Residential Color and Style from a Certified True Color Expert.

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Sneak peek: Pardon our progress…

wallpaper gone

wallpaper gone

People, let me tell you, this is huge! The first step is always the hardest.

But, I am in motion. My wonderful wallpaper man is busy finishing stripping the existing paper as I type this.

Just look!

The rusty green wallpaper is au revoir!

Adios!

Goodbye!

I am so uplifted just walking in and looking at the bare SheetRock.

In all my color installations/demolitions, I have never seen a wallpaper absorb the light out of a room like

ol’ Rusty Green.

It is amazing, the difference.

Furthermore, my husband hates changing anything in our house. He loves everything to stay the same.

Bless his heart, he agreed to put up with the disruption entailed by this project.

So I will say again, this is huge!

Remember, this is just the bare SheetRock, not the new paint color. Obviously, still a work site!

making progress!

making progress!

BEFORE

above, BEFORE (Ol’ Rusty Green)

IMG_1048

I know you probably don’t want to see contractor bags, you come here to look at the pretty pictures.

This is real life, though. And, it will look nice in no time.

It is a very cloudy gray day, but you’d never know it by what is going on in my house today.

I can’t wait to get my crew over from Atlanta to work on the travertine. It must be cleaned, re-honed and re-grouted, then we’ll be ready for the new paint.

Can you notice that the pink undertone in the travertine is looking much less pink, now that Rusty Green is gone? Compare the before with the ‘during’:
IMG_1016

Cleaned up a bit to show you the difference:
bath in progress

Posted by  |  February 13, 2013 | Categories: Benjamin Moore colors, granite marble travertine, green, Master Bath, Residential styling | 1 Comment

Jewelry for your Wall

Nothing dresses up a wall like a beautiful painting flanked by a pair of sconces.

The branches of the sconce repeat the branches of the trees in the painting.

The pair of sconces frame the painting, and give the painting more importance.

photo by Ellen Rhett

photo by Ellen Rhett

Here is the before:

before

before

This lady’s electrician told her it couldn’t be done.

No way.

My electrical man says he always likes a challenge.

I have given him many, and he has always made it happen.

What a difference!

sconces

sconces


Posted by  |  February 11, 2013 | Categories: Residential styling | 2 Comments

Identical Layout!

I almost fell out of my chair when I saw this bath.

And, not because of the textures, finishes, or colors used.

It is because the layout is EXACTLY. LIKE. MINE.

I mean, identical. Same placement of tub, shower, his sink, her sink and vanity. Same window.

Same opening to the closet area.

I have never seen this exact layout ever before in a photo.

Here is mine. I have wing walls instead of completely open cabinetry or a full-glass shower enclosure.

It hides everyday toiletries better. It hides the workings of the shower.

You know the family above keeps soap on the counter. And shampoo bottles in the shower.

So do I, you just can’t see it.

master bath

master bath

close-up wing wall

even the sconces are similar

And, yes, this is the same bath

from which I am removing all the existing wallpaper.

I can hardly wait! 

Then, it is going to be painted Shaker Beige, see the dollop.

Cabinets will be Ivory White.

Soon.

wallpaper
Goodbye rusty green wallpaper!

Posted by  |  February 6, 2013 | Categories: Benjamin Moore colors, Master Bath, Residential styling | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Simple Perfection

Posted by  |  February 2, 2013 | Categories: Art, Residential styling, Uncategorized, using the color white | 1 Comment

Are you CHASING the color or CHOOSING the color?

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YES, we’ve been there.

The contractor is breathing down our neck, he needs the colors picked out.

He needs them ALL,  two weeks from today!

As we’ve talked about before, paint color should be the last thing that is chosen.

It should be the thing that pulls everything else in the room together.

But, sometimes that is not possible.

What are some good neutrals to use?

Where should there be an actual color?

Source: benjaminmoore.com via Ellen on Pinterest

How should it all tie together so the home has color flow?

This is when you really, really need to call in a certified color consultant.

We know how some of the prettiest neutrals can “go pink” on some walls.

We know which neutral colors turn “apartment beige” in  which rooms.

We know how to pick out/rule out the tile for your bath and the counter for your kitchen.

We are trained in color flow throughout the house.

We know where to insist on oil-based paint, and where not ever to use high-gloss.

Many consultants are happy to schedule a couple of hours, one-time.

Not saying all of the above can be accomplished in two hours, but you’d be amazed what can.

Posted by  |  January 31, 2013 | Categories: Benjamin Moore colors, Residential styling | Tags: | 1 Comment

Benjamin Moore Sandy Brown

sandybrown

I don’t work with those tiny chips you find at the paint store.

I work with large painted samples on boards.

There is now a big difference in this young man’s bedroom.

Above, the new paint color, Sandy Brown. A rich caramel beige.

Lots of depth and warmth, perfect for a cozy bedroom,

and gorgeous against the existing caramel color draperies.

Before, the color was Linen White.

With my large samples, we were easily able to narrow the color selection,

based on the undertones in the existing soft furnishings, to the clear winner.

Sandy Brown.

(If you want richness, depth, and warmth in a bedroom, Linen White is not your color.)

Linen White

Source: pinterest.com via Ellen on Pinterest

Sandy Brown

Posted by  |  January 30, 2013 | Categories: Benjamin Moore colors, Residential styling | Tags: , | 3 Comments

Wild about animal prints

Animal prints glam up a room better than almost anything.

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There are a couple of tricks, though.

First, is to use only in moderation.

ONCE is enough. This is an accent, not the main attraction.

Second, make sure you repeat the color of the animal print somewhere else in the room.

The key is not to overdose so that it kills the look. 

You can overdose some themes, and succeed. But, animal prints are not for overdosing.

The exception is when you use an animal print carpet. It will be the main attraction:

Source: morewejadore.com via Maria on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Wilma on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Emily on Pinterest

And please save leopard print walls for Snooki 😉

It takes a practiced hand to repeat the colors without overdosing the accent fabric.

Take a look at some gorgeous examples.

Source: col109.mail.live.com via

Below, the gold and the black of  the leopard ottoman are repeated in the portrait.

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Memphis/Palm Beach decorator William Eubanks takes it to the max, but he always follows the rule of one:

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William Eubanks again:

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And I will let you see for yourself what happens
when you break the “rule of one”:

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Source:


Or the colors in the animal print are not

repeated properly or at all:

Is there a place for an accent animal print in your home?

It can be done very tastefully.

Just remember to use as an accent.

And repeat the colors in the animal print elsewhere in the room.

 

Posted by  |  January 29, 2013 | Categories: Art, Decorating trends | Tags: | 2 Comments

Bride on the Brain

With two of my  nieces soon marrying within a few weeks of each other,

you could say I have weddings on my brain.

So, although I am not involved with the planning of either wedding,

I find myself going to favorite wedding inspiration sites such as StyleMePretty.com,

and pouring through bridal magazines when I see them in the beauty salon.

And, when I ran across this stunning image of a ‘real’ bride, above,

I have to admit I became obsessed with the individuality and personality

that are shining through this perfect stranger.

I am a traditionalist, so I know some of you will think there should not be

any color used for a bridal ensemble, but have you ever?

I mean, when was the last time you saw anything more captivating than this?

See other wedding photos of the gorgeous bride and read more about the headpiece and earrings, here.

Posted by  |  January 28, 2013 | Categories: weddings | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

They never sit here together

Source: architecturaldigest.com via Rivers on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Jessi on Pinterest

Source: theenchantedhome.blogspot.com via Liz on Pinterest

Source: myhomeideas.com via Allyson on Pinterest

Source: coastalliving.com via Laura on Pinterest

Source: casatreschic.blogspot.com via Anna on Pinterest

Source: houseofturquoise.com via Anna on Pinterest

lake_ridge06

No, the couple have never sat together, here.

Not even once, well, maybe just that one time when they first arrived.

But, so what?

A pair of comfy chairs looks dynamite in the master bedroom.

What a nice secondary focal point to the bed.

It is nice to have a place to sit in the bedroom (besides the bed).

The perfect place to toss a robe before climbing into bed.

Comfortable enough for her five-minute morning check-in conversation with her best friend.

He likes to put his socks on here.

And, the teenage daughter always perches here, on the edge, just so,

to tell them that she is back by curfew.

A pair of chairs in the master.

Do you have room in yours for this wonderful style vignette?

Posted by  |  January 25, 2013 | Categories: Decorating trends, Residential styling | Tags: , | Leave a comment

Master Bath inspiration

Source

I like the quiet elegance of this master bath.

There is a look and feel of quality. Not overdone.

Posted by  |  January 24, 2013 | Categories: granite marble travertine, Residential styling | Tags: | 1 Comment