Color Buzz

Color Schemes Influenced by Cezanne

By Megan Leblond

Silver Dusk 4006-3A	Greenhouse Tint 6002-5C	Butterscotch Sundae 2008-3C	Hacienda Tile 2010-4

As a child, I used to visit the Art Institute of Chicago where I could view Cezanne and Picasso in the same room. I was in complete awe of the power and beauty their paintings conveyed. 

Design Dilemma - Separating Spaces with Color

Milestone 6007-1B	Oregon Coast 6007-1C	Fennel Splash 6007-3B

Dear Ann,

We just purchased a foreclosed home that needs lots of work. Although we can't afford to add walls at this time, we are planning on installing new hardwood flooring.

The problem: we have a huge living room/dining room and I can't think of a way to separate the spaces. Can I do this with paint? When you walk into the room you can see the kitchen so I need to figure out how to make all of the colors coordinate.

My living room furniture is a rusty orange color and dark wood in the room (end tables, coffee table, and dining room table). I also have brown and beige sheer living room curtains, which I would like to re-use if possible.

The kitchen has dark wood cabinets which we are going to clean up and keep. I'm putting in new stainless steel appliances and adding new nickel-plated hardware to the cabinets.

Do you have any suggestions on colors to paint the rooms that will coordinate with my existing furniture? Also, any suggestion you have on separating the large living room/dining room space would be great!

Best,
Barbara S., Atlanta, GA

Color of the Week - Blue Arrow

Blue Arrow 5001-3C	Whitewashed Oak 7006-23	Montpelier Madison White 5008-1A

Looking for an elegant update for your home this season? Instantly transform any space using this week’s color choice, Blue Arrow, on your walls for a more sophisticated take on the spring pastel palette. Pair this gray-blue hue with Whitewashed Oak and Montpelier Madison White for a clean, classic look. Try touches of rich cognac on an accent wall for added warmth and luxury.

Painting With Primary Colors

by Megan Leblond

Classic Red 1009-2	Field of Daisies 3003-1B	Atlantic Schooner 4004-6C

Nothing says “cheerful” like color! Wash away these rainy blues by incorporating some bright colors in your home.  With these bold colors on the walls you will always look forward to coming home! 

Friday Project Series: "Fool’s Gold” Umbrella Stand

by Veronique Habermann

April starts next week and two things come to my mind thinking about this month, April Fool’s day and April showers (Yes, I am leaving “tax day” in that other area of my brain called “denial”). So I thought this project would be perfect for this spring month! Jokes aside, The "Fool's Gold" umbrella stand uses a great technique that can be used on many different surfaces and produces a truly “fooling,” antique gold look. I recommend doing the spraying part outdoors.

Pastels Are Not Just For Bedrooms

by Veronique Habermann

Baby Blush 1008-2C	Green Mist 6005-9A	Serenity 4005-7B	Gilded Endive 7003-22

Since Easter is around the corner and pastel colors are everywhere this time of the year, I would like to share my love of these colors. When people think pastels they think nurseries or children’s rooms, but I think pastel colors are well suited for any area of the home. And no, they are not only for the incurable “romantics”, they also can have a very modern appeal or even a rustic feel! Here are some rooms which I hope will inspire you with their soothing appeal.

Citrus Kitchen

by Megan Leblond  

Example of kitchen inspired by Valspar's "Citrus" colors
Orange Glow 3001-1A	Amber Wheat 3003-3A	Afternoon Tea 3002-3B	Dandelion Chain 3006-1B

My friend Ariane is a talented artist who creates the most beautiful handmade beeswax candles.  She zested several different winter fruits for her candles, which produced a wonderful scent and color combination.  Ariane and her husband Lubor, a contractor from New York City, used this inspiration for their kitchen and dining remodel.  Just as every time they work together, the end result is sensational!

Design Dilemma - Bathroom/Bedroom Complementing Colors

Desert Fortress 2008-10B	Baked Scone 3007-8B	April Morning 4001-5A

Q: Dear Ann,
My master bath is a lilac mist, almost a looks like pale blue depending on the light.  My master bedroom is painted in a deep burgundy, almost brown shade and I would like to lighten it up with a color that will blend or complement the bathroom.  What are my best choices?
Best,
Kim E., Medina, OH

Classic Camel Never Loses Appeal

by Veronique Habermann

Glowing Dune 3006-9C	Warm Buff 3002-10A	City Chartreuse 6008-6C	Caraway Seed 3005-9C	Antelope Hide 3005-7B

I know spring is barely here, but I can’t wait to talk about next fall! After New York Fashion Week and the European shows, which recently ended, I cannot contain my joy over the return of one of my favorite colors: Camel. The color was everywhere in the fashion shows, with designers such as Chloe showcasing a variety of camel-themed hues in their designs. If you would like to see more fashion inspiration, Fashionista’s Lauren Sherman wrote a detailed piece on the style trend.

Whether you choose a greener or warmer version, camel is a great color to use as an inspiration for deciding on a color palette for your room.  I particularly love a combo with cream and grays for a soft classic look, or with darker browns and khakis for a comfortable modern look.

Miami Art Deco Color and Architecture

by Megan Leblond

Art Deco Pink 1007-4C	La Fonda Fiesta Blue 5003-10A	Sonny Jonquil 3010-1	La Fonda Plaza Green 5007-6B

Here at Color Buzz we love to inform you about color specific topics, so you can surely understand my need to inform you about Miami Beach, a colorful tropic. Not only does Miami Beach have fabulous weather, its unique architecture melds to form a fantastic destination spot filled with history and contemporary fun. It is impossible to ignore the colorful buildings and their effect on the eye and heart.