Spectacular Painting Blog

Forget about going to the paint store. Don’t even bother asking a friend? Put the decorating magazine aside. Before you make any plans to decorate, see what your “inside” has to say. Take a moment and reflect on who you are, where you are in your life right now and what energy may be missing. Your decorating dilemma is can lead you on a “personal” journey of self discovery and motivate you to decorate accordingly.

So before you head to the paint store, sit back and ask yourself the following questions. Take your time since there is no need to rush your thoughts and reflections. You’ll be thrilled at the amount of confidence you have in moving forward after digging deep within for personal direction. Ask yourself:

1. How do I want to “feel” when I enter my home or space?
2. What do I want my home to say about me and my personal style?
3. Do I want my space to be cozy, funky or formal?
4. Am I excited about or drawn to certain themes or time periods; such as Southwestern, Italian countryside or French?
5. Am I intrigued by the looks from my childhood or any previous time period? Could I see myself recreating a look from the 20’s, 50’s or 70’s?
6. What type of stimulation am I seeking; exotic, intellectual, adventure or more focus?

The answers to these questions, when seriously and thoughtfully considered, will provide the starting point for any decorating dilemma. You can use these questions to solve decorating dilemmas for a particular space or an entire home. Once you have the answers, you have the power to make decisions quickly and effectively, immediately being able to toss out what simply will not work.

It’s “your” space! By all means, let it reflect your personal style as well as provide the balance and harmony you need to recharge and energize before heading back out into the world. Create your personal sanctuary your personal inner world!

A great place to start, once you’ve decided your next step, is with one of our coupon specials. We can help you on your decorating journey starting with both large and small projects. Don’t forget, we offer FREE color consulting for all of our projects! Happy Decorating!

Color is energy. Color is power. Color can positively affect your life. Use color to breathe more passion, creativity and freedom into your life.  According to color science, the following color combinations can help to improve your life. Try them out and see for yourself!

Combine Yellow, Blue & Red to help “Accomplish your goals.”

Combine Lime Green, Red Orange & Indigo to help “Stimulate Action.”

Combine Blue & Orange to help “Realize Your Dreams.”

Keep in mind that each of the colors above represents a family of colors so they range from light to dark and everything in between. For example; pink is a light color in the Red family as Cobalt a very dark color in the Indigo family. As a result, the combination of colors from the above suggestions is limited only by your imagination. You can create hundreds, if not thousands with these 3 suggestions. So, give it a whirl and see what you come up with. These no-fail color combination suggestions will not only provide a beautiful and perfectly matched surrounding, they can improve your life!

Did you know that choosing your least favorite color(s) can provide inspiration for a bedroom color scheme? I know, it sounds a little far fetched, but there is a scientific reason behind this. Your least favorite color(s) elicit a slower energetic response compared to the high energy elicited by your favorite color(s). Therefore, allowing you to be in a more restful state. Remember all colors are beautiful when placed and complimented appropriately. Start the new year by re-coloring your “resting” space so you can be energized throughout the year.

Let’s get started!

1. Grab a box of crayons

2. List your colors in order of most to least favorite.

3. From your 2 least favorite colors, select a color that represents the starting point for your bedroom inspiration.

4. Once you know you starting color, you can head to your local paint store or visit our RESOURCES PAGE  for a virtual color experiment.

5. Select the most appealing version of that color for your walls.

6. The virtual tool will also provide hints to other colors that will compliment the wall color (for accessories, window treatments, bedding, etc).

So get going! You now have the tools to choose ”your” perfect bedroom color. You still have time to make a difference in 2011. The most productive days begin “after” a well rested evening.

By now, you should have chosen the perfect main and complementary accent colors for your relaxing bedroom. Now it’s time to pull it all together. Take a deep breath and challenge yourself to connect with the “Interior Decorator” within. After all, your new relaxing bedroom is a reflection of your personality and an extension of you. Prepare to express yourself! Creating a relaxing bedroom does not have to break the bank.  The DIY ideas listed below are awesome for the budget conscious.

So let’s get started:

 1. First and foremost, 60/30/10 rule.

-         The wall color/background will consume most of the room representing approximately 50-60% .

-         The complimentary color will represent the 30%

-         An optional third color can be incorporated to represent the final 10%.

2. Choose bedding in either neutral shade that blends with your wall color or the same color of the walls, but in a lighter or darker version.  Another option would be to simply use all white bedding, bringing versions of both the wall color and complementary color onto the bedding.

3. Lighting is an important element to a relaxing bedroom. Halogen light bulbs allow the reflection of “truer” color. Use lamps, candles/candelabras throughout the space so dark corners are illuminated when necessary. An often overlooked, but very simple trick is installing dimmer switches for the ability to adjust and balance the lighting to fit the mood with the touch of a finger.

4. Use limited photos, artwork and nick knack items to promote an uncluttered space with clean lines that is easier to relax in.

5. When choosing your accessories, such as throw pillows, throws, vases, etc. be sure to mix and match varying textures such as lush and shiny silks with glistening metallic and fur to create visual interest as well as touch of luxury.

The complimentary color should dance evenly around the room. Sprinkle the complementary color ever so slightly throughout the space so that your eye catches all of the colors at every glance. Think of the room as a box with 4 corners and a center. Allow the complementary color to be splashed in the center (on the bed) and in or near each of the 4 corners, whether it is on the walls or on the dresser or night tables.

Wall mounted candleholders enclosed in glass offer a soft flickering glow and can balance a room’s décor by flanking the sides of a mirror or headboard. A sensual or peaceful photo or artwork in black and white will match just about any color scheme. Keep in mind that less is more in creating a relaxing bedroom. Avoid having multiple items all over the walls or on top of every surface.

If you actually need to shop for anything, draw a rough sketch of the room using crayons or color pencils. This will allow you to generate ideas on balancing the colors. You will also have an idea of what you really need to purchase. You can then create a list that you can take to the store allowing you to buy only what is absolutely necessary. You’ll probably be able to find some awesome deals and get very creative when you go on a treasure hunt for a specific item that will go in specific place that you have planned for. Hey, be sure to shop through items you already have before heading to the store!

Hopefully, you now realize that creating a relaxing bedroom can be fun, economical and accomplished quite easily.  It’s the perfect weekend activity to be done alone or with a friend! I urge you to get started with your own color challenge.

Tia Woodley

Certified Color Consultant & Expert Author

“I use color to transform lives.”

 If I told you the use of 3 colors could help you accomplish your goals, would you want to hear more? Of course you would! It’s the beginning of a new year and we’ve either silently or verbally made some resolutions. Whether its weight loss, starting a new career, starting or growing a business or anything else in between, color can help you accomplish it.  Color is energy. Color is power! I challenge you to use color to your advantage.

Have you ever noticed how some environments leave you feeling lethargic and in the dumps while others boost your energy and have you rearing to go? Pay closer attention to your surroundings and you’ll begin to notice the “colors” around you as well as their impact on your thoughts, feelings and actions. It’s truly amazing.

Well, the power to accomplish your goals is as easy as 1-2-3. Or shall I say yellow, blue and red? Yes! It’s basically that simple. If you wish to accomplish your goals, bring more yellow, blue and red into your space. Let the magic of the colors work for you. You can certainly use these colors in small ways, but if you decide to decorate an entire space such as an office, study or any room you plan to work in, be sure to use the 60/30/10 rule It’s all about balance. Also remember that there are literally hundreds of colors in the yellow, blue and red color families so the options are endless. These colors range from pale or barely there to richer and deeper versions that can be mixed and matched at your disposal.

Note: Yellow represents knowing, blue represents dreams and red represents expressions – Everything you need to get things done!

So color your world and accomplish your goals in 2011 and beyond!

Tia Woodley

Certified Color Consultant