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.
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.
When thinking about ways to add interest to your space, consider decorative painting techniques. These include ragging, strie, faux marbling and wood graining, and Venetian plaster. You might also consider hiring a fine artist who specializes in murals and “trompe l’oeil” (“fool the eye” with its realism).
While trained craftsmen can apply stucco and Venetian plasters and even paint graphic designs in your space, muralists are fine artists with years of training and experience. Often their work is underappreciated and, if found in a newly purchased home, are often painted over without much thought. Although tastes (and quality of art product) differ, don’t forget that the money spent on the artwork’s production is an added value to the home – give it a chance to grow on you!
One of our favorite local artists is Steve Dueño. He has been creating beautiful art for local homeowners, businesses and museums for years. He was recently called in by ACC’s Florence Jones when her client needed a match for her painted marble moulding and chair rail following a renovation. Steve did a great job, making a seamless match. Also pictured below are other examples of his work.
Stephen Dueño was interested in art as a kid, drawing and painting from an early age. He worked as a sign painter’s assistant in his teens and after high school started taking art classes at the Prince George’s Community College in Maryland. He worked as a house painter in his early twenties and joined the painters Union and worked for large unionized paint shops in the DC area. Although he had many years experience in art making, it was while working in these shops that he learned to do fine finishes, lacquering, spraying, faux finishing, gilding and other fine finishes.
In his late twenties Stephen went on to full time college, working his way through and eventually gaining a Masters degree in art from The Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore Md. While still in school he launched a mural and decorative painting business called – Steve’s Murals and Faux Finishes. Thirty years later he’s still at it. Contact Steve at 703-217-1101 or email at ddueno@cs.com
Custom wall paperChildren’s room muralBird mural
Other ways to add unique large format features to your home are custom printed wallpapers. Check out local artist casartcoverings.com and sites like spoonflower.com or on Etsy.com
ACC encourages support of artists (especially local): we need their creativity in our lives! Florence Jones and Susan Mintz (ACC Co-Founders ) also enjoy painting projects. Florence (America’s Color Consultants – DC Metro) recently was asked to restore a faux-finished sink surround and faucet that the client loved. She’s also handpainted a bench to grace a client’s foyer and stenciled her bathroom vinyl floor, among other projects! contact Florence at 703-725-6871, or email at florence@AmericasColorConsultants.com
Dresser to match wallpaperStenciled bedroom accent wallHand painted bench with wall stripes
Susan (America’s Color Consultants-Malibu) has been painting and decorating old, forlorn wood dressers, tables and vanities for the past several years in addition to paint color consulting. She’s thrilled to be using the training she received at the Torpedo Factory years ago in decorative painting techniques, including faux wood graining and stone looks. She combines these techniques with the beautiful decorative elements available on the market to elevate painted furniture to pieces of art. Contact Susan at 703-362-3131 or email at susan@AmericasColorConsultants.com
Painted cabinets have been a trend for the past couple of years. It’s a great way to save money and also get a custom look. Most house painters today are telling their clients that they can paint their cabinets. However, there is a right way and a wrong way. Albeit more expensive, the best option for painting your cabinets is using a professional cabinet painter. This is a painter who only paints cabinets and has been doing so for 5 to 10 years. The cost can be double the bid from the house painter, but the difference will be the longevity of the paint job. A professional cabinet painters’ final result will be equal to a factory finish and could last up to 20+ years. A house painter’s job may last 2-5 years.
Cabinet Paint Review: Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel
If you decide to use a general house painter or you want to paint them yourself, Sherwin Williams has – Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel. For our test below we used the color “Cotton” only available in the Emerald line of paints. It is a soft off-white with neutral yellow undertones.
Steps for either the professional painter or homeowner to take using this product:
Step 1 – Remove the cabinet doors and any hardware (mark which doors match which cabinets)
Step 2 – Clean all surfaces well with Krud Kutter to remove oil and grease residue.
Step 3 – Sand the surface. If your cabinets are wood with a poly top coat you MOST take the time to sand. If they are pre-painted it is also best to sand, even just a scuff-sand and especially if they are previously painted in an oil-based paint.
Step 4 – Prime – a MUST!: paint one to two coats of primer. We prefer a fast-drying, oil-based primer such as Zinsser “Cover Stain”. If you are painting over a dark wood or dark paint color it is best to use two coats of primer.
Step 5 – Paint. Paint your cabinet doors on a horizontal surface, not vertical. The secret to painting cabinets for the smoothest surface is using multiple thin coats of paint, using the recommended SW Mohair Blend roller and allowing 12 hours between coats. This may mean you need to paint three coats instead of two, but a thin coat will prevent runs, allows for some self-leveling, and when allowing the proper dry time between coats (very important), it should give you a stronger finish.
Step 6: Replace Doors. Allow for “curing” (the time needed for the paint to harden, not just dry), before reinstalling the doors. This can be 21-30 days for best results.
The addition of new, cleaned or even painted knobs/pulls will complete the renovated look of your cabinets. If the cabinet hinges are visible you may consider changing those too. Check out Etsy.com for a great selection of unique products.
Results/Opinion:ACC’s Florence Jones found the Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel, semi gloss finish to be relatively easy to work with and the final finish was good. It is a reformulated Sherwin-Williams product, time will tell if it will create a hard durable finish that withstands the wear and tear of a kitchen. Flo’s kitchen has 50+year old wood cabinets which appear to have been painted several times with different colors. The original paint was oil based. The cabinets’ interior paint remains the original oil based paint; and since it gets the least wear and tear, not painting it was the best option for her. If your cabinet insides are in good condition and a color you can live with, you may elect to only paint the outside doors and cabinet face.
Annie Sloan Chalk PaintHeirloom TraditionsAmy Howard Miracle Paint
Cabinet Paints for True DIYers. There are several brands of paint on the market that are specifically targeted for DIY painters of furniture, including kitchen and bath cabinets. These include chalk paints (Annie Sloan, Debi’s Design Diary DIY, Dixie Belle) that require a wax or poly topcoat, and “all in one” paints that profess to need no top coat (Heirloom Traditions, Wise Owl, and Amy Howard All-in-One and Miracle paints). ACC’s Flo Jones and Susan Mintz have used all of the above products in their own homes and can attest to their ease and lasting nature. Florence painted her bathroom vanity and stenciled her floor using chalk paint and topcoats about 8 years ago. They still look great! Susan has used all the above products: chalk paints on her kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities; all-in-one paints for her furniture flipping projects. She has been very happy with all of them. Where there appears to be wear and tear over time, it is easily remedied with a light cleaning of the area, touchup painting and appliance of a topcoat.
We recognize that each project is unique and larger projects may require the use of a professional painter with specific skills and experience.
Lynn Ishikawa serves Loudoun county, Virginia including Leesburg, Ashburn and beyond. Contact her at 703-594-7868 (call or text), email: lynn@ashburncolorconsultants.com
Q: Tell us a little about your background:
A: I’ve worked in the Hospital and Healthcare IT industry for 20+ years but always had a penchant for helping friends & family pick colors for their homes and offices. So when the pandemic hit, I decided to venture into the world of paint color to see if I could possibly find a second career within the design industry. I’ve actually found my calling by helping clients discuss, explore, analyze and select the perfect paint colors for their homes!
Q: So you went from a stable and comfortable job and started a whole new career?
A: Yes, I took a leap of faith to launch this new (& very different!) business and to figure out what it takes to own my own franchise and be self-employed.
Q: What is the one thing you believe firmly in when it comes to color?
A: One should not make color decisions in isolation! I will always inquire about other elements in a project including flooring, cabinets, countertops, backsplashes, furniture, fabric, art, décor & lighting and then guide clients in a direction they’re comfortable with.
Q: What’s your most favorite part of the process?
A: There are so many… I enjoy facilitating the dialogue between a couple who may happen to disagree on what color to choose and educating clients on color pigments, pros & cons of different paint sheens, drying vs. curing etc. I love it when a client chooses their favorite color in a dramatic shade to use in their office or powder room. And I especially like it when they contact me afterwards to let me know the job is (finally) done and they send in pictures of the finished project.
Q: What kind of feedback have your clients given you?
A: I have the best clients! They’re so thankful and tell me how much they appreciate me helping them to feel confident in their decisions and that their new room colors inspire them to live & work authentically!
Q: Any advice for someone who isn’t sure about what colors to use?
A: Everyone deserves to be happy and enjoy the space they live and/or work in by using color! Build trust in yourself and the process! You can create the space you love by stepping through any fear of color you may have.
Q: Can you share a recent project with us?
A: Yes! This home in Sterling needed some TLC after having been rented out for 2 decades. The homeowners needed my help to transform the exterior colors to make it their own while at the same time still fit in with the surrounding neighborhood. They knew that they wanted a ‘green-brown-neutral’ overall color scheme to be in harmony with the mature trees on their property, and just needed help refining their choices and then deciding where to utilize each color. After a few iterations and plan options, this is what they ultimately decided on and are very happy with the results!
Exterior Before
Paint colors used:
SW 7748 Green Earth: All siding, garage doors and foundation on the back and sides
SW 7738 Cargo Pants: Brick front
SW 7563 Restful White: All window trim & soffits
SW 7048 Urbane Bronze: All shutters, trim around garage doors, front & storm door
SW 3024 River Birch: Deck
Products used by Painting Contractor:
Sherwin-Williams Super Deck Solid Stain in SW 3024 River Birch
Trim/doors/shutters: Sherwin-Williams Duration in Gloss
Siding: Sherwin-Williams Emerald Rain Refresh in Satin
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.
The color pink is having a “moment” due in large part to the success of the Barbie movie. Neon pink may not be your cup of tea. But pink – and its siblings blush, rose and coral – have always had a fan base, and it’s easy to see why. The hue evokes a reaction in most who encounter it – it can simultaneously be playful, relaxing, endearing and sophisticated. It can also be bold and energetic. As we highlighted in an earlier blog (March 11, 2019), it has even been used in some prisons because of the calming effects of certain shades. Due to its ongoing cultural link to femininity, some people steer clear of pink. Too bad!
Home accessory manufacturers have embraced the color. Interior designers use shades of pink as a neutral color. Benjamin Moore’s AF-260 “Proposal” is a favorite, beautiful neutral of ACC’s Ashburn, VA color consultant. Another ACC favorite is Sherwin-Williams SW 6301, Patient White (a blush, they didn’t want to call it pink!). Farrow and Ball also offers a variety of pinks that are bold, subtle or soothing. Not all pinks are the same and lighting and room orientation can be tricky when working with their varying undertones and intensities. Consult your local America’s Color Consultant to help you select the right one for your space.
Tripler Army Medical Center in HonoluluPink house in Scotland
Pink exteriors are found all around the world, and sometimes in unexpected places within the home. We’ve included some examples here of the use of pink that make unapologetic statements of their own. One thing is clear – at least to those of us who work with color every day – people who use pink are certainly interesting!
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”.
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.
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
America’s Color Consultants (ACC), the nation’s first color consulting franchise, is pleased to introduce its first “Real” Colors of the Year choice for 2023. While the major paint companies spend millions to introduce their colors for the coming year, ACC takes a different approach. ACC franchisees help their clients select colors they’ll love for more than 6-12 months. The average, real homeowner – those who use ACC services – paint their interiors an average of 5-8 years and exteriors 10-15 years.They may add to their interior furnishings, but few change everything enough to necessitate a wild swing in paint color. A color refresh, yes, but few ever ask about the vibrant hues offered as the color or palette for the coming year. Quite the opposite: occasionally a new client will ask “you’re not going to tell me to paint any of those loud colors of the year I see are you?” We assure them that what we select with them will work with their furnishings, and set the mood they want for each space while still looking fresh. ACC sees the trends of the past few years continuing for another five: the turn to neutrals for living spaces. Neutrals do not mean just shades of white or gray, but any subdued color. They can be warm or cool: Paper Mache, Baby Fawn, and Silver Strand are just a few of the colors that have proven popular and usable time and again.
Greek Villa, Sherwin-Williams 7551, is ACC’s first “Real” Color of the Year for 2023. For a space refresh or for resale staging purposes, it works in just about all situations and no client has ever been unhappy with this choice.
Greek Villa
On occasion we suggest a color (or 2 or 3!) that a client may not have considered for their space. Our second color is Benjamin Moore’s Dark Celery (2146-10), a bold rich choice for the right space that works with neutrals, grays, as well as deeper jewel tones. It is also the compliment color to Pantones Magenta.
Dark Celery
Sherwin Williams – Introducing Redend Point SW 9081, the Sherwin-Williams 2023 Color of the Year. In this soft and soulful neutral, we know what it is to feel cared for, to appreciate what we have, to create deeper connections as we move through the world. Read More
Redend
Benjamin Moore – Raspberry Blush 2008-30 strikes the right chord, setting the stage for Color Trends 2023.Never a backdrop, Raspberry Blush is the definition of charismatic color. This unapologetic shade of red orange had us thinking: bold, bolder, boldest. This sentiment flows through the rest of the palette as we immerse ourselves in hues that make a statement. Inspired by an artist’s desire to communicate through color, shape, and sound, Color Trends 2023 was built to envelop you in vivacious color. Read More
BlushRaspberry
Behr – The 2023 Color of the Year is a hopeful and welcoming warm white with limitless possibilities to help transform any vision into a reality. BLANK CANVASDC-003
PPG – PPG and Glidden paint by PPG announced their 2023 Color of the Year: Vining Ivy (PPG1148-6) – an energizing, yet grounding blue-green that can be used in any space. Its versatility takes the guesswork out of design, leaving consumers with more time to indulge in the things that matter most to them. Read More
Vining Ivy
Pantone – Pantone’s Color of the Year, Viva Magenta 18-1750, vibrates with vim and vigor. It is a shade rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength. Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative. Read More
With vaccinations widely available and social life back to pre pandemic, millions of Americans are reassessing leaving their home offices to return to their work spaces. The Washington Post reports there is growing evidence that a lot of people are “reassessing what they want to do and how they want to work.” Thousands of jobs remain work-from-home and will remain so even as businesses reopen their office space. Many have found they Iike working from home and don’t want to return to the office. Millions of people are quitting their jobs altogether.
America’s Color Consultants (ACC) is a business opportunity particularly suited for those creative/artistic types who have found that working from home has proven to be desirable, and for those whom the pandemic has taught that life is short. ACC consultants own their own business, and thus own their time – working part-time, full-time, even overtime if they want. They meet a wide variety of people and provide a valuable, efficient service in a growth industry, all the while exercising their creative muscles. And they operate their business from a home-based office.
There will be those who will happily return to their pre-pandemic work environments, but for those who seek something different, there are numerous opportunities for individuals to use their unique talents to both earn a living and satisfy their soul.
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!
