Color Of The Year – Marsala

Marsala is the Color of the Year. Pantone, the global authority on color trends, announced this year’s color of the year last month. Since then photographs of captivating designs with this full-bodied color have begun to emerge all around the web.

As noted by Pantone, “Marsala is a naturally robust and earthy wine red. Marsala enriches our minds, bodies and souls. The impactful, full-bodied qualities of Marsala make for an elegant, grounded statement color when used on its own or as a strong accent to many other colors.”

Rachel Reider Interiors

Snippet taken from HotPads.com

Choosing The Perfect Paint Color

Before you start painting, you’ll need an “inspiration piece.” An inspiration piece is a swatch of fabric, rug, or artwork you adore. Choose one color from your inspiration piece and have it matched by your local paint store. Most paint stores have a computer that can color match most anything. If the color is still a little bright, you may choose a color of the same shade, but a slightly different hue.

If you are still having trouble choosing a color, there are several helpful tools provided by paint manufacturers like Sherwin Williams.

New Color Trend in Decor – Gray

Earlier this year, Pantone announced its color of the year was Radiant Orchid. So, you may be wondering why gray is now part of the color scheme. Well, last year was dominated by very bold colors, but this year we’ve seen (according to many designers) a return to a more neutral palette, with Radiant Orchid being more of an accent color. Instead of the neutral palette focusing on brown and beige, it is now more shades of gray.

Although gray is traditionally thought of as being somewhat gloomy, the trend mixes the neutral color of gray with other pastels like blue, yellow and green. This lets you showcase unique pieces of art and furniture in your home while walls and flooring take a backseat. And in a nod to the Scandinavian style, the color gray also is thought of to be clean and somewhat of a minimal design.

Lots of possibilities are available to add a touch of soft tones of gray to your décor. Where are you most looking forward to adding shades of gray in your home?

Credit: Floor & Decor by Malika

 

The Color Wheel

The best Color Wheel we have ever found for choosing decorating colors! Complimentary colors are side-by-side on the wheel, contrasting colors are across from each other on the wheel. CLICK TO ENLARGE

Choose Paint Colors and Schemes

When you’re decorating your home, choosing the right paint colors is the most important decision you’ll make. As fun as choosing colors can be, this part of the planning can be overwhelming. Thousands of combinations are possible, but by having a basic understanding of color you can create a scheme you love. Use these basic color scheme ideas:

The Color Wheel The color wheel identifies color families and how they relate to each other. Primary Colors All colors, with the exception of white, come from primary colors.

6 Things to Consider when Hiring a Painter

Check for lead paint. If you have a home built before 1978, hire a qualified lead expert to check it out before you begin any work. Some older homes still have lead paint in the original layers.

Prep for paint. Paint preparation is the foundation for the entire job – if done correctly your paint will perform to its fullest potential. If done incorrectly, the best paint will crack, peel, or chip easily. Make any necessary repairs before you start your painting project. Dirty walls should be cleaned, especially near the stove and sink. Greasy deposits and soap scum can interfere with the paint’s adhesion.

Hiring a professional. The contract should include what will be done and what products used. This includes the type and amount of surface preparation, priming and the type of primer, and the brand of paint. Also include how many coats of paint will be included.

Choosing Exterior Paint Colors that Last

COLOR is an important and powerful tool in exterior painting.  Color can enhance or create attractive features in a home or commercial building.  However, beyond aesthetics the most essential thing to consider when choosing exterior colors is longevity. Even though paint technology has improved considerably, it is a scientific fact that color selection has a strong influence on paint performance.  The amount of ultraviolet (UV) light absorbed or reflected by the color affects how long a paint job will last.

While dark colors on trim can provide a pleasant contrast and draw attention to architectural detail, they are much more prone to fading.  Dark colors also pose more maintenance problems.  Dark colors absorb heat and suffer more moisture problems than lighter shades.  That’s why lighter colors last longer and fade less than dark colors.  And because dark colors fade faster, they are more difficult to touch up.

Here are other things to consider when choosing exterior paint colors that last longer:

Nicotine Stained Walls

Are you a smoker? Have you moved into a new home where a smoker was the previous owner. Want to paint those walls? STOP – PRIME – PAINT!

If you are a heavy smoker and are about to paint the interior of your home.  Before you put paint on those walls, you must use an alcohol-based primer on the walls before the first coat of paint. If this step is skipped, the yellow nicotine will eventually bleed through and you will have an uneven finish. This step is best left to the professional and the house must be able to be aired out while the primer dries.  Any questions, please contact us so we can answer your questions. Mike Johnson, Mike’s Custom Painting, 615-522-1009 mike@mikescustompainting.org.

Photo by Mike's Custom Painting, Goodlettsville, TN

2014 – The Color Of The Year – Orchid

Pantone, the world authority on color, has announced its Color of the Year for 2014: Radiant Orchid. Described by the company as “a captivating harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones,” the vibrant hue is already beginning to pop up in interior designs on walls, upholstery, and textiles. Here are 14 stunning examples of bright purples like Radiant Orchid used in living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and even kitchens, to help you get ideas on how to use it in your decor in the coming year.

Credit: This Old House - Karen Ziga