Why can't I paint these...?

Why can't this picture be painted by me?

It appears that a grade schooler could paint this picture...somewhat of an abstract with primary colors...so I was bored one day and decided to try to paint something for my laundry room wall. I do not have any formal training as to how to paint just experience from a "color" class where we mixed paints to get tints and shades, but I do have a father who has painted beautiful oils of wildlife. (Maybe some of it rubbed off on me by osmosis or something... as I have not lived with him since I was 4 or so.)

I will never be as good of painter as my dad, but I can produce pictures that I like to have up on the walls. First you must buy the canvas from a craft store and some acrylic paints in your color choices. Keep in mind that you don't have to buy every shade of pink or green that you want because you can change the store bought colors by adding black, white or cream. You may also need to buy a couple of paintbrushes- it does not matter if they are from the hardware store or the craft store, just decide on the sizes needed. The size of your canvas and what areas you are going to paint will help you decide this. A metal pie pan or a styrofoam picnic plate can be used as your paint tray. I keep a stack of paper towels or napkins around to dry out the brushes when changing colors.

I also used vinyl wall art to make a stencil for this picture(below), I painted the background colors first, layering them, drybrushing some of it and using a "blending" agent for others. I then applied the vinyl stickers represented by the plants/flower pieces. If I grow tired of these plants/flower features I can peel them off and add paint or another design to the top.

The painting below I used vinyl wall stickers of a damask design as a stencil. First, I painted the background, blending just one color(green) and drybrushing other greens to create the blended look. Let it dry. Second, I added the vinyl stickers, then painted the fuschia/mango/golds. I peeled the stickers off to reveal the background color.

The third example is definitely the most basic. Paint the background, using fuschia, melon, and golds (and all combinations in between). I then penciled the plant figures onto the canvas and preceded to paintover the pencil marks.

Easy projects that can be done in a day or two...give it a try! I look for inspiration from websites such as http://www.allposter.com/ and http://www.art.com/ . I admire the artists who painted these works and look to them just for inspiration.

The images below might be a good inspiration for a painting as they are also abstract and may not require any significant drawing skills.

Remodel update: I am currently working on roman shades for the large bay window in the great room. I will post pictures as I get them completed.

Design quote of the day: "Rooms should be timeless." by Sister Parish

Inspiration: I think I just covered that....above...

Color schemes cont...

More color schemes? Yes, I can never get enough..in fact I love pouring over colors for a room or house I am working on...you can definitely change the atmosphere just by changing the color. I think back 17 years ago when we bought our house and the carpet was peach, the walls were freshly painted off-white(because they were covering peach paint!), and the kitchen had dirt colored carpet, not sure if it came that way, but when we changed the flooring there were buckets of dirt underneath...like who was the cleaner there??? (Keep the peach in mind when reading below-because 1 of my favorite sayings is: "What goes around, comes around.") My great room has come a long way from peach, then to a golden color, and now the new tabacco leaf, garden shed, and morning sky paint on the main floor walls.

When changing your interior decor it is a good idea to coordinate old with new. I just finished painting my oak bannister(I know some of you wood lovers will be appalled) to match the new door color(Sherwin Williams suitable brown), re-stained the endcaps and shoerail to match the new laminate floors. I left the ballusters an off-white that matches the trims around the room.

To get started I recommend looking at the paint store pamphlets for ideas. Then take color swatches home and tape them to the wall as the lighting in the stores are quite different than in your home. If need be, buy a sample and paint a square of the paint on your wall or a piece of wood. Then let the sample sit throughout the day so you can make sure you like it in all of the different lighting it will be exposed to. (i.e. flourescent lighting, sunlight, incandescent, etc.) The paints that seem to change color before your eyes tend to be the taupes, tans and lighter colors. They may be picking up on the color of an object placed close by. For instance, the tobacco leaf has a green tinge in my house most of the day, but looks tan at times because of the lighting.

I have included several color schemes from the 2011 Benjamin Moore brochure. For a modern mediterranean look, try Benjamin Moore's Intense Peach on walls or an accent wall, with Porter Ranch Cream(ceiling), Raisin(trim),Jaimacan Aqua (pillows or small upholstery), and Natural Wicker(large pieces.)

For a spirited, vibrant, colorful, bold, playful look, try Benjamin Moore's Storm, lucerne, royal flush, paper mache, wrought iron, and grape green.

A "soulful" look would include Benjamin Moore's hush, vintage wine, etrscan, wasabi, and amulet.

Remodel update: I think I told you last posting that I had painted the bannister the new door color, and re-stained the endcaps for the stairrail going to the top floor. The bannister and endcaps were stained a light oak that matched the kitchen cabinets, so I went alot darker to match the new floor. We are having a debate about whether to carpet the steps again or use wood. I, of course want wood or painted steps, my husband wants carpeted because he is afraid he or the dogs will slide. The picture on the left is BEFORE; the picture on the right is AFTER. (In the AFTER picture, the door to the right is one of the new doors with the Sherwin Williams Suitable Brown.)

Design quote of the day: "It is just as disastrous to have the wrong accessories in your room as it is to wear sport shoes with an evening dress." Dorothy Draper

Inspiration of the day: I don't have one today...just internet shopping for a table base I could use. Any ideas??? I like an urn style pedestal for a 6 foot round top...let me know if you have come across anything like this!

Color schemes...

Even though I have chosen colors for my own remodel, I have noticed quite a few articles in recent magazines regarding color schemes. My last couple of posts dealt with current trends in interior design along with some color predictions. There is just too much information about color to present it in 1 post- in fact there are people who specialize in"color". They will help choose color for personal clothing selections or interior/exterior paint to help us achieve whatever it is that is we want to achieve and for whatever functions in that space.

I guess I tell clients that they need to choose colors that they like, not what is popular at the time. I do steer them to colors that fit their personalities and will enhance the intended use of the space. If a room is a bedroom, bright bold colors may not be the best choice if sleeping is the intended function. Colors such as bright red or kelly green can be stimulating and not restful or calming.

When choosing colors consider if the client is going to sell or move in the near future. If you watch HGTV at all, they have shown that neutral colors sell better than bright colors. Personal favorites may not appeal to all potential buyers. And, buyers may not want to paint right away after they move in. Gray or yellow used to be the colors that sold best on the exterior of a house. Interior colors that sell best are neutrals such as tan, greys or even light greens. Consider the color pallette found below from Benjmin Moore paints. The colors are, listed from left to right, Genesis White 2134-70, Etiquette AF-50, Gray Mirage 2142-50, Kendall Charcoal HC-166, Porcelain 2113-60, and Smoke 2122-40. (Gray mirage is actually a grey sage color, but as we all know that print colors are definately different from screen colors and.) You really should locate actual paint samples for any of these as they are quite beautiful.

Another thought to keep in mind is that a color palette should blend from room to room or have a "story". That does not mean that all walls have to be the same color, just maybe an accent in 1 room is the main color in another. It also means that the mood should be the same from room to room. It is not as pleasing to the eye if you have several bold bright rooms with others being soft(pastel or grayed) colors. Now variations of 1 color from room to room can be a color story of its own. If your home is smaller, carrying similar colors throughout can make the home seem larger or more spacious.

I have included some color pallets that have shown up in magazine articles and color cards at the paint stores. It seems they are either calming or bright...remember the color of the year? Honeysuckle? Well, it or other shades of pink or melon are appearing more frequently on the printed page. I am just not sure that I can live with pink and green room...way too preppy! But, they certainly are lively, happy and make me think of spring! Montana has had an awful long winter so far....and it is only February. If you are liking a brighter color choose more soothing colors to go along with it or just make the bright color an accent in a bookcase or 1 wall. The paints below are Martha Stewart Light Sandstone, Martha Stewart Mink's Cloth, and Benjamin Moore Kingsport Gray. The light sandstone was used in a bookcase niche to create a focal point and the tan/browns can be used to tone the overall look more casual.

Food for thought....According to Newell Turner, Editor in Chief of House Beautiful, before the 1940's pink was used for boys and blue was used for girls...now that's quite a switch...he and I do not know when they swapped.

Personally, I have used brights and subdued colors in my spaces over the years and find myself entertained by television shows where the hosts use outrageous colors and accessories. I like to see them used but have no desire to live with them in my own home. Lately the HGTV show "Candice Tells All" designed a room with an Indian inspiration. Very bright colors, bold patterns in drapery, paint, accessories, but tile, sofa and flooring were not so bright. Color Splash Miami always uses bright, splashy colors(hence the name) but it is tastefully done and much more expected in Miami where the show is taped. Montanans tend not to use such bright colors. (Unless you're a teenager...they tend to pick black or a brights as they are more stimulating...which may make it harder to sleep as I stated earlier...)

I do tell clients that if they want to experiment with a bold color, buy a sample of it first, or just use the bold colors in accessories as then you are not married to it as time goes on. (Paint is alot cheaper to replace than a sofa!) Neutral sofas or pieces of wood furniture are much easier to live with for a longer period of time. And, you can buy slipcovers or paint a piece if you are looking for something brighter.

Ispiration of the week: I was at a local flooring store/design center where they had samples of window coverings. They had recently put up new displays with a edging attached at the sides, and that made me think about putting an edge on my bay window shades. I found a natural linen that will just set off the main fabric and provide some classic design for the shades.

Design quote of the week: Pink is the most flattering color of all, especially at night, with candlelight. Everyone looks glowing. I think of it as a neutral-it works with any color scheme." - Frank De Biasi in House Beautiful March, 2011

Remodel update: Nothing new to report, I will be looking for bids on new kitchen cabinets. We are planning to finish the exterior siding before we replace the cabinets but need some pricing to planfor it! If you have driven by my house you will notice the gray cement board siding on the front, but grey vinyl siding on the other 3 sides. Not pretty, but we have decided to remodel as we can afford it.