Crisp But Warm-How to Test Your Consultant's Skills

Challange of the week:  "I want crisp colors, and a warm feel" for my walls.

Initinally this comment contradicts itself, but I was able to come up with a palette for the main floor and second floor hallway that the client is very happy with. 

Color ReDesign color card

We met at the client's new house, but it was empty, so there were no inspiration pieces on hand and she didn't have any digital photos with her (adding to the challenge).  She had, however, surfed Benjamin Moore's Color Gallery and had a diversifed list of colors she liked online. 

We actually started with castleton mist HC-1, which will end up as a dining room accent color and worked the foyer, great room, kitchen, and library from there.  Three colors were on her list of suggestions, even though they looked different on her monitor (Please read my article about apps).  I found the great room main color, foyer, and trim colors, by adding and editing suggestions based on undertones to find that balance of 'crisp' and 'warm'  ~making color personal~ for my client. 

Do you have a room giving you more of a challange than you want?  Contact me to set up a consultation appointment and we will find the right colors that work for your space, making it personal to you!

Orange-Can You Use it in Your House?

This week I received many color source updates that orange is taking a leading role as color of 2012.  It will start in fashion and home goods, but will of course effect some paint color choices. 

This doesn't mean you have to make an entire room orange~but for a fun change you may want to infuse this symbol for power and happiness into a room or two.

Are you an orange person? 

Gray could look Blue, Purple, or Green--Why?

Trying to find a gray but it looks blue, green or purple on your walls instead? That is because in basic Red-Yellow-Blue (RYB) subtractive color wheel terms, complementary colors make gray. Mixing blue and orange; red and green; or yellow and purple (violet) in equal amounts will make gray. 

These complementary colors also make each individual color look stronger if paired together. 

If your lighting is pulling the 'wrong' gray, you may need to change the hue of the gray to make it perfect in your space.

Contact me for a consulting appointment to help find that 'perfect' gray.

Color Apps-How They Don't Help

While technology keeps us all moving forward, faster, please keep in mind if you use a color app on your phone or laptop that color calibration may not be exact. They are great tools to get color ideas, but please don't order your colors off of the app or website info only! Stop into the paint store and get the actual color chip and/or sample jar to test it on poster board to see the color in the actual room's lighting. 

I am here to help ~make color personal~ for you, so don't go it alone! Contact me for a consulting appointment if you are stuck.

Pass the Salsa Please!

Was so please my client stuck with her 'gut' and added a splash of red/orange to her kitchen.  It is a small space so we agreed that only the two 'main' walls (shown here) would be painted the Benjamin Moore color salsa dancing AF-280.  The other two walls that have little paintable wall space due to cabinets and the threshold to the mudroom remained an off-white that works well with her cabinetry.

If you want to add a splash of color to an area in your home but aren't comfortable taking the leap, call me to set up a consulting appointment and we will determine if it will work---or won't. 

Pass the chips please!

Trust your gut

Today's color consulting appointment help remind me of my niche market.  I bring an unbiased, professional opinion to the table for projects that seem too daunting for an individual.  It seems a mother/daughter  meeting of the minds could not agree on the mother's condo new paint colors.  Definite generation differences. 

Stationery card

Oh So Joyful Christmas Card

Create personalized Christmas card designs at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

Inspired by Color

Nature is such an inspiration to me of how color effects and influences our moods and senses.  Feast your eyes on this beautiful, strong combination of colors at the Pictured Rocks on Lake Superior in Michigan. 

Who says you can't combine certain colors!  There are many options here that could create a perfect pallete for a home interior.