COLOR & DESIGN HELP:
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IDEAS FOR MOLDING & TRIM:
IDEAS FOR YOUR BEDROOM:
Black And White Rooms
Why did I write a post about Black and White rooms on a blog called Color Sizzle?
You all know that I’m crazy for color. Black and white is achromatic — meaning void of color — so what gives? Well, I’m always moved by color, but I also love contrast. Sometimes, it’s the contrast in a room that speaks louder than anything else. And a black and white ‘color’ scheme creates the most powerful contrast of all.
Black and white is not only visually striking, but it’s also a classic look {think Art Deco} that has real staying power {like Modern Glam}. Black and white is tried and true when other trends have come and gone.
{kwid.com}
{digsdigs}
Another plus with this achromatic ‘color’ scheme is that you can add any other color or pattern to it, and it always works. That’s good news for those ADD types {like myself} who get bored easily and want to change things up a bit.
{marthastewart}
{tyid}
Although, there is no real color with the Black and White combination, this duo offers a ton of energy, {from the contrast} balance, and the presence of perfect harmony…sort of like Ebony and Ivory…and maybe that’s the next best thing to color.
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Online Design: Working With Yellow Walls
If you’ve ever bought a new home or remodeled one, then you may have had this dilemma:
- You have no furniture for the room, so you decide to paint first.
- You select a great color and have the room painted.
- You love the color, but now you’re stuck…
- You don’t know what furniture pieces to get, and you don’t want to make a mistake.
Sound familiar? This is exactly what happened with one of my recent clients Vendell, who lives in Detroit. When she contacted me, she had just painted her living room/dining room with Melted Butter by Behr, a warm, welcoming and vibrant shade of yellow. Vendell’s home is older and has tons of character, but she wanted a more contemporary look that would fit her young family. This post features the DIY Design Plan that I created for her.
Aside from glam gray, black and white, this design also introduces green, which is a color that Vendell likes when it’s paired with yellow. The Chester Sofa is from westelm.com, the Bailey Chairs are from zgallerie.com, and the Aggie Beaded Lamps are from homedecorators.com.
Vendell also wanted ideas for accessories. Among the ideas shown above, I suggested that she purchase dinner and salad plates from the Labyrinth dinnerware collection to hang as a group in the dining room.
{this is now a room with a plan!}
Vendell was so excited about her DIY Design Plan but she was even more relieved to finally have a starting point and strategy. If your room needs fresh colors or a new look for the new year, email me at kelly@porterhousedesigns.com to find out how I can help!
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Color Trend: Black And Bright
Black rooms {and black accent walls} have been gaining in popularity over the past couple of years.
Black walls have been on a slow ride to the top, and with good reason: It’s a bold choice. Plain and simple. Black was my first choice when I recently re-styled my sitting room {shown above}. I painted just one accent wall and left the other ones crimson, at the request of my husband. Even painting one wall black was a bit scary…
…but I love it! Using black is very tricky. Unless your room gets a ton of natural light, has ample artificial lighting or is open to other rooms — I strongly suggest painting just one accent wall. Yes, this is where an accent wall really makes sense. Otherwise, you’ll end up with an extremely dark room.
Some designers like to use white furniture and fabrics in black rooms. That’s OK, but I think using bright, vivid colors looks much better and it’s way more fun! In my sitting room, I used my red chairs, and brought in splashes of orange, pink, yellow and wasabi green.
Here are a collection of other black rooms that I love:
If you decide to paint a black room or wall, here’s an important tip: Unless your room is very low-traffic — meaning no one will ever go in there — do not use a flat finish. Black paint in a flat finish is like a chalkboard. You will not be able to even brush up against the wall without a smudge showing. For the best results, use either a high-quality, cleanable matte or satin finish. And bold as it may be, you’ll love having a black space in your home!
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Go Dark With Wallpaper or Paint
I’ve gone over to the dark side this week by sharing tips around the web on how to use dark colors in your home.
{wintercreative via houzz}
Over at Houzz, you can find my Ideabook on using wallpaper to create dark and dreamy bedrooms.
{habachy designs via houzz}
Then, at Sherwin-Williams STIR I’m dishing out ways that designers can help clients feel comfortable using darker paint colors {but I think this info is useful for anyone — not just designers}.
Dark colors and wall coverings bring elegance and sophistication to your home like nothing else can. Be daring in 2012 and give ‘em a try!
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Not So Basic Black
Painting your space black can take unwavering courage, but the result is a sophisticated and elegant room where any other color can co-exist harmoniously.
{Long black draperies can also add tons elegance — and they’re easy to remove. Photo by bhg}
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Color Scheme: Yellow and Black
Yellow and Black is probably the most powerful color combination on Earth…
These two hues command our attention like no other color duo can. In nature, yellow and black insects warn us of their danger or perhaps attract us to their beauty.
On the road, the same colors catch the eye of drivers and communicate the need for extreme caution.
So how does this translate into interiors? Spaces that combine the cheerfulness and radiance of yellow with the sophistication and elegance of black provide a very dramatic setting that is both lighthearted and refined — as shown by the following two spaces designed by Tracy Murdock.
By adding white or gray, the strength of yellow and black is lessened; therefore creating a space that is not so startling but still lively.
{printed canvas available at The Contemporary Home UK}
{Viceroy Santa Monica Hotel – design by Kelly Wearstler}
A yellow and black space is bold but it need not be too brash. Avoid equal amounts of each hue by using one as the dominant color and the other as an accent. Also remember to use splashes of white, gray or any pastel to soften the color scheme. Follow these guidelines and you too can create an attention-getting space that will also put a smile on your face.
additional photo credits: lovehome; my home ideas; bhg
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Black, White & Whatever You Like
As someone who’s passionate about color, I actually love black and white spaces…
…because you have the freedom to add any accent color you desire. So which hues work best with black and white? Well, because this combo creates such a dramatic effect, muted and soft colors won’t get much attention. Go bold and bright with your accent color, and it will surely stand out. Here are some of my faves:
{orange}
1. ceramic lamp, 2. juicy clock, 3. set of 3 vases
{yellow}
1. chandelier pillow, 2. lamp, 3. flower pillow
{purple}
1. glass vase, 2. fern pillow, 3. chandelier
{aqua}
1. side chairs, 2. chandelier, 3. telephone
{lime green}
1. chest, 2. side chairs, 3. accent table
{red}
1. candles, 2. picture frame, 3. bubble lamps
black and white bedroom: csnbenches.com
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Final Four Inspired Room
Can this NCAA Final Four logo be turned into a room?
Yes indeed! Remember my Super Bowl XLIII Logo inspired room? Well, my husband challenged me to take another shot {no pun intended} using this year’s NCAA logo. So, once again using an on-line painting tool, here’s what I came up with.
I created two different scenarios using gray and periwinkle-blue as the dominant wall color. I really couldn’t decide which one I liked better, so I posted them both. The gray walls definitely provide a more contemporary, urban feel. However in this dining room, which has little fabric but very hard lines, the blue walls soften the entire look of the space. Which room do you like best?
Colors are from Sherwin-Williams: Web Gray, Domino, Venture Violet, Valiant Violet, Dazzle, Frank Blue
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Black, White, A Touch of Sunlight
I was so inspired by this photo in the new White House Black Market catalog.
Are they selling shoes or flowers? Black and white is very chic these days — for fashion and home. The yellow adds an eye-catching, happy pop of color.
{bright yellow walls can be toned down with white draperies; from countryliving.com}
{even a small dose of vibrant yellow will stand out, and make a black and white space seem less serious — love the pendant! From lampsplus.com}
{a single black lamp shade is teamed up with navy blue for a less dramatic look; from valspar.com}
{softer yellows also warm up a black and white space; from designersguild.com}
{you can’t help but to be in a good mood if you’re sitting on a sunny-yellow sofa — I bet the Ugly Doll is happy; from domino}
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Orange, Black And Snowman White
My snowman scissors are one of my favorite things. As a snow lover, I’m really enjoying the late winter snowfall that surprised us here on the East coast. So, today I’m inspired by the quintessential snowman!
I’m sure Mr. Snowman will pop up around the region today, featuring an orange carrot nose and black charcoal eyes, buttons and perhaps a gray, brown or black hat — like the one on my scissors. It’s a simple color scheme that packs a little punch. Below are a few inspired spaces that I know snowmen everywhere would approve of:
from Traditional Home magazine
from the book, “The Smart Approach To Kids’ Rooms” by Megan Connelly
The view from my home studio today:
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