The transformative POWER of color -

This is for all of you out there who, when faced with a decision on what to paint your walls, default to that old standby, Benjamin Moore’s Navajo White, a bland but safe off-white color. You know who you are. As it turns out, this is not actually the safe choice anymore, thanks to all of the fun and fast paced HGTV shows, homeowners are realizing that color on the walls can transform a room like no other decorating element. I call it a bit of magic in a can.

Now, your next question will be, “Then what color should I choose?” Here is one method that is simple and foolproof. I have used it many times when decorating my client’s homes. I want you to select something from the room that will be your “inspiration”. This can be a patterned fabric, oriental carpet, oil painting or even a torn out page of a particularly pleasing room from a home shelter magazine. From this “inspiration”, I want you to select paint chips that match colors from the object you selected. Invariably, you will have a neutral color for walls in an open area, a rich color for the dining room, a contrasting color for another room, and so on. Essentially, what you are taking advantage of by doing this is that some artist somewhere designed that fabric or carpet, belaboring the color choices to create a thing of beauty. Half of the work is already done for you. With this exercise you have created a color story for your home and a reference point to come back to time and again. It’s simple and a great way to select pleasing colors for your home. I know you are going to have fun doing this.