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Inspired by Color and Design
January 10th, 2012
Older homes with low ceilings can make a room feel cramped and small. You can create the illusion of higher ceilings and a more spacious feel with these visual tricks:
* Paint the ceiling 1 or 2 shades lighter than walls: If the ceiling is white and the walls have color there is a strong visual break where they meet. This accentuates the low ceiling. Painting the ceiling 1 or 2 shades lighter than the walls will fool the eye and make the ceiling appear higher.
* Use taller baseboard molding: Older homes may have 2-3″ high baseboard which can often look even smaller because of flooring. Replacing the baseboard with 4-7″ baseboard makes the walls look higher. There are many styles and materials from which to choose.
* Create vertical lines: Select window treatments that draw the eye upwards, like fabric panetls installed from floor to ceiling, long cascades or vertical blinds. Use furniture that has vertical lines. You can also paint a tone-on-tone striped pattern on the wall for an elegant look that adds visual height.
Using these simple techniques will make your room feel larger and more spacious while keeping costs low. And that’s something we can all feel good about!
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
July 15th, 2011
It’s summer in the central valley and your relatives have just called announcing they want to stop by on their way to Yosemite National Park. Is your guest room ready or has it become a storage room? What can you do to make it welcoming with so little time?
1. Relocate the “stuff”. Move those boxes and other items not currently in use to another room, a storage closet or the basement/attic. Even better: donate the unused items to a charitable thrift store.
2. Launder those linens. It may have been a while since you’ve had guests. Wash sheets, pillowcases, towels and wash cloths so they are fresh. Meanwhile, air out the room by opening the windows.
3. Guest bathroom: make sure there are plenty of fresh towels and wash cloths along with a basket of soaps, lotions and other niceties to make your guests feel comfortable. Extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, deoderant and other personal items are helpful for the guest who forgot to pack them.
4. Have a working reading lamp and clock on the nightstand by the bed. Some generic reading material like magazines or novels are an extra nice touch. Make sure the reading material is something that you can let go of if the guest would like to take it with them.
5. Add a vase of fresh flowers and a scented candle and voila! you are ready for your guests.
Oh, don’t forget to go grocery shopping. Happy summer!
Tags: de-clutter, Guest bathroom, Guest Room
Posted in home interior | No Comments »
November 29th, 2010
Your holiday decorating should start with an objective view of your home exterior especially your front door and this may be difficult if you are not in the habit of using your front door.
Can you see your house number from the street? Can you see your front door? If mature plants have grown up over the walkways or porches, access of the home may be challenging for your guests especially in cold weather.
Does your doorbell work? What about lighting? Be sure to put fresh light bulbs in all of your outdoor fixtures after cleaning away debris. Brush away cobwebs and leaves, store unused planters and seasonal furniture or decorations. This visually reduces clutter and provides a backdrop for your holiday decorations.
Now add your favorite holiday decorations and be sure to put out the welcome mat. A fresh new mat helps reduce slipping, will protect your indoor flooring and add that decorative touch to welcome your family and friends for the holidays.
Wishing you a colorful holiday,
Pamela Sholty
The Color Coach Central Valley
Tags: de-clutter, exterior, holiday decorating
Posted in home exterior | No Comments »
November 10th, 2010
When it comes to choosing lamps, it’s easy to feel left in the dark without a little guidance. Here are a few tips that could help shed some light. In selecting the correct lamp the key is to find the ideal combination of appearance and function. First, you must determine the type of lamp you want. The possibilities are endless but let’s evaluate a table lamp, hanging lamp or floor lamp. Based on where your new lamp will live, you need to calculate the following:
Size: People often make the mistake of buying a lamp without measuring the area in which it is going to be placed. Always measure first and don’t depend on your “eyeballing” skills. If planning for a table lamp, measure the table height and circumference – your lamp should be no more than 1-1/2 times the height of the furnishing it sits on and the lampshade shouldn’t overlap the table. Also consider the weight of the lamp. Heavier lamps will be more stable and will be better for a high traffic area. Hanging lamps should also be sized appropriately for the space they will occupy. Choose a single large lantern, or cluster several smaller lanterns together at slightly different heights. No suspended lantern should hang lower than 12 inches above your extended arm’s reach when standing.
Style: Contemporary, traditional and modern are just a few of the many choices. Consider the decor or your space. As a rule of thumb, clear bases add less visual weight, while wood or iron bases provide texture and richness. Crystal lends a touch of glamour and painted porcelain creates an Old World feel. As long as a lamp works well with the object it sits on you should be fine. For example, a high-tech desk lamp would look inappropriate on grandma’s antique parlor table.
Brightness and Lampshades: Think about the primary function of your lamp: mood lighting, reading, decoration or safety. For purely decorative lighting, you can choose an opaque fabric shade. It will illuminate the space from ceiling to floor rather than outward. For reading and other light-needy tasks, select a translucent lampshade that diffuses light. High-quality paper or fabric shades are ideal. Table/desk lampshades are designed to be about 2/3 the height of the base. For floor lamps, a 4:1 ratio usually works best. The widest part of the shade is always at least 1/2″ wider than the widest part of the base on each side and covers the lamps harp and bulb socket. A lampshade’s job is to complement the lamp. For rounder lamps, select more rounded shades (drum, oval, empire, coolie, bell, etc.); for squarer bases, shades are generally more angular (square, rectangular, hexagon, pagoda). General rule of thumb: the more ornate the lamp, the simpler the shade and vice versa.
Brightening your day,
Pamela Sholty
Tags: brightness, Lamps, shades, size, style
Posted in Interior Accents, Lamps, home staging | No Comments »
September 6th, 2010
Each individual has their own unique method for getting work done. Some like to keep their files in chronological order while others prefer an alphabetical style. No matter what type of system you prefer there are two questions you need to ask to determine if the system is working for you: (1) are you able to find things when you need them; (2) do you get things done before they are due? Perhaps your system needs to be improved in order to answer ‘Yes’ to both of these questions. The best way to start is by decluttering your work area and getting rid of anything that doesn’t help you meet your goals.
Your desk is typically the heart of your work area. It’s the foundation from which you plan your future projects and perform your daily tasks. A messy desk makes it very difficult to be productive. At least 50% of your desk’s surface should be visible when it’s not being used. This allows you to get work done without feeling crowded. Once your desk is cleared of unneeded items, take the time to assess the remaining items. Your goal is to make everything as accessible as possible. Invest in stackable trays to corral those loose papers that you need to keep on hand.
Pens and pencils should be kept in a holder. Paperclips, post-it notes, staples, and other stationery supplies should be kept in the top drawer of your desk. Special drawer organizers can be purchased to help keep these items neat and efficient. To prevent clutter from building up again, deal with each piece of paper when you receive it. Make it your goal to touch each piece of paper you receive only once – determine what needs to be done and do it without delay.
The start of school is a good time to not only organize your own desk but help your child or teen to organize their home desk and set them on the path to efficient work and meeting their goals for the new school year.
Tags: de-clutter
Posted in Organization | No Comments »
August 25th, 2010
After years of color consulting I believe that paint color is the main factor determining how you will feel about your home. It’s the most important element when creating a beautiful environment. Why?
- Because it’s the biggest. Covering all walls and the ceiling in any room, paint color has more influence than any other medium including flooring, fabrics, counter-tops and artwork. Paint color can make a home feel really good or bad, boring or exciting, comforting or stimulating.
- Because it has a purpose. It’s purpose is to make every other color in your home, whether it be floors, pillows, or fabrics, look more beautiful. It can also neutralize unattractive colors or help coordinate out-dated fabrics and colors with new and improved fabrics and colors.
- Because it groups everything together. How do you pull together the recliner that you bought 5 years before the sectional group? Or how about the 10-year old oak flooring that doesn’t quite seem to work with the more contemporary granite counter-tops? The one thing that can make everything work is the perfect paint color. It’s the least expensive decorating technique and will provide the biggest impact so grab that brush and prepare for the challenge!
Tags: Choosing paint colors, paint color, paint color palette, selection
Posted in Color Selection | No Comments »
August 17th, 2010
In addition to your collectibles and framed photos, books give your guests a glimpse of who you are…your talents, hobbies and interests. Your bookcases can be a focus on interest in your room by a simple re-arrangement. Shelves filled with just books become boring while shelves with an assortment of odds and ends look cluttered.
The key is to creatively arrange your collection of selected books, artwork, greenery and collectibles. You need to consider those same key elements as in room decor: balance, color, texture and height. Here are a few tips to start you on your way to a beautiful display:
- First step: remove everything from your shelves and selectively determine which books are worthy of your display.
- Remove jackets from hard cover books but leave covers on visual or ‘coffee table’ books.
- Vary height and depth: stack books on their side and add small accessories on top of or in front of the stack.
- Look around your home for other items that can be used: memorabilia, art objects, candles, photos and plants.
- Put larger books and accessories on lower shelves and smaller items on upper shelves.
- Allow for some pockets of empty space to allow the eye a chance to rest.
- Be sure to carefully select artwork that will be hung above the bookshelf.
When the job is complete you should be looking at an artful composition of meaningful items that will give friends and guests a look into what is important in your life!
Tags: artwork, book shelves, books, collectibles, greenery, photos
Posted in Interior Accents | No Comments »
August 8th, 2010
If your office is in your home or you entertain business guests in your home, you might want to add a more contemporary feel to your decor. One way to do this is to introduce or add extra elements of black, whether it be in your kitchen; your dining room; or your entertainment area. Just as in evening attire, black and sophistication go together. Here are some tips to add just the right amount of black for a new and contemporary look:
* Add large plants using black ceramic plant containers.
* Consider an area rug that is trimmed in black or has black in the design.
* Black granite in your countertops if you are going through a kitchen renovation.
* Big candles nestled in chunky black candle holders.
* Black picture frames can be used in your photo collage.
* Even small pieces of black furniture can be used when added judiciously.
A tired decor can suddenly take on a whole new look with the addition of a few elements in this surprisingly sophisticated color.
Tags: black, candles, ceramic, counter tops, furniture, picture frames
Posted in Interior Accents | No Comments »
June 24th, 2010
Adding accessories to your decor is like the icing on the cake. Once you have the room laid out you can begin to add the personal touches that will make your home unique. The accessories should reflect the personality and character of the family that lives in the home.
However, as fun as it can be to add accessories it can also be challenging. Not only must you choose the correct accessories but you must also display them in such a manner as to get them noticed. Accessories should enhance the decor not detract from it.
As a first step you should remove all the accessories in the room and group them together according to theme, style and color. Check the rest of your home to see if there are items that are placed in other rooms that should become a part of your “collection.” By keeping like objects together you strengthen their common features and make them more noticeable.
The focal point in your room is a good place to start when accessorizing. People will notice this area first so use your accessories to make this area stand out. When displaying your accessories on a shelf or cabinet make sure to display your items to their best advantage without becoming cluttered or messy.
Lastly, use the principles of scale and balance by placing items of “visual weight” on each end of your shelf while adding height and color to make your arrangement more interesting. And don’t forget to use odd numbers when you can, just like Mother Nature does when she displays her best work!
Happy designing!
Tags: Accessories
Posted in Color Selection, home staging | No Comments »
June 14th, 2010
Homeowners can do a lot on their own to prepare their home and show it in it’s best light when placing the home on the real estate market. They can clean, repaint and get rid of clutter. So why would you hire a home stager?
According to internationally recognized home staging expert Debra Gould, The Staging Diva, “The process of selling a home can be completely overwhelming. Homeowners often lack knowledge about their local real estate markets and how homes in their price range should look.”
A home stager can look at your home with fresh eyes. They view the home as a highly critical buyer would see it. Here is how home staging can benefit you:
1. A stager knows what is needed to quickly create the best sales environment at the lowest cost.
2. A stager will give homeowners suggestions that their real estate agent may be afraid to offer because the agent does not want to “offend” the client.
3. A stager is not emotionally attached to the contents in the home. Using their fresh vision, they can recommend the optimal way to rearrange existing furniture, art and accessories.
4. A stager can recommend the appropriate paint colors and finishes to update your home.
5. A stager can provide resources for painters, cleaners and handymen to help with needed repairs. Other resources may be needed for vacant homes like furniture, accessories and art.
Home staging can have a dramatic effect on the selling price and the number of days spent on the market. The amount you invest in a professional home staging consultation will be small compared to the advantage your home will have in showing to its best advantage…and SELLING.
Are you ready to see your home?
Tags: Choosing paint colors, paint color palette, paint color sheen, selection
Posted in Color Selection, Update Colors, home stager, home staging, sell home | No Comments »
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