Perfect Palette Update Spring 2007

Colors are coming down to earth.

The environmental movement has been building momentum over the years and is finally going mainstream, becoming a major influence in the colors we choose for our homes. Whether they are for our walls, furniture, appliances, or decorating accessories, colors from nature are dominating the design market.

My family and I recently moved to a newly renovated house. Imagine… an entire house of perfect, new walls. It was exciting to think of transforming these blank rooms into beautiful spaces, creating any mood I desired. I knew just what I wanted. It had to be a peaceful environment with gorgeous colors that would be quiet, subtle, yet not under -stimulating. I would embellish with paintings, ceramics, baskets and other crafts that were created by members of my family. It is important to me that my home still sparkle, however calm and tranquil the colors may be.

There is still a place for some strong, contrasting color, even in a home with a calm color scheme, however, it should be in small doses, such as in rooms that we pass through rather than linger in. Hence, my new mudroom is bright and earthy "Rust".

Shades of green are becoming more home-friendly and popular. For my house, I wanted soft and subtle greens for busy areas, such as my office. "Spring Valley" was just right.

I like to be surrounded with colors inspired by the ocean, sky, stone and soil. I isolated several blues, greens, and a combination of brown and orange to achieve my goal. When the house was finished, it worked out just as I had hoped.

Are you ready for a change? If you are interested in bringing tranquil colors from nature indoors, try one of these luscious colors:

• Restoration Hardware's "Atmosphere Blue" for my kitchen
• Benjamin Moore's "Guilford Green" for the dining room
• Benjamin Moore's "Cream" for hallways
• Benjamin Moore's "Rust" for the entry/mudroom
• Pratt and Lambert's "Bayou" for the family room
• Benjamin Moore's "Spring Valley" for my office
  

Exterior Projects

With spring approaching, you may also be thinking about painting the outside of your house. If so, you can begin by doing the easiest research of all…driving around and looking at other houses. This will help you get in touch both with the looks you like and colors you prefer to stay away from. What do you see in terms of style being projected by the colors on these homes? Bold and dramatic? Elegant and traditional? Cool and modern? Dynamic and unusual? Historic? Which of these would you like for your home? I always look through dozens of house photos before selecting colors for my clients.

After completing my work on the THIS OLD HOUSE® Carlisle home project, I worked on a home project for a client in Canfield, Ohio. His house is a Connecticut Valley design built in 1980 and modeled after the Dwight-Barnard house in Deerfield, Massachusetts (circa 1700). I provided 15 possible color scenarios, based on his criteria. Then I began work on a low-country style house set in a marsh/inter-coastal waterway area in Charleston, South Carolina. Every client has some vision of the outcome before any colors are chosen. And everyone's vision is different. What is your vision? Once you answer that question you can begin to select colors. Here are just a few of my favorite "down to earth" exterior paint color combinations:

• Paint Brand: Benjamin Moore
  House Body: Desert Tan 2153-50
  Major trim: Lancaster Whitewash HC-174
  Accents: Storm Cloud Gray 2140-40 or Georgian Brick HC-50
  Doors: Georgian Brick or Redwood
  
  
• Paint Brand: Benjamin Moore
  House Body: Horizon Gray 2141-50
  Major trim: Monterey White HC-27
  Window frame: Essex Green
  Doors: Essex Green or Teak stain
  
  
• Paint Brand: Benjamin Moore
  House Body: Brewster Gray HC-162
  Major trim: Navajo White
  Window frame and mullions: Black
  Doors: Black
  

Press

February 2007: This month Bonnie was named in American Painting Contractor's annual edition of Who's Who in the Painting Industry. She was chosen for this honor based on her accomplishments and contributions as an industry color consultant. Click here to read more.

Self-Study Course Available

PERFECT PALETTE COLOR TRAINING Self-study course teaches the skills and knowledge required to become a paint color consultant.

Creating Perfect Palettes™

Creating Perfect Palettes-Self Study course is geared toward individuals who want to develop expertise and confidence in selecting paint colors (using any and all paint brands) for their home and for the homes of others. Students will also gain the insight required to begin to pursue a career in the field of architectural color consulting.

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