Color Buzz

Friday Project Series - The Color Wash Technique

By Veronique Linnett
 
Since Ann, Michele and I were in Los Angeles this week doing a makeover for the “Love, Our Style” contest winner, I would like to share a technique we used called a color wash. It is a fantastic and easy painting technique which works especially well when using bold colors. In this case, we used two shades of earthy and sunny oranges to highlight a central column in the apartment. The use of two shades or sometime even three shades, create depth and texture to the wall, giving the impression that the wall is lit from within.

What you will need:

        
Cinnamon Cake 3010-6     Orange Glaze 3009-6

- Two shades that would work great together, one lighter one darker.
- 4'' Chip brush
- Three plastic buckets
- Water
- Aluminum pie or cake pan
- Blue painter’s tape

How to:
  

1) Carefully tape around the area you want to paint.
2) Dispense each shade of paint into a separate plastic bucket and use the 3rd bucket for water.
3) Dip your brush in the water, then in each shade of paint to add to your cake pan, leaving the colors separate in the pan.
4) Then proceed to paint the wall dipping your brush alternately between your two shades and the water.
5) You can blend the colors more or less depending of the amount of color contrast you want.
6) When paint is dry, you can go back in the same manner over painted area. The more coats, the smoother the effect.

For the full effect, check out our video demonstrating the color wash technique: 

L.A. Makeover

Veronique, Michele and I are in Los Angeles this week working at Leo and Robert’s house. They are the winners of Valspar’s “Love, Our Style” contest.

Just to recap, Leo and Robert are a couple that were having trouble merging their two different styles and deciding on colors for their living room, which is a large open space with tall cathedral ceilings adjacent to the kitchen and an office/loft above.

We met with the homeowner and together developed a palette for their space based on discussing the colors they love and listening to the types of styles they gravitate towards. After hours of climbing scaffolds, racing up and down ladders and washing colors onto the walls, we are now heading into the home stretch. Everyone seems very pleased so far. I especially like the rust/orange column we’ve painted. Leo liked the lighter areas of it so I’m going to go over it a bit with some “Fancy Suede.”

The home has highly-textured walls, which are perfect for using the color wash technique. To get this look, set out two to three colors which blend nicely together. For this project, we put together Valspar’s Caraway Shield, Epic and Dry Earth. Have a bucket of water nearby as well as a pan where you can mix the colors before placing them on the wall—we like to use an old cake pan. To start, wet a three to four inch brush in the water then dip your brush in the various colors and start to wash the wall with them. Keep blending. When the colors dry, go back over here and there with another layer to soften the look. The result is a soft suede finish that brightens the room and looks great in any light. The finish also enhances textured walls and adds depth to the paint color.

We’re off to put the final touches on the home. Check back soon for the complete before and after photos. In the meantime, take a look at the final color palette we chose for Leo and Robert.

                   
Caraway Shield 6008-4B    Cinnamon Cake 3010-6      Orange Glaze 3009-6   

                   
  Dakota Trail 6008-3B  Woodlawn Misty Morn 6008-3A     Epic 6008-3C

Design Dilemma: Pairing Paint with Peach

Hello!

I’m getting married in May of 2011 and I’m looking for color advice. I would like suggestions of colors that go with peach. Do you have any recommendations?  

Thanks,

Yvonne

**********

Hi Yvonne,

Congratulations on your engagement! Peach is a great color and we will certainly see more of it this year. Peach is very flattering for almost every skin tone so painting a room this color is a smart idea for those who want a glowing complexion.

One of my favorite peach partners is a soft, gray khaki. Muted khaki allows peach to be the focus, while supporting it with green undertones. Look at Shoreline Haze, Milestone and Oatbran. Other colors that go well with peach are silvers, warm lavenders like Brushed Lavender or Timid Violet, gray sages like Mellow Spring or Pale Pastures, chocolate browns like Rich Chocolate or Lyndhurst Mahogany and taupes like Lilac Gray, Dusky Hyacinth and La Fonda Mindoro.  Of course, you can't go wrong with pairing it with other peaches. 

          
Shoreline Haze 6008-1B   Milestone 6007-1B         Oatbran 6006-1B

          
Brushed Lavender 4001-3B    Timid Violet 4001-3A

          
Mellow Spring 5007-3B    Pale Pastures 5006-3A

          
Rich Chocolate 1005-9A   Lyndhurst Mahogany 2002-9A

             
  Lilac Gray 1003-9C   Dusky Hyacinth 1003-10A   La Fonda Mindoro 1004-10A

 Have fun! Peach is a cheerful, happy color and any room would be lucky to be painted in it.

Best of luck,

Ann McGuire

Color of the Week - Tomato Bisque

Last week’s Color of the Week was Tomato Bisque. This mid-depth, milky orange would create a cozy space in any room. Try pairing it with Woodrow Wilson Putty for the ceiling and Oatbran for the trim. Then sit back and let the color sooth away your winter chill.

                         

Tomato Bisque 2008-5C  Woodrow Wilson Putty 6006-1A     Oatbran 6006-1B

The Color of Turquoise

By Michele Coppin
 
Pantone has identified Turquoise as the hottest color for this spring.


The color turquoise comes from the blue gemstone, which people have prized for many years. The beautiful gemstone has a long and interesting history that we’d like to share with you.



The color of turquoise comes in many forms, from sky blue to various shades of greens and aquas. The mineral is found all over the world, though Turquoise is thought to have been discovered by ancient Egyptians around 4000 – 5000 B.C. It first arrived in Europe through Turkey’s trade routes, which is where the name originated.


Also found in Tibet, the turquoise gemstone is often found in cultural jewelry. If the stone is not treated, turquoise will often change color. For Tibetans, this color transformation symbolizes the circle of life from birth to death.


In Europe, a silver turquoise ring was traditionally given to brides. In Persia, where some of the finest turquoise is found, people often wore pearls with a turquoise stone in the middle. There, it was believed that turquoise helped to focus the mind in prayer.
 

Friday Project Series: Stay Organized with Chalkboard Paint

By Veronique Linnett


As a single mom, one of my top priorities this year is getting more organized. Nothing is more frustrating than needless errands to pick up something I forgot to pick up the day before. I’ve tried keeping shopping lists, but I often misplace them. To solve this problem, I decided to add a chalkboard in my kitchen where I and my teenage son can track the items we need from the store.

To create this simple and usable item, you’ll need the following: 

 - Valspar chalkboard paint
- a paint brush
- blue painter’s tape
- a level (bubble) ruler
- a used credit card

Follow these simple steps to create the kitchen chalkboard:

- Determine the area you want your chalk board to cover.

- Trace a rectangle on the wall with the bubble ruler to make sure it is straight.  

 - Tape along your tracing.

- Using a used credit, apply pressure along the side of the tape that will be painted to seal the edges.

- Apply paint with the brush, making sure you smooth out brush strokes.

- Add additional coats as needed. 

- Once dry, peel tape off gently.

- Wait 24 hours before writing on your new chalkboard.

You can watch the process from start to finish here:

Designing the Biltmore Estate

By Megan Leblond

It was Richard Morris Hunt who was credited with bringing the Beaux-Arts school to architecture.  His designs mirroring the French Renaissance are part of the most luxurious in America.





In Asheville, North Carolina lies one of the United States largest homes. The Biltmore, named for the Vanderbilt family, specifically George Vanderbilt, was completed in 1895. It was built on a plot of land spanning over 175,000 acres. The project was completed with the help of landscape architect, Frederick Lawrence Olmstead. The residential estate features many unique architectural and design features, including a gymnasium and a façade of 780 square feet of Indiana Limestone. Also, the home was one of the first homes to sport Thomas Edison’s light bulb.





The home features over four acres of floor space, including over two-hundred rooms and forty-three bathrooms in the Nouveau-Riche style. Above, you’ll see an image of George Vanderbilt’s bedroom, adorned with a Grand Baroque style in a cream and scarlet color palette. The warm walnut interior offers a strong base for this deep and majestic color palette.



Of the more than 200 rooms, this yellow and black bedroom most appeals to me. The deep yellows are soothing, while the blacks are sensual. For balance, the white provides a pure and gentle femininity. To me the room seems happy, pure, innocent and dramatic. I would love to live in this room!



I’m sure you will agree that the estate is incredible. The next time you are considering a color palette for your home, why not take inspiration from The Biltmore?

Design Dilemma: Melissa's Bathroom

Dear Ann,

I have a small bathroom with the old style, aqua-bluish tub/toilet and sink. What color paint should be used to calm those down? The floor has a very light shade of blue tile and the counter top is white with blue swirls and stained woodwork.

Thanks,

Melissa

**********

Hey Melissa,

When you have a color you want to downplay, the first rule is "don't fight it". Find a soft neutral that will subdue the tone, and then bring in accents with colors to distract the eye. In your case, with aqua, I would go with a neutral that has a touch of green/gray to harmonize with the green of the dominant color. Take a look at Cliveden Mist or White Scallion. Then bring in colors you do want to emphasize through your shower curtain, towels and bath mat/rug. Try bringing in rusts or deep coral/roses in small doses. You could also try bringing in navy which can look very crisp and modern against aqua. Let us know how it goes!

Best,

Ann

                                   
               Cliveden Mist 6007-1A                  White Scallion 6006-3A

Art Nouveau

By Michele Coppin

Art Nouveau is back! Its colors and patterns are reappearing in fashion and in interior decorating.



Intrigued by this beautiful and unusual style, I traveled to Brussels, the birth place of Art Nouveau, to learn more about it.

Brussels is the capital of lovely little Belgium, and of Europe as host to the seat of the EU (European Union).

It is a very international, cultural and vibrant metropolis with a long history, shown in its Medieval city walls, Romanesque churches, Gothic cathedrals and squares, Baroque palaces, Neoclassic and Art Deco edifices as well as many Art Nouveau architectural splendors – enough to keep any visitor going for days.

Brussels is very proud of its Art Nouveau heritage which it celebrates regularly. Last October, the Art Nouveau Biennial offered various exhibits and visits to private homes.

Color of the Week - Sweet Cardamom

As we brace this wintry chill, we decided to feature a warmer, toastier color: Sweet Cardamom, which was last week's Color of the Week. It only seems right to bring out a color that will warm your home just by looking at it. This mid-depth toasty tan would look perfect in a small-scale living room, any size dining room, or a cozy bedroom. Try it with Milestone for trim and Cliveden Mist on the ceiling. Bring in accents of khaki, deep coral and platinum. Grab some hot chocolate and snuggle in.

                   
Sweet Cardamom 2006-5C      Milestone 6007-1B          Cliveden Mist 6007-1A