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1) Number 1 fear from most of my design clients is, color. I'd have Succession, Logan Roy money if I possessed a nickel for every time I have heard "Ooooh, I'm scared of color." From a client standing in the middle of a beige on beige, on tan, on cream, on navajo white room...
2) ..and yet somewhere in their wardrobe, or hidden away in a corner, closet, or gasp-in plain sight of the all ecru box they're in, there's a dash of a hue. A hue that's bold, loud, joyful & begging to be with it's tribe. Because, you guessed it-no one is ever afraid of color.
3) The fear is in the *getting it wrong*
Somewhere in their past, they tried it. Color on walls. It was such a beautiful, bright, soothing, creamy yellow in the paint store & looked like hot dog mustard in their living room.
Somewhere in their past, they tried it. Color on walls. It was such a beautiful, bright, soothing, creamy yellow in the paint store & looked like hot dog mustard in their living room.
4) So we're here at the, "Just a cute off white works, thanks." moment as I stand next to them clutching a thick color deck knowing that the next time they see this room we're in--there WILL be color.
5) Even if it's not on the walls-fun fact, it usually is. Because the key is to find the true heaviness of color. Not in a burdensome way, but in the way a heavy blanket feels on a cool evening. Or the solid feel of tight steering on a luxury car--Comforting, Soothing, Safe.
6) It's no mystery that color plays a huge part in our psyche. Tons of research has been done on the effects of it on our mood. The key for using it in your home isn't science, or some magical mystery that only a few can figure out. It's trial and error. Like anything else...
7)...repetition. Play with small accents in color that are easily returned for the right one, don't choose wall color until you've seen the potential hue(s) in your space for at least 24-hours, in all kinds of light.
8) Also, unless you already have a history in choosing the right color for your space--taping the color swatch from the hardware store to your wall, stepping back, squinting your eyes, & looking at it to make a decision will not work.
9) Even professionals paint large color swatches on the wall to make a decision.
A few quick tips:
a. Paying up front for a few small sample cans of paint to test on your walls can really save you money on the back end, of having to repaint.
A few quick tips:
a. Paying up front for a few small sample cans of paint to test on your walls can really save you money on the back end, of having to repaint.
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b. Don't paint the different color swatches right next to each other. They tend to absorb each other & it confuses the eye. Space them apart so each one can stand on it's own.
b. Don't paint the different color swatches right next to each other. They tend to absorb each other & it confuses the eye. Space them apart so each one can stand on it's own.
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c. & as in a regular paint job, do a few coats in order to get the appropriate color saturation.
d. As unsightly as it is, let that color live on your ways for at least a full day. See it in natural & artificial light-See what your furniture/fabric looks like up against it.
c. & as in a regular paint job, do a few coats in order to get the appropriate color saturation.
d. As unsightly as it is, let that color live on your ways for at least a full day. See it in natural & artificial light-See what your furniture/fabric looks like up against it.
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e. Overall, I like an eggshell finish. It has a very low sheen, it's easy to clean & works in any room. Flat finish can be great, but not the best at cleaning & NOT good for bathrooms, or kitchen--absorbs all the dirt, grease, grime.
e. Overall, I like an eggshell finish. It has a very low sheen, it's easy to clean & works in any room. Flat finish can be great, but not the best at cleaning & NOT good for bathrooms, or kitchen--absorbs all the dirt, grease, grime.
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f. On a smooth wall, in a room you might be going for a sleek/glamorous look, a high gloss can be stunning.
There's so much to be afraid of, that adding something that's whole purpose is to make things more beautiful & joyful, should not be anywhere on that list-Color it Up.
f. On a smooth wall, in a room you might be going for a sleek/glamorous look, a high gloss can be stunning.
There's so much to be afraid of, that adding something that's whole purpose is to make things more beautiful & joyful, should not be anywhere on that list-Color it Up.
