Pantone declared turquoise the 2010 “color of the Year”.  So what better way to celebrate fabulous turquoise than with fresh design ideas using turquoise and orange together.  I’m going to show you how pairing these two colors can be brilliant! 

One of my all time favorite design blogs is ‘House of Turquoise’.  My sweet friend Erin, who created and runs the blog, agreed to let me “borrow” photos from her site to share.  (Thanks Erin!!)  If you haven’t seen House of Turquoise yet, go check it out.  It is refreshing and inspirational and just so lovely.  http://www.houseofturquoise.com

I’ve included quite a few photos to help you visualize how turquoise and orange can work together.  Your personality sort of dictates how far you want to take these colors in your home.  Whether it’s a pop of color through accessories or a go-for-the-gusto bold color for everything, you can’t fear mixing these colors in your design!

Love the creamy white wall color as the base for this room!   The simple symmetrical use of color and pattern really allows the wall color to hold its own against the bold furnishings and textiles.

Talk about being bold with your wall color! I love that the entire wall of wainscoting is covered in turquoise, but softened a bit by the whimsical painted white tree.  The small pops of orange stand out so brilliantly against the white bedding and furniture.

How’s this for painted cabinetry?!  The contrast of the turquoise island against the wood floors and the white cabinetry is so wonderful.  It’s bold, but not overwhelming.  The teeny pops of orange scattered throughout the space add even more drama!

Taking the idea of painted cabinetry a step further – check out the turquoise and orange painted bookcase.  I’m a huge fan of painting the inside of a built-in bookshelf.  This is a great example of how a once boring bookcase can go GLAM.  And the neutral white accessories on display – gorgeous!

Even kids spaces can get a turquoise and orange update.  Love the bold stripes on the walls and the simple fabrics on the furnishings.  Original and inviting….any kid would love this room!

This beachy-inspired room is so refreshing with the bead board detailing and the turquoise-blue wall color. Love how the orange pillows work so beautifully with an otherwise black and white scheme.

So there you go!  Great examples of how turquoise, the 2010 color of the year, can be combined with orange to create outstanding rooms.  Happy Decorating!

I’m not sure how colors get a reputation.  Gray is cold, pink is girly, yellow is happy.  When I hear people “categorize” colors like this I’m always reminded of the reputation that ‘browns’ used to have….brown = boring.  But look at brown now – it’s been given titles like ‘the best neutral’ and ‘the new black’ because it goes with everything!

Clients often tell me that they want a great neutral color but one that will give a little more “oomph” to their space than the common beige.  A brown, of one shade or another, is my (anything but boring) neutral.

I understand that applying a coat of chocolate brown paint to a wall can feel scary.  But sometimes you just need to take the color plunge!  To help you get started, I’ll offer up some wonderful color combinations that will make your choice of brown both trendy and glamourous!

Combo #1: One of my favorite all time combos – Brown and Blue

You can pair Classic Brown with Whipple Blue….

or try deeper tones in Tudor Brown and Newburyport Blue.

Combo #2: Brown and Orange?  Yes!  I love using brown with a touch of orange….Burnt Russet meet Pinata.

Combo #3: Brown and Gold.  Plymouth Brown (think leather sofa) and Concord Ivory look so beautiful together. You can add in just about any other color (cranberry reds, midnight blues, sage-y greens) and make it work.

Combo #4: The ultimate neutral palette….Acorn, Simple Pleasures, Westminster Gold, and Valley View.  The tone on tone look is so simple but brings a most elegant feel to any room.

So the next time you think about choosing a great “neutral” base for your decorating project, give brown a chance.  It’s far from basic and definitely not boring!  Happy Decorating!

Pink for a girl. Blue for a boy. Yellow for gender neutrality. These are the typical “go-to” conventional colors for a nursery. When it comes to this room, breaking the color mold requires a shift in the color wheel. Its easier than you may think to do something a little unexpected, and a lot more contemporary, with nursery color palettes.

In this three-part series, we will explore updated options for gender neutral schemes, baby boy schemes and baby girl schemes. We will start with gender neutral schemes. *Please note that best viewing for color is the actual sample- either the color card, fan deck or paint sample. Monitors do not color render with 100% accuracy. If any of these colors seem “off” to you- check out a real sample. These colors were selected with Benjamin Moore’s “Classic Colors” fan deck*

By far, the most popular gender neutral color for a nursery is yellow. If you would like to use yellow as a starting point, consider a fresh palette of butter yellow, dove gray and crisp white. This palette can truly stand on its own as either “boy” or “girl” and requires no other accent color additions once baby arrives. Just be mindful of the types of prints, patterns and motifs you choose for the bedding and upholstery fabrics. Stripes and graphics will lean more male, and floral patterns will lean more female.

Sunny Side Up + Coastal Fog

There are other colors you can start with as a suitable gender neutral base. Once baby arrives, you can easily add one accent color to skew the room more boy or girl. You can do this with blankets, wall art, pillows, and accessories. You don’t have to wait until the birth to do the room….just add to the foundation you already created.

The second most popular gender neutral color is green. A soothing shade of sage green coupled with a “gender accurate” color work for both girl and boy.

For a girl, start with sage green and add light pink or lavender and white.

Mesquite + Mauve Hint

Mesquite + Easter Ribbon

For a boy, start with sage green and add brown or tan.

Mesquite + Firewood

Mesquite + Monroe Bisque

Orange. Its gutsy. And its also gender neutral.

For a girl, start with a tonal orange and add soft pink or fuchsia.

Glowing Apricot + Coral Buff

Glowing Apricot + Secret Rendezvous

For a boy, start with tonal orange and add dusty blue or gray.

Glowing Apricot + Brittany Blue

Glowing Apricot + Revere Pewter

Lastly, a truly versatile option for the less gutsy….beige. It may sound boring, but combining beige with classic light pink or classic light blue will never fail.

Antique Parchment + Ballet Slippers

Antique Parchment + Polar Sky

Are you struggling to figure out which colors will look best in your home?  Do you try samples only to be disappointed in the outcome?  Creating a color palette for your home can be challenging, especially for first timers.  But it isn’t an impossible task.  I’ve put together a list of tips that anyone can use to determine what colors will look just right in their home.  (Hint:  Consider buying a paint fan deck from your favorite paint store.  Fan decks are relatively inexpensive and are a great color source when trying to create a home’s color palette.)

Fan Deck

1. Think about the colors that you already use in your home.  Do you have a particular painting that you love or an antique hand-painted chest that really speaks to your design style?  Focus in on those cherished items and see them for their colors.
2. Don’t have any household items that have great color?  Then head to your closet.  Often times the colors that we choose to wear are also colors that would work in our home.  You wouldn’t buy a sweater in turquoise if you didn’t love that color, right?  Make a list of the colors in your wardrobe and hone in on the colors that you buy most often or that visually appeal to you the most.
3. What style is your home?  Do you live at the ocean or in a trendy loft?  The style of your home can help you determine the color palette. For instance, if you live at the beach and spend a lot of time outdoors, use nature’s palette of cool blue, creamy white and sandy-taupe. However, if your home is an upscale loft with a great nighttime view, you might consider a bold chocolate brown and white scheme with red and silver accents (see below samples).
4. Narrow down your favorite and least favorite colors.  Does black depress you? Is yellow too chipper and flirty?  Is pink just as girly as you are?  Make a list of what colors inspire you!

Blue Color Combo

Brownie a la Mode

Now gather all those notes for your first trip to the paint store.  Spread out your notes and ask for assistance from the paint store professionals. Narrow down your choices and then buy lots of samples. You should never, ever choose a paint color and just go with it without first painting

some sample swatches around your home. 

Each room in your home will react differently to paint colors, depending on the light, the time of day and the other items you have in the room. Paint large swatches on multiple walls and live with them for a few days.  As the paint sits, pay close attention to how the color changes and what you like and dislike about each color.  After a few days you should have a good idea about which color will work perfectly in your space.

A few tips before you paint:

1. Prep the walls by filling holes, sanding out rough spots, and priming.  (If you are using red wall paint, prime with a grey tinted primer to get the purest red color on the walls.)
2. If you aren’t the greatest painter, take the time to tape off the baseboards or moldings with BLUE painter’s tape.  It’s worth the hassle.
3. I generally go for an eggshell finish instead of a flat.  If you have kids or pets, the scrub-ability of eggshell finishes will be your saving grace.  You can use high gloss paints for all trim work.
4. Want to add a little extra spice to your awesome new wall color?  Consider a glaze or candlelight finish atop the paint.  Just adds that little extra drama!

Choosing a color palette for your home is not an impossible endeavor….just takes some patience and some practice.  I hope these tips give you the confidence you need to start a new painting project.  Now get out there and color up your world!!

You poured over fan decks and color samples for hours and finally painted your room the most perfect color.  The walls are gorgeous, but awfully blank.  How do you choose wall decor for the room?

Here are the basics when choosing wall decor:

1. Go for what you like.  Art is completely subjective, so if it speaks to you then it’s right.
2. Pick unexpected items.  You don’t want the same look in every room.  Look for ornate mirrors in darker finishes or framed iron medallions.  Works of metal are very popular and give an expected twist to wall decor.  Hang pairs or triples of items for visual interest.
3. Please, please, please…..no more pictures hung at the ceiling!  Wall art should be placed at average eye level.  (Just because hubby is 6’4” does NOT mean it is ok to hang art at his eye level!)
4. Make sure your art pieces are large enough.  Hanging an 8×10 family picture above a ninety inch sofa does not work…..think bigger!
5. All frames in a room do not have to match perfectly.  Shake things up and use various textures and tones.  But be careful!  Mixing too many styles and colors can get busy and confusing.
6. Keep wall paint color in mind when choosing art.  The colors in your art should be complimentary to your wall color.

So there you go….the basics to starting your wall décor collection. Best of luck and happy decorating!

White. Its a color (well, technically its a non-color) that isn’t given too much thought….until you need to paint something white. With white, you want to get the correct undertone (warm v. cool) for the space and you don’t want it to be glaring or too bright. This is where most people get into trouble….they assume a white is a white is a white (if I may evoke a little Gertrude Stein here).

When in doubt, most people revert to the old stand by “Swiss Coffee”; mostly, I assume, because its what their parents used or its already familiar to them. Swiss Coffee is so prevalent that almost every paint brand has their version of Swiss Coffee, which means its easy for contractors and consumers to get. The danger in this is that every manufacturer has their own formulation for Swiss Coffee- it can be more gray or more yellow per supplier. You don’t really know what you’re going to get if you tell your painter to use “Swiss Coffee” without also specifying the brand of paint. Overall, Swiss Coffee is fine… its not a bad white (otherwise it wouldn’t be so popular), but there are other, better, options.

The brightest, most true white that’s not too white is “Decorator’s White”. I specify it for projects that have a lot of mouldings and custom casework that are to be painted white. This white is crisp and fresh and it does not compete with other finishes in the room.This is my favorite and most recommended cool white that works across the board, in nearly all interior accent applications. I do not recommend or use this white as an all over wall color. I only use it for trim, window and door casings, doors, wainscot, casework and built-ins, and other architectural features.

The other whites that are “white but not too white” are slightly warmer than Decorator’s White, and easier on the eye for an all-over use (such as an entire room or a whole wall). I typically never use white as a wall color (its just not my style), but if I do, one of these three does the trick: “Cotton Balls”, “Cloud White”, “White Dove”. White Dove is especially suitable for trim in spaces where the predominant colors are very rich and dark. It provides less contrast, and its a little easier on the eye when up against a very rich color palette.

Also, if you are inclined to use “Swiss Coffee”, use the Benjamin Moore version. Its the best and most neutral when compared to other versions of the same color.

Note: All suggested colors are Benjamin Moore

The other day a client asked me what kind of home I grew up in….specifically wondering if my Mom was “into” the whole decorating thing as I am.  I told my client a bit about my childhood home, the colors, the furnishings, the overall feel of the home, and it caused me to stop and think about how our childhood home shapes our design and color palette.

My Mom has a knack for pulling a room together.  She is almost always ahead of the times with her design choices, and color choices too.  When everyone else was installing white kitchens, my mother went for a rustic almond finish.  When dining rooms all went red, my mother opted for a deep, frosty green.  When brown leather sofas appeared in every other home, my mother chose a cherry red leather sofa.  She’s always been willing to push the design envelope, but her choices are so elegant and solid that they stand the test of time.

One of my mother’s favorite sayings when decorating is “do something unexpected.”  Whether it’s hanging art in unusual places, arranging furniture slightly off-kilter, or choosing an accessory that most wouldn’t dare, unexpected is often what takes her design from great to fabulous.  Paint and fabric color options are no exception.  Basic tans and khakis are great neutrals, but if you’re looking for the unexpected, they aren’t daring enough.   

So how did my childhood home affect my design and color sense? 

1.  I’m a traditional girl mostly because that’s what I was surrounded by as a child. 

2.  I have a strong sense about sustainable pieces that will never go out of style.  

3.  I love to play with color, especially in paint and fabrics. 

I’ve owned seven homes since I finished college.  In each of these homes I have tried to be different.  My color palettes have varied from deep reds paired with latte to pale pinks and greens to an all yellow first floor.  I never arrange the furniture in the same way.  I hardly ever use the same pieces in the same rooms again.  And I often rely on color and fabric as my best room accessories.  But regardless of the color palette, my furnishings and accessories work because I choose classic and elegant pieces.  And of course, I always go for one unexpected piece in every room (thanks, Momma!).

Now it’s your turn!  What inspires your design sense?

In anticipation of the switch from incandescent light bulbs, to compact florescent bulbs (CFL), questions have been circulating about how this will affect paint colors, and the design industry. You don’t need to be a lighting or color professional to notice that there is a difference between the two bulbs. With the advances in developing the CFLs, the bizarre and flickering lighting we associate with florescent bulbs, bears no resemblance to the new CFL bulbs. The early CFLs became known as dim, oddly shaped, and slow-to-warm up. The new crop is diverse, attractive, and available in a variety of styles and uses. Today’s CFLs include bulbs specifically made for dimmers, bulb shapes for bathroom vanities, candle shapes for chandeliers, and even bulbs designed to make food and skin tones more appealing.

The energy used for our traditional incandescent light bulbs reaps 20% as lighting, and 80% of the energy burns as heat. The CFLs are more energy efficient, and last much longer. Eventually, the incandescent bulbs will become extinct, so now is a great time to prepare for the change. If you’re like many people, you’ve already started replacing bulbs here and there in your house. There is little info out there on how to choose the right CFL, to enhance your interior color and decor.

Here is your mini education on CFL bulbs, and some tips on choosing the right ones for your home.

To understand how replacing incandescent bulbs with CFL bulbs can change the ambiance of a room, you’ll need to know a little bit of lightbulb technology.

All light bulbs have a color “temperature” and are rated in degrees Kelvin (K). A candle produces “warm” light, and is rated at 1500 degrees Kelvin. The traditional incandescent bulb is 2,700 degrees Kelvin (K), and produces a more yellow light. A “cool” Fluorescent light is considered neutral at 4,000K, and a daylight fluorescent is rated at 6,500K with a cool blue tint. The CFL packages will indicate warm, cool, or neutral, and show the Kelvin measurement.

The Kelvin measurement runs contrary to our assumption about “warm” lights. The lower the Kelvin degree, the warmer and more yellow the light becomes. A wonderful feature of the new CFL bulbs is the availability in “cool” and “warm” illumination, making it easier to tailor your lighting in each room.

When choosing a cool or warm CFL for any room in your home, GE recommends choosing a warmer CFL bulb for rooms featuring primarily warm colors. If your are decorating with yellows, browns, reds, or oranges, you’ll use CLS bulbs with 2,700K to 3,000K measurements.

If your room is decorated in cool colors, then you’ll want to choose CFL bulbs at Kelvin temperatures above 4,000K. Your blues and greens look best with a cool or neutral CFL bulb.

There is no reason to stress about switching over to CFL bulbs. The new technologies give designers and homeowners the ability to enhance color palettes in the home, room by room, for even more flexibility in decorating.

I’ve put together a few examples of paint colors that work with either warm or cool CFL bulbs, so you can see how to successfully pair these new bulbs with your decor using warm or cool CFL bulbs.

Cool

Glass House	Summer Shower	Instinct	Svelte Sage
MPC Color Combination Cool Colors for Cool CFL Bulbs

Warm

Butter	Oat Straw	Dusty Trail	Netsuke
MPC Color Combination Warm Colors for Warm CFL Bulbs

Did you know that like you, colors have personalities too?  For instance, blue is considered a calming color.  And red makes people think of danger!  A color’s personality can completely transform a room.  Here’s a little guide (and examples of my favorite colors) to help you choose a color personality for your rooms.

RED – Hot and spicy, known to actually raise the heart rate!  Red is perfect in a dining room because it is thought to increase the appetite.  Red has also gained popularity in kitchens and can be used in a family room where activity outweighs relaxation. 

Million Dollar Red

ORANGE – Orange generally makes people feel happy and lively and it is much more daring as a color choice than red!  A high energy color, orange is great as an unexpected color burst in a room.  Orange can energize a dull area such as a laundry room or mudroom.

August Morning

YELLOW – Sunshiny and happy, yellow is a trickster! It’s very easy for yellow to have green undertones which quickly turn the color to a sickly shade! Stick to golden and buttery yellows to evoke a cheerful vibe in any room.

Straw

BLUE – Blue tends to have a calming effect on people so it’s the perfect choice for bedrooms or other restful areas of your home.  It has been said that blue decrease a person’s appetite, so be careful in a kitchen!  Blue and white is a classic combination and is reinvented in home trends every few years.

Summer Shower

GREEN – As a dominant color in nature, green pulls double duty.  It is energizing and relaxing at the same time.  This combination makes green a perfect choice for offices.  Green is peaceful, rejuvenating and refreshing so it’s also a great choice for bedrooms and living rooms.

Pear Green

BROWN – Brown used to mean “blah”.  But now brown is the new black-it goes with everything!  A rich, deep brown (think chocolate bar) is super versatile.  It can be used with most colors – red, black, pink, orange, lime green, powder blue – and it looks fabulous!

Middlebury Brown

PINK – Not just for little girls anymore.  Gray undertones give pink a grown up, rich look while saturated pink looks hot!  Keep in mind though; pink still has a feminine quality and a softer side.  If you’re using pink in rooms for mixed company, make sure to include masculine touches to keep the room in balance.

Mellow Pink

PURPLE – Purple is regal!  But an overuse of purple can make the home feel like a “stage”.  Instead use purple sparingly or as an accent to add drama to any room!

Lavender Mist

BLACK – A classic.  Black is a fabulous choice and has grown from accent pieces to upholstery and wall color.  If you’re attempting to use large amounts of black in a room, be careful!  There is a fine line between luxurious and depressing!

Jet Black

WHITE – Another classic.  White feels clean, sleek and sophisticated.  Like black, white can be used in both contemporary and traditional looks.  When using large amounts of white, make sure to utilize several different tones and textures to avoid a boring, sterile look.

Vanilla Milkshake

As you can see, the color you choose for your room can really tell a story and give your home a personality!  Let me know if you have any specific color questions!  I’m happy to help color your world!

When the day is going wrong, when work goes on too long, there’s nothing we want more than to be in our home. This is the mantra of millions of us who want to leave the stress outside when we step in through our front door.

In my work as a designer and color consultant, my client’s goals have changed from simply wanting a more beautiful space, to wanting a sanctuary. We don’t want showplaces, we want escape and comfort. Home sellers also seek that zen atmosphere because they know that buyers respond to it. It’s not about decorating a home, it’s about balancing it. It’s that feeling that you, or even a home buyer, will walk in and say “this feels right.. this feels like home.” That’s zen.

I can design a space with perfect balance — I can suggest furniture and accessories that speak to that calming retreat you want. But, it’s color that truly creates the sanctuary we crave. Color sets the mood in your home. If you’re seeking a relaxing place to unwind, your paint color choices are crucial. Starting with a balanced color palette, you can add accessories, linens, and artwork, to help you achieve that relaxed atmosphere.

There is a common misconception about zen in color and design. It doesn’t mean that you decorate in a Japanese style. Zen is a frame of mind, a feeling, and a sense that everything is balanced and “right” in your home. Many offices, restaurants, and retail spaces have embraced that philosophy. The most beautiful hotels and resorts have known this secret for years. A zen color palette is harmonious; It’s that long exhale, that everything-is-right-with-the world feeling when you walk in the door and kick off your shoes.

Try on these zen color palettes for your own personal moment of “ahhh”, at home:

Lotus

Dreamy White	Breathless	Simplify Beige	Java
MPC Color Combination Lotus

Gentle Flame

Hush	Weimeraner	Tamarind	Rustique
MPC Color Combination Gentle Flame

Seascape

White Sand	Harbor Haze	Nantucket Gray	Tate Olive
MPC Color Combination Seascape

Perfect Morning

Flawless	Grasshopper	Flora	Barrista
MPC Color Combination Perfect Morning