Wednesday, April 29, 2009
My color pick for May
Color of the month for May...AF-490 Tranquility. It's part of the Affinity Collection designed to go with Aura paint (my favorite!) from Benjamin Moore. What's not to love with the name tranquility? It's a nice, peaceful, pastel gray blue which pairs nicely with chocolate brown, warm silver, a pale green, pale yellow or even black. It would go well in your bedroom, in fact, check out this neat bedding from the Material Girls blog.
Mother's Day is almost here.
Do you like to give handmade Mother's Day gifts? I have another idea for wallpaper samples. Decoupage wallpaper onto flower pots. Cut out florals or stripes, mix and match until your heart is content. Scrapbook paper also works well for this. Cover with Mod Podge or a water-based polyurethane, add some soil and a pansy or two and you will be all set.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Love wallpaper, but don't want to mess with hanging it?
Do love the decorative look of wallpaper, but don't want to commit to hanging it on all your walls or even one wall? My perfect solution is the make artwork with it. Many companies will sell samples in lengths up to 10 feet. Order a sample and make wallhangings. Cover an artist canvas, or better yet several and group them together above your bed or sofa. You can also order several coordinating samples and make collages with them. Scrapbook paper works well for this also. The best part is you can change it with much less hassle when you are tired of it and ready for something new!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Trendy vs. Classic
When I'm helping design a space, I'm often asked what is hot right now or what are other people doing? Well I could tell you, but does that really matter to you? If it does fine, and if you change often trendy might be great, but you have to love it for what it is not for the trendiness of it. You may not care for chocolate brown paired with a pale blue-gray or dark espresso furniture.
Keep the big hard-to-change items classic and accessorize with trendy pieces. For example Dried Mustard (Benjamin Moore 2158-10) or Big Sur Blue (Ralph Lauren IB93) might be hot colors for '09, but in 10 years do you want your bathroom tile or countertop to be that color? I've helped many people work around pink tile from the '50's or country blue countertops from the '80's and it is often a challenge. With today's housing market being what it is, people are staying in their homes longer so take this into consideration when choosing your more permanent design elements. And, if you do decide to sell your house it will be an easier sell.
Go with trendy colors for your bathroom rugs or towels, knick-knacks, or even bedding.
Keep the big hard-to-change items classic and accessorize with trendy pieces. For example Dried Mustard (Benjamin Moore 2158-10) or Big Sur Blue (Ralph Lauren IB93) might be hot colors for '09, but in 10 years do you want your bathroom tile or countertop to be that color? I've helped many people work around pink tile from the '50's or country blue countertops from the '80's and it is often a challenge. With today's housing market being what it is, people are staying in their homes longer so take this into consideration when choosing your more permanent design elements. And, if you do decide to sell your house it will be an easier sell.
Go with trendy colors for your bathroom rugs or towels, knick-knacks, or even bedding.
Paint tips
I've said it before and I'll say it again, always pick your paint color last. You will thank me later, I promise!
With paint, you definitely get what you pay for, buy the best you can possibly afford. More expensive paint often saves money in the long run because you end up using less. My favorite is Benjamin Moore's Aura, it is a painting experience. My husband really makes fun of me for saying this, but I do really, really love it!
Remember that paint is the cheapest and easiest thing to change...you can repaint walls much easier than changing carpet or countertops.
When choosing a sheen remember the flatter the paint, the better it touches up, but the less scrubbable it is. Except with Aura, it is equally scrubbable in all sheens and it touches up great too. Eggshell is a good happy medium, not too flat, not too shiny. It is what most people use. Most people do use flat on ceilings, however. One thing to keep in mind though, is that paint companies terms for sheens are often slightly different. When shopping have your salesperson show you an example of their sheens.
If you have small children (or messy big ones!), try satin or pearl finishes in bathrooms and kitchens so walls will be more scrubbable.
Don't rush your color choice...always try the color in your space before you buy. Lighting changes everything. Metamerism is the occurence of colors seemingly changing colors when looked at with different lighting. Paint swatches will often look completely different at your house than they do at the paint store or your neighbor's house. They will also look different from room to room in your house. Try your swatches at different times of the day, on sunny days and cloudy days, and on all walls of the room to make sure you like it everywhere before you commit. If your paint store has a sample or bigger swatches of your color, take advantage of that...if you buy a sample I recommend painting it on a piece of cardboard or posterboard so it's easier to move from place to place.
Do your prep work: Wash your walls before you paint. For best results, use TSP (trisodium phosphate), following the package instructions. Tape off trim or go very slowly cutting in your room and keep a wet rag in one hand to wipe up drips. Use a drop cloth! As with the paint, use good quality roller frames, covers and paint brushes. Use the right size nap for your space...heavier naps for textured walls. Paint store employees should be able to help if you are confused.
Don't want to paint yourself...ask a paint store or designer (like La Casa Designs!) for a recommendation of a good quality painter. Get several bids.
With paint, you definitely get what you pay for, buy the best you can possibly afford. More expensive paint often saves money in the long run because you end up using less. My favorite is Benjamin Moore's Aura, it is a painting experience. My husband really makes fun of me for saying this, but I do really, really love it!
Remember that paint is the cheapest and easiest thing to change...you can repaint walls much easier than changing carpet or countertops.
When choosing a sheen remember the flatter the paint, the better it touches up, but the less scrubbable it is. Except with Aura, it is equally scrubbable in all sheens and it touches up great too. Eggshell is a good happy medium, not too flat, not too shiny. It is what most people use. Most people do use flat on ceilings, however. One thing to keep in mind though, is that paint companies terms for sheens are often slightly different. When shopping have your salesperson show you an example of their sheens.
If you have small children (or messy big ones!), try satin or pearl finishes in bathrooms and kitchens so walls will be more scrubbable.
Don't rush your color choice...always try the color in your space before you buy. Lighting changes everything. Metamerism is the occurence of colors seemingly changing colors when looked at with different lighting. Paint swatches will often look completely different at your house than they do at the paint store or your neighbor's house. They will also look different from room to room in your house. Try your swatches at different times of the day, on sunny days and cloudy days, and on all walls of the room to make sure you like it everywhere before you commit. If your paint store has a sample or bigger swatches of your color, take advantage of that...if you buy a sample I recommend painting it on a piece of cardboard or posterboard so it's easier to move from place to place.
Do your prep work: Wash your walls before you paint. For best results, use TSP (trisodium phosphate), following the package instructions. Tape off trim or go very slowly cutting in your room and keep a wet rag in one hand to wipe up drips. Use a drop cloth! As with the paint, use good quality roller frames, covers and paint brushes. Use the right size nap for your space...heavier naps for textured walls. Paint store employees should be able to help if you are confused.
Don't want to paint yourself...ask a paint store or designer (like La Casa Designs!) for a recommendation of a good quality painter. Get several bids.
Having trouble getting started on your room?
Are you having trouble getting started on the redesign of your living room, kitchen, bedroom or bath? I recommend that you start with one item you love. In the living room start with a pillow, picture or piece of furniture and base everything around that. In the kitchen start with a rug, a dish towel, placemat or even a cookie jar or cannister set. In the bedroom start with bedding; in the bath the shower curtain.
As a general rule, start with the item with which you will have the least amount of choices. For example, don't lock yourself into a paint color and then try to find bedding or a shower curtain to match. It can be extremely frustrating to have your walls painted a certain shade of green and then find comforters or shower curtains with every other shade of green besides the one you need. It's easier to pick those items first and leave your paint color last. Even choose carpet or countertops before paint. Yes, most of the time carpet and countertops are fairly neutral, but there are tons of shades of taupe, beige or gray and they will sometimes clash with each other. This is true even if you are trying to keep everything neutral; all neutrals do not match one another. There are more paint choices than any other part of your design; and if you can't find the exact color you need most paint stores like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams can match it for you. Hint: a paint store will typically do a better job matching than a big box store such as Lowe's or Home Depot. Just allow them time to match because it does take longer than having a gallon or quart mixed from a chip. They also have designers on staff who can help if you are struggling to choose a color.
As a general rule, start with the item with which you will have the least amount of choices. For example, don't lock yourself into a paint color and then try to find bedding or a shower curtain to match. It can be extremely frustrating to have your walls painted a certain shade of green and then find comforters or shower curtains with every other shade of green besides the one you need. It's easier to pick those items first and leave your paint color last. Even choose carpet or countertops before paint. Yes, most of the time carpet and countertops are fairly neutral, but there are tons of shades of taupe, beige or gray and they will sometimes clash with each other. This is true even if you are trying to keep everything neutral; all neutrals do not match one another. There are more paint choices than any other part of your design; and if you can't find the exact color you need most paint stores like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams can match it for you. Hint: a paint store will typically do a better job matching than a big box store such as Lowe's or Home Depot. Just allow them time to match because it does take longer than having a gallon or quart mixed from a chip. They also have designers on staff who can help if you are struggling to choose a color.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Ready Made Magazine
Becky over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog has an interesting look at this month's Ready Made Magazine.
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