Around the Casa » paint

Instant Pendant!

Sallie Hershkowitz — Wed, 14 May 2014 21:47:26 +0000

Do you have lots of recessed lighting in your home? Would you like to change things up a bit? Why not try an “Instant Pendant” lighting solution. These great little adapter kits turn a “ho-hum” recessed can light into a beautiful hanging pendant light and transform the look of a room in minutes! Simply install the adapter in place of the bulb. The decorative ceiling plate covers the recessed can. There are a variety of styles to choose from. Use wherever you currently have recessed lighting–over a kitchen island, a bathroom countertop, nightstands, a desk, even a bathtub…so many possibilities!

Available at Ballard Designs (www.ballarddesigns.com) and Home Decorators Collection (homedecorators.com).

From This…

…To This!

Radiant Orchid: The 2014 Pantone Color of the Year

Sallie Hershkowitz — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 22:42:03 +0000

Since 2000, the Pantone Color Institute has been designating a color of the year. A color that will “resonate around the world.” This is not necessarily the hot fashion color trending at the moment, but rather a color that crosses all areas of design. The Institute looks at everything from emerging artists to emerging trends in technology, travel, films, etc. The 2014 color of the year is Radiant Orchid–fuchsia with purple and pink undertones. According to PCI, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and its rosy undertones emanate great joy, love, and health.

This gorgeous color will be finding its way into home and fashion design, fabrics, weddings, artwork, jewelry, food–you name it, everything will be coming up “Radiant Orchid.” Whether you use a touch here and there or go all out, this color certainly makes a statement!

Painting Pointers

Sallie Hershkowitz — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 00:07:23 +0000

As winter days move into the freshness of spring, a new coat of paint is sometimes in order. Whether you choose from a palette of soft colors, found in the 2014 Sherwin Williams “Reasoned” or “Diaphanous” collections, or something more vibrant as featured in their “Curiosity” and “Intrinsic” lines, a new color on the walls can dramatically change your outlook!

Sherwin Williams carries both the West Elm and Pottery Barn paint collections and their website has a variety of color selection tools to help you choose one that is just right for you (http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/color-selection-tools/).

West Elm Paint Palette

Pick up some Frog Tape before you begin painting–the only painter’s tape treated with a special micro-barrier that seals the edges of the tape to prevent bleeding. Their website contains tutorials on applying and removing the tape as well as techniques for painting walls and other special projects using various Frog Tape products. Three special “Shape- Tapes” (wave, chevron, and scallop) can be used to create designs on anything from a wall to a waste can!

www.FrogTape.com

Visit the Benjamin Moore website for some insight into “Your Shades of Life” (http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/shades-of-life). The website also includes a handy paint calculator to help determine how much paint will be needed for a project (http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/paint-calculator).

Keep in mind that as the day progresses and natural light shifts in a room, the paint color can alter dramatically. Check your room throughout the day and in the evening under artificial light. Morning sunlight gives off a yellowish cast in a room and midday sunlight develops a cool, bluish cast. Also be sure that the lighting in the room is finalized–don’t choose a paint color before changing light fixtures.

Sample Size Paints

It is definitely worth the investment to paint several colors on the wall before you make a final decision. Small sample sizes can be purchased that will allow you to test various colors. Try to live with the test colors on the walls for a few days to give yourself time to reflect on the various factors that change the shade and tone of the colors. Ask a friend or two over to give their input–it never hurts to have a second or third opinion!

Once the painting project is finished, consider investing in some paint pens to keep your design fresh by touching up dings, dents, and scratches. Try these 5″ paint pens from Slob Proof (http://www.slobproof.com/). They come in sets of two.