Timeless Tuesday Number Fifteen

Welcome to Timeless Tuesday #15. Today my timeless classic is neutral paint. There is nothing wrong with color on your walls. I tend to think of walls in my designs as the canvas. I often place a neutral paint color on them such that all that now enters the room is the feature presentation. Here are a few examples of what I mean...

Barbara Barry

Paula Grace

Jonathan Adler

Ron Marvin

Vicente Wolf

If the canvas is neutral, all else takes center stage ~ art, furnishings, lighting... The other wonderful thing is if you want to change out pieces, you can do so with ease.

Neutral wallcovering ~ specifically paint in this post ~ is my timeless classic for today.

Now it is your turn to share your posts about classics or trends you hope become timeless...

1) Add your permalink below ~ not your blog's address in general but the specific post you want people to visit. To obtain the actual post link, click on the title of your post once you have published it and copy and paste the URL into Mister Linky.

2) Leave your name and say a couple of words to describe your post (e.g. "Coco Chanel suits" or "Classic interior design for children" or "Delicious meals in a snap."

3) Copy and paste the Timeless Tuesday logo button (on my right sidebar) to your Timeless Tuesday posts. This is a sure way for your readers to know you have joined in the party.

4) Link back to the host blog, that's me ~ Paula Grace Designs Blogspot Timeless Tuesday ~ so all the bloggers that joined the party will receive many interested visitors.

Monday's Method ~ Off White Dilemma

Lovely, aren't they? These designs are from the master herself of off~white, Barbara Barry.

Glinda asked me the question below in a comment ~

"I read your Monday's Method post tonight and since I am one frayed nerve away from a nervous breakdown, I was hoping you would be able to help. I am trying to find an off-white paint that has NO yellow in it but is creamy enough to be warm...I just can't seem to find the right one. I plan on using it in our entire house."

I answered her pretty quickly because I was concern about Glinda being "one frayed nerve away from a nervous breakdown." Oh dear! However, I thought I would expand here and show some detail because I think picking paint is one of the most difficult things to so IF the color is not based on the design as a whole. I have written this before but I never select paint color until I am certain about what fabrics or art will be in the room. Why? Because the room will be much more coordinated if the paint color is based on what will actually fill the room plus it is a heck of a lot easier to do it that way. Picking a paint color out of thin air is very difficult. Then you are left trying to find furnishings that coordinate with your paint color. The thing is ~ paint color is infinite ~ everything else that goes in the room is not (unless you have things custom made).

In Glinda's case, she simply wants to find an off-white that is on the warm side but without yellow in its formula. I actually told Glinda the wrong fan deck to use so I will correct myself here ~ take the Benjamin Moore Color Preview fan deck (not the Classic which is what I told Glinda ~ sorry Glinda) and find off-white colors that are the lightest tint of colors other than yellow. I found several that originated from greens. Even though they originated from green, a typically cool color, these still appear quite creamy and on the warm side. I also found some that were derived from neutrals. Can I say that they contain NO yellow? No. Green is derived from yellow but it also contains blue. Browns are made by mixing many hues on the color wheel so yellow may be a small variable. It will be tough to omit yellow altogether. Here are a few that do not appear yellow~ish...


2165-70, 2164-70, 2163-70

2162-70, 2161-70, 2148-70

2148-60, 2147-70, 2146-70

2145-70, 2144-70, 2143-70

And my all time favorite ~ I use this color for trim a lot...

2149-70 (aka White Chocolate)

Now that you have all these colors side by side, you can see that some are warmer than others.

This is actually a good exercise to do when trying to select an off white (or other neutral) paint color from thin air. After looking through the fan deck, use the website ~ My Perfect Color ~ to copy and paste colors side by side and see which are warmer or cooler, depending on your preference (if out of thin air, I would choose a cooler neutral as it will coordinate better with other colors). You may not pick your one color this way but it will narrow down the small samples to purchase. Choose only two or three colors to buy samples of. Too many samples may make it more confusing than it needs to be. Paint white boards with your sample choices and place them throughout the room (or home). View the boards over a couple days to see them in different lights to see how they perform as light ~ specifically the light in YOUR home ~ will make a big difference.

Benjamin Moore also offers a service on their website ~ Personal Color Viewer. This allows you to see paint colors in actual rooms. You may upload your own photos or choose from samples photos (I find the latter easier and sufficient). This will also give you a good idea but it does not replace the exercise above. It may help to narrow down your choices to two or three.

Please don't fret, this is a simple exercise that will help relieve your worried mind. It is also ok to use different off-white or neutral hues in different rooms if needed. The variation from room to room will likely be negligible to the eye. And lastly, please remember its just paint. Unless the color is completely off, once you fill the room with your belongings, the paint color won't be the prominent feature. Your focal point and supporting furnishings will.

There you go Glinda, I hope this helps!

If you do have a question about this or another topic, leave me a comment. If you would like advice about something specific to your space, send me a couple of pictures at paula@paulagracedesigns.com.

I'm linking with these lovely ladies ~ all fabulous parties worth a long leisurely visit.

Monday ~
Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday
Little Red House Mosaic Monday
Cottage Instincts Make it for Monday

Tuesday ~
A Soft Place to Land DIY Tuesday

Thursday ~
The Shabby Chic Cottage Transformation Thursday

Saturday ~
Funky Junk Interiors Saturday Nite Special

See you tomorrow for Timeless Tuesday!

Advice Column ~ Tranquil, Modern Bedroom

Many of you know that I do an interior design column. Since I have limited room in the column, I write an abbreviated version there and expand here. The sky is the limit here! Here's the picture the writer sent....


Here is her email....

Dear Paula Grace,

I enjoy your column and wonder if you can give me a tip on how to jump start my stalled master bedroom makeover. I want a peaceful, tranquil, more modern room that is bathed in light during the day and cozy at night.

Unlike the client you mentioned that wanted to get away from white, I am drawn to it. But now I have a lot of white and ivory including a beautiful new bed and new silk curtains. All three large windows have ivory solar panels which satisfied my desire for a clean and contemporary look (and lots of light) but the shades do not provide privacy at night or insulation when it is cold outside. Hence, the silk curtains. But I only have silk curtains on one large window leaving the two neighboring windows looking exceptionally bare.

How would you suggest I even out the look of the windows and maybe begin to introduce color? I am attaching a photo so you can have a better idea of what the room looks like today.

Any advice you can give is much appreciated!

Sincerely,

Vikki P.

My response.....

Dear Vikki,

Thank you for writing in. First of all, your bedroom is lovely. Stylish furniture; plenty of natural light and sumptuous silk drapes. You have the foundation of a magnificent room. I’m glad we had a chance to email regarding colors as it is important to add a color(s) that you enjoy. Green and brown are excellent choices ~ natures hues are always soothing. Since you would like peaceful, tranquil and more modern, I would add a soft green and a chocolate brown. The dark hue is neutral thus has staying power and will ground the design nicely ~ and a direct connection with the earth; the soft green is for the tranquility. I would not add any more color than that. Mix textures and use a combination of pattern. Use motifs you would see in nature plus a subtle plaid and stripe to compliment the curves. Here are some examples from Robert Allen / Beacon Hill.


RA: Statosky-Java, BH: Blanket Stitch-Citrine, BH: Fossil Dig-Citrine, BH: Wikipedia-Canary Green, BH: Summer Sonata-Peridot, BH: Woods Creek-Peridot, RA:Velvet Pipes-Terrain

For the specific window issue, I would suggest roman shades to be used in conjunction with your solar panels for the windows flanking your bed. Hang them at the same height as your drapes for a uniform line. The Beacon Hill: Woods Creek – Peridot would be an excellent choice. It is a soft pattern and incorporates the ivory hue connecting them with your ivory silk drapes. The shades may be lined and interlined for the privacy and coziness you seek. An important fact about fabric roman shades ~ they must be well-made or you may run into functional problems. They are notorious for being difficult to pull up straight and it sounds like you’ll be doing that to let in the natural light and have them down at night. If they are well made, you won’t have issues, if not ~ well….. Try The Shade Store. Robert Allen has a partnership with them so you may be able to use a fabric such as the Beacon Hill: Woods Creek – Peridot. If not, use the Robert Allen linen on The Shade Store site and add a band of the same fabric to the bottom of your silk drapes. You may use all of the other fabrics for throw pillows and upholstery noted as they relate nicely to the linen hue.

An alternative to the fabric roman shades is a roman woven shade. I have never run into problems with well-made wovens and since they have developed into sophisticated patterns, they could be easily used with the lush drapes. Select one that matches your ivory drapes and that has a close and consistent weave. An example from Horizons is below. This alone will not bring in color but it will bring in texture. If you would like color on the woven, simply have them banded in the green. If you decide to band them, add a band of the same fabric to the bottom of your existing drapes to further connect the window treatments.

Horizons: Holland Mesh-Timid White

Caveat ~ if you use Beacon Hill: Woods Creek – Peridot for roman shades, do not place a band of it on the drapes. There is a relationship with the drape’s ivory hue and the motif on the shade fabric. Adding a band on the drapes may be too much of a good thing.

On your bed, start with a clean lined ivory duvet. The Diva (love the name) from Wildcat Territory is a nice choice. Since you have a fabric headboard, the shams are optional. Place an assortment of throw pillows on your bed. Use the shade fabric as one pillow and then mix the patterns, textures, and pillow style. I like to ground the pillows with dark in the back row, then lighter in the front. I suggest one large bolster in the Robert Allen: Velvet Pipes - Terrain above as the back row. This will pop off your ivory bedding or headboard. Three 18” self-welt pillows (middle one being the window fabric) in front of the large bolster. One or two 16” self- welt pillow and two small bolsters in front of that. This may sound like a lot of pillows but here is where we have an opportunity to add lush fabrics, beautiful pattern, texture and color not mention an air of femininity given the master bedroom is for a lovely lady. Since the pillows are clean lined (no ornate trims), they will be contemporary yet lush. Add a faux fur throw to the mix and hello luxurious!

A bench at the end of the bed with in Robert Allen: Statosky – Java would be wonderful. This would connect the pillows at the head of the bed with the end of the bed. Nothing over powering ~ just a simple bench such as this one from Hickory Chair.
Hickory Chair: Farra Cocktail Ottoman

Ground the entire bed / bench area ~ the focal point of the room ~ with an area rug. The area rug that is shown in your picture is too small in scale ~ it is disproportionate to the bed. A 6’ x 9’ or 9’ round rug such as this one would be better. The rug should be placed such that it is underneath the end of your bed and the bench (see illustrations). I would recommend a chocolate rug with a tone on tone motif inspired by nature or a plain, soft, luscious rug as exampled below from Surya.

or

or
Surya: Natura NAT-7041 or Manhattan MAN-6663

Add some sparkle to the room by replacing your night stands lamps with something like these from Arteriors Home ~ clean and elegant.

Arterior Home:Clear Silveria Bottle NeckGlass Lamp 44471-371

Arteriors Home: Zola Melon Lamp, Hotel Silver 44438-146

If you have a seating area in your master, as many do, I suggest a chaise or chair with an ottoman to lounge in. The fabric ~ Beacon Hill: Fossil Dig – Citrine. It is soft with subtle color and wonderful pattern and texture. Since I don’t see this area, I cannot recommend a specific one ~ but you get the idea.

Note~ The specific furnishings named can be implemented literally or can be used as a catalyst to fill the room with similar choices.

I hope this helps!

Paula Grace ~

Wow, that was fun!

Advice Column ~ Selecting a Neutral Paint Color

In addition to my blog, I do a column. People write in and ask for design advice. I received a question about choosing a paint color / palette when one does not know what will eventually happen in the design.

Here is the actually question....

"I recently moved into my home. It still has the builder’s paint even though it is four years old. I am still deciding in what direction I want my décor but I really need to get rid of the white walls. What do you suggest?"

Here is the answer I gave....

"If you do not have furniture or artwork to base your color palette on, I suggest a specific type of ‘neutral’ color on the walls and off-white on the trim and doors especially in your public spaces. Your public spaces are usually on the main level, the basement if it is finished, and up the stairs to your second floor and the adjacent hallway. The only rooms I would omit from the public space list are the kitchen and powder room. In public spaces, flow will need to be taken into account. Flow refers to the way in which one room connects with the adjacent spaces and rooms ~ many homes today are built with an open concept where one, or many, rooms are visible from the other; flow creates a rhythm and harmony throughout your home. Neutrals are whites, off-whites, grays, black, and off-blacks. Browns and beiges are also considered ‘neutrals’ and used generously as such. I often refer to beige and browns as neutrals but if I wanted to be completely accurate or scientific about it, they are really neutralized color hues. What the heck does that mean? Browns and beiges come directly off the color wheel by mixing colors ~ the other neutrals do not. However, for the purpose of this column and future ones, I will refer to browns and beiges as neutrals. Since you would like to get rid of the white, then the white and off-white seem out. Off-black and black are nice but I doubt one would like all their public spaces painted with them. That leaves grays, beiges, and browns. Brown may be a bit too dark for this purpose. Grays or beiges it is! However, not all grays and beiges are created equal. Beiges in particular can be warm or cool. Beiges that have a gray pantone in their formula tend to be easier to live and decorate with over time. Why? Because gray is a cool neutral and cool colors tend to be more soothing that warm ones. In a study where social interaction was taken into account, and there is usually a lot of social interaction in one’s home, it was determined that the cool hued room (blue in this case) versus the red or yellow rooms (warm colors) lengthen the time people stay in the room and behaviors were more sedate than in the warm rooms. Thus, grayish beige will be more tranquil. In addition, it is easier to warm up a cool beige than it is to cool down a warm one. Warmer beiges may cast an orange hue which can clash with other colors versus the grayish hue of a cool beige. Not much tends to clash with gray. This will keep your choices for your décor easier and more fluid. Warm beiges are lovely but best used in rooms that have a specific décor plan. It may be difficult to tell the warm and cool beiges apart unless you look at them side by side. Here are two Benjamin Moore beiges, Lenox Tan (on the left) and Gingerbread Man.



Which one is the grayish beige? Side by side, it is easy to see the difference. Many of the Historical Colors from Benjamin Moore have gray in them; that is a good place to start looking. Once you have found a neutral that you like, whether it is a gray or a cool beige, you may use that color though out your public spaces or vary it by using tints and shades of the same hue. If you look at a typical fan deck, you’ll see a gradation from light to dark of the same hue. You can paint different rooms using two or three adjacent hues on the swatch to add a bit of variation if you would like. For the ceiling, mix 20% of the wall color (if you are using one hue throughout) with ceiling white paint or use the lightest tint on the swatch if you are using multiple. This will ensure that your walls and ceiling relate to each other. Note ~The Historical Colors only have three adjacent colors per swatch; use ceiling white mixed with 20% of the lightest tint if you choose that line."

Wow, am I wordy! I think I wanted to make sure I covered everything I could.

It is true though. The picture at the top is my living room. I was clueless (see yesterday's blog) about what I ultimately wanted to do in there but I wanted the builder's paint gone. Just like the person who wrote in. So I selected Lenox Tan. It did coordinate with my dining room, which was half way done... hey, it is difficult to do one's own home. If you read my Ode to Kristin post ~ you know just how crazy it made me. I think the my living room turned out pretty nice ~ if I do say so myself :)

Here is a room with a warm neutral that I did ~ also shown yesterday....

But I had a plan. I designed the room to be balanced in rich warm and cool hues. The navy silk drapes and velvet day bed compliment the gold cast of the warm neutral wall color. This room was a living room that my client wanted to turn into a lounge complete with small bar and multiple seating areas. Here is the rest of the room.


It is best to develop one's palette based on something (e.g. existing furniture, fabric that will be placed in the room, art, etc....). But when in doubt or not sure where your design travels will take you, selecting a cool neutral will keep your options open.

Do you have any palette stories to share? I'd love to hear them!

Juxtaposition ~ What?

A couple of weeks ago, my family had the pleasure of seeing Riverdance at Wolftrap Performing Arts Center. I have posted about Wolftrap before ~ a beautiful outdoor venue perfect to breath fresh air and fill the senses. Once again, my daughter enjoyed the show. She tried her hand, or should I say feet, at the traditional Irish tap dancing. It was precious. There she was dancing away as proud as can be with a glowing smile ~ never mind that she was just skipping around and trying very hard to keep her arms straight at her sides. "It's harder than it looks, mom, but I'm good at it," she said. I, of course, mirrored her and said, "Yes you are my love," with a glowing proud smile on my face.
Riverdance was stunning. My favorite part was the dual between the traditional Irish dancers and the jazz tappers that graced the stage. They were wonderful. They danced by themselves and then against and ultimately with the Irishmen. They even mimicked each other ~ that was hysterical! 'What a wonderful juxtaposition this is,' I thought. The show's director and/or choreographer, of course, knew this.
Naturally my mind wandered a bit to design. The term juxtaposition is used in interior design but really, what does that mean? Let's consider Taoism's Yin Yang for a moment ~ a classic juxtaposition. A portion of About.com's definition for Yin Yang is:

"What's great about the Yin-Yang symbol is that the smaller circles nested within each half of the symbol serve as a constant reminder of the interdependent nature of the black/white "opposites." It reminds the Taoist practitioner that all of relative existence is in constant flux and change. And while the creation of pairs-of-opposites would seem to be an aspect of our human software, we can maintain a relaxed attitude around this, knowing that each side always contains the other, as night contains day, or as a mother “contains" the infant that she will, in time, give birth to." Lovely.

Dictionary.com defines juxtaposition as "an act or instance of placing close together or side by side, esp. for comparison or contrast." So true in quality design. But how does this translate into interior design? Let's look at some photos....

This is a Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller design published in Traditional Home. I see the juxtaposition here as the traditional window treatments partnered with the more rustic table and chairs with the table illuminated by an antique metal swing arm floor table. So we have three 'opposites' coming together to form one beautiful vignette. The window treatments nicely 'hold' or frame the furnishings. The mixture of materials adds wonderful interest. Here is what the designers say about their work, "Our work is very much influenced by the harmonious mix of old and new that we experience everyday in New York. We like to soften crisp, new architecture by introducing the patina of a few, unexpected antique pieces, or vice versa, interject some contemporary art into more traditional homes. It makes a space timeless as opposed to a time capsule. " Well said and implemented.

This room is by Julio Quinones. I like this example because of the unusual tables he paired with the chairs. For harmonious interest, he adds color, shape, and form with a contemporary flair and yet does not go overboard. He keeps the pairing symmetrical to aid the organized feel of the room.

This design belongs to Vasi Ypsilanti and Margreet Cevasco. A wonderful example of green design and juxtaposition. Note the architecture, the incredible use of traditional arches and molding, next to contemporary bamboo and glass cabinets, next to traditional columns and glazing of the sink area that uses modern fixtures, next to the antique table base topped with clean, smooth, modern steel.... wow! The remarkable contrast is soothed by the earthy hues that compliment each other in nature every day. This room is an abundance of harmonious interest to me. I keep saying that, harmonious interest... but I believe the principle of harmony (unity and diversity) is paramount in good design. Another room....

This is room that I found on delight by design, a blog I follow. The writer of design by delight loved the farm table she found at a showhouse. She had the smarts to take pictures and I am very happy she did as this is another excellent example. Note the streamlined upholstered chairs contrasting with the table. Beautiful. Again, the soothing use of a neutral hue for the upholstery keeps the contrast in check and pleases the eye. Last photo, my own design....

In this transitional design, I used a traditional federal style sofa. The arms of the sofa mirrored by a traditional roll armed daybed. I paired them with mirrored and chrome contemporary tables and wood and chrome lamps. The latter selection served to lighten and brighten the deep hues and heavier furnishing.

So there you have it ~ juxtaposition 101.

Tell me about your juxtaposition designs; send pictures too! I'd love to see your interpretations!