Sensational Color was invited to a sensational party – a color filled evening celebrating the arrival of Behr Paint’s newest line: Behr Premium Plus Ultra Interior.
We arrived fashionably on time to a chic white space in Soho. Tall bouquets of lilacs and peonies graced the tables, large panels of stunning color graced the walls and soon we were gracefully handed colorful pomegranate martinis.
Lovely Tiffany Campbell from Behr Paint posed for us in front of one of our favorite color panels- a vivid, dark hue of lilac called Peru.
Tiffany looks sensational in front of this vivid lilac
She then introduced us to Behr Paint’s own color expert Erika Woelfel. Erika was very informative about the palettes offered in the beautiful display- the same display found at The Home Depots across America.
Lovely Erika Woelfel
Not just color chips but big color bars are available- we agreed with her that their larger size would make viewing the color in our own homes much easier. We also had to comment on the sweet petal shaped samples of color that showcase some of Behr’s favorite color combinations and the nifty clip rings available on the display to hold all of your sample bars and petals together. Knowing how we’ve struggled with keeping sample chips from disappearing into the abyss of our purses and homes…we had to ask “Was this a woman’s idea”…the answer- “Yes!”.
We asked Erika to put together the colors that are the strongest right now and what she feels is going to continue to be very popular.
Gray, green, lilac, matte black, white and a color called Pink Ginger made a stunning selection- the lineup spoke to our love of colors with personality!
Speaking of personalities, we then had the honor to talk color with design guru Vern Yip. Yes he was our favorite on Trading Spaces, Yes he is a celebrated author and host of Deserving Design, and Yes he knows his color! We asked him “What special color should people use in their homes?”
Without hesitation he replied “Black”.
“A shiny black?”
“No, a flat black, or very dark gray. Women wear and understand the simple black dress so well and how wearing jewelry really ‘pops’ with black”, he then pointed out how my bright green and turquoise necklace was vibrant against my black shirt.
“Bright colorful pillows become the ‘jewelry’ in a room with dark walls.” Got it! What a great decorating idea.
Funny enough one of the color chips in his hand was Pencil Point.
Pencil Point just happens to be one of the hues in the color palette Erika put together for us. “Point on Erika!!
Vern Yip
Color Maven Kimberlin Brown with Vern Yip
We then talked color trends with stunning Suzanne Donohoe from The Home Depot. She let us in on the fact that Behr is The Home Depot’s top selling paint line and then we shared a laugh about the fact that she was in head to toe black at such a colorful event, but with what Vern just told us she was spot on!
Color Maven Julie and Suzanne
Thomas McEvoy then grabbed our attention, or perhaps it was the Fire Cracker red paint in the tray near him?
He told us how this is the only red paint on the market that is finished with just two coats and is truly saturated with color.
“No primer?” we asked.
Unbelievably No! To prove his point Julie put on an apron and painted over a board that was previously painted with both black and white. Thomas was right – two coats was all it took to create the most stunning, opaque red.
Julie seeing for herself if the red would cover black completely in just two coats
We then cornered two of our favorite people at the party- Behr’s own Kevin Call and Jim Spalding.
We learned so much from them about Behr’s amazing story. Started in California back in 1947, Behr first came on the scene as a family run business producing clear finishes and stains for the redwood furnishings, decks and patios so popular in their area of California. The first paint came about when founder Otho Behr, Jr. was challenged with the idea of creating the ‘perfect and purest’ white paint. Behr understood how white paint works as a base for all colors and the whiter it was, the better vehicle for pure color. In 1986 Behr went on to introduce their first line of interior/ exterior paints and today they have expanded into becoming the internationally favored brand we know. Thanks Jim and Kevin for the history lesson!!
Next Wayne Ciolino (aka Sean Penn as we teased him) mixed up paint samples for us to take home.
Wayne was effortlessly in charge of this amazing new paint mixing technology soon to launch at The Home Depot called “Ultrablend.”
Carlos Salas, Martin Salas and James Merritt, Jr of Ultrablend walked us through the mixing process:
We had to know-” If we brought in our favorite lipstick, a flower from our garden or an old dried up paint stirrer with a color we desperately needed, can the color be matched?”
Astonishingly yes!! A camera will photograph the object with the color you want matched, then a few moments later out will come a paint sample. Doesn’t this feel like something out of the Jetson’s cartoon or Willie Wonka’s world? We love this invention!!
We quickly noted that the sample sizes were a full 8 oz., that any color could be sampled…which in our book is Eco- friendly! ( after all how many times have you had to buy a sample quart of the wrong color) and that once the formula was in the computer you could be assured that the perfect color you’ve sampled is the exact hue you’ll get once you return to make your big paint purchase! Genius!!!
There were so many fun distractions all evening as well…
Plates of delicious treats were passed, when a plate of macaroons came by it was kismet. You know how we feel about this colorful cookie!
A row of top notch manicurists offered mani/pedis in exceptional shades. We ended with a stress melting chair massage, rounding out a truly wonderful and colorful evening.
Saying our goodbyes our color radar went straight to neon yellow toes donned by the hostess.
“What color is that?!’….oh well, that colorful answer will have to wait for another post!
Thanks Behr for a wonderful evening!!!!
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How great that both you and Julie were wearing the “hot” paint colors of the line ! I learned so much about paint, color, and the new technology of paint mixing – and had the most delicious treats of any party in a long time. Well done Behr paints ! Now you’re my fave paint line (I’ve been painting exclusively with Behr based on my Dad’s advice, for years) and my fave party peeps.
Can’t wait to get my new color at Home Depot next weekend, for my kitchen re-do.
It sure sounds like this was a great evening. Thanks Julie, Kimberlin and April for “working” after hours to cover this event.
Love the article! Thanks for the information on the new Interior Behr product. I just had great success with Behr Premium Plus Ultra Exterior on the “Prism” Mural at the 18th Street Underpass in Crystal City, VA. Very saturated colors and a good product.
l love all the colors out! Sounds like a wonderful event! Wish I could have been there!