How to Pick a Wall Color »

Picking a wall color seems to stump everybody. I get asked to pick wall colors frequently and I always use the same logic to pick the right wall color to suit a client/friend/family member.

Unless it’s a brand new room, I don’t pick any random color in a deck. It has to make sense. I will look around the space, and find things that the homeowner is most fond of that has patterns or colors that they feel signify them and the feel of their home. This is usually a pillow, painting, rug or other piece of art. From there, I pick the wall color.

After I have chosen a hue, I can then decide the saturation. Depending on the size of the room, the feel of the home or the personality of the homeowner, I can direct how bright or dull the color should be. Here are some examples of colors that can be taken from what you already have in your home, and how you can bring them together.

Here are some examples of how I have discovered color swatches:

Here are things I have learned along the way:

1. The color is always brighter than it looks on the swatch. Swatches are tiny, and whenever possible, buy paint samples (as available at Benjamin Moore) so you can see the paint on the actual wall.

2. Lighting varies. A color will look completely different under flourescent lighting, sunlight, low-light, etc. View your color in the room at all levels of light before you commit.

3. You get what you pay for. Buying cheap paint will never leave you satisfied. My favorite brand is Benjamin Moore, and my favorite alternate brand is Behr from Home Depot. I have always been happy with these brands.

4. Tint your primer. If you are covering a dark wall, ask to have your primer tinted to the new color. This will require less coats of paint.

5. Learn from the experts! I have had the opportunity to work with four great color experts, all of which can be seen on television. They have great tips and excellent control over color, each in their own way:

Shannon Kaye - interior designer and decorative painter

David Bromstad - interior designer and artist

Danielle Hirsch - decorative painter

Karen McAloon - interior designer

One-Year Anniversary »

This week marks the one-year anniversary for the Idea Attic. And what a year it has been. Personally, I have moved into a new condo, re-ignited my love for sewing and decorating, taken on some fun and new clients (dentist website and tattoo shop website currently in que), met some new people, traveled to Florida, Vegas, and Arizona, started playing tennis and kickball, and having a lot of fun with my husband. We really had a great year and are starting to make goals for 2009.

Here were the most popular posts for the Idea Attic in 2008:

When To Go Neutral - Shannon’s new house and inspiration board

Meet Shelley’s Dining Room - Shelley’s new pumpkin dining room inspiration board (after pictures coming soon…)

Spring Kitchens - Great colorful kitchens and how to mimic them

Teaching an Old Dresser New Tricks - The repurposing of a vintage dresser

Weekend Office Makeover - The reveal of my “croffice” (craft room + office)

THANK YOU for reading and keep the comments coming! I am a firm believer in change, and I would love any suggestions as to what you’d like to see on the Idea Attic.

Craigslist Treasure of the Week: Desk »

Unique old-fashioned desk in Novato.

I love this desk because it is so natural. I think rooms can get so stuffy when they are filled with color and pattern. It always helps to throw in a little texture, and this knotted vintage desk would be a great solution. The top is a vintage door, with even the keyhole exposed.

Until it expires, you can see the original post here.