From dark to light is the least expensive way to make changes to your décor whether it be wall color or cabinetry. In this home, the client selected a gray tone even though my color choice was slightly closer to the travertine color on the floors. The rugs in the kitchen with both colors pulled the palette together. A new lighting fixture replaced the ceiling fan. An updated lighter look!
On a current project in an apartment complex, the client just wasn’t happy with the existing dark brown accent tiles in the master bathroom. Of course, whenever there is contrast your eye goes to the dark color. So you don’t use contrast unless it is the intended focal point! Up 5 floors, down a long hallway and over new white carpet is not the most ideal tear-out. And let’s not forget that grout is made of sand and water! I called one of the detail painters I have used for thirty+ years as we have done many custom backsplashes. Would the same paints work to just paint the existing dark tile to a lighter color? Yes! With all of her past experience painting columns to look like stone, blending the new paint with the existing stone would look seamless. Voila! We saved the client time, money and achieved the end result we all wanted!
When the temperature goes up, we are ready for the beach! No matter the location or price range, a cool color palette of cream, sand, and blues creates a soothing space. With the most popular wood floor a sandy/grey neutral, the next step is upholstery with a casual inviting look. All of these elements can be quickly changed to some holiday pops of color, but for now will continue on with a cool look for summer. Art with sky and or water will carry the feel throughout. Accent pillows pick up the tones. Many options of upholstered chairs have swivel options and do not look like Grandma’s chairs! Rugs with neutrals and blues pull the seating areas together or add a bedroom accent. White is a great bedroom look and again bring in the blue accents. Get the breezy feel whether you are in the desert or on the shore!
Get out the green! It has been the best year to use what you have!
Voila! You have a festive gathering with very little work! Don’t you love themed parties!
Tip of the day! The Dunn Edwards Evershield Exterior paint is the best for interior baseboards! Who knew? I became more involved with paint selections while choosing colors for my projects only to discover that the painter typically had an account at one store and no matter what company I specified they got a color match from the store with their account. AND it was often the least expensive option. That was one of the reasons I started LuxeSpecs.com. Now I specify color, company and finish. Sherwin Williams is the largest paint company. Behr and Benjamin Moore are also great companies. However, I believe Dunn Edwards makes great exterior paints for our intense heat. Developed originally for southern California and Disneyland, their lab is on the west side of Phoenix. Evershield is such a superior paint that they recommend its use for interior baseboards. Available in a variety of finishes, it has great clean-ability and spread-ability. Every day in design is totally different, while not usually at the paint store, it happens! Coming Next – an experiment with Farrow and Ball paint to see how much difference there really is! Stay tuned!
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