The annual Kitchen / Bath Industry Show & Conference (K/BIS) brought some of the biggest names in the kitchen and bath industry to Chicago recently for its annual showcase of the newest products, appliances, design trends, and cutting-edge industry information.
The four-day conference and expo featured must-see new products, innovative design ideas and the latest trends in kitchens and baths and Denise Turner was there to report back on the latest trends.
See the important trends on the horizon for kitchen and bath…
(2 comments so far)
·
Bookmark this post
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…)
(2 comments so far)
·
Bookmark this post
Today’s color dilemma…
Hi, I don’t have a lot of money so here is my problem. My bathroom has a granite counter top in sandstone. The floor is carpeted in dark blue. The bathroom is medium size but without much lighting. Thank you, Mary
Kate suggests…
When money is tight, paint is an excellent choice for changing the look of your home without spending a fortune.
Your room description indicates that there (more…)
(No comments yet)
·
Bookmark this post
Sometimes it takes forever to complete a DIY project but in this case I completed faux finishing my guest bathroom in just two days. That’s the good news.
For me the even better news is the reason that it has taken me longer than expected to take some photos and share my result with you– I’ve been working with two new corporate clients but more on that later.
A close-up of the brushed pearl effect
I used Valspar’s Brushed Pearl paint and am very pleased with the results. Even my 17 year old was ‘wowed’ which is really saying something about how outstanding it looks because he doesn’t usually pay much attention to my decorating projects
These photos don’t do justice to the gorgeous brushed pearl effect
Here’s how the project went from start to finish–
My very first step was stopping at Lowe’s to buy the paint and sealer. I chose color BP1 ‘Simply Elegant’. While I was there I also picked up the 4″ brush and trowel they sell specifically for this purpose.
A scan of the color card just to give you an idea of the variety of colors; please look at an actual card for accurate color rendition
Next I had my painter put the base coat on the walls and ceiling so all I had to do was to apply the pearl layer. I did this as a time-saver not because it was difficult since the first coat is essentially the same as if you were simply painting any room.
After allowing ample time for the first coat to dry I applied painter’s tape around all four edges of two opposite walls. I don’t think that instructions say to do this but I know from experience that this makes all the difference in acheiving a flawless finish and is worth the little bit of extra time it takes.
I used painter’s tape at each point where two walls met
Having done faux finishes in the past I have learned that you get the best results if you do opposite walls and let them dry. Then reposition your tape onto the dried walls and paint the remaining two walls. If you don’t do it this way I find it very difficult to get a professional finish where the two walls meet.
After the first wall was dry I repositioned the tape and started on the adjacent wall.
Using the 4″ brush I began painting at the upper left corner of one wall and worked my across and down. Since I had taped I didn’t bother to cut in the edges ahead but rather did this as I went along.
I took extra care to pull the paint out so that it didn’t build up around the edges and I kept an eye on how dry it was getting so that it didn’t get too dry before I could use the trowel.
Troweling over the surface is the second step of applying this layer. I went at it at first with a very gentle and deliberate strokes but found that being looser and less measured produced a more pleasing surface appearance. Now that was my first clue that this product was different than most of the prepared faux finishes I have tried in the past.
With the first coat I got a feel for the product and how it handled. I found that I could work rather loosely and quickly which was especially good since I jumped right into painting after dinner on Friday night rather than wait until Saturday morning.
By the second wall I knew exactly how to get the look I was after and the process went even more quickly and I was cleaning my brush before the late night news was over.
I was successful in getting the effect with one coat but it did not look nearly as good as it did when I added a second layer
Of all the faux finishes I have used I found this one to be the most “forgiving”. As I painted I was able to go back over areas and they blended beautifully. After I used the trowel if there were areas I thought looked a bit too strong I was able to soften the effect by dry brushing very gently over the area using an X motion.
I painted not only the wall but also the ceiling because I wanted to make this small guest bathroom seem more spacious. I had originally painted the ceiling with the base coat and I had planned to leave it at that rather than struggle to faux finish it however this technique was so simple that I decided to complete the ceilings with the Brushed Pearl finish to match the walls.
After the paint was dry I had my painter put on the protective sealer and put up the fixtures and switchplates. Adding the sealer did not change the look and in fact may have actually added to the luster.
Antique nickel fixtures against the brushed pearl paint finish
Did I mention that I hadn’t even been considering doing a faux finish in this room? I am so over faux finishes at this point having helped just one too many of my friends fix their Ralph Lauren and other faux DIY projects. However, when I saw the Brushed Pearl finish I was so taken with the look that I quickly forgot all that and headed off to Lowe’s to pick up the paint.
I’m really glad I chose Valspar Brushed Pearl. The process was simple and the results beautiful. I think that even someone doing faux finish for the first time would have success with this technique. In fact I doubt I’ll receive any S.O.S. calls from my friends if they use this product.
My final words on this project–
“The room certainly looks ‘Simply Elegant’ just as the color name said it would!”
Resources:
- Valspar Brushed Pearl paint and tools are available at Lowe’s. Type in your zip code to find your local Lowe’s
**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.
(42 comments so far)
·
Bookmark this post
TGIF! I hope you have a wonderful weekend and take a little time out to enjoy your friends and family or maybe like me you’ll be working on a DIY project.
My son has the flu and my beau is out of the country so time for me to throw on those old jeans and grab a paintbrush and get busy repainting the guest bathroom on the main level.
I bought the paint a few weeks ago with the best of intentions to get started right away but between “the boys” wanting my time and attention, my new year’s resolution to workout every day, and unexpected house guests the paint has remained in the closet.
First thing tomorrow however I’m going to be roll out some blue tape, give the paint a good stir and get started applying Valspar’s Brushed Pearl paint. I’m hoping it looks as spectacular on my walls as it does on the color card and sample board. So stay tuned and I’ll let you know!
I won’t see you again until Tuesday since Monday is a U.S. holiday but you’re welcome to stay awhile and browse around. I’ll be back next week to help reader’s with their color dilemas and share ideas for your next decorating project.
Until then,
Kate
P.S. Do you need even more color and style inspiration? Check out the latest on our blog at www.liveinfullcolor.com
Update: I have posted the process and results of my DIY project here…
(No comments yet)
·
Bookmark this post
Today’s decorating dilema…
“How do you spell desperate? That is ME! I am a mess.
I have just recently remodeled my master bath using carerra marble for countertops and bath deck with earthy shower tiles and beadboard 4 feet up the wall. All is fine! I KEPT the ocean blue ceramic floor and this is giving me heartache.
Any Benjamin Moore paint I sample in grey leans towards lilac with the shift of light - beiges are going peach and I just dont’ know where to turn.
I came across the Ellen Kennon line and while limited looks pretty yet unsure of WHAT color - I liked slate and adobe but what do I know after this fiasco!
Do you color consult via email? Any hope for me? Thank you! MC
Kate suggest…
MC it sounds like most of the choices you made for bathroom remodeling project were on target so don’t give up when it comes to getting the perfect paint color.
Ellen Kennon’s Full Spectrum Paint could be a good choice but do keep in mind that with any full spectrum paint the wall color will change depending on the lighting and adjacent colors.
I personally love that the color changes character at different times of day in response to the quality of the light and in lower light situations full spectrum paints don’t lose the underlying character of their color.
Slate or Adobe might work but the best way to know for certain is to get a set of EK’s hand painted samples if you don’t already have then so that you can see the actual color and not a computer rendition.
Order a sample pot of each color you like and paint a paint test board or two so that you can view the color vertically in the room at different times of day so that you know you love the color before applying it to your walls.
Also Ellen Kennon offers a free color consultation via telephone after you purchase a set of Full Spectrum Paint Samples. You can find the details about how to arrange the consultation at their website.
(No comments yet)
·
Bookmark this post
