I am regularly asked what I think about particular paint brands. The truth is that most paints companies today make quality products so what I like to point out are the things that most appeal to me about that particular brand.
Of course even the best brands can have some imperfections, so I also will caution you about any problems I have found so that you can be aware of them when you are selecting paint.
I’ll be working on this series over the next few weeks but invite you to check out the brands that I have already commented on and would enjoy hearing from you as to what else you would like to know in general or about a particular brand.
Martha Stewart Colors
Martha Stewart remains a decorating favorite because she instructs us on how to make everything in our home more beautiful. She has taken the same approach with her paint line.
Unlike most paint sample cards that include a single color or several shades or tints of the same color, Martha’s color swatches include stripes of two coordinating paint [more...]
Christopher Lowell’s Designer Paints
Besides the fact that just listening to Christopher makes me smile, I enjoy his down-to-earth style of giving decorating advice. This same approach is reflected in the way he put together the colors for his signature paint line.
Christopher has developed what I call an “edited” palette. (more…)
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Today seems to be my day for green. I just took a few minutes to post a couple of recommendations in the Makeover Gallery at Roomvues and in two cases was replacing green and in one case recommending it.
I recommend Ellen Kennon Full Spectrum paint Edgewood Green for this great room that I thought would look even greater in green. Below is an spectacular stairway painted in this color.
I also thought that this dining room in icy green would be so much lovelier in a palette of sophisticated neutrals and suggested a few flattering new colors for a currently green powder room.
Check it out and add your own suggestions…
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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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Ever since my signature color ‘H2 Ahh!’ was added to the Full Spectrum Paint designer palette I have received many questions about this line so I have updated my review page to include more information that answers the questions I was being asked.
You can view the page where I share my thoughts on my Sensational Color website in Ellen Kennon Full Spectrum Paint
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Today’s color dilemma…
My dining room is approx 17\’x15\’. It has a large archway into den (approx 17\’x15\’)which is all knotty pine (not paneling). The dining room is currently white & has been for years. I\’d like some color but am afraid of making the den/dining area seem like a cave because of the knotty pine. The ceiling is white plaster swirls. It has pine base boards and pine around archway.
Kate suggests…
If you fear a cave-like appearance in your home, it would be best to choose a color that is (more…)
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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 (more…)
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Today’s color dilemma…
I’m in need of help of any suggestions. I have new capert being installed at the end of the month and it’s a rich burgundy color. I have tan furniture in my living room, I just don’t know what color to paint my walls. Thanks for your time and consideration. Sincerely Josie
Kate suggests…
Josie, you don’t mention what type of home or decor you have but burgundy is a color that can work well with with either traditional or contemporary styles.
The constants: Burgundy carpet, tan furniture
A soft gold or wheat color on the walls in a light to mid value with cream trim could be beautiful especially if your tan furniture is medium to dark and has golden undertones. This would add a second value in the tan/gold family rather than introducing an entirely new color on your walls.
Martha Stewart Colors Primrose E22 or Corn Husk E32
Another color that would work is Ellen Kennon’s Buttercream. It is a soft yellow with just enough pink to give it a rosy glow without turning peach.
Ellen Kennon Full Spectrum Paint Buttercream
This color scheme would make the room versatile and easy to keep up-to-date. You could then bring in another color or two in your accents and accessories.
Adding hunter green and/or navy blue with gold and burgundy is a classic look and could work well but you could also update this combination by using use variations of these colors as shown below.
The cooler colors, such as blue-influenced greens, would add a nice contrast and balance your predominately warm color scheme.
Going with the blue-green that almost looks grey could be a bit more sophistocated while using the yellow-green could create a more masculine or even cozy feel.
I like the blue greens but you might prefer to go in an entirely different direction if that is what feels right to you. Depending on the undertones in the carpet perhaps a charcoal grey would be interesting or even try a color that doesn’t instantly come to mind such as rust, gold or plum.
You will never know until you look at the colors together so don’t rule anything out too quickly.
Once you have selected your wall color and the carpet is installed play with some good size swatches of accent colors you are considering and go with which ever combinations please you most. There really is not a single ‘right’ color.
Go with what makes you smile when you see it. You are the designer-in-charge so relax and have fun.
The wall colors I’ve suggested allows you to change the accent colors to suit your mood so trust your instincts and go with what feels right to you now. If later you change your mind or change your mood it is easy to change your accent color.
Resources:
**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.
Have an idea of what might work with the burgundy carpet and tan furniture? Please share it with us in the comments.
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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.
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