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

How Will 'Color of the Year' Choices Effect Your Design?

Now that late Fall is here most of the 'Color of the Year' announcements are out. Some have created more hoopla conversation than needed, really.  Not every color of the year is perfect or 'new'.  You may never even come close to using any of the trend colors in your own space, and that is okay because color is personal; and timeless color is .....timeless.  

That being said, it doesn't hurt to know what's on trend so if you choose you CAN make an update here or there.  Instead of concentrating on one color, I recommend using the trending colors you like as a starting point and tweak them to work into your space.  Use one color in layers--lighter and darker tints and shades of the same hue--create a flow for each room having a unique color.

Have you seen these? 

Pintrest

 Benjamin Moore: Guildford Green HC-116

This green is a soft green that isn't sage nor yellow, just nicely in-between.  It can be a great transitional color in a main area like a foyer, or can be that bit of color to a room surrounded by the gray/greige/beige or off white neutrals in many homes.

Pintrest

Pittsburgh Paints: Blue Paisley PPG 1238-6

This is a rich blue, more toward a blue berry. It is fresh and makes a statement.  In most cases it will work best as an accent or in small doses.

Pintrest

Sherwin William: Coral Reef SW6606

This is a fresh coral, true to its name. It is not as brown as a terra cotta, but not necessarily juvenile, as this picture shows.   

Pintrest

Akzo Nobel: Copper Orange

This is an interesting choice in my opinion. It can be worked in as a solid color, similar to a terra cotta, perhaps in a higher sheen like satin or semi gloss; or a metallic glaze or paint could be used for a truer copper shine.  

Click here for a great article about this color from fellow color expert Isabel de Yzaguirre

Pintrest

Pantone: Marsala 18-1438

Most definitely the most conversation stirring pick among fellow color consultants this past week.  Pantone colors are not paint manufacture standard colors you can find in color wheel or color deck. They are geared toward the advertising and apparel industries. This year's color relates to a brick tone, burgundy-brown red.

Hopefully you can find a 'color of the year' that resonates with you for adding an update to a room or two.  If not, don't sweat it.  Make color personal to you!  

If you feel stuck on choosing a color, set up an appointment with your local color consultant. It will save you time and stress of finding the color(s) to give your space an updated look.  You can find more about Color ReDesign here.  

Best,

Jill

Sky Blue--Good Paint Color?

Fall in Michigan can be absolutely beautiful!  It's the kind of day you have to soak up the sunshine and light breeze because they are fewer and farther between as November approaches.  It's the kind of day that 55 degrees feels warm (in the sun).  Shorts and a sweatshirt....I think its a Michigan thing, where as most people would have on long pants if temps called for a sweatshirt.  

Mostly Sunny For Today

I am soaking up the afternoon outside, even dealing with the glare on the screen so I can be outside as long as possible.  And it got me thinking as I stared at the crisp, bright blue sky.  

Mid October Sunny Sky in Michigan

At one point there wasn't a cloud as far as the eye can see.  When I finally took a snapshot a few high wispy ones were making their way in.  I analyzed the sky and thought it resembled some clean, bright Benjamin Moore colors.

Yosemite Blue 2059-40, Utah Sky 2065-40, Big Country Blue 2066-30, Blue Lapis 2067-40.

Question is, how do these colors look in a room as paint on the wall?  Strong, bright, intense, fun.  That could translate to 'too much' for some spaces.  It may be better in smaller doses, in a niche area, or reserved for art work or art pieces.    

Still want a blue room with less intensity but not nursery tones?  Choose a blue that has a gray look, possibly more gray than blue especially in a store's florescent lighting.  How do you determine what THAT is? Pick some blues and some grays on color chips. Grays like to lean toward blue or green or purple.  Now put them along side a more gray that reads gray, like Stonington Gray HC-170.  You most likely will see the undertone; the blue, green or purple, coming through.  Trust your gut to narrow down the color selection.  If you still haven't found one you like, wet samples are always a great way to test a color before you invest in a gallon (or two or five).  A portable sample on a poster board or paint sample product will let you test the color though out the room without committing to painting right away.  If you do paint on the wall, make sure you use a roller so you do not create a smooth brushed surface that will show smoother than the rest of the walls under the new final paint color.

Of course a color consultant can always help you with a professional, unbiased opinion about the colors and find that mix of a 'perfect' blue or other color for your space.  Click here for my contact information.  I look forward to ~making color personal~ for you.

Best,
Jill

Trending--Is It Worth Keeping Up

Do you consider yourself trendy? Do you wish you could find a timeless look so you didn't have to worry about having a 'dated' look?  Painting your walls is still the quickest and less expensive way to transform a room.  Some decor changes help you update and still use what you otherwise have.

September is only a day away and fall items are starting to pop up in stores including color trends for 2015.  No 'color of the year' announcements from specific companies in this blog, but that's okay because I want to concentrate on the non-trendy part of paint colors to help transition any updates you try to incorporate into your space.

Over the past few years #gray was considered the new #beige.  I have had friends and clients overhaul their homes to meet this paint color change.  Not everyone can use a classic gray in their space.  I've personally tried to find ways to incorporate gray into my home and it's too cold or gloomy for my liking.  (Michigan doesn't have countless sunny days). Instead I've changed out some paint colors with a warm, green-gray.  

Benjamin Moore Cosmopolitan

Benjamin Moore Seattle Mist

There are some beige paint colors that help balance all of that gray as well.  I have found the khaki beige colors help as neutrals without looking pink or 'builder' beige.  They help the green-grays or brown-grays look more gray than the undertone of brown/green. So when you see green in a beige it's usually helping the color from looking pink. If you see green in a gray its usually helping it from looking blue. 

   

Painting a room in taupe colors that lean gray instead of pink can help give an adjoining gray room some unique definition too, with some warmth.    

  

The best way I've learn to describe combining gray, taupe and beige paint colors is it's like using river rocks.  

Pintrest

They come in a varying range but all work together.  Plus you can add some variation to the rooms' colors but keep a flow or smooth transition from and to rooms.  The single tip to make the rooms work together, without having to paint them all the same color: relate something to each room.  If you use gray on the walls in one room, use the same shade of gray as a decor piece or accent in the next room.  

If you find yourself stuck in changing some colors in your room, call me for a color consultation! 

Best~
Jill
Color Redesign

Inspired yet?

Inspiration for painting a room.....

Does it come easily to you?

Where does yours come from?

Sometimes you inherit or buy an item that lets you build a room around its colors.

Multiple Color Pallet

Sometimes you inherit a previous owner's paint color you know you don't want.

Lot o' Orange

Nature can make color combinations make a lot of sense.

Winter Sunset

Pastels don't have to only be pink or blue.  Light taupe, gray, purple, or buttery yellow can add soft color to a room.

Summer Sky

Crisp, clear colors can add life to a room.  Sometimes muted or grayed colors just look dull or muddy.  Lighting plays a key role.

Double Rainbow

After a rain storm Mother Nature shows off a classic collection of hues.

The tricky part of mixing colors can be combining the right tones of colors so the result is pleasing, not clashing.  

The 60-30-10 rule of main color, second color and accent helps keep a room or combined spaces from looking like a box of crayons exploded.

If the whole process is still overwhelming bring in a professional color consultant.  We can help you decipher and explain what colors will work together in your space based on your inspiration piece or envisioned look.


Best~
Jill