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 Though available in fewer than 100 storefronts across the country C2 Paints have a developed a following among discerning color lovers. This small but innovative paint company is one of the few available in the U.S. whose colors are made from a 16–colorants system rather than the 12–colorants used by most paint brands. C2 also uses a high quality paint base that when combined with the colorants produces rich, vibrant colors.
C2 Paint first caught my attention when they came out with the first pre-painted poster board sized paint sample sheets. I thought this was a simply brilliant idea. No more little paint pots, or sample boards or foam brushes and for those of us with little patience when wanting to see how a color will look-- no more waiting for the paint to dry!
What a time saver for designers and homeowners. Best of all the samples are painted with actual paint not ink as many of the small paint chips are and is large enough (18' x 24") to give you a good idea of what the color will actually look like on the wall.
I've always been an advocate of sampling the actual paint color on boards and looking at it at different times of day and in different positions around the room to confirm the color is one you love and want to live with. So many people skip this step because of the extra work. C2 has overcome that problem. It doesn't get much simpler than toting a pre-painted board home from the store ready to place in your room.
Another thing I like about C2 Paints is that it is a cooperative rather than a traditional company. What this means is that the C2 is owned by independent paint dealers who for years have been helping designers and homeowners in their communities beautify their homes. While a business structure doesn't necessarily guarantee a great product I like the idea of having the product direction set by a group of dealers who understand not only their customers but that their continued success depends on selling a paint line that is not only high quality but has some unique features not available from the bigger brands.
Go directly to the C2 Paint website...
You might also be interested in:
My blog post: The Ultimate Paint Chip from C2 Paint
Follow Kate Smith on Twitter | Follow Robin Daly of C2 Dealer Daly Paints on Twitter
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Written by Kate Smith
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 I've been a fan of colorist Donald Kaufman since my college days. His artistic approach to color has always insprired me and his ability to recreate atmospheric feelings inside architectural spaces is incredible.
His approach to color is based on over three decades of studying color, light and space and together with his wife and partner, Taffy Dahl, Donald Kaufman has created colors for many residential and commercial interiors. His approach to color is always well thought out and executed perfectly. Looking at rooms that Donald and Taffy have worked on always leave me in awe.
Interior Painted Atmospheres
The vision of these two colorist is to create the luminosity and expansiveness you find outdoors within interior spaces. The color becomes part of the space, the mood, the enviroment rather than a stand alone element. The Donald Kaufman Paint Colors are formulated to allow designers and homeowners to bring the ambiance of the natural environment into their own spaces.
The paints offer more depth and luminosity than standard paints and differs from commercial paint in three ways: they have as many as 14 pigments, in each color, the pigments are more transparent than most commercial paints, and they never include oxides which diminishes paints ability to reflect light.
I aspire to the vision and ability Donald brings to blending paint for an interior as do many colorist I know. Luckily until we reach that point we can always order colors from his line of full spectrum paints. The line offers a range of color atmospheres from whites to warms to neutrals to colors. Explore 18 close value whites and 66 colors at the Donald Kaufman Color site.
Paint sample pots (16 oz. each) are available for all colors. These samples will cover about an 8' x 8' wall with a double coat. Sample cards are also available for purchase. The color cards, including the neutral and warm atmospheres, are 4" x 8". The 18 close value white cards are 9" x 9". The box can expand to include new colors the company may create.
Design Inspiration
These books either written by the the creators or about the Donald Kaufman line, may help to inspire you.
- Color: Natural Palettes for Painted Rooms by Donald Kaufman and Taffy Dahl
- Color & Light: Luminous Atmospheres for Painted Rooms by Donald Kaufman and Taffy Dahl
- Color Palettes: Atmospheric Interiors Using the David Kaufman Color Collection by Suzanne Butterfield
Donald Kaufman colors are produced through Pratt and Lambert
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Written by Kate Smith
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 I remember walking into the Restoration Hardware in Georgetown and seeing "my color" on the walls and I knew the secret was out.
The muted blue green that has been one of my favorite "neutrals" was now the signature color for this popular retailer and 'Silver Sage' was available for sale by the gallon for their customers to take home along with several other paint colors.
It seems they had discovered the same thing that I had. That this color, which looks blue green on the walls yet rather gray on a sample works beautifully with all other colors. If you have a hard time seeing this I suggest when you have a moment you walk around one of their stores and look at the color with any of the merchandise on their shelves. Whether dark brown, soft pink, buttery yellow, sage green, black, terra cotta, navy or any color you find the 'Silver Sage' walls work with it.
This is a good example of how a color can work as a beautiful background in a room regardless of the color scheme you have chosen for your furniture and decor items. In fact you don't even need to bring the color in anywhere except the walls. Any of the mid-value hues in their six paint color groupings could work this way.
The one thing that I will caution you about with the Restoration Hardware Paint Colors. They are grouped with three values in each paint collection but the lighter colors in the two that I have used Silver Sage/ Silver Birch and Bay Laurel/Sycamore Green was more yellow than the mid value.
I was very pleased with the mid-values but a bit dissappointed because the lighter ones were just a bit off and I had to adjust them. Since I don't recommend that you make adjustments yourself if you plan to use the two colors in the same room or adjoining rooms I suggest you do a couple of large sample board and see how this looks in your own home since they don't have the ability to make adjustments to the color for you.
Go to the Restoration Hardware website.
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Written by Kate Smith
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 Christopher Lowell's Designer Paint
Besides the fact that just listening to Christopher makes me smile, I enjoy his down-to-earth style of giving decorating advice. This same approach is reflected in the way he put together the colors for his signature paint line.
Christopher has developed what I call an "edited" palette. What this means is that rather than offer hundreds of paint colors he has selected 40+ tried and true colors.
Just neutral enough to act as a backdrop (to go with the things you love), but dramatic enough to really make a difference in any room. Paint colors ideal for creating dynamic results on your walls, trim and oh yes, don't forget those ceilings.
You can see the color palette here...
I was a guest on Christopher's radio show when he did a show called Color Courage. It was great fun and if you like to see more on that radio show you can find it here...
Follow Kate Smith on Twitter | Follow Christopher Lowell on Twitter
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Written by Kate Smith
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 Visiting Cath Kidston’s website is like going through my grandmother’s attic and finding a treasure trove of beautiful floral fabrics and classic furniture items. What a treat.
Whimsical, classic and nostaligic are all adjectives that describe her unique, vintage inspired paints, fabrics and accessories for the home.
Her style might best be called “happy and relaxed” because a room designed around her beautiful floral, chintz and patchwork fabrics would feel comfortable and meant to be lived in. Her palette of soft, yet bright, paint colors with names like “Sugar Pink”, “Campanula” and “Nursery Blue” are designed to coordinate with her updated vintage fabrics, furnishings and accessories.
Cath’s website as well as her shops in Europe and Japan, carries everything from bedding to boots, curtains to clothing, princess inspired toiletries to paint. See Cath Kidston paint at Craig and Rose.
Follow Kate Smith on Twitter | Follow Cath Kidston on Twitter
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