Colour of the week...Simply White Benjamin Moore OC-117

Simply white is Benjamin Moore's colour of the year for 2016.  There were many critics when this was announced, mainly because people questioned if white is a colour?  But, if you watch décor shows or read House and Home, you will agree, white is very popular.  It really sets the stage for anything with colour, such as wood flooring, furniture and art.

White can be tricky.  It needs the right lighting to look vibrant and fresh.  As I have said before, always test your colours and white is no exception.  If your room opens up to a green yard or forest, you may find that your walls will take on a green hue.  Not enough light can make your room look shadowy.

Simply white is described as fresh as the first snowfall, it is a clean, crisp, multi-purpose white.  Perfect for trim, ceilings, and walls.

Some complimentary colours are...

Balet White OC-9

Mascarpone AF-20

Paper White OC-55

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me at www.featheryournest.me

Colour of the week...Newburyport Blue, Benjamin Moore HC-155

This is a bold statement and not for everyone, but if you dare, this colour is a game changer.  It is bold, but when paired with a softer complimentary colour looks amazing.  It is great on an accent wall making a big impact, but hey, go big or go home. 

 Here are some suggestions for complimentary colours...

For a cooler palette, Balboa Mist 1549

Gray Lake 2138-70

Gray Timber Wolf 2126-50

From a warmer palette...Woodmont Cream 204

Desert Tan 2153-50

 Be bold...It's just paint.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me at www.featheryournest.me

Colour of the Week...Smoke and Mirrors, Benjamin Moore CSP105

I frequently get asked to choose a paint colour, especially a gray.  It really depends on the room and the client.  The best way to choose a colour is in the room that the colour will be painted in.  Everyone has a favorite.  But, Smoke and Mirrors is one of those magical colours that has depth and illusion.  You can paint this colour on every wall in a room, and it will look like you have 2 or 3 different colours instead of just one.  It is a gray with a brown undertone. 

It is very warm and comforting colour.  Because it changes in light, you must try it out before you commit to it.  Either paint a sample on the wall or order large paint chips and stick them on the wall.  Do this on a day that you will be home most of the time.  Check the colour SEVERAL times during the day, evening and night.  You may also want to sample the colour on different walls in the room.  You will see how it changes.  It is also a very nice colour if you are choosing to paint cabinets. 

Some nice complimentary colours are City Shadow CSP60

And Skipping Stone CSP 105

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me at www.featheryournest.me. 

The Lake House

Now that is a tall window.

Thank you to all my clients for your business.  It has been a very busy spring and I could not be happier.  It was wonderful working with all of you.

It's amazing what a little paint can do...

Here are some before and after pics from a happy client.  During the colour consultation, she said she wanted a dramatic difference, and warm rich colours.  Looks like she got what she was looking for.

Trend Alert:  Colour of the year for 2015

The colour, or colours, of 2015 have been released by the top paint companies.  This year the colours are very different, and this isn't a coincidence.  Taste is a very personal thing.  One is a deep warm rich tone, one a vibrant bright energizing hue and the last is a muted soft neutral.  One for every taste and place.  

If you are nervous to use a bold or bright colour in fear that it will be too strong or you will tire of it quickly, try a different approach rather than painting the entire room.  Let the colour stand by itself on a single accent wall or on your front door for a pop of colour.  Paint a piece of furniture as a great accent piece. Relax the bold colour by pairing it with warm neutrals. 

Paint is easy, quick and a fairly inexpensive way to change your space.  Have fun with it.  Experiment.

Arched windows (eyebrow windows)

Arched windows or "eyebrow/half circle windows" can be a challenge to cover especially in bedrooms.  You still need the room darkening in order to sleep well but there are very few options available.  Here are a few solutions...Shutters.  The shutters are installed with a tilt bar on the front so you can open and close the them.  They are room darkening but not black out as some light will still bleed through the louvers. 

The other option is pleated or cellular blinds.  A good manufacturer will offer these for specialty shape windows that still open and close.  You want ones that are operable and not just closed or stationary all the time.  These blinds will operate from the bottom up.  They stack neatly at the bottom of the window when they are not needed and pull up to a fastener to close when you need them to be closed.  They come in room darkening and light filtering. 

Both of these options are great if you need to cover the window and you can coordinate the bottom of the window in the same covering.