Barb Lytle

Happy Valentine's Day

 

Pinterest

In honor of Valentines Day, I wanted to share with you some beautiful images of rooms using my second favorite color – RED!!  You all know by now that my first favorite is BLUE, but red is a very close second.  I hope to have soon some pictures of my beautiful new blue bedroom with… Continue reading

Shopping for a New Sofa?

 

CR Laine

Back again!!!!! Sorry for ignoring you all for the past couple weeks, I wish I could say I was on a fabulous trip to a tropical island, but not the case.  Just really busy with new customers!

In October our showroom was transformed with the arrival of our beautiful furniture from CR Laine, you can… Continue reading

It’s Market Time!!!

Me again (in case you forgot)!!! And it’s time for my bi-annual trip to High Point, NC!! The High Point Market is the largest home furnishings trade show in the world. There are over 2000 exhibitors of furniture, lighting, rugs and accessories, and 11.5 million square feet of show space – I’m sure to find everything on my shopping list… Continue reading

Made in the USA – Buyer's Market Philly

Photo by Debbie Ploor

I attended the Buyers Market, “The American Made Show” this past weekend in Philadelphia in search of new and different pieces for Orange.  The Buyers Market is comprised of artists from the United States and Canada.  To exhibit at the show each artist is evaluated on their designs, quality of work and uniqueness. … Continue reading

Should I Reupholster or buy New?

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We’ve all asked this question when we’re looking at tired, well used and/or outdated pieces of furniture?  My customers actually ask me this every week.  In my own home I have recovered two of our sofas twice over the last 25 years. Every now and then I like to change the color of my formal… Continue reading

Can't get enough of Blue

 

via Pinterest

It is no secret to anyone my all-time favorite color is BLUE!  My first car was blue, my first sofa was blue, first suit in the corporate world was blue.  I love it so much my bedroom and dining room ceilings are cobalt blue!   

Blue is a very easy color to live with,… Continue reading

Choosing the Right Paint Color

 

All of us at one time or another have made color mistakes on our walls.  Back in the 90’s when faux painting was gaining popularity, and everyone was ragging and sponging their walls, I got caught up in the momentum and ragged my formal living room walls in my home in Georgia.

Not the brightest idea for a couple of reasons.  Number one – I used red paint, and number two, I had no experience with ragging.  I read some books and ran with the idea.  The result – the walls appeared as if there was a mass homicide in the room and blood splattered all over the walls.  Bob and the girls still will not let me forget this one. 

Over the years I have learned a thing or two about choosing the right application and paint color.  Here are some important tips to follow when you are choosing paint color for your home.

Tip number 1

Hire a professional for faux painting.  Unless you have amazing artistic talent leave the faux painting to a professional.  A good faux faux finish usually involves several layers of paint and glaze for the desired look.  Not something you can learn overnight from a book!

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Tip number 2

Start with an inspiration piece.  Inspiration pieces can be anything that you love and want to incorporate into the room.  Many times the inspiration piece is a fabric, rug, or a piece of artwork.  Or maybe it is an image you found on Pinterest. This image inspired me to use red accents in my bedroom, and create a wall of photos in red frames.  Click here to read more ideas on inspiration pieces.

 

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Tip number 3

Do not choose your color from a paint chip.  Paint chips are too small to accurately gauge whether the color has the right tone or hue for the room and its furnishings.  And the paint chip decks are mass produced, so they are only copies of the color!!! 

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Tip number 4

Purchase paint samples of the colors you think will work in the room.  All the paint companies and big box stores sell small containers of the actual paint colors at a minimal cost.  Purchase the paint samples and paint a sample board.  I have 100+ sample boards I use when I am specifying paint colors for my customers.  The boards can be moved around the room easily to determine if the color, tone and hue are correct.

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Tip number 5

Don’t paint splotches on the wall of your room with your sample paint colors.  This will just confuse you and make it harder for you to determine if the color is right one.

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Resolve to Add Zest to Your Nest!

Photo courtesy of House Beautiful

The New Year is here and some of us have made Resolutions to better ourselves in some way, but what about our homes?  The Christmas decorations are packed away and as we look around the house our rooms look bare.  It is a good feeling, like when you purge your closet and can… Continue reading