Today’s color dilemma…

We have a rather large bedroom which includes a fireplace with standard, red/pinkish brick surrounded by a medium cherry/maple color mantle. There is also a bay window, also surrounded by cherry/maple trim. We have medium cherry stained furniture, dresser and panel bed, from Restoration Hardware more of an arts and crafts style.

The walls are currently a mauve color, probably to pick up the color in the brick. There is also a master bath (very small) off the bedroom, also in the mauve/pink paint. We plan to completely re-do the bathroom, but have not tackled that project yet.. Please suggest a paint color scheme for both the bath and bedroom, as I am stuck! Thanks,
Monique

Barbara suggests…

I understand your dilemma, and the desire to arrive at a decision for a color scheme for your bedroom and master bathroom.

Your description indicates a dominance of red-based colors, from the fireplace to the mantel, to the furniture. My thought is that rather than “pick up the color in the brick,” I’d recommend that you use colors that complement the brick and not try to replicate its color. (more…)   

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So, you want to sell your home? The days when sellers could slap on a coat of paint and stick a FOR SAL E sign in their lawn are gone.

Here are some tips, to get them to say “I got to have it!”

1. Declutter! Your home will be more inviting.
2. Accessorize, less is more. Remove potentially offensive objects; this includes game trophies. Fresh flowers are safe.
3. Color is the primary reason why people purchase, more than 60% of the time. Paint your home in color.
4. Curb appeal. The outside speaks about what’s inside; have it speak well.

-Paint door
-Polish hardware
-Replace welcome mat

By highlight your home’s strengths and downplay its weaknesses it appeals to the largest amount of prospective buyers.   

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Today’s color dilemma…

I have more of a question than a comment. I have an open floor plan with all white walls that are making me crazy. I NEED color!

I want the rooms to flow, but be distinct. The front room gets a lot of sun and has oak colored bookcases, and a little darker piano. I would like to do a sage(ish) green, pale yellowish and raspberry-reddish colors. It flows into the kitchen with one wall that connects via a vaulted ceiling. The kitchen has med. wood cabinets, black countertops, and stainless steel appliances.

The current decor is sort of country(ish) with black, red and goldish yellow. The living room shares the same wall as the front room and kitchen, and currently has a reddish leather couch that will have to stay and is sporting and “Americana theme” which could stay or go.

Most Pictures that will stay as part of the decor are framed in black. All rooms receive a good amount of natural light Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance! -Mindi

Barbara suggests…

Your preference is for sage green, pale yellow and raspberry-red colors, although you did not indicate where you would like these colors to be used. However, colors of the type you mention that could do well together, depending on their location, combination and proportion. I’m going to propose a couple of ways to do this:

From Benjamin Moore: (more…)   

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Today’s color dilemma…

I’ve been reading about Dorothy Draper but most of the pictures are in black and white. Can you give me some examples of the colors she actually used? I’d like to decorate my apartment in bold colors and thought her palette could inspire me. Thanks, Riley K.

Kate suggests…

Benjamin Moore put together a special palette of their colors that captured the style of Dorothy Draper a year or two ago for a museum retrospective show. Here are the colors they included:

Dorothy Draper was the Grand Dame of using bright, bold color and texture combinations in her day and thought to be quite outlandish. While in her day using these hues might have seemed quite brazen today it is no longer that unusual and in fact quite fashionable.

Find out more about America’s first interior designer in my article on Sensational Color…

Resources:

• Type in your zip code for a list of Benjamin Moore dealers near you.
• Do you have a color dilemma? Post it in the Makeover Gallery at RoomVues.com and you could be the next reader to have your color question answered on the Color For Your Home blog.

**Please note: Due to individual computer monitor limitations, colors seen here may not accurately reflect the paint colors. Please refer to an actual sample of the paint for an accurate rendition of the color.   

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The Tuscan style with its warm sun-kissed palette is a one of the most colors popular kitchen trend today. Here are some tips to bring that Old World charm into your home.

Floors:

• Tumbled stone, weathered tile, accented with painted tiles reminiscent of an Italian farm house

Cabinets:

• Cozy aged woods
• Storage nitches for an unstructured look
• Hand-hammered

(more…)   

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Today’s color dilemma…

I saw a post on Jill’s blog when I visited again after first learning of ‘Forever & Ever House’ when I posted my thoughts on the entries for “Spring green roundup”.

Jill was sharing that her four year old daughter wants a new room color. You can see the entire entry on her blog but here’s how it begins…

There was ONE exception to the “need to renovate” rule at our house and that was my daughter’s bedroom. Seventeen years ago, when our home was built, it was painted a very pretty, classic shade of yellow and it has remained that way to this day. So, when we moved into our home I said to myself “Self…well, at least THERE’S one room that doesn’t need to be painted.”

Madison’s bedding and valance from our starter home even had some yellow in it and with a few strategic placements of art, the nail holes in the walls from previous owner’s art would be covered.

Easy-peasy. Yippy Skippy.Well, you know where this is leading now, don’t you?

My daughter really wants a pink room! (more…)   

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Today’s color dilemma…

I’m looking for help with natural oak trim and wood floors. Pretty good light and great artisan wood side tables and hutch. Anything but yellow? Anything bolder? What about something in a green?

2nd question– I’m interested in some ideas for color for living room and dining room with beautiful natural oak trim and molding. There is no way we are going to paint this wood, but we would like ideas for a natural match. Help!!!! –Eileen

Kate suggests…

Green would be great choice with your oak floors and trim.

When I read your question I immediately thought of Edgewood Green from Ellen Kennon Full Spectrum Paint. This is a (more…)   

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I love Adirondack chairs. Sure there are so many more wonderful choices now for outdoor furniture and many are practically no maintenance and as comfortable as your favorite sofa but those are more like fabulous new friends not my much loved grandfather.

There is just something that is just so classic about this long-time favorite of mine but even my grandpa changed his look now and then. In his case it wasn’t always as success as these updated Adirondack chairs but that was part of his charm. (more…)   

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Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but checks when you say the paint is wet?

One of my many vintage ‘wet paint’ signs.   

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In recent years, the answer was to call a contractor to make it bigger. However today’s soft housing market and high-dollar home equity loans have tempered consumer spending.

Here’s how to maximize your home’s space without increasing its square footage.

1. If your refrigerator backs up to the garage or closet, many times it can be recessed so that there is more kitchen space.
2. Multifunctional furniture is critical. Storage ottomans serve as coffee tables and a place to conceal items when unexpected guest arrive.
3. Tankless water heaters save space and money.
4. Table and floor lamps add clutter. Recessed can lights free up valuable floor space.

Most importantly, small homes encourage family interaction; they are less expensive to power not to mention quicker to clean.   

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