The Art of Placement.

Whew, I have been really busy lately with 2 of my favorite little boys, the busy color season, and the blog/website redesign (which I am happy to report is coming along well).

So... as I am designing various web pages, obsessively spacing, sizing, and arranging, (since that is what you do when you want something to look really good?) I have been thinking a lot about the Art of Placement. It takes me back to my design roots. In fact, it takes me back to a whole variety of creative endeavors since it is always at the forefront.

As a graphic designer in an ad agency, fresh out of college, I worked side by side with art directors decades beyond me in experience. Boy were they lucky? ha ha I would prepare computer designed advertisements, then hand them over to the art director for fine-tuning. They would jostle things around a bit to perfect the overall composition and spit out a perfectly arranged product.

What I learned from that valuable experience... A little lowering, tweaking, elimination.... it makes all the difference in the world!

In arranging a room, it is often less about owning the perfect selection of decor and more about the way things are placed. Staging is a perfect example. A talented stager can take your own things, edit, reconfigure, and the room is left feeling updated and sometimes so pleasing the owners don't want to leave!

I thought this was a great real life placement success story by Young House Love. See those art pieces above the bed? Rummage sale prints most of us would have overlooked, when placed properly, suddenly turn into modern art?

So I ask you, does your home have all the right things in the wrong places?

If so, I have a few simple tips-

1. Lower artwork. Even consider leaving some pieces resting on furniture or shelf surfaces.
2. Consolidate small, scattered art pieces into a gallery wall configuration.
3. Add a few large accents.
4. Pull your furniture away from the walls.
5. Let go of the "Will this make my room look smaller?" notion :)
6. Mix up neutral overload with a pop of color.
7. Don't be afraid to display a few items that don't match perfectly.
8. Ask a few friends for their opinions on a new arrangement.

For anyone looking to "replace" a room over the weekend, hope these tips are helpful. If you need assistance, you know where to find me.

Have a great holiday weekend readers!

(thank you bigtimehouselover.blogspot.com, Crate & Barrel, Young House Love, House Beautiful, and West Elm for the photos)

Finding Color Success in Paint.

Color is my business and I still love to read other's secrets "for finding color success" in paint. This article from the March issue of BHG was brimming with outstanding advice from editors and designers. I was reading through thinking...yes...yes...yes! Couldn't agree more. Here are my favorite excerpts-

1. "Three words for people who tend to rush in to paint colors: samples, samples, samples! Even the most skilled designers often need several tries to find the perfect shade. Give yourself permission to use lots of samples and make a mess of your walls until you find the perfect color." Kelly Keiser

I am not above begging clients to sample paint on the walls! It's the only way to really know...

2. "Think about the big picture to give a home flow. Weave the same colors throughout main spaces, but make dominant color in one room an accent in another. You'll be surprised at how different the rooms will look, yet how easily they flow."

3. "Failing to think of wood as a color can ruin an otherwise thought-out scheme. Oaks and rusty oranges can look too similar, and mahogany can make a room even darker."

4. "Look at the bottom color on the (paint chip) card. It's the most saturated and helps determine the color family and the undertone."

5. "Never use pillows that come with your sofa. Swap them out for something that brings a little life to the party. Bonus: You can use the inserts with new pillow covers." Elaine Griffin

6. "Think of paint as a complimentary background instead of what knocks you down upon entering a room. I want fabrics and furniture to be the stars and the wall color to quietly tie it all together. Save those bold colors for a small accent like the back of a built-in or reviving an old accent chair." Liz Levin

&

7. "When in doubt, call in an expert! It's a misconception that a designer is just too expensive; most will do hourly color consultations. Better to get it right the first time than have to redo mistakes." Kelly Keiser

Hope you enjoy these timeless tips! So true, so true.

Highly Underrated: Shower Curtains.

I must confess to being a die hard fan of the shower curtain... When clients mention plans to nix the curtain for grown up glass doors, I feel a little sad.

 Why? Oh because... bathrooms can become too smooth. You know what I mean? They need a messy, patterned element to add that youthful, interesting touch.

Character... a term that used to make me nervous as I envisioned 80's spindles, but have come to appreciate. They add character. And for a reasonable price. With the option to change on a whim when you crave a new look.

Coordinate shower curtain colors with an important element of your bathroom such as flooring or wall color. Then add an accent or 2 to bring the whole scene together.

And If you're struggling with options, feel free to reach out... I could search all day :)

(thank you grahadesign.com, Urban Outfitters, Urban Outfitters, allmodern.com, and Crate&Barrel for the lovely options)

Please hold for the next available operator.

Whenever I feel overwhelmed by a business venture, I visualize this scene from I Love Lucy, in which Lucy on the chocolate line, can't keep up with work flow, so she shovels candy in her mouth, clothes, etc. You know those days at work? :)

And the venture is a total website/blog redesign. A wonderful opportunity to improve and grow. Consolidate the website and blog. Offer more services. Become more visable. Help more people. Because that is what I really love to do.

But like anything that really matters in life... much effort is involved.

Thankfully, I have embarked on a very positive collaboration with designers, 82 Birds. And the shiny, new Color Zen will come to you (within the next 6 months) under new domain, createcolorzen, which makes me smile every time I say it.

So stay tuned readers/clients, the blog posts will flow free again! In the meantime, if you are searching for a great shade of "true" white for trim work, check out Benjamin Moore's swiss coffee, I've been handing that one out left and right lately (Spring busy season).

Cheers to a new beginning!

Client Sneak Peak: The Power of Paint!

So here's the scoop; Peggy has an interior design business in California. She loves the spatial planning realm of her work but not necessarily the paint color portion :) So we work together frequently on a wide variety of projects from stadium suites to sprawling mansions to mobile homes. It is REALLY fun. Like the yin and the yang.

One of our recent tinkerings was in Peggy's (daughters') bathroom. It had been painted pink, etc... years ago when the girls were young. Since they are now teenagers, it was time for a sophisticated, updated look!

Existing-

When I dig into a new project, I start by studying client photos in search of existing colors we must incorporate into the overall plan. In this case, the floor tile is white with little red accents. So this makes me think we should avoid adding another bold color. And I don't want to paint the bathroom screaming red, so call in the neutrals! The first that comes to mind is taupe.

I found this inspiration photo-

We both loved this new possible direction and felt it would be attainable without an exhausting level of effort. So I put together some paint color options, and a winner quickly emerged... Benjamin Moore indian river 985 (this one never seems to let me down).

And HERE my friends, is the winning new look-

What do you think?

(thank you eclecticrevisited.com for the inspiration photo)

A Fabulous Exterior Color Scheme in 7 Steps.

In my teen years, I would gaze at others, pondering how I could restyle their hair (Should I be admitting this?). NOW I drive through neighborhoods, dreaming of how I would restyle/recolor your exterior :)

'Tis the season for exterior painting and I'm here to proclaim, Your House Can Look Better! With a new coat of paint and some finishing touches, your curb appeal will soar. But... you have to make the right choices, and that's the hard part!

 Through experience, I've learned a few things. Here are 7 steps to get you started on the right note.

1. Don't Rush. A well coordinated exterior speaks volumes. Take the time you need to develop a plan you feel 100% comfortable with. Test several different options and compare.

2. Get Inspired. Up for a Sunday drive? Take a whirl through your favorite neighborhoods and take note of exterior color schemes that catch your eye. Figure out if you like light/dark trim, light/dark body, etc.

3. Be Reasonable. You can't expect paint to transform your home into the Taj Mahal, though simple steps can deem dramatic results. Accentuate your home's best assets or create a focal point (example- vibrant front door).

4. Incorporate Roof Color (or any other surface which will not be painted). As always, it's about good flow. Make sure all colors relate.

5. Test Colors. Once you've paired down to a few solid options, test the paint on your surface. Check swatches throughout the day to see how sunlight effects the color. Keep your eye on the undertones... I've seen too many trim colors turn pink in the evening!

6. Get a Few Opinions. Since matters of the home are personal, it can be difficult to judge your options at face value. Ask a few people for their thoughts, your inclinations may be confirmed.

7. Don't Play it Too Safe. I know... the highly VISIBLE exterior of your home can be intimidating. But if you flood everything in beige, you may fall flat. Don't be afraid to add a little pop in a safe way (examples- door, shutters, landscaping).

And if you're still paralyzed in fear? Call in a professional! Clients mention the peace of mind is priceless. Contact me anytime.

Happy Easter readers!

(thank you thezhush.blogspot.com, Key West, Hatchworks, and Young House Love for the photos)

Spring Color: Top 5 Picks for 2012.

Spring 2012 is off to a fabulous start. With temperatures in the Midwest reaching a rare 80°, there is an extraordinary buzz. The buzz is alive in business, as Spring is always my busiest season, and the buzz is certainly alive in the world of color!

Have you noticed the AMAZING shades in retail Spring lines? Red/orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, the entire spectrum, specifically ultra-bright hues. What do these colors say about our state of mind? All things positive... Strength, enthusiasm, and vitality are flowing free.

How can we use these powerful shades in the right way? By exercising just the perfect amount of restraint...

Without further ado... here are my 5 favorites for Spring 2012!

1. I want to call this coral peony. Can you picture that fantastic flower? We have seen the onslaught of coral in retail and design. Pantone named "Tangerine Tango" color of the year 2012. I am personally obsessed with this slightly washed variation! See Benjamin Moore pink paradise 003 and paradise peach 011.

2. Green has gone kelly and I love it (in accents)! My inclination is to meddle just a bit by cranking up the yellow and white. See Benjamin Moore woodland hills green 543, shades of spring 537, and sweet daphne 529.

3. Shades of violet... I was fearful it was a passing phase, but now I stand convinced violet is here to stay. Color trend forecasts mentioned "off purple" as a staple neutral in interiors. For the walls, I love a subtle "off" shade, but for accents an intense lavender. See Benjamin Moore sea froth 2107-60, sandlot gray 2107-50, and portland gray 2109-60 for walls, and hydrangea 1390 for accents.

4. Yellow, just a touch. I love it mixed with white and natural materials. There is nothing happier than the color of sunshine! See Benjamin Moore greenmount silk HC-3, hawthorne yellow HC-4, and concord ivory HC-12.

5. So I mentioned restraint, and by that I really mean balancing brights with neutrals. I'm giving you 2 magic mixers here... 0ff white shades, this could be cream or linen and/or camel. I'm particularly taken by the slightly off-beat nature of any bright hue tempered with camel. See Benjamin Moore seaspray 941, seashell 926, and manchester tan HC-81, and spice gold 1040 and brunswick beige 1061 for camel options.

There you have it... colors that make me smile. See how this compares to last year's picks.

Wishing you a BRIGHT Spring season,
Jessamy


(thank you J Crew, habituallychic.blogspot.com, House to Home, The Container Store, Lonnymag.com, Apartment Therapy, and habituallychic.blogspot.com for the photos)