Color Inspiration for Your Home: Day 1

Day 1 of "10 Days of Color Inspiration"; What are good colors to paint your rooms, and why? Living Room and Foyer: Warm tones like reds, yellows, oranges and earth tones like beige-they stimulate conversation.

Lighten Up!

Design Tip: Lighten up! The easiest and least expensive way to change the look of your home is by painting it. The earthy tones are back again, so think light greens, browns and blues, reds and oranges. Try Caribbean Coral or Sequin by Sherwin Williams.

First Impressions

When choosing colors for the exterior of your home, don't forget the "rule of three". I recommend using three colors for the exterior-one color for the main,one color for the trim, and a third color for the door. The exterior of our home is the first impression or "curb appeal" that people notice about your home.

Even more important is the front door because that stands out as well. Having it an accent color will help to draw the eye to the door. Often I will choose a darker color for the trim than the main house color, and then a dark color for the door as well. An example of a color palette is a dolphin grey for the main house color, burgundy trim, and a blue door.

Painting your home can give it an entirely new look!

What is an inexpensive way to change the look of a room?

I often get asked this question, "What is an inexpensive way to change the look of a room?" One way is color color color! Add one or two colors for the cost of a couple gallons of paint, and the room can be dramatically different. Rearranging the furniture and adding some accessories is another great way to make a quick change. I also love the idea of grouping some art together on a wall, such a birds or flowers. One easy way to do this is to take out beautiful pictures from a book and frame them with found frames (they don't have to match) or simple glass frames found at the craft store.

There really are easy and inexpensive ways to change the look of a room!

Color! Color! Color!

This is a wonderful time to add a little color to you life! It is a relatively easy and inexpensive way to change the look for your home. If you live in the Northwest like I do, there is no better time or place to add some color to our gray days! Check out the wonderful line of Devine paint (originally made especially for the northwest) at www.devinecolor.com and add some color to you life today!

Color Rules?

I had a friend who I complemented on her cute brown outfit. I told her I love brown, and wear the color and decorate with it too! She said that for 15 years she had strictly followed the "Color Me Beautiful" book popular in the late 80's and 90's. She was strictly a "winter", so she shied away from colors she loved, and wore colors she was "supposed" to wear, even if she didn't like them. Now, what freedom! She broke out of that...and is wearing the colors she feels good in. I love that! The same goes for decorating. Why should we be weighed down by colors we "think" we should or shouldn't decorate with? That is one reason I stay away from the trends. Because that is exactly what it is, a trend, and trends don't stay around for long. Instead, decorate with colors you love and that make you feel good. Not know where to start? Hire a designer-it's not as expensive as you think. A two hour consultation can actually save you money from all those "mistakes" in choosing the color. So, why don't you color your world beautiful!

Try a little color this Fall

In the Northwest, people often say we're "light deficient" in the Fall and Winter months due to our grey, rainy winters. What better way to bring a little color to those gloomy months than painting your homes' interior? Try www.devinecolor.com for these fantastic yellows; Devine Cream, Devine Butter (yummy!) and Devine Manilla. Not a yellow person? How about Devine Lil'Melon (a fun orange) or painting an accent wall or Dining room a warm red like Devine Saffron.

Color is one of the best and least expensive ways to change the look of your home.