Decorating with Paint - 2

The  Sherwin William's website takes a different approach to showing us the new color trends for 2013.  They provide an inspiration and then colors that project that feeling.  I have copied some of their insights to this page for you to see.  I like having two different approaches available.  Each time I start with a space I will use alternate ways to get started.  In this case I want to start with the color palette first.

The caption from Sherwin William's color trend page says, "Today's dynamic palettes reflect our diverse mindsets, lifestyles and design philosophies."  Below are the pictures and inspiration for their color trends.

Midnight Mystery

The colors are moody, the vibe is masculine and the aesthetic is both Victorian and futuristic.


There are many deep rich colors in this color grouping.  The 3 I like most are;

SW 7593

Rustic Red

 

SW 6131

Chamois

 

 

SW 6004

Mink

 

 

Honed Vitality

 

The colors are chalky and earthy, the materials raw and organic, the finishes matte.              

 

These colors are cool neutrals.  My top 3 are;

 

SW 7612

Mountain Stream

 

SW 7739

Herbal Wash

 

SW 7057

Silver Strand
 

 

Vintage Moxie

 

The pastels are a bit bolder, including semi-precious gem tones like citrine, peridot and amethyst, set off by crisp neutrals.         

 

I agree these are bold pastels.  The 3 I think are most versatile are;

 

SW 0074

Radiant Lilac

 

SW 0025

Rosedust

 

SW 6401

Independent Gold

 

 

 High Voltage

 

Electronics, alternative rock and digital technology — plug those influences into one socket and you get a blast of high-voltage look-at-me colors.               

 

Pops of color can be very exciting in a room's decor.  My favorites;

 

SW 6859

Feverish Pink

 

SW 6967

Frank Blue

 

SW 6921

Electric Lime

 

Some of these new colors are extremely bold and dark.  There are options available in the same color family that are softer and or lighter.  You can get more colors and details about Sherwin Williams trends for next year on their website www.sherwin-williams.com.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com. Also, like me at www.facebook.com/dottywymandesigns.

 

 

                                   

 

                   

Decorating with Paint - 1

Do you want to freshen up a room with a new paint color?  Add new color accents to a neutral room with pillows, window treatments or upholstery fabric?  I am selecting some colors for a room I am designing and I needed some inspiration.  Currently, the room is a blank slate, so I have the opportunity to add color with paint, fabric and artwork.  The first place I checked out was the Benjamin Moore website to see their forecast of colors and was pleasantly surprised with all the color options and interesting color combinations they provided.

The trend colors for the 2012 section gave me ideas of new colors to mix together.  I noticed that gray, teal and burgundy/purple colors are very current.  Neutrals are always needed and Benjamin Moore helps you use them in different ways.

 

 

The two rooms above us the same color pallet, but in completely different approaches.  I like the dark trim in the first photo.  It is a unique twist from the traditional white or off white trim color.  The second picture has a sky blue ceiling with the dark walls.  This adds an extra dash of color and life to the dark green room.  The same colors were used in both rooms, but they have been used in varying locations.

 

 

 

The two views of this mirrored chest and artwork look completely different, even though the grouping of colors is the same.  The difference is the dominant color on the wall.  The first photo has a blue wall with red and dark taupe accent colors in the twigs.  The second photo uses the dark taupe on the wall and blue and red accents in the artwork and accessories.  I like that the same chest can have a traditional look and a more contemporary look just by changing a few accessories.

The Benjamin Moore website was fun to use for new ideas.  The 2012 trend colors can be viewed using the link provided.  http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/color-trends-2012;jsessionid=HvJ1QpnBPNplk1xSzrKhQdKvz4W6H32J3bCNdDLDpJ3Qgvs8nJ3S!1556887689!NONE. 

I also viewed the Sherwin Williams website.  I will let you know what I found on this site next.

 Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com. Also, like me at www.facebook.com/dottywymandesigns.

Many seats for a small space

These days we tend to have informal gatherings of friends and family hanging out in the family room. Many times they are standing or sitting on the floor, because there isn't enough seating.  It is so nice to create places to sit in the family room to accommodate as many people as possible.  Even if it is just for friends to come over and watch television.  This family room is beautiful with it's beachy white walls, sofa and rug, but it also has seating for 8 people.  Everyone will be engaged in this close conversation area.  The smaller scaled chairs and ottomans allow for a lot of seating without crowding this small area.  Function and beauty will keep friends and family coming back to hang out in this home.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com. Also, like www.facebook.com/dottywymandesigns.

Contemporary Farmhouse Style Kitchen

This is a kitchen remodel I worked on last spring with a client.  She had lots of exciting ideas and was willing to expand the existing footprint of the kitchen.  The most challenging part of this project was fitting together cohesively all of the elements she wanted to include.  We successfully collaborated to create a new welcoming, more efficient kitchen the whole family likes to use.

The group of before pictures, shows a kitchen footprint that a family of four used every morning and evening together.  The table in the center was added for additional counter space, but took up valuable square footage and created a narrow passage through the kitchen in front of the refrigerator.

The client wanted a new larger kitchen with a contemporary farm house style.  First, the kitchen was bumped out 6 feet and a large new window was added over the sink.  The desired design was achieved by adding painted cabinetry, exposed beams, a large rustic black hammered metal hood and soapstone counter tops.  The cabinetry has inset doors which is a classic style for older built-in cabinets.  The rustic hood is the center of attention and is enhanced by the tiled wall behind it.  The open shelving on either side keeps your focus on the beautiful hood.  We opted to use recessed lighting, so the look of the beams would not be interrupted.  Finally, a long center table was added for more work space.  The base is made of reclaimed wood and the top is covered in stainless steel.  This kitchen now has the style the client envisioned and it is functional for her family.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.    Also, like www.facebook.com/dottywymandesigns.

Decorating Dining Room - Accessorizing (8)

Finally, I have accessorized my new dining room.  I am happy to say, the last couple of months have been busy, so I haven't had much time to work on my own space. 

The accessorizing step of a design project is extremely important for providing the room a finished and pulled together feeling. Since the walls in my dining room are chocolate brown and the furniture is mahogany, I wanted to bring in some bright pops of color. I am able to do this with brightly colored glass bowls and vases.  Some of the artwork on the walls has white matting to add lightness too.  Without these accessories the room would look dull and uninteresting.

Accessorizing a room is time consuming.  Many times items that look great in the store, don't work as well in your home.  The goal is to have accessories that fit the room's new design and that you like them.  Also, in my project I wanted to reuse some of the items in the room, because these pieces had special meaning to me and my family.  Items that appeared dated were stored away.

My dining room isn't 100% complete.  I plan to add the mirror, pictured below, to the wall above the chest of draws and some type of throw on the dining table.  Please write me any comments or questions you may have about this redesign project.

 

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Accessories Shopping

Lately, I have done some accessories shopping for clients as well as myself (blogged dining room project).  It can be a challenge to find just the right items to complete a room's design and add some of your own personality.  Rules I try to follow are; if you have many accessories in a room they should look like you have collected them over time, and a more modern or contemporary room may only have a few accessories and each single item should add significant impact.

Shopping this trip has taken me to Wellesley, Newton and Natick.  One client was looking for kitchen and family room accessories.  We had luck finding a large cutting board and cheese dome to sit on her large island at Pottery Barn.  We also found, at Pottery Barn, some great glass candle holders with moss for her family room coffee table.  The pillar candles are wrapped in birch bark which add an organic element to the room.  This is a large space with a vaulted ceiling and required a substantial grouping of items.  Some other places we visited were Crate and Barrel and Bloomingdales.  No purchases at either, but they have some great items.  I was surprised that the prices at both are fairly reasonable.

Decorative cutting board on kitchen island

Grouping of birch bark wrapped candles and moss in
 large hurricane holder 

 Artwork is another way to add layers and presonnality to a room.  Oil paintings and orignal art can be expensive, but add a tremendous amount of uniqueness and interest to a room.  Paintings help to fill in the open spaces of large walls.  They add height and color and keep your eyes moving around the room.  Below is a painting we selected from the Renjeau Gallery www.renjeau.com in Natick.

Oil painting above fireplace mantel

Once you have your most important accessories in place, you can find additional items at discount stores.  It takes a little extra time to poke around and uncover the choice items, but you can save some money.   Accessorizing can be hard work, but it is worth the effort.  A room will not look complete until those last few items are in place.  Good luck accessorizing the next room in your home.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Redecorating Dining Room - Paint and more (6)

The dining room project is once again moving along.  When the rain came, so did the painter for some interior work.  He called me on Tuesday last week and was there on Thursday to start the job.  Since I had already selected the colors for the room and ordered the wallpaper, he could come even on such short notice.  The work to replace the baseboard moulding, wallpaper and paint was completed in two days.  They accomplished everything I requested.  There were only 2 small changes to the original estimate, which the painter confirmed with me prior to starting.

A view of the overall look of the walls

The picture above shows the rich brown paint on the upper portion of the walls which is balanced with the bold striped wallpaper below the chair rail.  The 2 3/4" baseboard moulding has been replaced with 7 3/4" moulding (the same height as the heat registers) and all the trim has been painted with a fresh coat of white paint.  I decided to paint the ceiling a golden yellow color (pictured below).  I thought the color on the ceiling would give the room a more contemporary feeling and it was an opportunity for me to introduce the yellow color from my design inspiration photos into the room.

Below are a few more detailed pictures of the walls and ceiling.

The 7 3/4" baseboard adds a strong architectural detail

The baseboard heat has also been painted white to blend
with the baseboard moulding

The yellow painted ceiling is unexpected and helps to
accentuate the crown moulding

The dining room redesign is almost complete.  The window treatments are the next step in my project plan.  I am in the process of making the drapes and I have ordered the decorative drapery rods.  

Please write me any comments or questions you may have about this redesign project.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com. 

Redecorating Dining Room - Hiring Trades People (4)

The next step in the design process is to hire the trades people for the project.  As I mentioned in my previous blog, I need to hire an upholsterer, painter, finish wood worker and possibly an electrician.  I am making the window treatments, so I will not need to hire a window treatment service.  Hiring trade professionals can be an overwhelming task, because you need to trust that they can do the work needed for your design project.

I'm sure you have heard it before, but a great way to hire someone is through word of mouth.  You have the opportunity to look at their previous work and get the real scoop from someone who has already worked with that trades person.  Don't worry, if you need to hire unrecommended trades people, just make sure you get a few different estimates and check their references. Quality of work is important, but so is showing up on time, cleanliness, accurate cost estimates, time needed to complete the work and trustworthiness.    The other important factor is to communicate your expectations clearly.  The trades person needs to know specifically what you want and your time constraints.  The more details you provide about the project and the more questions you ask, leaves less of a chance for problems due to miscommunication. 

I have hired the upholsterer and as soon as all of my fabrics have been delivered I will have him pick up the chairs.  The painter I contacted is willing to do the small amount of finish carpentry.  This will eliminate the extra work for me of trying to find a finish carpenter to do such a small job.  I am still on the fence about adding additional lighting at this point in time.  I will let you know what I decide.


Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Redecorating Dining Room - Select Finishes (3)

This is my third blog about redesigning my dining room.  I initially identified the Wynn Hotel lobby as the inspiration for my room.  Next I made a plan of all the tasks I need to accomplish prior to starting work or making purchases for this redecorating project.  I have determined the scope, budget and date I would like to have the room completed.  Now I am able to do more of the fun and creative parts of decorating, selecting the finishes to be used in the room.

 The walls will be painted and wallpapered in a dark brown tone, similar to some of the Wynn lobby walls.  Since the furniture in the room is also dark I have selected a striped wallpaper with a lighter brown color as well.  The wallpaper will be hung below the chair rail and paint above it.  All the moulding in the room will remain white.  This will help to keep the room from getting too dark.  The fabric choices will also need to be light in color to keep the room lively and inviting.

Wallpaper to be used below chair rail

Four fabrics have been chosen for the room.  The window treatments will be made from a bone colored velvet and rasberry/green tassel trim .  The dining chair seats will use a raised velvet rasberry colored dot pattern along with a green fabric used for piping around the edge.  Finally, the upholstered chair in the corner will use an intricate and colorful floral fabric.  The floral fabric helps to tie all the other fabrics together.  Usually, I will find the fabric with the large print and multiple colors first and select the solid, stripe and/or small patterned fabrics after, but this time the floral was the last fabric selected.

Overview of fabrics and wall coverings

Dining chair seat fabric

Dining chair welt around edge of seat

Upholstered chair fabric

Drapery trim

Now that I have made all of my selections I need to verify everything is available.  Once this is accomplished I will order the fabrics, trim and wallpaper.  I will also start the process of hiring the trades people.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.