Tag: #color

Posted on

What is Color Drenching?

Farrow and Ball Setting Plaster No. 231 Dead Flat creates a serene mood for a child’s room.

Color trends come and go:  we see new “colors of the year” introduced each January. Black interiors and exteriors are having a moment.  So what exactly is this new term, “color drenching”?  Simply put, it is the use of the same color or levels of intensity of the same color on walls, ceilings, trim and even furnishings.  

We’ve always called it using a monochromatic palette, or colors that are extremely close in color. Its use can create a room that is light and airy, or one that has a cozy or moody feel. Tempted to give it a try?  We recommend trying this approach in a smaller space to see how you feel about it.  A powder room, hallway or entrance foyers, maybe even a guest room where you want to create a specific mood might be good spaces to experiment.

We often recommend (especially for open floor plans) to paint the ceiling, walls, trim and baseboard the same color, varying only the finish (the sheen of the paint). This will allow you in the future to paint individual walls however you fancy without having to repaint the ceiling, trim and baseboard, therefore maintaining some continuity in your space while at the same time saving you repainting dollars (ceilings, trim and baseboards are time/money consuming).

If you’re intrigued by the concept and want to see and learn more, click on the included links to Martha Stewart’s article, as well as one from Architectural Digest.  If you’re inspired by what you see, call your friendly neighborhood America’s Color Consultant for assistance!

Posted on

Looking for original artwork for your freshly painted home? The Virginia countryside is the home to many artists. If you are up for a weekend outing come visit the town of Warrenton, VA, the home of our corporate office. Warrenton has traditional galleries as well as more contemporary art such as Taylor Boyd Studios.

TAYLOR BOYD STUDIOS

7 North Fifth Street, Warrenton Virginia

About Taylor Boyd  – Taylor Boyd has been an artist since childhood and has always dreamed of opening a gallery/studio of her own. In 2022, she opened Taylor Boyd Studios in Old Town Warrenton. She has sold her original art for 20 years and is very dedicated to her work.

A native of Fauquier County, Taylor has a strong passion and interest in the growth of her hometown and looks forward to getting to be a part of its expanding arts community. 

She is the Vice President of the Warrenton Arts Commission and advocates for the wealth of untapped artistic potential. In 2023 she painted the large scale “You Are Home” mural on Culpeper Street in Warrenton, VA. She most recently completed the illustrations for a new children’s book that is set to come out later this year. 

After her 2008 graduation from Virginia Wesleyan, Taylor returned to Warrenton in 2011 and over the years has decided to turn her passion for art into her full time career. In 2019, she quit her 9-5 to pursue happiness and expression. “If not now, when?” 

About Taylor Boyd Studios – Taylor Boyd Studios offers Taylor’s original artwork and prints for sale along with other retail and merchandise. She also displays selected works by local artisans she has worked with over the years.

Taylor occasionally offers private and group art lessons, paint nights and workshops for all ages and experience levels. To take advantage of any upcoming events please find and follow her on Facebook and Instagram @taylorboydstudios.

Awards – She has been given many recognitions over the years for her artwork, most recently winning the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Fauquier Times Reader’s Choice Award for Best Local Painter as well as the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Lifestyle Magazine’s Best of Fauquier for Best Local Artist, and 2023 and 2024 Lifestyle Magazine’s Best of Fauquier for Best Gallery.

Posted on

What’s Old is New Again:  Return of the 70s

Designs of the 70s featured large, colorful graphics.  Influenced by abstract and pop art –  and even disco – there were bold stripes, waves, rainbows, sunbursts, and flowers.  The patterns could be found on walls, posters, album covers and clothing. These designs would be created inexpensively with paint on walls as cheap art for young apartment dwellers and as bold statements in offices and on building exteriors.

Art is back. Todays artist are creating their own wall art inspired by the 70’s.

Like every aspect of design, with their distinct retro vibe, these design features are making a comeback in restaurants, hip office spaces and in the dwellings of the young and young at heart. They are showing up as wall murals and fabric for home and office use, and even as wall, floor and furniture stencils. The designs are available through specialty websites such as zazzle, spoonflower and Etsy.

Wallpaper available at Spoonflower.com

There’s never been a better or easier time to relive the 70s or to discover its boldness for the first time.

Posted on

Minimalism vs Grandmillenialism in Interior Design

Depending on your point of view, one might describe the other as “sterile” or “cluttered”. Both approaches are a reflection of the owner and can be beautiful if carefully edited. This month we’ll look at “grandmillenialism”. 

Cali Natural Modular Living Room Set from Coleman Furniture

The term “grandmillenial” with regard to interior design was coined in 2019 in a House Beautiful article regarding the aesthetic favored by many in their mid-20’s to late 30’s (millenials). Grandmillenial design is a resurgence of traditional and classic design combined with some modern elements. It encapsulates the comfortable feeling one may have felt at their mothers/grandmothers/even great-grandmother’s homes (hence the “grand”). The term also morphed into “granny” chic and some have denigrated it by saying it is all floral pillows and crocheted throws. But designers of this oeuvre incorporate elements of the following: collections (crystal, china, personal mementos); blue and white; toile, plaid & chintz; vintage brass; linen; ornate chandeliers; rattan/bamboo/wicker, needlepoint pillows; dark(er) wood furniture; and leather. This style tells a story about the person/people who live there. Their history is displayed in the gilt of a frame or the soft hand of the wood furniture.

There are also subsets of Grandmillenialism such as coastal grandma, and grandpa chic (use BH&G link below). There’s even an Italian grandmother aesthetic! This, according to Better Homes and Gardens, blends warm rustic colors, beautiful marbles, and artisan details such as wood beams, terracotta tiles and ornate glass chandeliers. In other words: a rustic elegance that has been curated over many years.

FLORAL AND CHERUB Wallpaper from Wallpaper Boulevard

What all the “grandmillenial” designs have in common is the desire to exude a feeling of warmth, security and casual comfort. They incorporate craftsmanship and the appreciation of all-wood furniture, which can readily be found in antique and used furniture shops – even Facebook Marketplace – as can the other items we’ve mentioned here. “See our blog on Recycled Artwork, October 2022.”

Many designers feel trends tend to have a 10-year life span. Farmhouse Style (think shiplap and distressed wood interiors, and board & batten exteriors with black window frames) has enjoyed a decade of popularity, so it’s time we’ll be seeing a design shift. Since grandmillenial design is based on classic, traditional styles with tweaks of modern elements, its components will not go totally out of style, rather just rise and fall with general popularity. 

Let your home speak to you – don’t be so quick to remove its previous owners’ embellishments or paint everything white. If yours is an older home, spend time appreciating its details and how to curate them or bring them back to life. If it’s a newer home, think about how you can make it feel warm, comfy and truly reflect you and yours. Be patient and build an interior history with objects of quality and those that “spark joy.” 

BHG.com – Grandpa Chic Is the Collected-Over-Time Look that’s Both Refined and Comfy

Want to name your house? Here’s a site to help: www.name-generator.org.uk/house

Posted on

Recycled Artwork

ON-LINE – If you’re looking for an additional way to refresh your space (following an ACC paint color consultation, of course!), consider changing out your artwork. There are numerous venues for excellent recycled original artwork. Besides Etsy and eBay, you may want to check out Facebook Marketplace(click on the “storefront” icon two spaces to the right of your “house”. Type in what you’re looking for and make sure “Delivery Method” that you click onto “Local Pickup”).

LOCAL – Make it a day trip! The Virginia countryside has so much to offer from vineyards to craft breweries to great restaurants. Add a visit to a local consignment shop for a fun outing to search for new-to-you artwork. Start by heading out Rt 66. to The Plains, VA. Stop for coffee at Doppio Bunny Coffee Shop. Followed by a visit to Baileywyck Antiques. Lots of high end art. Drive west on Rt 55 towards Marshall, VA and stop by Marshall Curated. If it is a warm day sit outside and enjoy lunch from a double decker bus at Johnny Monarch’s. After lunch take a side trip west on Rt 55 to Blue Valley Vineyard and Winery and enjoy the view while you enjoy a wine flight. Next stop take Rt. 17 south to Warretnon, VA stop at the Fox Den. Don’t miss the great shops on Main Street and take in the Old Town Warrenton charm. Before heading home stop at Harry’s in the historic Airlie House for a light dinner or stay the night at Airlie.

Driving tour of Virginia countryside

Baileywyck Antiques, The Plains, VA

Marshall Curarted, Marshall, VA

Fox Den, Warrenton, VA

Posted on

Add Color With Landscaping

Color can be added to your home in many ways other than with paint. Evergreens and flowering trees and plants will enhance your exterior color choice. Evergreens come in a wide variety of greens from warm to cool. Flowering plants are available in every hue found on the color wheel. And the same principles apply to plants when creating a palette of colors for your home.


Do you prefer monochromatic color schemes or complementary colors? Are pastels your choice or do primary colors suit your tastes? Our expert paint color consultants can help you decide on the best approach for adding color to your landscape to complement your exterior. For a monochromatic choice, for instance, a nearby pink dogwood can inspire painting a front door in the same pink, which can be a surprising and beautiful choice. What if your exterior is yellow? Purple flowers would be the natural complement to your yellow exterior.

A gray blue exterior works well with a front yard of evergreens for an analog use of color. Blue spruce, or fescue grasses would look beautiful with lime green plants. The changing colors of a Japanese maple that turns scarlet in the fall would look gorgeous against a blue/gray structure.

Another approach may be the mass planting of one color of a species, such as the bougainvillea (seen in the photo below).

When shopping at your local garden center be sure to take photos of your house along with you – even from different times of year – to remind yourself of plant colors already established. This will help you make more efficient purchase decisions to build a gorgeous landscape for all seasons!

Posted on

Trends We See for 2022

This blog was included as part of a larger article on color trends on Redfin.com.

As people emerge from their COVID cocoons, we’ve seen one trend emerging that we expect will continue in 2022: people are going opposite!  Those with warm/beige walls are opting for cool grays, whites, and gray-greens. Those who have been living with cooler colors are opting to warm them up! Our clients that are in their forever homes are asking for bolder, brighter colors. They are not likely to follow suggested color trends. Clients who plan to sell in 3-5 years continue to opt for the lighter neutrals that work with their decor: Agreeable Gray, Sea Salt and Ancient Marble by Sherwin-Williams; Gray Owl and Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore continue their popularity streak. The beautiful gray/green shades that are being highlighted by paint manufacturers for 2022 are proving to be popular with clients doing a total reno or for new builds (October Mist-Benjamin Moore; Evergreen Fog-Sherwin Williams).

Another striking trend to emerge is the desire to add personality to one’s home through the addition of architectural elements such as wainscotting, coffered ceilings, and  “feature” walls created with furring strips in various patterns.  Many clients are also painting their stair railings and balusters a dark brown/black or deep gray color. Some are even trying out these dark colors on the window/door framing and moldings of a “trial” room. 

In sum, we have found that our clients are welcoming change and looking to stamp their individuality on their homes in many different ways, and are no longer afraid of color to do it!

Check out the full article on Redfin.com: Most Popular Paint Colors to “Swatch” Out For In 2022

Posted on

2022 Paint Color Trends -Green

Green Is In!  While the color green in its many shades is always a perennial favorite among ACC’s clients, this year the majority of paint manufacturers have selected a green as their Color of the Year.  As green represents renewal and growth and positively affects our physical health, we celebrate their selections:

Benjamin Moore – Make room for creativity with October Mist 1495, the Benjamin Moore Color of the Year 2022. This gently shaded sage quietly anchors a space, while encouraging individual expression through color.

Sherwin Williams – Evergreen Fog SW 9130, Soothing, subtle and a perfect shade to freshen up any space.

McCormick Paints – It’s time to Chillax. Our 2022 Color of the Year has an airy, soothing tone that is comfortable in a rustic, modern, or traditional space. This white has no boundaries, a timeless classic.

PPG – Olive Sprig PPG 1125-4 After a year of stay-at-home orders and too few IRL (in-real-life) moments in 2020 and 2021, homeowners, designers, architects and facility managers are craving authenticity, nature and meaningful human interaction after living in a mostly digital world.

Behr – Breeseway MQ3-21 – evokes feelings of coolness and peace while representing a desire to move forward and discover newfound passions.

Posted on

The “Perfect Paint Color” vs the “Perfectionist”

The America’s Color Consultants LLC’ tagline is “We Make Choosing the Perfect Paint Color Easy!”  With over 15 years of experience we’ve found the term “perfect” has proven elusive for a few of our clients.  Every so often we have a client who describes themselves as a “perfectionist.” Uh oh. While 99% of the colors selected with our client’s participation are, indeed, “perfect” and work for them, we sometimes can’t match a client’s perception. We educate our clients that many variables can affect what they see in a color as they seek “perfection.”  Here are some examples of what I mean:

Example 1: The client sees a color in a magazine and requests that shade for their space.  They are disappointed when they see it as an actual sample.  What went wrong?

Magazine use a CMYK printing process.

Answer:  Magazines are a printed medium and paint is a suspension medium of chemicals and pigments. Printed pieces can only try to get close to the same shade nuance. The client should use the printed color as an inspiration and starting point, but not have the color in the picture as the expectation. Paint color is influenced by many factors.

Example 2: The client uses a manufacturer’s online tool to select colors for their space, but when they put up samples, the colors are not the same. What gives?

Electronic devices use RGB color.

Answer – Much like the answer for Example 1, a computer is a different medium and consequently can only get close to showing you what the true color of the paint is. It can be a good starting point for seeing what a change of color can look like in full coverage of a space (vs a small chip or sample), but don’t expect the color you see on the screen to be what you see on your walls.

Example 3: The client wants the same paint color found in one room of their home painted in a different space.  They have the name of the paint manufacturer and color from 8 years ago. When a new gallon is purchased, it is close in color, but doesn’t look the same as the original room.  Why?

Paint uses pigment, diferent pigments are mixed to create the paint color.(color above SW 6425 Relentless Olive)

Answer – Paint can look a bit different in different spaces for a wide variety of reasons: The paint in the original space has dulled over time; The orientation of the room’s natural lighting (NEWS) and time of day of use and affect color perception; Manufacturers of paint change the base formula every 3-5 years which can affect color nuance; Calibration of the computerized paint mixers can be off/need cleaning; Human error at paint store (wrong code punched in); Sheen of paint affects color – pearl and matte finishes will appear differently in addition to all of the above.

Posted on

The Age of Creativity

Going into a new decade, I am observing a strong movement towards “creativity”.

We are living in the Modern Era, which has included the Space Age and the Dot Com era, both based on science and technology. During the last 20 years I feel the Arts have been disregarded. Five years ago a guidance counselor at my son’s high school told him there was no point in taking an art class, because there are no jobs in art.  I was horrified!  Everything around us is, was or will be created by an artist:  the computer you use, the car you drive, and even the label on the can of tomatoes you buy, all were designed by an artist.

Lately we are beginning to recognize this creativity. You can see it all around you. Paint colors for homes are no longer just shades of white or beige.  Paint manufacturers are putting more time and money into promoting paint colors:  everyone has a “Color of the Year.”  We are seeking out more creative and unique products for our homes. Food products are more creative in stores,  and presentation, in addition to taste, is an important element at restaurants.

In our era of shrinking job stability and stagnant wages, people are finding ways to generate additional income through their creativity. A “side hustle” is a common second or even third job. Creative sites such Etsy.com offer unique creations such as this Starry Night Birdhouse or Fantasy Hoof Boots . Visit your local farmers market and you will see that we are even becoming more creative in our local food products such as Immortal Mountain Chocolates.

If you have a creative urge, but don’t know where to start, a subscription to a site like mybluprint.com might be the answer.  With on-line tutorials in everything from quilting and photography, to jewelry making and cake decorating, it is a fun way to exercise your creative muscles.  Perhaps you caught the competition “Making It” hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman.  The goal of the show was simple:  to encourage everyone to “Make It”!  It was a “Project Runway”-styled show for crafts people with different skills and backgrounds in which the makers were given projects to create each week.  The variety of creative skills and imagination on display was staggering:  both impressive and inspiring.

Why all this creativity? Perhaps it is the resurgence of concepts such as Ikigai that are driving this new age of creativity. This Japanese concept means “a reason for being.” The word “ikigai” is usually used to indicate the source of value in one’s life or the things that make one’s life worthwhile, the word translated to English roughly means “thing that you live for” or “the reason for which you wake up in the morning.” Read more at en.wikipedia.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

America’s Color Consultants franchise model fits perfectly into this new trend. We offer a home-based business which you can pursue part time as your “side hustle” by adding creativity back into your life. A great way to start the next decade.