Archive for House Beautiful
Color Inspiration….
Posted by: | CommentsJust stopping by with some design inspiration for you today… I am working on a client’s home that is being infused with color right now. Color is one of the biggest changes you can make to your home and color speaks deep to us, so the changes are very inspirational. The change from dark to light or warm to cool is very transformative. 
Here are some colorful transformations that might just inspire you to make a colorful move….
So….
What room in your home is begging for a color update?
(Images from House Beautiful, House of Turquoise and HGTV)
More Photos of the Studio…
Posted by: | CommentsToday’s post will feature just a few more photos of our studio space in progress…
This photo isn’t too inspiring, but it does show progress… the walls have been coated in a first layer of paint, the storage items have been removed and have been replaced with construction supplies and a few design elements.
Those nasty old pipes are slowly being hidden in a wall that will support a storage closet and a sink area.
This photo shows a peek at one of the crowning elements of our space… a curved banquette!
We can NOT wait for this piece to be finished. The fabrics we chose to upholster it with became the inspiration for the entire studio…
This view shows you a bit about our color direction! Yes, we used House Beautiful‘s color issue to assist us with our color choices. (At least for now… our studio colors and decor will transform on a routine basis) We custom matched our pink wall to a pink chair we found on the front of the Color Issue. We will also add a few other surprising pink elements to the space as well!
Well, that’s it for today’s update. I won’t have another progress update for a bit- we’re doing some more painting tomorrow! Wait until you see Alicia’s (Lulu Painting) fantastic work on the floor! However, the next post will let you in on our Opening Gala plans! We can’t wait to invite you down to share in our Grand Opening, so get ready to mark your calendars and join us in celebration! More on that next time…
Before Photos of the New Studio!
Posted by: | CommentsOkay, I thought I better share some of what is going on in our space!
Progress has been slower than we desire in the remodel and construction of our new studio space, but none-the-less, it is finally moving along! We are a bit further than these photos will show now, but I will give another update soon, as things are changing every day around here.
To start off with… this space was awful when we signed the lease…. a dark, dirty storage room in the lower level of the mansion that had not been rented out before. We knew it had potential for our first joint studio space… so we plunged ahead anyway!
Here is what we found….
Just to let you know… none of the stuff in the space was ours at this point, so it the cleaning staff had to remove all the items stored there before we could even get to the next step.
Oh, these pipes… they have been quite the challenge. We have chosen to ignore the ones on the ceiling (as most other tenants on our level have) but the ones coming down the wall are being encased in a wall for the most part.
The joy of old buildings!
Okay… this is a small hint as to what is to come for the space. We used some inspiration from this House Beautiful issue to add some design and style to our space. To transform this space we will definitely be pulling all of our design tricks out. Decorating with paint and color will be the most transforming elements. In the next post… I will let you in a bit more on what that inspiration direction is!
That’s all for today… thanks for stopping by!
Stylish Rooms for the In-Between Season
Posted by: | CommentsThis time of year more than any other I start day-dreaming of the decorating and home project possibilities. There’s something about the in-between season of a frosty-white-winter and a blooming-spring here in the Midwest that isn’t really a season after all…it’s gray, gloomy, and brown. Minimal inspiration. Very little beauty.
So, in this season of nature’s lull…
I create the color, inspiration and beauty lacking in nature by creating spaces for clients, starting projects for the studio and day-dreaming about home projects of my own. As I was browsing online for resources needed for a project, I came across a few delightful rooms that deemed worthy of sharing with you.
Soon, I was looking for more…
So, here are some stylish rooms, starting with a bathroom- a sunny place to start out the day in and moving through the home to a cozy evening retreat.
Let me know what sparks ideas for you!!
I love the warm yellow color of the cabinets, tempered by the calmer gray-green on the walls. The large window over the tub lets in beautiful amounts of daylight. I would love to start my day in this room…
A nice twist on a traditional dining room with a mix of vintage decor, neutral color palette and elegant details.
This calm living area is actually filled with color- a black hutch stands out boldly against pale lavender-gray walls, the citron/yellow pillows and fabrics add fresh color, all complimented by mirrored accents. Oh, I also love the punch of red in the dining area beyond!
This entry way is subtle in color, with the gray-blue walls but the detailed paneling and wood trim add loads of character. The wood floors and antique rugs bring contrast to the light-filled space.
Finally, this bedroom looks like an elegant hotel suite in Paris or Milan. The traditional shapes are modernized with the contrast of colors and the unbelievably beautiful lacquered green walls. I don’t think I’d need to leave that room for days… room service please?
Be inspired to take elements of your favorite spaces to update a few nooks in your own home. Add an updated paint color, a fantastic new pillow fabric or some new artwork.
Enjoy this in-between time to plan for your mini-makeover!
(Photo Inspiration from My Home Ideas, Better Homes and Gardens, Cottage Living, House Beautiful)
Painting with Color: Part 4 Psychology of Color
Posted by: | Comments
This is the last post in the Painting with Color Series. If you missed the first three posts: Terminology of Color, the Basic Color Schemes, or Considerations, please check those posts out.
Today we are going over the basics of Color Psychology. One of the most compelling things about paint color is its power to dramatically effect how people think and feel. Certain hues can instill feelings of anxiety, calm, warmth, cold or even anger. Color can also stir the appetite, one’s overall spirit or even one’s sexual desires.
Color is immensely powerful, so use it to your painting advantage! Thankfully, most people are effected by various colors in the same ways. Generally, warmer colors, such as red, yellows and oranges, are perceived as just that- warmer, active, youthful, energized, and invigorating. Cooler colors like blues, purples, and greens are seen as relaxing, calming, passive schemes.
Each color has it’s own particular signature effects, so let’s check them out…
REDS: Stimulating. Red is a good choice for a dining room, as it is known for stimulating the appetite and is a color of energy and passion. Best used in smaller doses, such as accent walls or in upholstery. It also works nicely in kitchens where there is limited wall space.
YELLOW: Attention. Yellow can make us think better, increase our memorization skills and grab our attention. Use it thoughtfully, especially when using a more vibrant hue, as it intensifies in most rooms and can change tones dramatically with the natural light. Especially good for offices, creative spaces, and hallways.
GREEN: Relaxing. A more versatile color than blue, a nice transition for may other colors. It can be calming, yet has a cheerfulness with certain hues. Certain hues blend well with almost any color. Great color for kitchens, living areas and schools.
PURPLE: Royally Tricky. This is one of the trickiest colors to use. Many adults dislike shades of purple, yet most children like them. It can be a regal color hinting of royalty, but hard to live with long term. Nice mixed with whites or neutrals. A good choice for children’s rooms or bathrooms.
BLUE: Calming. An ideal color for bedrooms and sitting rooms, but best not used in dining rooms. Those who like blue are often drawn to the blue and white color scheme, but certain shades of blue, like green, work well with almost any color.
ORANGE: Welcoming. A happy color, yet most people either love it or hate it. It can be toned down with natural neutrals or accentuated with other colors, such as blue or turquoise. Best for family rooms, living areas, or entryways.
Oh, how fun color can be! Just think of the possibilities! 
So, now that you have learned some inside tips and suggestions for working with color in and around your home, maybe your next paint project won’t be so intimidating. There are many resources for color, using color, and paint online. If you are interested, check out some of these sites to add more knowledge to your arsenal.
Have fun and don’t forget to drop me a note updating me on your latest paint project!
‘Till next time…
