Today’s color dilemma…

Hi there Kate!– Your paint color H2 Ah! sounds like just what I am looking for to paint my home. Do you have a recommended color for the trim? Thanks! Emily

Emily, I’m glad you like this color and I have found it to go with so many colors. I asked color maven, Ellen Kennon to share what trim colors she has been selecting for her clients that are using ‘H2 Ahh!’. –Kate

Take it away Ellen.

Ellen suggests…

Kate’s ‘H2 Ahh!’ is a great color because it can be used in so many situations.

Kate Smith’s Signature Color is available through our Full Spectrum Paint

When used in a bathroom or bedroom, for instance, with crisp white tiles and linens, I like to use brighter whites for the trim, like our ‘White Opal’ or ‘Snow”.

However, it works equally well with cream colors, like the undertones of travertine for example. In those instances, I’d use softer, creamier trim colors like our ‘Classic Cream’, ‘Bone’ or ‘Mushroom’, depending on which works better with other elements in the room.

Just recently, I specified ‘H2 Ahh!’ for two separate projects here in Louisiana where we wanted earthier looks. In one home we used our ‘Sage’ for trim, cabinet and millwork color throughout the house because the green in it helps pull your eye out towards the woodland views and it worked quite well with ‘H2 Ahh!’, which we had selected for the upstairs bedrooms.

In the other home, we used ‘H2 Ahh!’ with ‘Mushroom’ trim which was used throughout the home. In this instance, we wanted a soft look (i.e. less contrast), yet something fairly traditional as this was for a spec house.

However, in most homes, I would stay with whatever trim color blends with the trim you already have throughout your home. You can adjust it slightly so that it works with the furnishings and ambiance you are trying to create, yet still flows with the rest of the home.
Resources:

• Ellen Kennon Full Spectrum Paint
  
• 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.

Today’s color dilemma…

I have gold/yellow furniture with bronze/tangerine accents and a deep Victorian rose carpet with yellows and yellow/green flowers. There is dark wood around also in assorted antique furniture.

I have a panoramic view of the San Francisco Bay, fortunately, and am thinking of doing the walls in a water color….I love the water also. How would you describe this color? Can I find H2 Ahh! at CSI paints in San Francisco?

Then what to do with the ceiling which is now white? It is 8 foot tall only.

Thanks, Kate in Frisco

Ellen suggests…

We’d be delighted to send you samples of H2 Ahh! and a complimentary set of cuttings of our other colors if you’ll send us your mailing address. The ICI stores do not stock our samples, they just mix the paint up in their product once we fax them our special formulas.

H2 Ahh! Kate Smith’s Signature Paint Color

available through Ellen Kennon Full Spectrum Paint

There are several ICI Paints stores in your area that we can use. San Francisco is one of our biggest customer bases, so we use them often. H2 Ahh! Is a great “water” color that works well with most anything.

The color is sort of one of those “no color” colors in that it’s not quite blue, not quite green, not quite gray. . . I could see it working very well with your panoramic view of the bay. We also have “Gustavian Grey” and “Christine’s Cloud” which are lighter versions of this color and while many may use one of these on the ceiling, it depends on whether your room has crown molding or not.

A color that is close to H2 Ahh! but lighter is Gustavian Grey

Seen here in a room designed by color consultant Lori Sawaya

If it has crown molding, then I’d do one of the lighter colors. However, if there is no crown molding, I would paint both walls and ceiling the same color as it will visually raise the ceiling height. It also softens the space so that it’s not so geometrical and cloaks the room in color.

When I am working with clients who are either renovating and/or building new spaces, I always point out that if they are blowing their budget towards the end, they can always opt out of having crown molding in some rooms and paint the walls and ceilings the same color. The ceilings seem to disappear!

If you haven’t already visited our “Photo and Reviews” page, you may want to see some photos that clients sent of rooms finished in various colors. Hopefully, if you end up using “H2 Ahh!”, you’ll send us a photo of your finished product.

Resources:

• Ellen Kennon Full Spectrum Paint
  
• 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.

The designers, architects and color consultants who have given me such support and inspiration over the years have inspired me to put together my new Full Spectrum “Designer’s Palette”.

I created these new colors with some of the countries most talented designers, architects and color consultants. The Designer’s Palette includes colors representing 14 designers who use our full spectrum paints in a variety of applications and lighting conditions

“H2 Ahh!” is the color I created with Kate Smith

Here’s what Kate has to say about her signature color:

“I love the colors of water. All of the hues from the deepest, most mysterious sea blues to the soothing, subtle spa blues speak to me and “H2 Ahh!” captures all of what attracts me to these watery colors.

Inspired by the color water in a warm, relaxing bath, the complexity of “H2 Ahh!” gives it a sophistication that intrigues my mind and the perfect balance of this color has a meditative effect that captures my soul.

‘H2 Ahh!’ is a timeless hue that works beautifully with all other colors. When combined with rich tan, chocolate brown, antique gold, olive green, burnt oranges, or even navy blue, gray or rosy pink it gives the combination a sense of the unexpected making it more interesting to the eye.

Meet the other 15 designers and read what they have to say about their colors in this month’s newsletter…
Resources:

• The Designer’s Palette and all of the Full Spectrum Paint Colors are available at www.ellenkennon.com

**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.