My Home Redux

New Pottery Barn Paint Colors

Here are the latest Pottery Barn Paint colors for Spring. I like the medium tan/taupe called Cedar Key. The blue is also a popular color these days as is the chocolate brown.  Learn more about the colors here at My Perfect Color here.

The Red Dining Room ... Beauty and Practicality

My own dining room is red - merlot red, with varnish stripes. I love it (even though the drapes still aren't done).  It's formal and warm at the same time. I did some research and found out that is exactly why red dining rooms are so popular. The warm red color creates an intimage and inviting atmosphere where people feel relaxed, comfortable, and sociable. I can attest to the fact that our dining room often finds itself full after a big meal holiday meal with several groups lingering to talk about both light-hearted and serious topics. In addition, a deep red color stimulates the appetite (and I figured we just had better food when we ate in the dining room!). But the experts claim both of these facts are why red is a continually popular color for dining rooms - and one that never goes out of style. So from persimmon to a deep blooded burgundy, don't be afraid to go red. It's beautiful and practical.  (The picture comes from a woman who did it all with careful shopping - incredible. Share your appreciation of her talent here.)

Great New Paint Colors for Spring

After a wonderful spring day where kids could play outside, dads and sons took to park and yards to play baseball, and wearing a coat was not required to prevent frostbite, I believe I can finally say Spring has arrived! (Still waiting to see those buds though - only a month late here in Chicagoland.)

So I finally feel confident to announce My Perfect Color's new spring colors. I especially like the one in the lower right corner - Benjamin Moore's Wythe Blue.  Sophisticated, elegant, fashionable. Check out these and other colors at My Perfect Color.

The Absolute Latest Trend in Kitchen Appliance Color

For years, Stainless Steel appliances has ruled as homeowners strived for a high-end, commercial look in their kitchens. While Stainless still rules, some concerns include how visible smudges and dings can be.  (I can say with three kids, my refrigerator always looks smudged.) Another concern is that most home trends last about 10 years and stainless is getting close to that. So what's new. Unbelievably, people are talking about AVOCADO. Seriously. But the hot, new trend is oiled bronzed appliances. I must say it's a rich look. I don't know if it's life as a trend will be as long as stainless, but you heard it here first (maybe, probably) ... oiled bronze!  Check this article out for more information.

Update:  Reader Jennifer (who also happens to work at Fieldstone Cabinets) concurs about the hot nature of oil rubbed appliances.  Read her comments and check out the beautiful kitchen. (Fridge has custom cabinetry panels but microwave and double oven is oiled bronze in the back.)

You are spot on...oil rubbed bronze is rich. I’m attaching a visual of a kitchen that features oil rubbed bronze appliances. The cabinetry is Fieldstone Cabinetry. We used the Concord door style in Maple finished in White with a Bronze glaze.

And I’m glad wallpaper is back! Looking through wallpaper swatch books is relaxing, just like browsing fabrics is.

Thanks for the fun newsletter. I look forward to it every week.

Jennifer at Fieldstone Cabinetry

Decorating In Yellow

Yellow is a popular, bright, versatile color.  Sunny yellows, soft buttery hues, and rich golds are all popular now. But yellow can be a tricky color. The perfect shade can look glorious while the wrong tint becomes grotesque.  (This is a color family where getting a small sample can of paint is a good idea.)  If you're thinking yellow or gold and want some ideas, you've come to the right place. Take a look at this article and series of photos from Better Homes and Gardens.

Designer Paint Color Picks for January

Check out the latest colors that designers have picked this month. I especially like the Concord Ivory and Wilmington Tan. See them here and then buy samples to try at your house.

Hot Color Combination for 2008

This is a classic color combination yet a difficult one to pull off in any but modern decors.  I've seen in mentioned in many articles now so it must be a trend. Black and White.  Either on it's own or as a counterbalance to another very strong color.  Lines, geometric shapes, and even zebra stripes are all popular in this color scheme.  Personally, I need to add a vivid color to the mix - a dash of deep red, a splash of flaming orange, a drop of royal purple, but something to relieve the starkness.  But if you're going for a sophisticated look in a modern decor, think black and white.

Decorative Roller Painting

Here's how to achieve a textured wall finish - more modern than wallpaper, easier than faux finishing.  Use a decorative roller and paint as normal. Use a slightly different colored paint over a base coat. Or use a glaze. The key and secret is the decorative patterned roller.  See this site for great instructions and color combinations. Beautiful and easy! 

Find the Perfect Paint Color

Have you ever agonized over a paint color choice?  Is the color too dark, too light, too pink, purple, red, blue, etc?  No more wondering. Although paint retailers now offer small samples of the most common or popular colors, what do you do if you want something other than the top five or 10 colors?  Try My Perfect Color. It's a great web site where you can get ANY color. Order YOUR sample, paint a section of a wall, and check out the color with your furnishing and drapes, in day light and lamp light. No more second-guessing, no more wondering, no more agonizing. And if you like the color, buy gallons online too.  Just visit My PerfectColor.com.  (Disclosure:  when you order using links on my site, I get a small commission. So we both win - you get great paint samples and I get a little reward.)

Hot Colors for 2008

Since the previous post was about accent colored walls, I thought we'd look at the latest color trends. What are designers looking at for 2008?  Nothing really unexpected here other than there are so many hot colors. From green to blue with jewel tones thrown in too. Actually jewel tones seem to be the most consistent theme between these designers. Read six designer favorites here.