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Color for Your Home

30th August: Today's Tips

Kate on Color:

On the main floor of most homes it works best to have the colors in all rooms work together. This doesn't mean that all rooms have to be painted the same color. You can use your fabrics, accessories, and furnishings to tie the colors together. Read On »

More tips from Kate »

Meet the Color Mavens

Kate Smith

Kate Smith

"As a professional color expert, trend forecaster, engaging speaker and founder of the Sensational Color network, I work with both corporations and individual clients on using color to create interest " more...
Bonnie Krims

Bonnie Krims

"Bonnie Krims, a nationally recognized architectural paint color consultant, is adept at developing paint color schemes that not only reflect the needs of the client, but also highlight the important design features of their home. " more...
Ellen Kennon

Ellen Kennon

"With colors from her signature collection of Full Spectrum Paints and over 25 years of experience as an interior design Ellen creates environments that are often described as magical or healing while " more...
Jaima Brown

Jaima Brown

"“Surround yourself with beauty” is Jaima Browns mantra and her eye for color and design is beautifully reflected in her signature line Jaima Brown Home Her design expertise combined wit" more...
Denise Turner

Denise Turner

"As an American Society of Interior Design national spokesperson, Denise regularly appears in the media and you may even recognize her as a winning designer on HGTV Designer’s Challenge. However " more...
Barbara Jacobs

Barbara Jacobs

"Barbara is a gifted designer with a keen understanding of using color in a functional as well as aesthetic way, which is essential for creating supportive spaces. A designer, consultant and specialist" more...

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Home to Italian Bistro

26th Aug. '08 · Exterior Color Schemes · Tags: , , , ,

Authored by Kate Smith

Reader’s color dilemma:

I’m going to turn this into a bistro. Would love some suggestions.  The theme is Mediterranean ( mostly Italian). Inside decor will be darker (mostly reds and browns) Any suggestions would be appreciated.– janemuir

Kate suggests:

I think this home will make a cute bistro.  While the darker colors you mention could work on the interior I would start with something a bit lighter on the exterior.  It will not only make the place look a bit bigger but will give you a canvas to add some details that can carry your theme to the exterior.

I’d start by painting the main part of the house with a color like Valspar 3004-8A Oatlands Gold Bluff or the slightly lighter 3004-6B Oatlands Yellow.  Use a creamy white for the trim that has the same undertone.


I would go with a toned gray for the shutters.  Something with a bit of color in the gray but not too much.  5001-4C Slate Court could work nicely but before putting it on slap on a coat of reddish brown first and let it dry.  You don’t have to do this to carefully because it is an undercoat.  Just avoid sloppy paint spills or drips.  Once dry give the shutters a nice coat of Slate Court.  When completely dry…and I mean completely…hit some of the high points with sandpaper to allow some of the undercoat color to come through and give you an aged look.

You can do the same thing with the door.  You could use the same undercoat color as long as it looks different enough from the door color or you could go with a shade of blue or even use the leftover paint from the shutters.  Again give the door a nice coat of a color like Valspar 1008-5A Belle Grove Flamestitch Red and then give it an aged look with a bit of sandpaper.

You can try out the look on a piece of scrap wood to make sure you like the way the undercoat looks when it comes through.  You should also test out the main exterior, trim, door and shutter color on test boards so that you can confirm that the colors work perfectly before you begin painting.

You don’t mention if you are going to keep the awnings but if you could match them to the main house color, the trim color or do something a bit creative.

Giving the aged finish to the door and shutters will begin connecting your guest with the theme before they even get inside.  A bit of landscaping to anchor the house and a few planters that look like they came directly from the Italian countryside and I think your place will say “Italian Bistro– Come on in!”   

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Don’t Miss the Next Issue…

20th Aug. '08 · ·

Authored by Kate Smith

We’re moving to an email service that is a better solution for YOU our reader.

In order to keep your subscription active you need to re-subscribe by simply entering your email and name below/

As a thank you I will send you a copy of my special report “Sample Your Way to Paint Color Success” and ten decorating tips that you use in your home.

We never share or sell your information with anyone and if you ever wish to unsubscribe you can do it with one click on the link provided in each and every email so why not?   

Pearlescent Finish

10th Jul. '08 · Living Spaces , Today's Decorating Dilemma ·

Authored by Bethany Good

Today’s decorating dilemma:

My walls are a bit textured but I’m REALLY wanting to try this pearl finish.  Someone suggested I use a grout trowel or dense sponge to move the glaze around instead of the specified trowel as I don’t think that will pick up the paint in the textured grooves.

Am I just setting myself up for a disaster or could this be worth a try???–Heather

Bethany suggests:

Pearl finish sounds beautiful!!  There has been some discussion on previous blogs with sucesses on both smooth and rough wall surfaces.  The pearl effect is in essence a swirl or cloud-like effect made possible by the timing, thickness of paint application, and interaction of the tacky paint.

valspar_paint_can.png

There has been conversation involving different methods of using the floating” trowel that Valspar recommends with the faux finishing kit.  So how you swirl the trowel, either in a semi-circular or X pattern determines the effectiveness for the particular texture of your wall.  A stroke of confidence (even of a novice!) looks better than going over and over a spot trying to perfect it, especially with a medium that is timing based, like this is.

At any rate, the sheen of the pearl finish is integral to this paint, so if anything, it will add an iridescent quality to your walls, and will accentuate any space beautifully. 

I encourage you to go and try it!!  Are there any walls in your home of lesser consequence that you could practice on?  Try it on a more private wall space, such as a well lit closet, or lesser hallway before you move to a public guest space. 

brushed_pearl_finish.jpg

It will be a nice touch that is all your own that has all the promise of a professional look!

See Kate’s original post here…

A few more pictures of Valspar’s Brushed Pearl here…

Read some tips from Valspar…   

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Flash Back!

10th Jul. '08 · Fabric & Wallpaper ·

Authored by Jaima Brown

Metallic finishes are the new bling this year, whether its silver patented strappy shoes from Manolo Blahnik, bronzy shiny totes from Yves Saint Laurent or retro inspired mirrored glass dressers, shine has resurfaced with a vengeance back into our closets and home fashion.

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Gold conveys the symbolism of wealth, many of the world’s finest sculptures are derived from bronze, and silver outshining them all, emanates a sleek and modern appearance.

Metallic is majestic in all facets of our every day surroundings.

The glitz and glamour of the silver screen era is depicted in our art deco inspired Camden striped wallpaper, the latest development in dimensional wallcovering from Jaima Brown Home.  This subtle shimmering wallcovering adds luxury and panache to any room.

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BE-DAZZLED!   

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Valspar Brushed Pearl on a rough wall

5th Jul. '08 · · Tags: , , ,

Authored by Kate Smith

One reader shared pictures of the Brushed Pearl on a rough surface and you can see his pictures below.

Valspar Brushed Pearl Interior Wall Paint Faux Finish

I think this looks great on the rough wall surface.

Valspar Brushed Pearl Interior Wall Paint Faux Finish

Valspar Brushed Pearl Interior Wall Paint Faux Finish

I think it looks great and I asked him how he achieved the look and this is what he shared…

“I really don’t know if this is the way the finished job should look like on a non-smooth wall so your instructions were great and that is what we followed except for very rough parts of the wall.  We forgot about the half circle movement and just worked the paint in with the trowel in a different manner by using just the very edge of it then the end of it going in a circular motion.  I hope you can understand what I mean and sure you can use the pics if you can.  Thank you again for your support from your web site.” –SRF

Valspar Brushed Pearl Interior Wall Paint Faux Finish

Valspar Brushed Pearl Interior Wall Paint Faux Finish

Valspar Brushed Pearl Interior Wall Paint Faux Finish

You can see my original post about this product here…   

For a sensational home–add color!

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