Part topiary, part trellis, part English garden these shutters are on a charming home in Provincetown, MA.
The vines are well established and upon closer inspection I could see the original once painted green shutters beneath the ivy. Read more..
The statement Going “Green” has represented our efforts to build eco-awareness and to live a more self-sustaining lifestyle. The color green dominates much of the natural world; grass, trees, and plants including food sources, which makes it an ideal backdrop in interior design.
And although “green” has been associated with the eco-friendly movement locally, a broader perspective is being expressed through blue globally. Picture looking down from space the majority of your view will be blue, right? Blue encompasses the beauty of the earth’s resources in water, sky, and minerals, bringing us a natural feeing of calm and relaxation. Read more..
Avid trend followers, magazine readers, department store shoppers, and Color for Your Home Blog visitors may have already heard the news that Yellow is the hot color this year. Announced by Pantone at the end of ‘08, I’ve been waiting to really see this “Mimosa” take shape.
Check out this link for more info on Pantone’s Mimosa:
http://www.flypmedia.com/issues/19/#5/7
So, why yellow? Well, for one it’s a color that shines with optimism, enlightenment, and happiness. Warm sunny yellows carry the promise of a positive future, something we are all looking towards. It also advances from its surroundings, instills energy, and sparks creativity. It’s great in kitchens, living rooms, and is another way to bring the feeling of the outdoors in. Read more..
Online class begins whenever you’re ready to learn more about using color. Visit ColorKnowledge.com
I was quoted in an article by Joanne Richard of Sun Media that appears today in:
Unleash the power of colour
FRESH AS SPRING: Lift the doom and gloom with splashes of paint
Changing the mood of your decor
Brush away the blues with spring’s strong hues.
In all this doom and gloom, “we’re attracted to colours that are optimistic, upbeat and full of life, and at the same time drawn to neutrals that give us the sense of stability and permanence of solid foundations,” says hue guru Kate Smith.
So why not grab some paint and coat your home in shades of happiness.
Paint is powerful, says Smith.
“Without changing anything else, paint can change the entire way you feel in a room and take it from so-so to sensational in just hours.”
The wall colour creates a background for your furnishings but also sets the mood of the room and expresses your personality: “there is a lot of value in a can of paint.”
Continue reading on The Expositor
I had such fun speaking at the House Beautiful events around the country last year and a happy to let you know that I’ll be joining them again this year.
The first event is in Florida! House Beautiful will bring the topic of color to life. The Color Institute will feature presentations, informative seminars and exclusive showroom events hosted by House Beautiful experts and top designers.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009.
Design Center of the Americas
1855 Griffin Rd., Dania Beach, FL.
Time: 9:00am — 1:00pm
Complimentary admission. RSVP required. HouseBeautifulRSVP@Hearst.com
Presenting sponsor:
Benjamin Moore® Paints.
Sponsors: Duralee®, Pierre Deux® and Design Center of the Americas
I’d love to see you at this event or future Color Institute events in Atlanta and Houston.
Today’s reader dilemma:
We have a combined kitchen and family room. The couches are medium blue with a floral print and the window coverings are yellow. The kitchen has cherry and white accents. The furniture in the family room is cherry. Currently the wall color is a medium sage green. Katherine
Kate suggests:
To update without many changes to your furniture and accessories a new wall color is always a great option.
I think your existing scheme sounds lovely and your color combination made me immediately think of the sun-drenched colors of Provence. There are the colors often associated with French Country style. Even if this isn’t the style in your home the colors still bring to mind that same warm and comfortable feeling.
Shown above is a print from Pierre Deux that shows color similar to the ones you describe in your own scheme. Depending on where and how you use the colors the scheme can be sophisticated, traditional or lively.
Another picture from Pierre Deux shows a more Read more..
Today’s question in the makeover gallery is from a woman who say she likes reds and browns for her living room. I want to make it modern and warm but I was afraid with the cathedral ceiling it will be overwhelming if I don’t pick the right color. My rug is tan and the couch (which is gonna go soon is also tan). Thank you.
Here’s a picture of the room now followed by my advice.
Red is a wonderful color but I agree it could be a bit overwhelming if you don’t chose just the right color. If you really want to go with red I would choose a color that is more of an earthy red such as EB 38-1 Cabin Red. This color is part of the Eddie Bauer collection from Valspar and is available at Lowes.
Here is a picture I grabbed off the Valspar website to show you how this color looks. As you can see it is not a bright, stop sign red but rather a red that looks like it has aged or weathered.
Still red covering the large wall space you have could seem a bit too much even it you like the color. As an alternate I would suggest a natural soft green for the walls and then you could bring the red in as accents and accessories.
Here’s an example from the Martha Stewart collection. Read more..
I’m trying to choose a colour for the Master Bedroom, something that would go well with cherry finish of the furniture in the room.(curtains and lamps will be replaced after the room is painted) Also, I have no idea what to do with tray ceiling – what is the best way to paint it?
Here’s what I recommended: Read more..
In the makeover gallery BMendoza ask for some assitance with choosing colors for an open floor plan. Here’s what was shared:
Living Room shares a wall with my kitchen. I will be purchasing a new sofa and putting in a couple of chairs along. Later, I may add a nice wood flooring. So really, no color scheme is concrete based on furniture. Three big windows which let in pretty good amount of indirect light.
