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.
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.
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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Today’s decorating dilemma: I need a little guidance, I am renovating a Katrina damaged home,. It is taking a long time and I want everything perfect, or as much as it can be.
I have a town home, living room, and kitchen run together, maple cabinets with a mocha stain, so the cabinets are basically almond with a little color, I am using teak, hand scraped floors throughout, not much light, just a large set of french doors leading to patio, and a small garden window in kitchen, I was thinking black galaxy granite, little spec of bronze, its beautiful, and oil rubbed chandeliers and faucets. Soooo, what color do I paint, or should I change something? please help! –Sharon
Bethany’s suggests:
It sounds like what you have is generally dark so I am envisioning a scheme with lots of contrast. (more…)
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11th Jun. '08 ·
Living Spaces
·
Tags: blue, color-dilemma
Authored by Kate Smith
Today’s decorating dilemma:I have recently bought a house with a light blue carpet running through out. I need some advice on how I should go about choosing an appropriate colour for the walls and decor. I have already purchased medium brown coloured furniture. Can you give me some inspiration?
I have thought of painting the house an ivory colour so it would compliment the colour of the carpet and furniture. Need your advice for interior decor! Hope I am not doomed by the blue! –Melanie
Kate’s Note: During June and July designer and guest blogger Bethany Good will be assisting me to answer the dozens of questions that I receive each week. Take it away Bethany….
Bethany suggests:
Actually blue is coming back in a big way, so you are in a good position! What I like to do is (more…)
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I love Mount Vernon and it is on my ‘dream places to live’ list because:
- It is on the water with a spectacular water view! Thanks to some smart folks with the foresight to buy the land across the river and turn it into a park it will always remain that way.
- The grounds are gorgeous and expansive. Keep in mind that in my dream life I can well afford to have someone else maintain the many acres of grass, flowers and trees.
- The home has incredible architectural details both inside.
(more…)
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We are often inspired by colors or design we see when we are dining out or traveling. The hospitality industry has embraced design as a way to not only create ambiance but to attract our business.
Many of the interior designs in this industry are what I call ‘aspirational’. The designer has expertly pulled together every detail to create a look and mood that many of us would like to duplicate in our own homes.
But why wait for these trends to hit our favorite restaurant or resort? At the recent Hospitality Design Expo many designers including our own Color Maven Denise Turner had a chance to see all of the latest and most fabulous elements available to them when they create their next sensational interior.
Denise shares what inspired her at the HD Expo…
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Today’s color dilemma…
Hi Kate. We are in the process of finishing our basement. It is about 2100 feet and will have a main living area (pool table, air hockey, TV area, and a large bar/kitchen), exercise room (the wall that connects to the main living area will be half glass with glass doors), a bedroom and a bath.
The bar and pool table will be a medium oak. Our house is decorated in warm earth tones throughout, and we would like to carry this down to the basement. However, we don’t want to simply replicate the upstairs. I would like it to be a little bit more lively and fun.
We have no direct light from windows, so we are concerned about the space feeling too dark. If you have any color suggestions, we would love to hear them! FYI, our contractor includes Behr or Benjamin Moore paint. Many thanks, Francie
Note from Kate–
Hi Francie, I am out of town presenting at the House Beautiful Color Institute in Chicago but your in luck because the very talented Barbara Jacobs will be responding to your question. Take it away Barbara.
Barbara suggests…
You are thinking in the right direction to want to make your more active space have a more energetic and lively ambiance. Not only will it create variety of design in your home, but it is really more effective from the ‘color psychology’ perspective to create a more high-energy feeling in the kind of social area you’ve described. (more…)
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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’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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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.
- If your refrigerator backs up to the garage or closet, many times it can be recessed so that there is more kitchen space.
- Multifunctional furniture is critical. Storage ottomans serve as coffee tables and a place to conceal items when unexpected guest arrive.
- Tankless water heaters save space and money.
- 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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Cottage Magpie is a delightful blog that chronicles Angela’s quest to add charm to her 1950’s ranch style home. Stop by for a look at how she has created a charming home with thrift store finds and cottage style.
I dropped in on Angela today to check out her round up of reader’s blog post inspired by her call for ‘Spring Green’.
The entries were so creative that I decided to go back and visited each blog again and chose a favorite item to share with you. It wasn’t easy but here are my picks. (more…)
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