Choosing Colors, by Kevin McCloud, and My Current Color Palette Favorite

I just picked up Choosing Colors by color genius, Kevin McCloud ($16,47 at Amazon). He’s so inspirational and really knows his stuff.  His book explains color theory in an understandable way and suggests all kinds of ways to mix them up.

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Best of all, he gives you these little squares of black and gray so you can check out his colors against the best background. And, he has color numbers from the major paint companies, so you can scoot over to your paint store and get colors from his book in paint form. I like that.

Kevin wrote this amazing book titled Decorative Style about 20 years when faux finishes were really in. Sadly, it’s out of print, but if you can pick up a copy, it’s a good one to keep in your design arsenal. Read More…

Winter Color Palettes: Paint Your Home With Inspiration From Nature

When we think of winter, we often think of the washed out colors of short, cloudless days that take us inside for warmth by the hearth. Winter colors don’t have to be drab. We can find inspiration from nature’s enduring leaves, berries and ever-green colors. Read More…

Tuesday Review: Pittsburgh Paint’s “The Voice Of Color”

Without a doubt, the number one thing I’m asked to help clients with is color. Everyone knows they like pink or blue or green. But when they look at the thousands of variations of green in any fan deck they get the vapors. Pittsburgh Paints has put together a website, The Voice of Color,  and sets of organized color palettes that make choosing colors for your home a pleasure.

They’ve put together one of the best color quizzes I’ve seen in a while. The Color Sense Game asks questions that are easy to answer and, best of all, cover all of aspects of one’s life. For example, what music do you like? Instead of asking you to choose jazz, rock, etc…, they’ve put together actual samples to listen to. Easy, right? It is. The quiz covers all the senses – taste, scent, touch, etc… Read More…

Before & After: A Home Office Gets A Colorful Makeover

Yikes! This home office for two sure needed a violent makeover. Can anyone tell me what that puffy chair is? Looking at this photo brings out the OCD in me. I happen to be reading a book about organizing everything in your home. I may just skip the home office chapter because these photos, sent to me from Sonu Mathew, has it covered. Read More…

Design Dilemma: How To Coordinate Paint & Fabrics On A Budget

Yay! It’s time for another Design Dilemma. I love doing these I hope as much as you like reading about them. Today, we’re taking a look at a home in North Carolina with a relatively open floor plan. Dione writes that she recently moved into this new home and wants to make it her own, but she has a tight budget she’d like to stick do. Can I help her with paint and fabric Read More…