2015 ReCap

On the eve of New Years Eve it seems like a good time frame to reflect back over the past twelve months and share a few ways I was able to ~Make Color Personal~ for clients.  I look forward to helping more clients in 2016.

http://weseesearch.com

The calls for help with paint colors and placement were a (always welcomed) steady stream in 2015.  Sources continued to include direct contact at a local Benjamin Moore retailer, repeat and past client referrals, painter referrals and inquiries from Houzz  (click the link to visit my page).  

A fantastic commercial project was with a Condo Association that was looking to add sophisticated colors to the exteriors of  the units.  Based on the location near a golf course and a request for six color options, compared to two, I provided new colors that would meet the Board of Directors request as well as keeping the painters in mind by staying in the same color depth of the previous choices--no extreme color changes--.

'Green' -really a gray green- is subtle but stands out next to gray and tan neighboring units

Yellow without glowing

Taupe in the right hue is like a perfect river rock

Blue per a Board choice request. Used sparingly it adds a punch of color among the neutral tans and grays

Residential exteriors were also individualized for each home owner.  Based on requests for 'something that stands out from the lake view' to 'something that looks impressive/rich' homeowners had ~color made personal~ to help make a house into a home for curb appeal.

Stucco, trim and deck boards now work with stone and brick

Gray and cream stand out but work with the brick

Eye catching even from the lake

Interior consults were a full range of refreshing a room with a similar color, with less 'pink' or 'yellow' to new construction with primed walls, and some needing flooring and counter and cabinet color choices.

Saturated ('dark') gray to balance strong natural sunlight

Master Bath waiting for wall and floor choices

Navy Blue off sets the white Wainscoting and dark furniture

Consults can include details like making sure the trim work lines up with fixed items like windows

Change from gold to rich taupe

I look forward to moving on to 2016 and more opportunities to ~Make Color Personal~, maybe for you, maybe for a friend, neighbor, coworker or family member.  I bring a professional, unbiased view of color and decorating recommendations that won't break the budget.   In fact, a consulting appointment will out weigh the cost of time and samples that just aren't working.  Take a look at my website for more information to see if I am a good fit to ~Make Color Personal~ for you!

Until Next Year

Jill

Touch Up Doesn't Equate to Dab of Paint

Have you stopped into your local paint store and asked for 'touch up' paint in the smallest amount possible just to get a resistance and a bunch of clarifying questions?

Here's why.   Even if you use the same paint from the same original color, the 'touch up' area will have a different coverage of the paint.  You most likely will see flashing. This article on Houzz is a good reference.  

To use a new can of paint will increase the chance for a slight color difference, not to mention the sheen difference.  If at all possible you need to stick with the same type of paint that was used on the wall you are painting.  Manufacture's eggshell, satin and semi-gloss differ from each other.  A companie's own lines (good, better, best) will differ from each other too.  The new paint will look lighter and fresher than the existing paint....especially if it has been up for a few years.

I touched up a wall recently with the original paint. I knew it could potentially create a flash effect but I couldn't take the white spot from a nick created by 'not me' family member A, B, or possibly C ;-) When I look at the wall straight on the difference doesn't show, but when viewed at an angle the touch up area looks flatter than the rest of the wall.  

Touch Up Flashing

It is possible to touch up with some paints.  Benjamin Moore Aura is one of the few paints actually stated by the manufacture that it touches up.  Depending how long ago you painted also makes a huge difference of the touch up results.  Flat paints flash the least.  The higher the sheen the more likely you will have to paint the whole area or get very creative to meld the old and newly painted surface.

Just know that if the person helping you at the store puts up some resistance it's to save you the frustration and to give you the knowledge you may be painting corner to corner, or feathering a LOT more than you planned, not just putting paint on a touch up area.  

Happy painting,

Jill