People often want my opinion about painting, paint colors, etc. My first thought when asked, “Should I paint?” is - if you are asking then most likely the answer is, “Yes!”.
There are several reasons to paint the rooms in your house. The most obvious being those little hand prints, while cute, just must go. No one else finds them as charming as you do. Those nicks, scuffs, and gouges don’t help the look either. A house should shine and nothing helps out more than fresh paint.
Now, moving on to the tougher topic of colors. My, who hasn’t goofed where wall color is concerned? I have learned to love the neural pallet as it truly is the easiest when it’s time for decorating. My husband will tell you we live in the ‘house of taupe’. I love it, but if you are less enamored with neutrals then I suggest you think “transition”. Walk around your house and see how the colors flow. It is jarring to walk from the neutral room into the red, hot pink, or some other bright choice without a transition or relationship to a scheme.
By scheme, I mean if you want to try out color go for a pallet and stick with it. Recently I was showing a house that my client and I named the “Spa” house because the color scheme was so soothing. The owner had used primarily slate blue and blue green on the walls with accents of brown and gray. It was a great look and each room flowed in a very inviting way. We were both taken with the superb use of non-neutral color.
Let’s don’t forget outside painting, too. Front doors seem to be either “used & abused” or completely neglected. Neither is appealing. Making a great first impression starts at your door!
Lastly, the kid’s rooms; here is where the hot pink and “Carolina” blue jumps out and shocks you every time. It’s a struggle to pull these strong colors off with grace. They work better as accent colors on window treatments, bedding, and wall hangings.
While I’m on the subject of children, I’d like to put in a plug for the Children’s Theatre fund raiser, Santa’s Bag, which is for children under the age of 12. They are given the opportunity to shop for gifts for the family while escorted by little “elves”. It is so cute. December 1-4 at the theatre; mornings 9:30-noon and afternoons 4:30-7. Don’t miss it and please send photos of the little ones. I’d love to see them. Enjoy!
Photo credits: Image #1 via Domino Magazine; Image #2 & 3 via Elle Decor.
Photo credits: Image #1 via Domino Magazine; Image #2 & 3 via Elle Decor.
