Stay in the loop of current color consulting and interior design trends.
The story of the Black House on Prince, B-Hop & color lessons too! During one of the runs, I was stopped dead in my tracks. On Prince Avenue, I came upon a house with a paint scheme I had never seen before. My eyes were gazing upon a fabulous 1893 Victorian House, turrets, gingerbread trim, a large porch, and all painted entirely BLACK!
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Working with paint every day, we are still surprised at what a difference a coat of paint can make. Even just repainting a single piece of furniture can change the whole look of a room. We have customers using this paint to transform their kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and walls bringing their homes into a much more desirable and current look. Whether it be for selling a home or changing the look, paint can change so much. - Refined Vintage Boutique
Honestly, it comes down to prep! A lot of homeowners with well-intentioned DIY projects don't realize just how much preparation goes into getting professional results. Whether you're painting a bedroom, cabinets, or an exterior, in-depth repairs, cleaning, sanding, and priming are essential. It may be tedious, but it's 80% of a high-quality, long-lasting project. - Lancaster Painting
All too often people gather painting quotes without first establishing a good scope of work, and unknowingly end up with as many scopes of work as they have bids. This mistake generally leads to disappointment, cost overruns, delays, and an overall feeling of being taken advantage of because the homeowner forgets what has been relayed to each painter, and each painter ends up quoting the project with a different set of "wants". Before you say “go”, stop and make sure you are going to get what you want, really read and understand what you are paying for, because if “it’s not in writing, don’t be shocked when you don’t get it”! Now, if you are not a paint expert, and don’t already know exactly what you need, don’t worry… any professional craftsman who has been at it for a while will be excited to meet with you upfront and involve you in defining a scope of work that you will be happy with. - Pearl Painters
The more you can prep a space to be painted, the faster the job will be. We recommend all our clients to ensure that valuables are removed from the space and to bring all furniture either to the center of the space or remove them entirely. This will save time and money by not having a painter to do this task which will cause the price to be slightly higher than it should be to paint the space. If your wall is damaged and has many holes, you can prep the holes in advance by applying filler prior to the day of painting. This way, when the painter arrives, they can begin sanding off the filler and finishing the repairs before getting it ready for paint. - Painter in Montreal
As a painting contractor and remodeling contractor in the soggy Seattle area, we run into a common Northwest issue known as rot or dry rot. You want to be sure to identify these areas and do your due diligence to investigate to make sure you know the true extent of the damage. Unfortunately, many painting contractors, and homeowners alike, will perform a surface area fix, or as we like to call a band-aid, on a problem area, when the true problem is much deeper and can be affecting the structural integrity of your home. Be sure when hiring a painting contractor that you select one with some knowledge surrounding the world of carpentry and wood structures so that these areas can be diagnosed and repaired properly while also addressing and solving the problem that caused it in the first place. Taking the right approach may cost a bit more upfront but can prevent major catastrophes in the future. - Tenhulzen Painting & Construction Partners
You can make a great first impression of the interior of your home by using a monochromatic color scheme. By using lighter and darker shades of color in the right places you can create an impression that a space is larger, highlight architectural beauty or artwork, or draw more attention to an outdoor view. Lighter colors feel further away from you and draw more attention, darker colors feel closer and your eye spends less time on them. By using color to tell the eye what to look at you can focus attention on the highlights of your home and create a subconscious feeling that a home is spacious and comfortable. - PaintGreen Professional Painters
When painting the exterior of the house, consider a color that is a little earthier rather than a little brighter. That does NOT mean you have to go beige - a bold jewel tone can look fantastic! But a color that looks like it came out of a candy dish will probably be "that house" - the one that people use to give people directions by, instead a house that everyone wishes were their own. Want a helpful trick? If you have the Benjamin Moore Color Preview paint fan, choose a color from the back of the fan (around 2080-10 and back) instead of the front of the fan. Those candy-colored hues are in the front - be careful!! - and the easy-to-live-with hues are in the back. - Seriously Happy Homes
One mistake clients repeatedly make on exterior color schemes is painting TINY sample swatches all over. I find that these little swatches of color slapped up all over the place just don't allow you to see how the house will look. Instead, pick up a quart of paint and roll out a minimum 4' x 4' swatch. The bigger the better. This trick allows you to see the color itself, and not the contrast of the old color to the new. Because exterior colors reflect OUT into the atmosphere, choose a color that's slightly darker than you expect. Colors tend to wash out in the great outdoors. and so going a bit deeper means you'll end up with the color you intended. - Robin Daly Color & Design
An easy way to change the look of the front of your house is by painting your shutters and front door. We typically use a satin or semi-gloss paint to give them extra pop, and paint with shine is more durable and easier to keep clean than flat. If painting plastic shutters, a good bonding primer is essential, and be sure to paint your front door when there is no sun on it and the surface is cool to the touch. Lastly, always purchase the best quality paint available from whichever supplier you use, whether a home store or a paint store; the extra money will pay great dividends in ease of application and longevity. - SNL Painting
When painting, it’s the very first layer that adheres to the house. When many thicker layers of paint rest on top, this can pull more on the original layer. This means more peeling with more layers of paint. A second reason is more layers of paint reduces the permeability, so the house does not release the condensation that is in the walls. For old houses, less paint actually allows for better adhesion of the original layer and better permeability. Tint the primer and just prime the bare wood - the oil primer protects the bare wood and provides less buildup. Then use a less thick quality paint with a higher percentage of pigments and less filler that covers and adheres well for good permeability. - Tom Sawyer Painting
Elegant Painting recommends painting the exterior of your house with a satin finish. Satin finish will have a more crisp fresh look to it and does better against humidity. - Elegant Painting
When choosing paint for your home, always choose the highest grade paint as the budget will allow. This will help greatly with the longevity of the finishes and aid with the elusive color retention problem. Using high-grade paint products will save on costs and add value, ensuring beauty & protection for years to come. - Pro Color Painting
As a professional painting company, we see a lot of homeowners make the same mistakes. One of the biggest is selecting the wrong paint sheen. Sheen simply refers to how glossy the paint is, and this is an important factor for interior painting projects. The glossier the paint, the shiner it is, and the easier it will reflect the light. Flowers Painting only recommends a high gloss sheen for kitchens, windows, and doors. Semi-gloss is very versatile and should be used for kitchens or bathrooms. Satin sheen is by far the most popular choice and is suitable for family rooms, kid's rooms, and foyers. Eggshell sheen should only be used in rooms that rarely need to be cleaned such as the dining room and living room. Flat or matte sheen is good for more private areas such as adult bedrooms. - Flowers Painting
People often do not realize that all paint companies have different qualities of paints. Particularly high traffic areas of a home would benefit from using a high-quality grade of paint with an eggshell finish. An eggshell finish has more sheen than matte or flat and it is easier to remove inevitable marks that are all signs of life in your home. Also, higher-quality paints will cover more surface because they cover better, are more washable, and will look better longer.
It seems counter-intuitive to being budget-friendly but I never advise buying “cheap” paint. Even if you are selling a home, don’t buy “cheap” paint. You don’t need a top of the line expensive paint to do a nice job, a mid-grade will be just what you need for a fresh look, with a nice finish. “Cheap” paint looks cheap. “Cheap” paint is thinner and requires a greater amount of paint to cover an area. Rely on your paint store professionals to advise you on the best product for your particular surface and situation. - Kaleidoscope Color Consulting
Make sure you consider the sheen of your paint. Flat sheens (shininess) hide drywall imperfections and touch up really well but generally are not very washable. Satin or eggshell sheens are more washable but will reveal drywall imperfections and often require painting the entire wall again for touchup. - Bear Mountain Custom Painting
People often look at paint colors for individual spaces, but where the real magic happens is in the interplay of colors from room to room. So, make sure you "take the long view" and creatively combine colors so that they "stack up" in a pleasing way. Don't be afraid to mix warms & cools or lights & darks -- that's what gives a home a dynamic and visually appealing quality. What you should avoid mixing are clean colors and dirty colors...stick with the clear brights or the more muted neutral-leaning colors and you'll have a more harmonious color scheme for your home. - Amy Woolf Color & Design
Painting your kitchen cabinets is a great way to add a bright new look to your kitchen and your entire home. While not the most DIY-friendly, hiring a professional will still save you a lot compared to replacing the cabinets. Be sure to use a product certified for use on cabinets for the best, most durable result. Painting the inside of your front door a bold color can provide a pop to your entry foyer and can usually be accomplished in only a couple of hours. Lastly, very light-colored walls (such as a light gray) are very popular and make it easy to decorate with fun, pops of bright bold colors throughout the room. - Textbook Painting
Our company always recommends painting ceilings when repainting any space. Ceilings are supposed to be painted with a flat bright white paint color (rule of thumb for painters). White is a reflective color and allows the hues from the colors on the walls to “pop” or stand out more, giving them room a cleaner look. In addition, we offer custom paint accent wall services that add personality to the space. Painting the one wall in a room a different color is a way to add some flare to a room, especially if it’s a vibrant color, without locking yourself into the vibrant color throughout the entire room. Accent custom walls are good for rooms that have been painted utilizing neutral or calming colors, such as grays & tans. - NyRai Designs
One of the best tips for transforming your home using only paint is to select from a neutral color palette and choose shades and sheens that accentuate your canvas. Choose lighter shades for smaller rooms and lighter ceilings for rooms with lower ceilings. Using a lighter ceiling color, although an added cost, can eliminate the feeling of a room being “closed in”. Using a little more sheen on the walls in a room with less natural light can help promote more light reflectivity, effectively brightening the room. For areas with taller ceilings and more natural light, don’t be afraid to use one color for both walls and ceilings….this can lead to a more seamless and modern aesthetic. - Martinson Painting
Originally published on Redfin
This is the season for exterior projects. Springtime came late this year. I am hearing from my painter and contractor friends that their schedules are busy, busy, busy with exterior work. My phone has been ringing too...I love adding colors to enhance people's world.
Speak to the client on the phone to get a sense of their vision and goals. Look at house on Google Maps or Real Estate listing.
Drive around the neighborhood to get a feeling for the neighborhood vibe.
Meet the homeowners at their house. Dig deeper into their vision and goals.
Walk all around the property with the clients, observe roof, pavers, landscaping, furnishing, decking, patio... in other words, everything that will effect the color selection.
Start picking colors based on steps 1. through 4. My goal is to select colors the clients will love, that will reflect their personalities...unique to them but not so far out there that they stick out like a sore thumb (unless of course, they want to...I'm game). Nor do I want the house to be ho hum and blend in looking just like every other house.
I ALWAYS suggest that people paint samples. You may have heard or read this from me already...don't buy a ton of samples. That makes it more confusing! Narrow it down to one or maybe two. If you love it, you are done! If not, use what I call Goldilocks method or tweaking - Is it too dark or too light? Is it too bright or too dull? Is it too much of desired color or too little? You guessed it; we are looking for "IT'S JUST RIGHT"
Don't worry...this is quite unique which most likely may conger up an image of the people who live inside...yes, stereotyping but that is what we humans do...we send a message by our colors and style. There is nothing wrong with that. I am just trying to make a point that our homes should reflect ourselves. It is my guess and assumption this family has achieved that. Now I am curious if my mental image matches reality. Maybe when I go back to Safety Harbor, FL, I'll have to try to find out ...I'm imagining they are friendly & open to strangers knocking on their door. :)
The internet has lots of inspiration…caution! only use web images as a starting point, guide and inspiration. You must view the actual colors to make your final decision! Here is a link to one of Sherwin-Williams exterior pages to get your wheels rolling.
Benjamin Moore also has tons of inspiring images and suggestions on their site too. Explore the site beyond the first link...don't get too lost searching the web; you need to get the project started.
If you're like me, you've had enough of this colorless winter! Multiple Nor'easters and then just when I have began looking forward to the beautiful springtime weather of April.... another snow storm. Isn't March supposed to go out like a lamb?
Don't be a hater, but I'm typing this as I watch my son-in-law and grandson swim under the warm Georgia sun!
I do love all the seasons and even make regular trips to the beach regardless of the weather and temperature, but above all, I LOVE the colors, activities and energy of spring and summer.
What is your favorite season on Long Island?
Colorless winter beach day
When doing color consultations I am often told by clients that they want "beachy" colors. With all my consultations, the most important first step is what I call the "getting to know you" step. Using the beach theme as an example, I will ask questions such as when YOU think of the beach do you think about -- read a book/play volleyball? leisurely walk/surfing? solitude/party? collecting shells/ catching a beach ball? These imagination of these activities are different from one person to the next. One may be thinking of beachy colors being soft and subtle or on the flip side vibrant and bold.
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I put together combinations of colors that I have suggested through the years to clients that evoke both of those "beachy" feelings.
Beautiful bright blue summer sky dotted with contrasting crisp white clouds accented by the soft glow of the sun
Add a bright white to this palette to add a freshness and light
Regional Exterior Colors of Long Island NY
December 6, 2017 | By Kate Smith
In the beginning of December, I was featured on Kate Smith's blog, sharing my insider view of the regional exterior colors of Long Island.
Kate Smith shares her input and experience, then turns it over to me. Kate writes: "My eye is always looking at the colors and combinations when I travel. The colors that people choose to paint on the structures come together to form a palette that is unique to an area. I’d love to explore more about how colors vary from place-to-place but since I can’t be everywhere, I’ve called on my color colleagues to give us their take on the colors that define their area. First up, you’ll see the regional exterior colors of Long Island (New York).
To get a designer insider’s view, I turned to my friend and fellow color expert, Mary Nolte of Kaleidoscope Color Consulting. Mary is a Long Island native, a professional interior designer, and was a pioneer in the color consulting business in the New York area. Since 1998, Mary has been serving homeowners and business clients in Nassau County, Suffolk County, Brooklyn, Queens, The Hamptons, and the Metro New York City Area.
I have known Mary for many years and know that her keen eye for color coupled with her pleasant nature keep her clients coming back to ask her advice every time they need to choose a paint color or need help decorating. I can’t think of anyone better to recommend regional color schemes for this area."
BY MARY NOLTE, Kaleidoscope Color Consulting
Ahhh, Long Island…diversity in many aspects. The geography and climate are as varied from sunny beaches in the warm summertime, the Pine Barrens in the crisp coolness of Autumn, snow sports and closed school days of frigid Winter and the beauty of Spring with new fresh growth as the temperatures warm and the anticipation of experiencing all of what this area and its diversity has to offer.
The architecture is as varied as its seasons and landscapes. As you travel from New York Harbor to Montauk Point, you will pass beach bungalows as well as fabulous seaside mansions. Farmhouses and beautiful Victorian gingerbread homes grace the area. As do city Brownstones and high-rise apartments to family-friendly development neighborhoods, and the list goes on.
This combination of colors to coordinate with DaVinci autumn roof work beautifully with a variety of architectural styles and geographic areas. The Earthy tones of the DaVinci roof and brookline beige are complimented with the soft greens of nature to add subtle interest to your home.
Contrast, cheerful yet soft yellow, charm, simple, for a little pizzazz accent with – yam! Yam can be used on the front door for a bold splash of color for those who like to make a bit of a statement. If no statement is desired, black door & shutters are a lovely more conservative combination when used with the main color lantern light.
A weathered gray roof makes a nice presentation of your home when trimmed by contrasting pure white which is also the right contrast to emphasize the lightness of the egret white main color. Accented with the medium warm gray of functional gray and the deep richness of Moscow midnight as a finishing touch of character.
DaVinci’s Chesapeake roof color works as well on the beach as it does in the country. The soft taupe tones of Chesapeake are perfect to “top off” thousand oceans trimmed with Stonington gray and accented with Boothbay gray….of course, if desired, you can always add a bit of “wow!” A bold color door such as pottery red or gentleman’s gray are also options for this scheme.
Sophisticated yet warm and inviting, the combination of colors of an Aberdeen roof say “welcome” from the moment you are at the curb. Raintree green is a natural color to display a sense of style. Trim the home with the appropriately named, Creamy White to set off deep, rich accent colors of forest floor and dark purple.
Thanks, Mary for showing us the regional exterior colors of Long Island. Your color combinations can inspire the “island girl” in all of us…Long Island that is!
If you enjoyed this post, I bet you’ll also like to more of Kate Smith's blog posts: see 50 best exterior color scheme match-ups for 10 of Davinci Roofscapes most popular roof colors.
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