Showing posts with label paint. Show all posts
Showing posts with label paint. Show all posts

Monday, May 16, 2011

Bold Paint Colors for your Walls

Kick it up a notch with bold paint color! Add a splash of pink, blue and yellow to your walls to make a statement.
Bold Paint Color
More Beautiful Living and More ways to follow BB&B

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Color Inspiration: Brown and Orange

jonathan adler room
This bedroom by Jonathan Adler is so dreamy! The chocolate brown paint color, the gorgeous orange and white designs, the stunning rug... This room gets an A+ in my book!

Last week's color inspiration: Lilac and Honeysuckle
Another Color Inspiration ~ Easter Pastels
More color inspiration and
Mo
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Have you heard of Bamboopink! It's coming your way soon!!!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Spring is on it's way! 10 great tips to freshen up the place at little to no cost

These clever and thoughtful tips come to you from Beverly Hills interior designer David Solomon. I didn't know residents of the Hills needed budget tips - but David has some great ones nonetheless! To see David's portfolio go to his site.

1. Paint is your best friend
One of the most affordable options as a homeowner is to paint a room. Try picking a theme or choose a color and build your room around the mood of the color.


The dusky blue paint in this entryway sets the tone for this home - you get a sense that it will have a historic, eclectic, and mature feel.
via Maison Interiør


2. Stick to a theme.
What do you call a Japanese, Victorian, and Modern theme? Answer: a college dorm. Try to stick to a basic theme and work with that design.

3. Use visual cues.
Most people ignore very innate physical attributes of a home. Arched doorways are good for a Spanish theme. Crowned molding works well with Victorian and Art Deco styles. Wainscoting on walls can work with a country theme. Solid walls work well with modern.


The decorator here took a cue from the elegant molding and created a luxe sitting room
via Scandinavian Chic

4. Furniture makes a statement about the room.
One of the biggest investments you can make can be the furniture you purchase for a room, however, try to repurpose existing furniture or try using simple chairs with matching table to create a theme.


This room could have gone in many directions but this unique table and the patina of the wood sets the tone as rustic and traditional
via BoligDrøm


5. Take a peek under the carpet
If you own an older home, chances are you are covering hard wood floors with that 70’s shag carpet. If you own a new home don’t be afraid to pull the carpet and put down wood laminate. Engineered wood has never been more affordable.

6. Put down an area rug.
Area rugs can be purchased for as little as $200 and give a room a very expensive look. Carpet remnants make for excellent area rugs. See local Carpet store.


via My Marrakesh


7. Ditch the overhead chandelier for wall sconces
Lighting is the oldest trick in the book to make a room pop; just ask Hollywood filmmakers. Get creative while sticking to the theme. Create a modern room by hiding the light source or create a Victorian feel by putting wall sconces on a light fader.

8. Less is more
Most people believe that every square inch needs to be filled in a room but emptiness is a statement in itself. Don’t be afraid to leave a wall void of furniture.

9. Use accessories.
One of the least expensive ways to add color to a room with white walls is to add red pillows. Pillows, throw rugs, candles, paintings, photos, and flowers can make mild into wild.



via Casa Diez

10. Add a plant
One of the best ways to make a room feel like a living space is to add living plants, like a tall leafy plant in one corner, or just get some fresh seasonal flowers for the table.

via Alice in Designland


BONUS TIP

Any change you make will add to your overall curb appeal and ultimately to the value of your home. Keep in mind that outdoor improvements such as foliage, plants, and bushes take a long time to grow so plan ahead.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

How to Choose a Paint Color

Why is it so hard to choose a paint color for your room? Probably because there are more choices than ever now.
paint color
I put together a list of resources to better help you make your decision.
How to pick paint via Real Simple
Martha Stewart - Choosing a Paint Color
25 things to know about paint via Better Homes and Gardens
More How-To blog posts and More ways to follow BB&B

Friday, June 4, 2010

Chalkboard Paint


I know, the whole chalkboard paint craze is sorta overdone.  I'm definitely not the first person to paint a wall with chalkboard paint.  But it's so fun, and sometimes fun just has to overrule fashion when it comes to design.


We wanted to add a little character to the wall in our kitchen, next to the laundry closet (which you'll notice still needs doors).  I'm honestly usually not a big fan of accent walls, but in this case, this one vertical black stripe did amazing things to the look of our kitchen.  The already-tall ceilings seem even taller.  I love it.


So I will continue to love this trend of chalkboard paint.  Especially now that it's available in fun new colors from places like Murobond:


Sunday, December 27, 2009

Color Inspiration - Nature Inspired Palettes

I hope everyone is loving their holiday! I'm going to be random today and share some not so holiday photos, just because they're relaxing and we could all use a little bit less pressure this time of year!

So, my weakness when it comes to design is color. I'm a bit afraid of it and always lean towards white or soft neutrals. I know, however, that I have to take baby steps to walk the path to using rich, bold colors - so here's a baby step.

These palettes were sent to me by Olympic, who introduced a line partnered with the Audubon Society to raise awareness of the natural world, and to emphasize the importance of environmentally-conscious painting.

Here are the palettes. I've lettered them and would really like to hear which one is your favorite!

A. Tranquil


B. Splendor

C. Mysterious

D. Majestic

E. Harmony

F. Grandeur

G. Glorious

H. Brilliance

If I had to choose I'd pick E. Harmony. How about you?

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Battle of the Paints! - and help my mom choose a color for the dining room!

I had a fun little project this weekend which was to compare Glidden's new paint formula with a higher end paint. In this case they sent me Benjamin Moore to compare with their paint and both were a white eggshell base. I applied the paint directly on a wall in the dining room which is currently undergoing a little renovation, so it's going to be painted over soon anyway.


The package and it's contents that Glidden sent me. The papers with the black stripe though the middle were special testing sheets, which I didn't end up using since I had a wall available.

Each can upon opening. This was the only place I saw a difference, was that with Glidden there was a layer of medium (a translucent layer) of liquid at the top, which I stirred in.

This is the Benjamin Moore swatch. It went on really well and with good coverage. It was a little thicker than Glidden and didn't splatter.

I used a fresh brush and applied the Glidden swatch. It had a slightly thinner consistency and didn't splatter either.

Glidden on the left, Benjamin Moore on the right.

All in all, and days after, I really cannot detect any difference between the swatches. I was really impressed with the one coat coverage that both paints provided. As far as wear over time I won't beable to comment, but as of right now I can honestly say that I think performance is equal.

Now, for the really fun part! Like I mentioned the dining room is going through a little renovation, and will need to be painted. Below you will find the fabric my mom wants to use to make valances and curtains for the room.

There's been some questions about the house so here's some clarification: This is my parent's house. It is a 65 acre farm in MD. The house is very country. The ceilings have salvaged beams, some of the walls have dark wood paneling, and there are wood burning fireplaces throughout. The fabric wouldn't be appropriate in modern houses I agree, but it fits my mother (this is a lady who spends weekends baking bread!), as well as the country feel of her rancher.


I've tried to get the true color as close as possible. She wants to use the fabric as a jumping off point, and mom is leaning toward painting the room a warm, brickish red without too much pink in it, as seen on some of the flowers in the print. However, she is very open to some other suggestions too!

Here are the glidden swatches:
I've randomly assigned each one a letter and I also randomly rolled over one of the colors on the Glidden site to get the color name. Here is the link if you'd like to give me a color's name. Or, you could just say something like, Palette C., 3rd row, second column - the pale tanish color. (just fyi, rows are horizontal, or across, and columns are vertical)

I really look forward to hearing your suggestions and I hope you'll respond!

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

G.

H.

I.

J.

K.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Great furniture repurposing ideas!

There's no better feeling than finding something (or keeping something) old and having a brilliant idea to turn it into something even better! Take care in spending adequate time and research on your project and you'll end up with a piece that will mean so much more than a bought item for a much higher price. Plus, it'll be custom!

You may have seen this awesome idea around...
Go to Crafty Nest for full article, photos, and instructions.



This chandelier would look like a designer piece in a retro or modern home.



Instructions found at Esprit Canabe

This tray is probably my favorite DIY project, created from a salvaged cupboard door.

Go to Crafty nest for instructions.

A drap wood night table looks like it came from Brocade Home with some sanding, blue paint, and a coat of shellac.
via New York Times

One can never have enough pretty bins to hold supplies or other loose objects!
This pdf from Urban Nest gives the full instructions on how to make these from cereal boxes!

Okay, so this isn't really repurposing furniture, but I love this idea. Find a branch you like and turn it into art by hanging a collection of shells (or whatever you like for that matter).
via Michelle Rago, Weddings

A hoosier separated to be turned into a media cabinet and a console.


Chicken coups as kitchen storage - just make sure they're clean! :)
via Apartment Therapy
My Ping in TotalPing.com