Exterior Colors Gone Wrong

This was an incredibly long, cold, wet spring  in lower Michigan that delayed exterior paint projects.  With anticipation of helping clients find new or different or updated exterior colors for their existing, remodeled or new construction home I used the uncooperative weather to 'window' shop and see how local homes were trending.

We have many inland lakes in the area, so on some drives I found quite a few different home styles with color combinations that really work.

 

Commerce MI

West Bloomfield, MI

     

In the North / Mid East there are some colors that do not belong aesthetically on a home's exterior.   Some colors do not work for technical reasons: drastic light reflective value (LRV) changes; for example very light siding color to two or three shades darker.  Some colorants, therefore some paint colors, do not handle UV rays even though the exterior paint bases are significantly improved to handle fading and nature's elements.   Home Owners Association Rules are often scoffed at, but they really do prevent hideous colors from popping up in a neighborhood.

    

Some stores have home items.  Homes are not stores and can look eye catching without bright and saturated hues.

IKEA

This subdivision purposely painted repeated colors.  Some are deep tones, but none are saturated and overly bright.  

Canton, MI

Please keep in mind that you cannot close a door to an exterior like you can to the bedroom, den or basement that you gave creative colors.  Your exterior doesn't have to be 'builder beige' but its color should represent the neighborhood well.

If you are really stuck, color consultants, such as myself, can help you navigate the barrage of color choices and color placement.

    

Have You Picked Up On Your Trend?

It starts as a single purchase; an accent piece...in your favorite color.

I seem to be on a red flower trend.  I bought these pillows from Target last spring to add a punch of color to our outdoor furniture set. 

On an exploritory stop to Pier One this past week I saw this amazing rug hanging on display:

Pier One

I can so picture this in my living room/office!  But to not buy on impulse I am going to analyze/comparison shop.  I believe in time tested purchases; not too trendy, but enough to update a space and last more than a season.

The colors available for the spring season are so bright and plentiful!  Which brings me back to my trend.  I have been looking for new foyer and garage door entry rugs.  The entrances are not in direct view of each other, but they need to tie in~meaning they don't have to match exactly, which gives me more creative room!   Here's what I found, and knew I didn't need to look any futher :)



Foyer Rug

Garage Entry Rug

Notice the red flower theme I seem to be on?  What I love about these coodinating rugs is :

1. They don't match exactly
2. They relate to each other with theme and color tones
3. They relate to (without matching exactly) the porcelain tile colors
4. They relate to the rooms that flow off the entries

Now to find a living room/office rug that doesn't get the floral theme out of control, but ties in a transitional style.

Do you need help deciphering and pulling together your trend 'likes'?  Are your room wall colors flowing with your theme?  Call me for a consulting appointment if you get stuck.

Best~
Jill

Trends~worth following?

A new year is only a week away.  January seemed so far away even only a month ago to some, but for the trend setters, they're looking beyond March already.  2012 is about possibilities....

While I read and gather information from many sources to stay up with the trends, I don't tend to jump on the bandwagon first thing.  I like to observe, analyze, see how it relates to me and/or my clients needs. How can the trends help ~make color personal~ and not just trendy?

In my color world there have been many posts as to the 2012 colors of the year.  In case you missed part of the color buzz...

Benjamin Moore's color of the year is Wythe Blue HC-143. 

Source

It is actually one of my 'go-to' colors because of its blue/green hue.  It can add a punch of color, but can be soft and spa like too.  It is very versatile.

Pantone's color of the year is Tangerine Tango.

This is a vibrant, energizing color that demands attention!  It is an orange/red that is not for the timid.  Actually, the timid could start with baby steps by using the color in accents. 

source

Notice how the above two 2012 colors of the year work together?  Blue and orange are complementary colors~opposite each other on the color wheel.  The trick is to keep the saturation similar so one doesn't overpower the other; the two will make the other stronger already.

source

Akzo Nobel's color of 2012 is a blushy red.  Their prediction is 2012 is all about possibilities.  The link in this paragraph is an informative read.

Color Marketing Group (CMG) chose Boyz-n-Berry as the 2012 color.  It is a
warm plum color with red undertones, not blue. 

source

The link for the source of the plum picture is another informative (shorter) read.

With more than one 'color of the year' I hope you find some inspiration and work a new color or two into your home.  If you would love to, but just don't know where to start, contact me for a color consultation and we'll make a 2012 color 'personal' to you!

Happy New Year!
Jill

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!