Color Buzz

Make Your Own Stencils

It's great to be able to make your own stencils. They are a fantastic way to bring in more of your favorite colors into a room for a relatively inexpensive cost.

First, find a pattern that you like. I found a crisp clean floral design on a handbag that I have loved forever. I thought this pattern would look great on my bathroom wall.

                   

Gather the following supplies:

Pattern of your choice
3 or 4 ml Mylar
Pencil
Exacto knife
Cutting board
Stencil brush
Cake pan
Paint

It's so simple!

First, I laid the Mylar on top of  the pattern to trace it.

                   

Once the pattern was complete, I started cutting it out.

                   

Once that is done, I decided on how I was going to lay the pattern out. I placed the stencil against the wall. After dipping the stencil brush in white paint, I brushed off the excess into a cake pan. I gently brushed the paint into the stencil.

                   

Presto!  Instant pattern.  The whole project took about 15 minutes.

                   

Keep in mind that you don't have to do an all-over pattern to be effective. Let us know about stenciling projects you have worked on. Where do you get your inspiration?

                   

An Oscar Look-Back

By Michèle Coppin

Sunday night was the Oscars and a chance to revisit some of my all-time favorite movies. I love period pieces for their extravagant costumes, make up and hair styles. I delight in the attention to detail in the interiors, accessories and jewelry. For me, a movie has to be visually beautiful, tell a great story, have great acting and have wonderful music (no car chases, shoot outs or boxing please....).

So here are my choices for best period pieces of all times - They are Academy Award winners or nominees, historical and biographical, tragic and elegant. They all share similar themes of injustice, resistance, and search for love, and following their success, have influenced fashion and interior decorating.
 
1 - BARRY LYNDON
1975 - Directed by Stanley Kubrick, starring Ryan O'Neal and Marisa Berenson - This stunning movie recounts the story of Barry Lyndon, an unscrupulous 18th century adventurer, including his rise and fall in English society, his marriage to Lady Lyndon and his love for his son. In recent years, it has come to be regarded as one of Kubrick's finest films, as well as a classic example of world cinema. The entire movie uses only natural and candle light. The photography is breathtaking and the story heart-wrenching. The Baroque music, including pieces by Bach, Vivaldi and Handel, is moving and gorgeous. Musical director Leonard Rosenman won the Academy Award for best musical score.

         

2 – FARINELLI
1994 - Directed by Belgian director Gerard Corbiau, starring Stefano Dionisi - Glorious and tragic, this movie tells the real-life story and career of Italian singer Farinelli who is  considered one of the greatest castrato singers of all times. As a young boy, Carlo Broshi was castrated in order to preserve his voice. The story recounts his subsequent rise to fame, fortune and tragedy. This film is about theater, performances, glory and, of course, music. It was nominated for an Academy award and won the 1995 Best Foreign Film Golden Globe.

                       

3 - MARIE ANTOINETTE
2006 - Directed by Sofia Coppola, starring Kristen Dunst. This biographical film is loosely based on the life of Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France, in the years leading up to the French Revolution. It follows the young woman's trials and tribulations as she learns her role of queen, wife and mother and her complete disconnect from the world outside the palace walls. Tragic and moving, this movie combines a strange anachronistic mixture of music from Baroque (Vivaldi) to New wave (The Cure). It won an Academy award for best costume design by Milena Canonero.

                       

4 - THE DUCHESS
2008 - Directed by Saul Dibb, starring Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes. This biographical movie is based on the life of 18th century aristocrat Georgina Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire. While her beauty and charisma made her name, her extravagant tastes for gambling and love made her infamous. Married young to the older distant Duke of Devonshire who was blatantly unfaithful, Georgina became a fashion icon, a doting mother, a shrewd political operator and darling of the common people. The core of the story, however, is a desperate search for love. The late Diana Princess of Wales is a direct descendant of Georgina and critics have drawn similarities between the two. Award winning composer Emma Portman's musical score is beautiful, the scenery is breath taking, the set design is spectacular and the acting superb. The film won an Oscar Sunday night for best costume design.

                       

Its Party Time!!!

By Michèle Coppin

                

Time to paint your body, wear a mask, stick feathers in your hair, grab a drum and go dancing in the streets! February is the month of carnivals and all over the world, people celebrate life with fantastic parades, music, dance and wildly-colorful costumes.

                    

This festival of fun, also know as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, finds its roots in the Pagan celebrations of the ancient Greeks and Romans. However, in 1582, Pope Gregory XIII made it a Christian holiday, and placed it on the calendar just before Lent so all the debauchery would be finished in time to fast and pray. The holiday evolved into a massive celebration of indulgences—the last chance for fun before the 40 days commemorating the Passion of Jesus, ending with Easter.

Each country adds its own flare to the celebration, but all parades display explosions of color and sound. The colors of Carnival are bright, saturated and cheerful—a nice break from the dreariness of winter.

                

In any Mardi Gras parade you would find gold, silver, lemony yellow, aqua, lime green, turquoise, deep red, vermilion, brilliant purple, lively orange and hot pink. Each of these colors are intense and exaggerated and they mix together in joyful swirls of dance as the costumed party-goers dance down the street.

             

Whether you like the elegance of Venice, the wildness of Rio and New Orleans, or the eccentric atmosphere of Belgium, the colorful celebration is magic!

This year, Mardi Gras falls on February 24 - don't forget the confetti!

Color of the Week - Grand Hotel Geranium Pink

Even though Valentine’s Day has come and gone, we wanted to share with you one of our favorite pinks...Grand Hotel Geranium Pink. It's a great way to bring a joyful color into your home. Try one wall of it and pair it with a warm off-white like Whitewashed Oak. A nice toasty color like Mark Twain House Peach is a great accent color.

                                 
    Grand Hotel Geranium Pink 1005-1B    Whitewashed Oak 7006-23

                                       
                              Mark Twain House Peach 2006-6A



                 

The 81st Oscars Fashion

This year's Academy Awards red carpet was once again a show of fashion and glamour. Who could miss out on stars polished up to their dazzling best. We saw striking blocks of color, which gave a foundation for draping details. However, white seemed to have ruled the carpet last night. The reason for this may have been a need for positivity and a fresh start, given the economy. As always, black and red played a big role as well.

Here's a quick run down of some of the stand out colors:

                    

Alicia Keys wore a lilac Armani Prive gown, which brought out the deep auburn highlights in her hair.

Queen Latifah looked beautiful in a navy-colored Georges Chakra gown.

Christine Teigen wore a soft powder coral-colored gown by Julia Clancey.

                    

Heidi Klum stopped the show in a red Rolan Mouret. Others in red included Virginia Madsen in Kevan Hall, Amanda Seyfried in Valentino, Amy Adams in a flowing Carolina Herrera and Susan Downey in Blumarine.

Meryl Streep looked absolutely elegant in an off-the-shoulder gown by Alberta Ferretti in what I would call a smoked oyster color.

                    

Classic black was not forgotten last night either.

Diane Lane walked the red carpet in beautiful Dolce & Gabbana dress. Angelina Jolie wore a black Elie Saab dress with striking green accessories. Marion Cotillard was in Dior. High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens looked so mature in a black Marchesa gown.

Leslie Mann wore a gorgeous silver dress made by designer Pamela Rolland.

                     

The color of the night was white. Award-nominee Marissa Tomei wore Versace. Jessica Biel wore a flowing dress with a large front draping by Prada. Penelope Cruz took home an Oscar wearing vintage Pierre Balmain. Miley Cyrus looked beautiful in a white Zuhair Murad that looked like an opening flower blossom. Award-Nominee Taraji P. Henson looked beautiful in Roberto Cavalli. Melissa George wore Dolce & Gabbana and stylista Anne Hathaway looked great in a white Giorgio Armani.

Sarah Jessica Parker looked fabulous in what she called a “barely mint” gown by Dior.

One of this year’s hottest colors is gold, which Viola Davis wore by Reem Akra.

                    

Big winner Kate Winslet wore a dress from Atelier Yves Saint Laurent by Stefano Pilati.  

Melissa Leo matched her hair color in a golden copper brown dress by Badgley Mischka.

                     

Natalie Portman looked stunning as always in a bubble-gun pink gown by Rodarte. The color looked bright and lively with her coco brown hair color and eyes.

Lisa Rinna wore a deep-plumb gown by Gustavo Cadile.  

                    

Slumdog Millionaire wasn’t the only big winner of the night. Freida Pinto, the lead actress from the film, won in my book in her stunning royal blue, Bollywood-inspired gown by John Galliano. Congratulations Frieda Pinto! This deep blue color looks absolutely gorgeous with Frieda's coloring. 

The Colorful Runway: New York Fashion Week

Looking over the runway shows of Fashion Week, you see lots and lots of layered, muted tones. Purple, royal blue, jade green, red and ochre pop out from time to time, but classic black decisively reigns.

Diane von Furstenberg is on the move with clothes that are wonderfully wearable. Her cocoon coats look like they would wrap you up and keep you safe from harm. Her hats are a joyous crown of pompoms. Who could be dour with that on top? She had one piece that has deep plums, fuchsias, and ochres percolating up from below the surface

                      

Mark Jacobs seems to have brushed off the current economy’s doom and gloom and instead decided to play. He continues his jump back into the 1980s with bold color blocks of hot pink, electric yellow, clear green and electric blue, each matched with black and gray foundations. He also takes this look to a more subtle and sophisticated level (which is an accomplishment in itself!). He transforms the 80s palette and makes it his own with golden ochre shimmering from below charcoal leather with a cool, off-white coat and gun-metal gray tights. 

                  

To create a room with this palette, I was thinking of accents of Grand Hotel Geranium Pink, Purple Stripe and Tidal Wave. These are all bold and deep colors. To make them work, I would try a soft warm beige-gray on the walls like Woodlawn Misty Morn. This warm tone allows the others to pop. To bring in the deeper color from this dress, try Italian Leather. It actually has a lot of green in it, which again lets the bolder, purer colors pop.

         

Finding Your Favorite Color Combinations

By Megan Leblond
                                

If you are thinking about making changes in your home’s décor, color combinations can seem challenging and overwhelming. Fret not! You are your best compass.

From bold color combinations to the palest of hues, your sensibilities will reveal themselves. One way that I guide myself through color combinations is to simply recognize and take note of combinations that I like. There are often colors or combinations of colors that we “respond” to, but it doesn’t necessarily  mean that we “like” or “enjoy” them.

As a starting point, snip images of color combinations or styles of home décor that you like when you see them in magazines or catalogs. Print color images off the computer, or make copies from books whenever you feel compelled. You can also take photographs of colors or architectural elements you notice in your everyday activities. Please don’t wait until you are working on a project to do this!  It may seem elementary, but it is so helpful. 

 By gathering a stockpile of color combinations that you like, you will already have a great reference when the time comes to begin a project! Not only will this activity help you to recognize your taste, but it may also help you recognize how existing elements in your home can be reinvigorated. This collection will also help you create a visual when working with others working on the project.  

My own collection is filled with tons of snippets from Martha Stewart Living, Vogue, Horticulture Better Homes and Gardens, Real Simple and Dwell. These clippings can also help to narrow down, not only color combinations you love, but styles and elements you refuse to live without!  

Whatever you do, do not miss out on Valspar’s amazing collection of color palettes online. You can  maneuver through all types of palettes and paint a virtual room to see how your choices will appear together. This is a fantastic resource that anyone working on a DIY project should utilize. If you have any questions you would like to ask us, or if you have any images you would like to share of color combinations or projects you have completed, please send them along!

Color of the Week - Swiss Chocolate

Swiss Chocolate is one of Valspar's darkest and most sophisticated browns. This very deep color is versatile and can be paired with light pastels, neutrals or bright colors, such as Martha Stewart Chamois Cloth. It would function beautifully as the upper or lower portion of a chair railed wall. Also try this sultry color in a living room or den for a warm and relaxing space.
                                             
                                       Swiss Chocolate 3010-10 

              

Scandinavian White

By Michele Coppin

Even though the Groundhog saw his shadow, don’t let the winter get you down. Let it inspire you!

Long winters and the lack of natural light in Scandinavia inspire a beautiful style that emerged from the need for sleek and airy interiors that make the most of the available light. The Scandinavian style combines the neutral colors of the Swedish, Norwegian and Danish landscapes with a casual, aged appearance.

                     

                                      "Harvesting Ice”

Scandinavian-style interiors are timeless, fresh, elegant and often free of clutter. The style is warm and welcoming, and the design relies primarily on white, which is a nice change from traditional English country/rustic design. Swedish artist Carl Larsson (1853 - 1919) is generally credited with helping to define this Scandinavian style.

                      

                                  "Brita's Little Nap"

Brita was one of Larsson's eight children. Larsson was the Norman Rockwell of his country, capturing every day life in his touching and charming paintings.

For some, white is not a color, but a value. For others, white is the combination of all colors. In any case, white is a neutral with infinite possibilities. In the West, white is associated with innocence and purity, which is why it is the color of weddings. It is also a spiritual color often associated with religion, angels and meditation. In Asia, however, white is the color of mourning.

White makes rooms appear bigger. Alone, it can create a sensation of space and infinity. White gives interiors a sense of freshness and calm. It is luminous and accentuates light, although too much white can create a negative feeling of sterile emptiness and solitude.

Elegant and neutral white is always in fashion. It goes well with wooden floors, especially when paired with bleached or light-colored wood such as maple. Floors can also be painted white or a similar pale color.

When pairing white with other colors, I recommend considering other neutrals like gray, cream, or beige used in gradations. When combined with green, white creates a young, fresh tonic look. Fabrics like cotton and linen go well with white walls as do white and blue tiles, white ceramics and glass objects.
 
I love these quiet simple Scandinavian interiors, uncluttered and full of natural light. I like the way the white works in kitchens, because it imparts a sense of cleanliness.

In this dining room, the white is elegant, simple and inviting.

White is a soothing and relaxing color for any room!

How have you incorporated white?

Friday Project Series - Say it with Roses

By Megan Leblond   
   
                           

Giving the gift of roses can have special meaning, depending on the color of the flower. Generally, a gift of roses communicates intimacy and love, often to a friend, family member or significant other. The color of the rose adds a more personal message:       

                       

RED—Love, Romance
PINK—‘Please believe me,’ Gentleness, Grace, Elegance, Sweetness, Poetic Romance
YELLOW—Joy, Friendship, 'Remember Me,’ 'I Care,’ Jealousy
WHITE—Innocence, Purity, Honor, Reverence
ORANGE—Desire, Enthusiasm
LAVENDER—Enchantment, Love at First Sight
DARK PINK—Gratitude
LIGHT PINK—Admiration, Sympathy
YELLOW W/ RED—Falling in Love
PEACH—Appreciation, Sincerity, Gratitude
CORAL—Desire
TEA ROSES—‘I Will Never Forget You'

                

I decided to paint a simple 'rose wall' with various rose colors in a lighthearted pattern. I painted the wall a light green base coat (Valspar’s Sprig of Mint) and chose various hues for the tops of the roses. I arranged the rose stencils to look as though the flowers were being tossed in the air. I was very pleased with the look I achieved.  

                                        
                                       Spring of Mint 6004-7B

                

                          

If you are planning to complete a colorful project and you would like to test a few different colors, remember that Valspar has very small 'paint-tester' cans available. These are great because there are so many colors available and they are very inexpensive. Should you choose to paint an adjoining wall or space, you can also find a color that is a perfect match to the existing space.