“Mother Nature is the Best Colorist in the World”

The above title “Mother Nature is the Best Colorist in the World” was a quote said to me by a design teacher in college. This quote has stuck with me throughout the years and always inspires me to see the world and my world differently. Whenever I am in need of a fresh color direction, I think of these words.

Think of a beautiful place. It could be of a tropical beach, the woods in fall, a snowy mountain, anything. Then take a look at the colors that make up your vision. If you were to actually pull out a paint color deck (which I actually have done at home inSanta Barbaraon my favorite beach) a palette of gorgeous hues begins to form.

Take a look at some of these images and maybe you will have a bright idea for your next project. The top one is actually a photo of my favorite local beach. And please don’t forget to say thank you to Mother Nature for the inspiration, I know I try to do so every day.

Say Yes to White Walls

Often clients hire me for a paint color consultation requesting lots of color with the hope that new color will add warmth to their home. I admit, I love the idea of adding color but lately I find myself drawn more toward light, whisper soft, white walls.

There is something soothing and fresh about white walls that at times white is often my color of choice. It is light, calming and of course the perfect neutral backdrop to almost any style.

Image: www.deorpad.com

Interior Designer Tips for Selecting a New Paint Color

1. Find a starting place. Pull your color inspiration from something already in the room such as an area rug or painting. If you are planning to replace the furnishings in a room as well as fresh paint, start by finding the new items for the room. Finding a paint color to match a rug you love is infinitely easier than trying to find a rug you like to work with the color of your walls.
2. Think about what you like, and what colors you like to wear. If you don’t look good in yellow, do not paint your Master Bathroom yellow or you will be unhappy with yourself every time you look in the mirror. You might be seeing a lot of blues and browns in home furnishings lately, but if you don’t love blue do not paint your room blue just to keep up with the trends.
3. Get inspired! Mother Nature is the world’s best colorist and she pulls together the most incredible palettes. Look around outside for color combinations you might have never considered.
4. Start small and take baby steps. If you want to try a bold color for the first time, start in a small and manageable space such as a Powder Room. The small space will allow you to live with you new bold color in a small amount, plus you will need very few accessories to pull the look together.
5. Ignore all “rules” you may have heard such as dark colors making a room look small. Do not be guided by what you have been told is right or wrong when selecting colors. Yes, some of these rules do have some amount of truth but the world is not black and white, and nor should your home be.

7 Budget Tips for Dabbling in a Color Trend

Ringing in the New Year with a New Color!

New colors come into fashion with every season change. Keeping up with color trends is a great way to help a home decorated on a budget look fresh and current. Before jumping in, consider these tips to help keep you in style yet on track with your budget decorating goals.

One surefire way to incorporate new colors each season into your home is to have the major furnishings and walls in a neutral palette. This will allow you to bring in new colors without clashing.
Make sure that when you use the latest color in your home, it works with your other items. A well color coordinated room can make even the shabbiest of interiors look expensive.
Do not feel like you absolutely have to use the latest and greatest color in your home. Just because a color is in style, does not mean that you must like it or use it.
Think very carefully about investing money into a piece of furniture or other large item in the latest and greatest color. You don’t want to be stuck with a sofa for 20 years date stamped spring of 2012.
Think small and cheap. For example, an inexpensive lacquered bowl in a fresh color brings the trend into your home for a small monetary commitment. A single throw pillow in the season’s hot color is another budget friendly way to dabble in a new color.
Consider painting a small table or other furniture item in a new hue. A quart of paint is very inexpensive; the only real investment with this option is your time.
Think practicality when purchasing something simply to partake in a trend. You might consider purchasing an item for your Kitchen such a set of plastic tumblers or coffee mugs. This small purchase will give a taste of the color you crave with the ability to store the items in a cabinet once trend has passed.

Remember these seven tips the next time you see those great new colors. If possible, bring new colors into your home regularly for a true designer look. Just remember that you can participate in a color trend without sacrificing your decorating budget.