Wau Dog House by Ripple Design Studio

Luxe Interiors + Design and Seattle Design Center hosted Barkitecture last week —a luxury dog house construction and garden competition presented by Keller Supply Company and Kohler Co. Take a look at the entries below.

Team Engle:



above: Tyler Engle Architects’ team: a clever two-piece structure on a rail that enabled expansion of the covered space and the opportunity to cool or warm the doghouse from the sun. The interior space could be illuminated with natural daylighting through frosted glass at the far end. Hints of “dogtrot” houses from the SE parts of the US. Team: Tyler Engle Architects, Krekow Jennings – Builder, Dana Hamel – Designer, Ken Philp – Landscape, Decorative Metal Arts, California Closets, Moira Holley - Realtor.

Team Aome:



above: AOME Architects’ team: their entry was a romantic dog castle, complete with a moat and draw bridge. This dog house was well-built and featured a number of clever details. It would require a small dog with such a small entry, but what a grand entry for a miniature poodle! Team: AOME Architects, Charter Construction, Carl Williams – Designer, Nussbaum Group – Landscape, Seattle Stair & Design, Pental Granite & Marble, Dean Clausen - Realtor.

Team DeForest:



above: DeForest Architects’ team: A contemporary box with a host of operable features. As with several other entries, this doghouse was capped with a green vegetative roof. I’m not sure how well the siding would hold up to the weather in the Pacific Northwest, but a colorful, adventuresome, and carefully crafted design. Team: DeForest Architects, Roberts Wygal – Builder, Steven Hensel – Designer, R. David Adams – Landscape, Studio C, Stacy Logan Rugs, Connie Blumenthal - Realtor.

Team Demetriou:



above: Demetriou Architects’ team: A fanciful and sculptural home for a playful dog. There was a quite a bit of utility built-in to this creation, such as an automatic dog feeding and watering system. The interior lighting was nicely done, as was the green roof and rain water harvesting system. Team: Demetriou Architects, Bender Custom Builders, Barbara Hyde Evans – Designer, Dar Webb – Landscape, Savvy Cabinetry, Michael Folks Showroom, Melanie McCarthy - Realtor.

Team Castanes:


above: Castanes Architects’ team: this entry had quite a bit going on, an expansive butterfly roof for rainwater harvesting and shade, colorful and sculptural walls, a massive live-edge wood platform, and large casters for portability. The single steel column support for the roof was nicely done and seemingly under-appreciated by the hundreds in attendance. Team: Castanes Architects, Odyssey Builders, MusaDesign – Designer, CEM Landscape, Robert Allen/Beacon Hill, William & Wayne, Scott Wasner - Realtor.

Team Graham Baba:



above: Graham Baba Architects’ team: The entry was similar to Tyler Engle’s with two moving elements. With GBA’s, the dog house rolled out from under the canopy while the canopy on TEA’s rolled on a track away from the stationary dog house. Graham Baba’s dog house sported a nicely crafted steel frame with a salvaged lumber roof and side walls. The entire side of the dog house hinged open to form a deck. This was one of the most utilitarian of the entries. Team: Graham Baba Architects, Toth Construction, Graciela Rutkowski – Designer, Berger Partnership – Landscape, Cascade Joinery, Metal Solutions, Schumacher, Chris Doucet - Realtor.

Team Ripple:



above: Ripple Design Studio’s team: This entry took a different approach to the meaning of dog house. This was a creative and carefully crafted indoor dog bed. The screen wall is built of Ipe wood shaped like dog bones with bamboo cabinets on each end to store food, water, and leashes for the small urban dog. Team: Ripple Design Studio, Prestige Custom Builders, Gregory Carmichael – Designer, Brooks Kolb – Landscape, Baker Knapp & Tubbs, Lee Jofa Kravet, Sam Cunningham - Realtor.

Team AKJ:



above: AKJ Architects’ team: This was the other traditional entry. As with AOME’s design, there were a number of creative and nicely detailed elements, like the leaded-glass dog bone windows and bone-shaped pillow inside. The lighting was nicely done. Team: AKJ Architects, Peak Builders, Six Walls Interiors – Designer, Ragen & Associates, The Sliding Door Co., Duralee, Melissa Camp - Realtor.

Team Silk:



above: Stuart Silk Architects’ team: Team Silk designed this dog house for two dogs with two levels. The visually-strong butterfly roof was designed to capture rainwater for the wter dish and an entry water feature. This home featured many of the qualities we seek in our own homes these days: an open floor plan, flexible and adaptable to changing conditions, natural daylighting, and strong visual connections between the interior and exterior spaces. They won a few awards for this entry. Team: Stuart Silk Architects, Bellan Construction, Holly McKinley – Designer, Cambium Landscape, Keller Supply Co., Windows, Doors & More, Carrie DeBuys - Realtor.

Team Balance:


above: Balance Associates Architects’ team: As with other entries, Balance produced a design with a green roof and operable side panels. The operable doors to their dog house doubled as weather protection and shade for the interior spaces. The Balance team’s entry had one entire wall constructed as a gabion of tennis balls. Team: Balance Associates Architects, Logan’s Hammer – Builder, Nancy Burfiend – Designer, Scot Eckley Landscape, Yellow Mountain Stoneworks, Chown Hardware, Dennis Paige - Realtor.



descriptions and several of the images courtesy of Nathan Good Architects PC ; other images courtesy of Seattle Design Center and Luxe Source

The Darker Side of Mad Men. Season 5 Parody Dolls by Michael Williams.

As most fans of the TV drama Mad Men know, Mattel came out with a line of Barbie Dolls based on the cast characters a few years ago.


above: Mattel's limited edition Mad Men dolls have long since sold out

Now photographer Michael Williams, who specializes in doll photography, has parodied Season 5 with the following versions- complete with appropriate accessories:







For those custom doll makers and collectors, here are the details of Michael's creations:
For Joan he restyled Dusk to Dawn Silkstone Barbie and she wears a OOAK little black dress from Marirose with a black fur coat from Coquette Cissy, Sindy baby carriage from the UK repainted black (originally blue); 1969 Dramatic New Living Skipper doll wearing Skipper Dreamtime #1909 pajamas with Skipper Me 'N My Doll miniature Barbie; Betty is the Mattel Betty Draper Silkstone wearing Ken Rally Day coat, Barbie & Kelly Children's Doctor scale, Alfred Hitchcock The Birds purse, BFMC New York Yorkie scarf, Fashion Royalty skirt, RE-MENT whip cream and sundaes; Megan is Kate Spade Barbie on a Dynamite Girl body wearing vintage Barbie Lemon Kick minidress Photoshopped (not dyed) black; RE-MENT sherbet and Isha script; Peggy is BFMC Continental Holiday Silkstone Barbie in a Randall Craig cardigan sweater, Something Cool Isha Fashion Royalty convention bodysuit, Tiny Kitty "Perfect Knit" wool skirt, thermos from a Beverly Hillbillies Lunchbox keychain re-covered in custom plaid print; Jason Wu Event III FR Dark Medley Missima Luxury Accessory pack handbag, RE-MENT popcorn, Barbie Generation Girl Lara artist easel, custom-printed story boards.

A huge fan of Mad Men, Michael previously created Mad Men dioramas for Haute Doll magazine using dolls and mini sets based on the show.



See more of Michael's wondeful work at Mylifeinplastic.com and follow him on Twitter (@MyLifeIsPlastic) or visit him on Facebook

Beautiful Traps: A QR Code Art Project by Australian Artist Yiying Lu.

Watch as Australian Artist Yiying Lu hand paints beautiful women as carnivorous plants in which QR codes are artfully embedded, combining fine art with digital technology. By using a QR code reader to read the paintings, the viewer is then directed to watch the process.