Read the story about Silk Road Weaves and SBO, the new international online design resource.
Browsing Archives
Floorcovering News – Jan. 20, 2010
January 21, 2010
Do it Yourself or Hire a Pro? Tips for a successful painting experience
January 19, 2010
It’s pretty standard knowledge at this point that using paint is the most cost-effective way to achieve the most change in your home.
This is part 1 of a 3-part series on planning your paint jobs and working with paint professionals.
Are you a do-it-yourself-er, or will you hire a professional? Here are some tips to get you started.
(see the full post of Part 1, first appearing in this Boston Design Guide blog.)
Not for me!
- Help is on the way!
Most homeowners have tried their hand at painting a room. Some are more successful than others, but most people think it is “easy.” But, of all the work you could do or have done in your home…(see the full post of Part 1, first appearing in this Boston Design Guide blog.)
Stay tuned for future installments on this subject.
Two special offers on paint and color consultation, through February, 2010
Paint: 10% discount on your entire paint order.
LM2010 is the code you need when you place your order for any Full Spectrum color from Ellen Kennon Full Spectrum Paint mixed in the Flat finish of Lifemaster ® “certified green” interior line. (All the same beautiful, healthful colors are also available in Eggshell or SemiGloss finishes, but are not discounted at this time)
No VOC-No Odor Flat paint 100% acrylic washable
VOC-Free Lifemaster® Flat is a Premium paint
- Certified green by the US Building Council
- ICI Paints’ premium quality water based 100% acrylic finish
- Specially formulated for exceptional washability
- Super adhering
- Oil and stain resistant
- Virtually odor free and has no VOC’s (volatile organic compounds)
- A true low-odor paint
- Ideal for hospitals, schools, hotels/motels and office environments
- Perfect for families with allergies
What color to order? Select from your own set of hand painted color cards
It’s easy to get your own actual painted color cards from ellen@ellenkennon.com.
A selection of the Full Spectrum painted color cards. TWO SIZES YOU CAN ORDER: 1"x4"s for $5, and the full set of 90 - 3"x4" cards for $24.
The cost will be credited to your order of at least 3 gallons of paint.
And, a Companion Offer to help you select your colors, through February, 2010
To help you make those important color selections and create that perfect feeling you seek for your home, or even for your workplace, I’m offering special rates on color consultation to accompany your discount on these beautiful Full Spectrum Paints.
It’s easy to receive an estimate for your project.
I will be happy to provide an estimate for consultation services once I know a bit about your project needs. Because your home is unique, fees are based for the most part on the number of rooms, amount of detail, and other factors.
Contact Barbara Jacobs with a description of your needs.
Photos are helpful.
IMPORTANT: In your email be sure to mention this offer code: LM2010
I look forward to helping you use color to create the beautiful spaces you want to return to!
SBO welcomes Silk Road Weaves from the US
January 19, 2010
January 19, 2010
For Immediate Release
SBO welcomes Silk Road Weaves from the US
Boston-area designer Barbara Jacobs – owner and designer for her line of custom heirloom quality, artisan Tibetan rugs /Silk Road Weaves announces her affiliation with the new international design resource, http://www.sampleboardonline.com.
States Jacobs, “This venue is an exciting one for me because I work a lot with my clients individually, providing in-depth custom design with personalized service in creating fine Tibetan rugs. It’s a great concept and I’m pleased to be included in it’s beginnings.
Using SBO, designers can show their clients the progress of their design ideas by creating virtual sample boards online. When a designer sees one of my rug designs on SBO, they can use it right way in their design boards. When customizing is desired, they can easily communicate the options to their clients since I can provide all that information to the designer directly. In this way, we can communicate to make any modifications they need without having to go through a showroom. Since personalized service is key to the way I work, this method of fewer steps is a perfect fit.”
See the SBO post about this subject and find out what SampleBoardOnline is all about.
Download a pdf of the entire press release : SBO announcement
Colors for 2010 – Starting with Blue for Paint and Beyond
January 12, 2010
It’s 2010, Do you know what your colors (plural) will be?
Each New Year arrives with a burst of colorful thoughts, impressions, creative ideas, and…even, in a way, “feelings,” about Colors. Nothing new about that, it’s an ongoing phenomenon of sorts. From predictors to painters, we are people and we all have opinions based on a wide spectrum of information from politics, the economy, product sales, and intuition combined with observation skill.
But any time of the year, color is “in the air.” And speaking of air, according to many sources including Pantone color forecasting, the impression, feeling, and experience of “space” is the one to watch. This color experience is exemplified by a type of turquoise. Since “turquoise” actually comes in many colors, another description could be “clear medium-light green-blue.”
Another viewpoint, if we’re talking about responses to the economy and other social factors, is that yellows and other brighter, warmer colors are related to a positive outlook in general. According to Margit Zsedely of Margit Publications, “Considering the pall of gloom cast by the dire economy, it’s no wonder color-trend forecasters are predicting a bumper year for yellows and purples — the former to cheer us up, the latter to calm us down.”
A range of blues, the calm behind the storm!
Blues in general are currently noted as The Color for 2010. There are many ideas about why this is predicted, some of which being that there’s an affinity for the optimism represented by the clear, open feeling of an airy Turquoise. Blue, in the most general meaning, is typically known as a color to use in creating calm, and these days that holds a great appeal! Without getting in to a lot of detail at this time, we can appreciate that since blue in general is the color most-often mentioned as being a “favorite color,” and so this will be good news to many people.
Thanks to Hue Consulting for introducing me to this book!
The Anthropology of Turquoise, by Ellen Meloy
Converting a “trend forecast” to a practical application?
If its paint you’re using and you want to create a relaxing, calming environment, you have seemingly endless options.
TIPS: Decide which paint color to use, to achieve the result you want
- The color (in paint, for the purpose of this discussion) will ideally be more saturated than it is pale. More colorful than it is “white.”
- Paint your ceiling the same or similar color to the walls, to expand the space. Smaller rooms will also benefit from this approach.
- For most of the space, the color for a relaxing environment will typically have a lower intensity rather than a very bright one.
- Any color can be made to be more warm or cool, more lively or quiet. Examples below: Slate is a muted warm blue. Gustavian Gray is a warmer pastel in the blue range. Giverny Blue and Turquoise are more vivid and dynamic, but cooler.
One way to make sure your chosen paint color will be the most flexible color possible is to use a product with Full Spectrum ingredients. Some of my favorites are these beautiful blues from Ellen Kennon Full Spectrum paints.
Just a few of the blue group, from subtle to dynamic.
And that’s just a start. Because they are ‘full-spectrum,’ they are so much more than what they seem, having many other tint colors in the mix.
Please remember that what you see here are just approximate, computer-generated colors.
However, you can get your own set of 90, 3”x4” real painted samples directly from Ellen Kennon. Then you will see the colors as they actually are.
If you’re looking for a cheerful way to have the blues, try something like this treatment, where the actual surface finish creates a big impact.
Mica-infused wax adds a polished depth to the blue-sky color of this Venetian Plaster finish.This example is somewhere between a clear ‘sky blue’ and turquoise.
Essential Accessories – another way to use the new colors
A soft color and hand knotted dimensional design in Himalayan wool and silk, from Silk Road Weaves
Inspired by deep water with moonlight silk highlights from Silk Road Weaves. 12"x18" sample size shown.
LOOPY/Sea Glass. Himalayan wool with silk-filled accents. Paired with the turquoise and chocolate brown pillow, hand woven of cotton. Background rug is LOOPY/Meandering, also from Silk Road Weaves.
The accent pillows in luminous turquoise and orange with a silky finish brings the earth-toned neutral background to life. Source: Timothy deClue Design, LLC. on Houzz.com
Strongly colored art work is another way to create focus. Decor by Linda Merrill of Chameleon Interiors
A touch of whimsy in subtle, elegant drama by LDa Architecture & Interiors. Source: www.Houzz.com
Three more variations on the blues, from Silk Road Weaves
LOOPY/Ripple from Silk Road Weaves: Wool background with undyed Allo design lines
LOOPY GEMS, Sheer Crystal, Himalayan wool with silk throughout, from Silk Road Weaves. 12"x18" sample size shown
HORIZONS/BlueBlues in Himalayan wool flat weave from Silk Road Weaves.
But “blue” isn’t the only color in the spectrum, or in our lives. Throughout the year I’ll enjoy exploring many colors and I invite you to share your favorites, too. Meanwhile, to close in a couple of words with color references from from Sherwin Williams:
Sherwin Williams - "Treasured," from their 2010 Trends Forecast. Source: SherwinWilliams.com
Sherwin Williams “Refreshed,” from their 2010 color Trends Forecast. Source: SherwinWilliams.com
Creating Curb Appeal
January 11, 2010
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In tough real estate times we need all the help we can get in making our homes attractive. Creating Curb Appeal by Michelle Valigursky & Lisa Vail, with photography by Theresa M. Grant, is a beautiful and affordable resource for anyone interesting in creating a beautiful home exterior. I’m pleased to have been included in the Living with Color chapter of this publication!
The Anthropology of Turquoise
January 7, 2010
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Thanks to my colleague Rachel Perls of Hue Consulting for the tip about this fascinating book by Ellen Meloy. Coincidentally, I found out about it along with the 2010 color forecasts.
Chromophobia
January 5, 2010
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A fascinating and unusual discussion by an artist of how—and why—our culture in general is afraid of color, going back to the ancient Greek philosphers and encompassing literature, art, and just about everything. So much to think about in a very small volume. If the title itself isn’t enough to hook you, check out the “shocking” (read the book) pink cover!
