COLOR CONSULTATIONS! Help Selecting Interior or Exterior Paint Colors

 

Selecting the right paint color is a daunting task for most.  Here are two ways to get the job done.

Option 1: 

1. Do it yourself.
2. Try to narrow done your basic color desire down to one or two basic colors (blue, green, red, yellow).
3. Go to one or all of your local paint stores and gather up samples. This can be the hard part, because the lighting in the paint store is different than in your home.  When you select a color that you like at the store, chances are it will look different at home.  So, get A LOT of samples.
4. During daylight, look at the paint swatches in on each wall of the room.  Depending on lighting, it can look different on each wall.  If you’d like, you can look at them again at night.
5. Hopefully, a couple of the colors will  look good to you. If yes, I would suggest you go back to the paint store(s) and get a few more swatches of the same color, if possible – order large swatches, or get a sample of the paint to test.  If you decide to get a sample of the paint, you have three choices.  1.  Paint it right on the wall (be sure to do a swatch on each wall – lighting again), 2.  Get a piece of poster sized wall board from your local box store and paint it – then you can move it around the room with out having to paint swatches all over your walls, 3. Most box stores now carry designer sample boards, they are about the size of a piece of paper.  Get 4 and paint all of them and place on each wall. Do this for all colors you are considering.
6. Hopefully, you’ll love one of the colors.  If so start painting!
7. If not, go back to step 2 and do it all over again … and again … (if necessary) until you find the perfect color for you.

Option 2:

1.  Hire a professional and get a Color Consultation.  Someone like myself will come to your home and bring all the swatches to you.  I typically carry ALL the swatches for 2-3 different brands of paint.  Depending on how many rooms and how many colors you select, it can take as little as 1 hour, most take 2-3 hours … and you’re ready to start painting immediately!

If you’re located in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact me for more information about getting a color consultation.  If you’re elsewhere, contact me anyway – I can probably refer you to someone.

Jill Denton ~ Changing Spaces

Decorating On A Budget

Some people say were in a recession, but when it comes to our homes, most of us have an uncontrollable urge to remodel and decorate!  So, what do you do in times like these if you don’t have the money to do a full remodel but you just can’t take it anymore?   Here are a few budget decorating ideas that you can either hire someone to do without spending a lot of money and some other things you can do yourself.

1.  Paint!  Paint is probably the most cost effective and design efficeint things you can do to update your home without spending a lot of money.  Even if you hire someone, the cost is low compared to other remodling expenses, but if you paint yourself … it’s down right cheap!  And the best bang for your buck!

2.  Interior Redesign!  Maybe you have a room you never use, or a room that just doesn’t feel or look right, maybe your bored with the room, but you may or may not want to go out and purchase some furnishings to change the look of the room.  Hire an interior redesigner to REDESIGN your home/a room using what you already own and love.  A redesinger will redesign just one room or your entire home.  You decide, based on your wants, needs and budget.  Another best bang for the buck!

3.  Update your accessories.  Try changing out your throw pillows, accessories and art.  This can change the look and feel of your home …maybe just enough to make your decorating urges go away for a while.

4.  Change out your art.  I know, you always hang this piece over your fireplace and that piece in the living room  – change it up.  We get so used to seeing them in the same place that we stop seeing and enjoying them.  Make it fun and invite a friend over (one who’s taste you like) and take down all of your art and then together take turns holding up different pieces in new and different locations.  It’s fun, costs no money and you’re home will look and feel refreshed.

5.  What budget decorating projects have you done?  Please share your experiences here.

Two Households in One

Recently, I did a design consultation; which will be Redesigned next week.  The home was full of two different styles of furniture and accessories (his and hers).  When they got married they merged two families and two sets of furniture. Each of them downsized their belongings only keeping what they loved, but they were unable to blend the two styles … that’s why they called me.

When I looked around the home I could tell which things were hers and which things were his.  The home didn’t feel welcoming and it was driving them nuts.  My goal was to find a way to blend their two styles togethr instead of having a room with her stuff and a room with his stuff.  They had been trying to do it themselves and were not getting anywhere.   We decided to start with the living and dining room. He loved the room and she hated it.  We needed to find a way to keep his things alive but add enough of her style to make her happy too.  I made a few suggestions and they loved all of my ideas and even said “I would have never thought of that” … We scheduled a date for me to return to the home and make it all happen. I sent them out ot purchase a few specific accessories so we could pull it all together.

It’s always amazing to me how the energy can change in a room just by coming up with a plan.  I can hardly wait to redesign that room.  I’ll post some photos once it’ complete.

Jill Denton

Changing Spaces

925-998-7747

Home & Design: What’s In and What’s Out

IN

• A reduced carbon footprint: How your home and you impact the earth matters to more buyers who want a home that lets them save energy and lessen their contribution to global warming.
• Outdoor living: Massive fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, and under-patio heating to extend the season are not just for the Sun Belt anymore.
• Fully concealed appliances: That wood-printed cover for the fridge is not enough any longer; now appliances are hidden behind hinged doors.
• Floating homes: Not your father’s houseboat, these nonmobile homes are basically ranch houses sitting on stationary barges in a lake or river.
• Home elevators: Even builders of mid-priced homes are adding this essential for boomers wanting to age in place.
• Pet showers: Clean pets mean clean homes, and who wants to mess up the bathtub when this feature can be a part of the garage or mudroom?
• Freestanding bathtubs: These oversized soaker tubs, or “bath thrones,” have supplanted whirlpool baths as the must-have bathroom centerpiece.
• Bathroom suites: Whether it’s multiple flat-screen TVs or a mini fridge and cappuccino maker, you’ll soon have a whole home inside this one room.
• Ceiling Beams: Beams were in, then they were out - and everyone painted their beams white.  Well, they’re back in, so paint them a warm shade of brown or cover them with a wood veneer.

OUT

• Living rooms: The incredible shrinking parlor has ceased to exist in some homes.
• Voluminous ceiling heights: The absurd look and wasted space of 20-foot ceilings in 12- by 10-foot rooms is finally dawning on buyers. Tiny balconies Room for only one chair is worthless; balconies must now function for entertaining too.
• McMansions: Could it be that “small is beautiful” finally is gaining traction?

Source: Realtor Magazine

Update Your Kitchen without spending a ton of money

Just think what you could do with $100,000, $50,000 or even $10,000 to re-do your kitchen.  It would be phenomenal!  But what if you don’t have or want to spend that kind of money on your home?  A little bit of money and some elbow grease  can go a long way!  Here are a few things you could do to update your kitchen, mostly without spending a lot of money.

1.  Paint.  Whether you add color to the walls and/or color to the cabinets, you can make a BIG change with paint color and if you do it yourself, it’s very affordable.  Depending on the size of your kitchen, it could cost as little as one gallon of paint ($25) ish.  If you’re a new do-it-yourselfer, start with painting the walls, it’s much easier.  If you’re really ready for change, I love to see the ceiling in the kitchen painted anything but white.  Typically, there’s not much wall space in a kitchen, so bring that color up onto the ceiling.  I think it’s fantastic!

Painting outdated cabinets can really liven up the kitchen; however, it takes A LOT of elbow grease.  Here’s a brief overview of what you’ll need to do to the cabinets:  wash them thoroughly, remove the knobs, remove the doors, drawers and hardware.  (Tip:  number the doors and drawers so you can easily put them back in the same place for the best fit).  You can use a brush, roller or sprayer to get the job done.  Be sure to consult your local paint company to find out what tool would be best for you and to find out which kind of paint will work best on your cabinets.  Keep in mind that wash-ability is key.  Be sure to get a book or look on-line for step-by-step details on how to do it right.

2.  Knobs. Whether you paint or not, sometimes just changing out the knobs (or adding knobs) can update a kitchen.

3. Counter-tops. Unless you are really handy, countertops can be difficult to install.  Laminate is very affordable and you can find ready made sections at the big box stores.  Tile is affordable to very expensive, depending on what you select and whether or not you install it yourself or hire someone.  Then there’s a solid surface: natural stones like granite, engineered stone, Corian, Stainless Steel, Zinc, Tile, Concrete … there are many choices.  Yes, a new counter-top can change the look of your home, but depending on what material you select, and whether or not you do or hire out the installation –  it can be fairly affordable to very expensive!

4.  Kitchen Curtains. Most kitchens have a small kitchen window.  Just changing out the curtains can give your kitchen a fresh new look and you can find affordable kitchen curtains in several places:  Lowe’s, Bed, Bath and Beyond, JC Penney ….  This is a great way to bring more color(s) into the kitchen.  Some people prefer to start here.  Select the kitchen curtains you like and from there you can select the paint colors, and other colors that you can use to accessorize your kitchen.

5.  Accessories. Yes, kitchens need accessories and I’m not talking about appliances on the counter-top!  It’s okay to keep the appliances you use on a daily bases on the counter-top, but if at all possible, please store the rest out of site.  Add rugs, towels, pottery, plants, bowl of fruit and even wall art (if you have any walls to hang things on).  If you have glass cabinet doors, place things in your colors in those cabinets and arrange them so they are decorative.

6.  Chalkboard paint.  This can be a lot of fun, add personality and be very functional too.  Choose a wall, a section of a wall, a pantry door or even a cabinet door and paint it with chalkboard paint.  It can be a great way to leave notes and messages. 

7.  Tablecloths. If you have an eat-in kitchen, try changing out your tablecloth or place mats AT LEAST once a month.  You’ll probably enjoy this more than anyone else.  A table cloth can change a room in a matter of seconds. 

8.  Chair Covers or Pads. Nowadays you can buy chair covers or pads at a reasonable price.  A chair cover and give a whole new look and feel without having to buy new furniture.

I hope some of these ideas have sparked an idea in you.  Let us know what you’ve done to update your kitchen.  And if you’re open to it, let us know what you spent.

Jill Denton

Changing Spaces

Paint and an Interior Redesign = Big Change!

Three steps to BIG CHANGE in your home with out having to buy new things or spend a lot of money. 

Step 1:  Select the right color, whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, LIKE ME, to help you select the right color(s) for your home. 

Step 2:  Paint

Step 3: Rearrange all the furniture, art and accessories in your home or hire a professional, LIKE ME, to do an One-Day Interior Redesign to one or all the rooms in your home.

 And the best part is that it only takes one day.

Arranging furniture in a rectangular shaped room

I’ve had so many people contact me about arranging furniture in a rectangular shaped room!  This is one hot topic!  It all comes down to space planning.  If you’ve got a good eye for space planning, do it yourself (see my other article on “How to arrange furniture in a rectangular shaped room“).  If not, call in a professional Interior Redesigner. In 2-3 hours (for an average sized room with an average amount of furniture and accessories) an Interior Redesigner can transform your rectangular shaped room. 

I have people contact me who say, “We never use that room”, “I don’t like the way it feels in the room so we don’t spend any time in there” and “You could blow that room up and none of us would miss it.”  Don’t waste your valuable space.  Let’s turn it into something you’ll love and use.  Don’t wait another day! Contact me and get that rectangular shaped room redesigned!

Jill Denton ~ Changing Spaces

Do You Have Good Traffic Flow Inside Your Home?

 

One crucial part of design is traffic flow.  A room not only needs to look good, but it needs to have good traffic flow. 

Have you ever stepped into a room only to be blocked by a piece of furniture.  Not too long ago I went to a friends home.  It’s decorated very Pottery Barn style.  From the entry, you walk down a hallway to the family room where you run right into the back of an overstuffed chair.  I literally had to side step around the chair to get into the room.  While I did a little dance around the chair my mind began rearranging or “Interior Redesigning” the room.  Overall the room was laid out well.  It was just the one overstuffed chair that created a problem. 

Click on the “Good Traffic Flow” link below and you’ll see two sample layouts but first, let me explain.  The top layout is BEFORE, and you can see the open doorway that leads you into the chair and a round ottoman in another corner.  In the AFTER layout, you’ll see that by just switching the over-sized chair with the ottoman, the flow into the room has greatly improved.  One thing you can not see on the layout is the difference in height of the chair and ottoman.  Where the back of the chair visually blocked the entry, the ottoman visually lets you enter the room.  Good Traffic Flow

Traffic flow is essential for comfortable living; as well as, comfortable viewing for those of you who are planning on selling your home.  Dana Dickey says: “Control the flow! If you have a problem with traffic flow, bump into things and do not like the way your rooms feel, then a potential buyer will FEEL the same thing. Proper placement of furniture is essential when buyers are looking at square footage. Remember why you bought the house and try to change what doesn’t work.” Source: Inside Redesign LLC

How about you?  Do you have any traffic flow problems in your home?

Jill  Denton ~ Changing Spaces

Top 5 Reasons to Get an Interior Redesign:

5.  Interior Redesign fits any budget. 

4.   Interior Redesign works for any style.

3.  Interior Redesign gives a designer look to any room.

2.  Interior Redesign uses what you already own and love.

1.  An Interior Redesign  is completed in just ONE DAY!

Contact Jill Denton at Changing Spaces for more information about getting an Interior Redesign for one room your your entire home.

The Color Wheel

 

Complementary: This scheme uses two colors which are directly opposed on the color wheel (for example: Orange and Blue)  

Split Complementary: This scheme uses 3 colors. One color and two other colors that are directly adjacent to its complement on the color wheel (for example: Orange, Blue-Violet, and Blue-Green)  

Triad: This color scheme uses 3 colors that are equally spaced out on the color wheel (for example: Orange, Violet, and Green)  

Analogous: This scheme uses three colors, one that is in the center, and the two colors adjacent to it on the color wheel (for example: Orange-Yellow, Orange, and Red-Orange).

Monochromatic: This color scheme uses colors from the same Hue on the color wheel, but with varying saturation and/or lightness (for example: different shades or tints of Orange).  Jill Denton ~ Changing Spaces