We’ve all asked this question when we’re looking at tired, well used and/or outdated pieces of furniture?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
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!
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.
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!!!
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.
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.
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
Back again with our most popular window treatments in 2013!! Last week we talked about drapery panels (click here to read the post) as being one of the most favorite window treatments this year. The number two treatment for 2013 is roman shades!
In 2013, roman shades were a very popular treatment… Continue reading
Over the last 10 years I have designed thousands of window treatments for my customers in the Tampa area and beyond. And like everything else, styles and designs evolve and colors change.
When we opened in 2004 the treatments were more formal – we used yards of dupioni silk for swags and drapery panels with… Continue reading
The stores are filled with Christmas trees and all the trimmings for the holidays and although it is happy and festive I feel that Thanksgiving gets a bit slighted. So I want to take a moment to stop and reflect on things that I am thankful for this Thanksgiving.
I have amazing family, friends and the best customers.… Continue reading
Photo Courtesy of CR Laine
In my world, the common threads between these two are my OBSESSION and the QUALITY and INTEGRITY of both. I am so excited and absolutely love all this GORGEOUS CR Laine furniture in my store. Each piece is handcrafted and is as solid and trouble free as they are designed to be. … Continue reading
I’m back again with some more gift ideas for the upcoming holiday season. Last week I introduced you to my beautiful friend Joyce, and gave you some info on her portrait package, which would make a great gift for anyone. This week I am going to share with you some great gift ideas for the host/hostess to… Continue reading
Over the past 6 years the businesses of Plaza Bella have held the Plaza Bella Goes Pink 5K Challenge and the Diva Strut in an effort to raise funds and create awareness for a cure for Breast Cancer.
This Saturday, October 19 please join us to help KNOCK OUT Breast Cancer!
Some Statistics from the American Cancer… Continue reading
The answer is ! NOOOOO Absolutely NOT! Not all beiges are the same, and the same goes for white, grey, and taupe colors. When consulting with customers in my store, I always ask “what color are your walls?” Often times the response I get, “just a beige or tan” or “similar to this… Continue reading