Caliente-Benjamin Moore 2018 Color Of The Year

October 12, 2017

This is the time of year when we start seeing color and design predictions for the coming year. Following a year of in-depth research and culling through thousands of colors, Benjamin Moore has picked a bold, dynamic red called Caliente.

Ellen O’Neill, Director of Strategic Design Intelligence for BM describes Caliente like this…

” Strong, radiant and full of energy, Caliente AF-290 is total confidence. It is pleasing, passionate and makes people feel special, like “red carpet treatment’!

And used these words that evoke the emotion of Caliente…

Back in the 90’s red was the go-to hue for dining rooms and occasionally used in a bedroom. Today, power colors are trending which makes Caliente perfect for any room in the house.

I love red on an exterior door. What a way to make a first impression!

Here are a few tips to keep in mind if you’re considering decorating with Caliente or other bold hues:

Determine whether you can commit to using an intense color in your home and just how much you want the tone represented. If you determine that an entire room painted in a bold statement would be too much, use it in a smaller space like a powder room, office or hallway. For dramatic impact with even less commitment, try painting an accent wall in your favorite bold hue.
Consider the lighting in the room. Rooms with lots of natural light can handle a bold color more effectively than dark spaces. Natural light can amplify the room without feeling overpowering. Darker space with bold colors can feel more dramatic and moody.
Contrast a bold color with a crisp white trim. Bright white will intensify bold colors and make them pop which providing a string contrast.
Once you select your bold color statement, make sure to incorporate accent pieces in the room that create a cohesive color statement. Artwork, rug and pillows that incorporate your color choice will tie the rooms’ design together.

I couldn’t be more thrilled about Benjamin Moore’s selection since red happens to be my favorite color. Even though I didn’t have red as part of the decor plan for our new house, I’m now rethinking that. To learn more insight on how Benjamin Moore selected Caliente, check out this video they created.

Benjamin Moore 2018 Color Of The Year–Caliente

Color Crush: Decorating With Yellow

April 24, 2017

Cheers to another week friends! Did you have a great weekend? I was ripping and running on Saturday and had a much needed day of relaxation Sunday. I’m ready to hit the ground running this week and tackle my long to-do list.

I’m popping in today to share some colorful design inspiration with you.

I’ve also love the color yellow and have used it in my decor over the years but I’ve found myself gravitating toward it more recently. As I’ve been working on design projects and looking to change our some pillows in my own home, this is the color I’ve been seeking.

My love for yellow runs the gamut from bright and sunny to deep, rich amber tones. I love the soft and pretty shades as much as the warmer tones.

Yellow is one of those colors that mixes well with other colors and it also feels right at home with silver or gold finishes.

DECORATING WITH YELLOW

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A pop of yellow adds an instant dose of cheer and vibrancy to room and just a small statement goes a long way in making an impact.

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A brighter shade of yellow can be a good choice for an accent piece of furniture. Against white walls, the color looks fresh and modern and against a dark wall the color feels dramatic and sophisticated.

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Yellow has been a color used in traditional decor for decades and will be around for decades to come.

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If you’ve been reading my blog for a while you know I love a colorful sofa. Next to emerald green, a yellow sofa is on my design wish list. I love the look of the sofa below against the soft grey built-in cabinets.

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And in a sunroom, yellow is the perfect color to pair with neutrals and white for a relaxing and polished feel.

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And kitchens are one of my favorite places for the color yellow. The yellow cushions on this banquet seating add so much life and energy to an all-white kitchen.

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If you like bold statements, why not a yellow oven or a statement piece of art to punctuate the room?

fyi–artwork by Bobbi Burgers

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Since painting interior doors and accent color is such a big trend, yellow is definitely a fun way to add an unexpected pop in the kitchen.

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As with all paint colors, selecting the right shade for your decor is key. To help you out, I’ve rounded-up six of my favorite yellow hues with suggestions on where I’d use the color when decorating.

Happy decorating!

Design Guide: The Best Black Paint Colors

May 24, 2016

Black has always been an essential decorating color and anyone that has worked with me knows that one of my design mottos is “every room needs a touch of black.” Over the years, black has gone from being used as just an accent color to being the dominant color for many rooms. I know that black walls or even black furniture aren’t for everyone but if you have a space that needs dramatic backdrop or a ceiling that you want to fade away, black just might be the color you need.

♦ THE BEST BLACK PAINT COLORS ♦

Black furniture has become a standard design statement and a coat or two of black paint is a great way to transform a vintage piece. In most cases, furniture painted black calls for a finish with a bit of shine so go with a gloss, semi-gloss or satin finish. {color: BM Black Satin}

Kiki’s List

Black stair banisters with white spindles is one of my favorite design details. If you’re looking for a quick and fairly easy update for your stairs, black paint is definitely something to consider and I recommend a semi-gloss or satin finish to make the details of the wood/design pop. One of my favorite black paint colors for banisters is Sherwin Williams Black Magic.

House Beautiful

Black require the right setting to be most effective including sufficient natural light. The black walls in this foyer space give the area a dramatic and elegant look without it feeling like a cave. {color: SW Tricon Black}

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I think bathrooms are an ideal space for black paint. Surrounded by white surfaces and brass hardware, the black wall in this bathroom just fades away and allows the decorative elements to stand out. And since black and white tile is a hot trend these days, black walls are an easy compliment. {color: BM Soot}

Studio McGee

Black doors, both interior and exterior have almost become the norm for many homes. Black interior doors can make a hallway stand out and black exterior doors have a sophisticated feel and really pump up the curb appeal of a home. {color: BM Space Black}

Country Living

Favorite Paint Colors

Kristen from The Hunted Interior painted her living room ceiling black and boy is it stunning especially with all of the vibrant colors and metallic finishes that accessorize the room.

Hunted Interior

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Picking the right shade of black paint can be just as challenging as picking the right white paint color. Shades of black range from true, rich pigmented blacks to others that have a grey or even blue undertone. As I do with any color of paint, I recommend you buy a few sample jars and try the colors on your wall to find the one that works best with your room and decor. As a designer, I’ve tried my fair share of black paint colors and have narrowed down my top picks and my favorites to just a handful which might help you in your paint search.

If you have white trim in your home and are looking to paint your walls black, a crisp white will work best. You can read about my favorite white paint colors by clicking the image below.

Design Guide: My Favorite White Paint Colors

March 8, 2016

Since one of the main focuses of my blog is to share design tips and information with you, I thought I’d do a Design Guide series to talk about paint colors. Over the next few months I’ll be sharing my favorite paint colors along with tips to help you when you’re selecting paint for your home. Today the color wheel landed on WHITE so I’m sharing my favorite white paint colors from two of the most popular paint lines on the market, Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams.

I know you already know this, but picking a white paint color can be super challenging. There are hundreds of white paint shades between the Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams lines and finding the right one to work with your decor and lighting is not an easy task.

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Color Crush: Orange and GRAY (or is it Grey)

August 17, 2015

Color Crush: ORANGE + GRAY

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I popped into a few home decor stores over the weekend and after about the third store a color trend started to reveal itself. It’s no surprise that with the coming of fall you’re beginning to see shades of orange in decorative accessories, linens and wall decor but what’s making orange feel fresh is a mix of gray. This quiet neutral has shaken off its bad rap. Gray has not only replaced beige as being the “It” neutral, but grays are now synonymous with style, sophistication and glamour.

Here are my three reasons for loving Orange + Gray…

1) the combination is sophisticated but has a relaxed feel

2) the color combo is gender neutral and can work in just about every room of a home

3) both orange and gray mix well with black, white and neutrals which makes these colors really versatile

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In the bedroom, orange and gray feels luxurious and rich. A charcoal gray with slightly blue undertones lends a feeling of masculinity and the orange keeps the overall feeling energized and modern.

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Don’t be afraid to mix shades of neutral and gray, Greige which can create a really dynamic colors palette for decorating. In this living room, a mix of grey, neutral and orange help to create depth and dimension.

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I think orange and gray is a great color combo for a piece of hand painted furniture–business on the outside and party on the inside

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Natural wood combined with orange and deep gray tones create a warm, rustic feel and the addition of black helps to ground the space and add a layer of dimension.

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I never would have imagined orange and gray in a floral arrangement but the colors are so beautiful together. I’ll definitely be using this color combination for fall decorating.

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Do you have a fall party of the calendar? If so, consider orange and gray as the color palette and if it’s a Halloween party, just add black for a sophisticated twist on spooky decorating.

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Accents of crisp white give orange and medium shades of gray a modern, urban feel

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and when lighter shades of gray are used as accents against a mostly white palette, the feeling is sophisticated and elegant.

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Like white, selecting a gray paint color can be challenging. Here are a few things to consider:

♥ Shades of light gray have become a really popular paint color and is the perfect solution when a bit of color is desired but you still want to maintain a light, airy feel. Many lighter shades of gray actually have a silver undertone which gives the color a bit of sheen under bright lights and adds a subtle glow to a room. Lighter shades of gray will work in every room of the home and are one of my favorite colors for a bedroom, bathroom, home office or ceiling color.

♥ Medium shades of gray will add warmth and richness to a space without making it appear dark and dreary. Medium tones mix well with neutrals, black and wood tones are great to use in larger rooms to crate a cozy feel.

♥ You’ve probably heard the term Greige before and may not have realized what it meant. Greige is a blend of gray and beige creating a warm neutral that is ideal to use in rooms with gold, bronze or brass accents. Greige walls are also a nice alternative to traditional neutrals are ideal for a living room, family room or kitchen.

♥ Deep charcoal grays have a luxurious and elegant feel to them and are stunning when paired with white trim, jewel tones or primary colors. Shades of charcoal are best in rooms that get lots of natural sunlight which will prevent the room from feeling like a cave.

There are lots of opinions on the best gray paint colors but this round-up highlights my favorites:

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And, if you’ve ever wondered whether it’s GReY or GRaY here’s the scoop…

Gray (with an “A”) is the preferred choice in American English.

Grey (with an “E”) is the preferred choice in British English. If you find yourself writing to a British audience in an English newspaper or magazine, grey is the word choice you will want to use.

So when it comes the Orange and Gray, does this color combo get a thumbs up or thumbs down?