Color Buzz

Beautiful Brown

By Michèle Coppin

 

Georgia O'Keefe
The Lawrence Tree
Wadsworth Atheneum - Hartford, CT

Brown is a rich color, full of depth, that exudes stability, comfort and a sense of security. Grounding, warm and relaxing, brown is a favorite in interior decorating. Situated between rust and black, brown is essentially a very dark orange. It’s the color of earth, wood, and leather, connecting us to nature (and chocolate!).

It’s a welcoming color, one which makes people feel at ease. Brown works particularly well with rustic, country and South Western styles – interiors that relate to the environment.

For a soft, sophisticated atmosphere, try enhancing a brown like Smokey Hazelnut with a creamy beige, such as Gilded Endive, and very pale greens or blues.
                                    
                                   Smokey Hazelnut 1008 - 9A

                                    
                                       Gilded Endive 7003- 22

For a dynamic and classy effect, try combining a brown such as Caramelized Onion with a turquoise like Sea Treasure, or a hot pink like Harmonious Rose.
                                    
                                 Caramelized Onion 2008 - 9B 

                               
           Sea Treasure 6002- 9C           Harmonious Rose 1004 - 2A
  

Warm Fall Colors

By Megan Leblond

Apartment Therapy’s fourth annual Fall Colors contest is searching for the most colorful home. We took a look at one submission from Sylvia, and found the colors in her apartment to be versatile and inviting.   

                        
Here are some other colors from Valspar's selection that may have also worked well in the space.
                        
Valspar's Jekyll Club Cherokee Rust is a spectacular reddish brown that works well with golds and greens.  This color could be used in the bar area or as accent areas in combination with other warm tones throughout the apartment.
                                    
                               Jekyll Club Cherokee Rust 2011-7

To open up the hallway, she could try warm colors such as Valspar's Linen Napkin, Fioli Honey 3005-6B and Woodrow Wilson Maize 3005-8C. If you are working with warm tones, other great colors to consider are Pale Cordovan, Cowboy Hat 3010-8 and Frankincense 3002-5C.
                   
                 Linen Napkin 3008-6C            Pale Cordovan 3010-7

If you find the fall season's colors inspiring, you may consider using complimenting colors displayed in harmony during the season. Escape, a Valspar blue, is truly reminiscent of a beautiful fall sky. And Fall Meadow is a fabulous yellow-green seen throughout the season.
                                    
                                           Escape 4007-7B

One tip:  When choosing bold colors for walls, remember to add some neutrals in accessories (the opposite of say, an accent pillow). Also choose some accessories close in color to your fixtures or furniture to help the space look cohesive.

Flea Market Treasures

By Michele Coppin

Flea Markets are dusty treasure troves, hiding bargains waiting to be discovered. It might take a little digging and an open mind, but you can find mysterious and precious items that have soul, history and, at least, a story. Each seller’s station at a flea market offers a look into history. I always enjoy paging through old photo albums brimming with smiling strangers, sifting through ornate silver cutlery and examining crystal drops from an antique chandelier.
 
I purchased the most unique treasure the other day at a flea market - rare and special, and not expensive.  A sweet little girl dressed in a rain coat has come to keep my blue wall and 'By the Sea' painting company.
                            

When looking to decorate a home, I like to look through romantic prints, which can really dress up a room. This refined and delicate lady calls for a soft and gentle background like a pale gray/green moss color or tender lavender/pink.
                              

And check out this electric blue throne, which would look grand against a rusty brown wall.
                              

I also love this delicious orange curtain with its tangle of yellows and ocres throughout its pattern. You could even use something like this to make a set of pillows.
                           

Yes, indeed. Flea markets offer affordable home improvement options and inspiration worth their weight in gold.

 

Color of the Week – Pumpkin Burst

Last week's color of the week was Pumpkin Burst 2005-1B.  Pumpkin Burst is a rich vibrant color. You can almost feel it!!! This color will generate warmth all winter long. Try it as an accent or on one wall with warm neutral supporting colors like Milestone or Clivedon Leather.

                                    
                                       Pumpkin Burst 2005-1B

                              
                   Milestone 6007-1B                   Clivedon Leather 3004-10A

Orange: Inspired, Energizing and Nostalgic

Orange is the ultimate fall color. I love this time of year when bright autumn leaves, gourds and pumpkins glow under the harvest moon.  One of the warmest colors on the Color Wheel, orange is happy and fun, and adds zest to any interior or exterior. Take, for example, this week’s Color of the Week, Pumpkin Burst:
                                     
                                        Pumpkin Burst 2005-1B 

Inspired by fall colors, my friend, Sherrie, transformed her city courtyard from a dismal grey space into a cheerful area where children play and plants thrive. Look how the color of the leaves pops against the backdrop of her house.

                               

 

All around the world, orange has special meaning.  Orange is closely associated to Hinduism and considered  holy in India. The color represents the second chakra, or creativity, and Hindus perceive orange as purifying and liberating.


However, one of my closest associations with orange goes back to the 1970s, when it became immensely popular due to its connection to the revolution.

                               

If you are looking for a way to bring orange into your home, consider a dark beige like Swiftly Green or browns like Autumn Surprise.

                       
               Swiftly Green 3008-5C              Autumn Surprise 3011-5

Design Dilemma - Wayne's Yellow House

Hello,

My wife and I want to update our 20-year-old house with a clean bright look.  We want to use a pale colonial-formal yellow for wall color throughout the house which has white crown moldings and other impressive white woodwork, nine-foot ceilings, etc.  We have various colonial red and blue fabrics and mahogany furniture, gold framed mirrors, etc. throughout the house.  I’m sure you get the picture.

I’ve tried two different shades of “yellow” in two different rooms.  Each shade has looked good on the sample, but turns into a completely different effect when applied to four walls.  One room looks like the old harvest gold kitchen stove in my first apartment years ago, and the other looks like Big Bird under a fluorescent green light.  HELP!  I have the whole house to repaint and carpet and everything is based on getting this new color scheme right for the walls.

I’ve seen the color we’re looking for on TV in a news shot of the Yellow Oval Office in the White House. Here is a photo of the Yellow Oval Office, but we’d like color to be just a bit more yellow and a little less beige.

 

Can you give me some paint chip sample names to consider and to plug into your Painter tool on the Valspar Web site?

Thanks for any help you can offer . . . .
--

Wayne

 

Hi Wayne,

With all eyes on the next occupants of the White House, I like how you are turning there for your inspiration. 

Colors that can deliver the yellow of this East Wing room are:

                            
                 Homey Cream 3007-6B           Honeysuckle Beige 3007-6A 

                                        
                                  Carolina Inn Lobby Yellow 3008-6B

Let us know how it goes...

Ann

The Paradox of Purple

By Michele Coppin

How gorgeous was last week's color, Plump Grape?! 

                               
                                  Plump Grape 1003-7A

Purple was long considered difficult to match and was rarely used in interior decorating.  Recently, purple has become a hip and modern color. This fall season in particular, purple is very fashionable. Part of its appeal is that it can easily be paired with a wide range of colors from classy to trendy.

                    Classy                                         Trendy
                          
            Dry Leaf 3008 - 8A                   Spring Squash 2008 - 1B

However, it is the paradox of purple that makes it so magical and mysterious.

                        
                                    Domino Magazine

It is born from the union of two strong opposite personalities - hot/exciting red and cool/tranquil blue. With a dominance of red, it suggests heat, wealth and power, while when purple embraces its bluer shades, it can be melancholic or sensual. Purple is quite versatile and, depending on its value and intensity, can create very different effects.

Purple can work as a luminous alternative to black—my favorite effect. Very dark shades of violet or prune are chic , elegant and contemporary.

                        
                   Color Lovers Palette - Flowers Pressed

Color of the Week – Plump Grape

Last week's color of the week was Plump Grape. A deep rosey purple with overtones of grey, Plump Grape works perfectly into any autumn palette. Try it with a silvery gray like Tea Stain 6001-1A for a sophisticated look or try it with Flower Girl 1005-1C for a popping fresh fun-filled look.

                                    
                                     Plump Grape 1003-7A
   
                 
             Tea Stain 6001-1A                     Flower Girl 1005-1C

Front Doors

Michele Coppin

Rather than painting the entire exterior, why not try a fresh coat of paint on the front door to update your home’s appeal? When choosing a color, consider the door’s surroundings. There is often a color you can find to coordinate with the existing materials. By choosing a shade lighter or darker than what is already there, you will give a sense of unity to your house.

The red in this door picks up the color of the brick while the contrasting green outlines it nicely.

For a door that makes a big impact on its own, pick an inviting color that you like.


 

This blue door has so much personality!

                           

 

For a luxurious, creamy look, a gloss or semi gloss exterior paint works best, like Valspar Duramax Satin Finish.

When using several colors, follow the structure of the door and let the panels guide you.  This will highlight any interesting characteristics in the woodwork. 

Which ever way you go, say no to blandness, say yes to color and embrace your door!

Fall Roadtrip

My son and I went on a fall roadtrip. As we headed south, we saw fields of hay and meadows of warm  yellows. The trees were just starting to move out of green and catch onto their fiery colors. There was a farmstand on the side of the road and we couldn’t pass up a chance to get some local cider, pumpkins, apples and what was left of the tomatoes. All amazing!!                               

Oh, and the orange car isn’t mine – just wish it was...    

I’m such a sucker for all things autumn. So here are some more fall colors for you…

   

                      
                     Orange Glaze 3009-6          Toffee Cream 3001-3B

When you work with these strong orange-base colors, try balancing them with silvers, greys and khakis. Colors like:

                     
                   Sparkling Sage 5005-3B         Stony Path 5007-1B 

 

                                    
                            Fairmont Penthouse Stone 6008-1C