Tips for choosing the RIGHT paint color!

With the hundred's of thousands of paint colors out there, you may wonder where to begin. And, if you are like many of my clients, picking a paint color may stop you in your tracks! How does one choose?

Instead of looking at as choosing just one color, I like to have a vision for the whole room and sometimes for the whole floor, depending on the layout of the home! Think of yourself as an artist, choosing your palette.

1. Don't pick your paint color first: I know that may seem counter intuitive, but trust me, it'll be easier to choose the right paint color to match your furniture than to find furniture to match your wall color!

Surely you have an idea of colors you like. What was your favorite color as a child? Do you still love that same color? What colors do you wear most often? Are they colors you could see yourself decorating your home with? 

Still not sure? Try creating a Pinterest board or Ideabook on Houzz, with images of rooms or paint color swatches that you like. What are the colors that are most prevalent? Click here to see my "No Fail Color Choices" board on Pinterest.

2. Find something that inspires you: It's always a good idea to start designing your room around one piece that you already love. It could be a pillow, a rug or maybe a favorite piece of artwork. I designed a whole room around this Octopus fabric! I just fell in love when I saw it! Whatever your inspiration piece may be, use that as springboard in choosing your room colors!

I loved this piece of artwork and decided to use it in one of the Maine cottages I was designing at the time. We stepped away from the traditional seaside color choices and decided to give this cottage a bit of a spunky feel incorporating unexpected pops of orange with beautiful blues.


Room designed by Mandeville Canyon Designs

Here's another great example of how this designer used the colors in this hallway rug to add a fun paint color to the door.

Found on www.houseofturquoise.com

3. Try before you buy: Thank goodness you can buy test size paint colors these days! I always recommend that you purchase one of these so you can paint a small area of your wall and really see how it looks against your décor and as the light changes throughout the day. You will be happy you only bought a small amount if your paint happens to be the wrong shade!

4. Consider a color theme throughout your home: This is especially true if you have rooms that open up to each other or if you have an open-concept type home. I'm not saying everything has to be the same color, but there should be some sort of cohesiveness from room to room.
 5. If you're still stumped, hire a designer: Sometimes it just takes another set of eyes to look at something and tell you "yes" you are headed in the right direction, or "maybe there's an even better color out there". Either way, interior designers have the education and expertise to help you make the best choice.

Just for fun click here and take Better Homes and Garden's color personality quiz. You just might surprise yourself and learn that your favorite color to decorate with is quite different than how you'd answer the question, "What's your favorite color?"

Best,

Renee Carman

Let's head to the islands...kitchen islands!

I can't tell you how much I wish I were headed to the islands right now! Instead, I am here in my cozy office, enduring yet another Nor'easter in NH. And Punxsutawney Phil says we have 6 more weeks of this!! But that's okay, because I am working on designing another kitchen, one of my favorite aspects of this job! Rather than sand in my toes and sunshine on my face, I am taking measurements and making adjustments for a gorgeous kitchen complete with a stylish island!

Found on Pinterest.com



If you have ever thought about a kitchen remodel, then you know there are tons of decisions that you must make before you even get to the fun stuff, like picking out cabinets, tile and lighting! Before I even begin to work on a kitchen, I spend a lot of time with my clients trying to uncover how they use their current kitchen, what they feel it lacks, what are storage needs, dining needs, and the list goes on.

A kitchen is where we gather with our family and guests. It's the heart of the home. And if you are a mom, you know you spend countless hours in the kitchen making snacks, and meals. Doing homework. Maybe even paying bills. So it's important that your kitchen is designed with all of your needs in mind. If you have the space, a kitchen island is a great choice! Perhaps even two!




Garrison Hullinger Interior Design

Do you find that you host a lot of gatherings at your house? If so, then I bet much time is spent in the kitchen. If this sounds like you, here are some things to consider before you start your kitchen island design:

• Is there enough space for an island? Perhaps you need two!
• What kind of appliances would you like at your finger tips? Wine fridge, ice maker, or just a small mini-fridge?
• Do you need an extra sink?
• Consider worry-free countertop surfaces
• Don't forget the mood lighting!

Lenova Entertainer Sink



One size does NOT fit all!



Source: www.thisoldhouse.com

We all know that by now, right? So what size island is ideal? For most of my clients, I recommend at least 3 feet wide and 4-7 feet long, depending on the size of the space you are working with. Keep in mind that you will also need about 42" of floor space on the "working" sides of the island so that you can open your dishwasher or fridge, and more importantly, so that you can have more than one person in your workspace at a time!

And what about the height? Well, that depends too. Many homeowners are opting to create a dining area as part of their island design, which is a great use of space. Another popular design is to use two different levels, one for eating and the other for food prep. There are pros and cons to every design, but you can never go wrong with enough leg room! Be sure to factor in 15-18" of overhang for leg room!



Source: Habersham

What's the latest trend in kitchen design? Wine Islands! This has got me swooning with ideas!! I love this idea so much that I have decided to carry this particular line, +Habersham Home  in my studio!

These pieces are beautiful works of art that add so much style to your kitchen! Just imagine the possibilities!



Source: Habersham



Contact me or come visit me in my studio! A lot goes into a kitchen renovation or design. I highly recommend that you call in an expert for this type of project. And where to put all the wine is just one of the many considerations!

Don't forget to check out my Pinterest board Dreamy Islands for more inspiration!

Warmly,

Renee



Pantone's 2015 Color of the Year~ Marsala



Hadleycourt.com

I should have seen the signs.....

The iridescent pomegranate jacket that reached it's arms out to me in the gift shop at Longwood Gardens (I resisted, but only long enough to have to pay shipping later on). The glasses of Malbec cradled in my hands over the holiday season. The enthusiastic encouragement to a client about Ben Moore's rich red titled Dinner Party (and with equal enthusiasm a chandelier that screamed, "Brass is Back, Baby!).

And, of course, I should have known because my heart color is Garnet Red. A heart color is not necessarily a color you wear out or even design with. It's more about an inner desire.

For me the stage was set this new year when Pantone introduced it's 2015 color of the year~ Marsala.  

I had been using it and contemplating it for years. As perhaps many of us have.

The adjectives go something like this: Heady, Complex, Earthy, Complete, Sensual, Intelligent, Delicious... well you get the point. But I think the one that speaks to me the most is Universal. 

We love Pantone for their forward thinking, unapologetic donation of color choices, but let's face it, we don't all look good in Emerald Green (the cast of Wizard of Oz as the exception).

This years color is the exception. This wine colored wonder actually looks just as good on men as it does on women.

 

It comfortably crosses geographic and ethnic backgrounds. Carrying a balanced mix of undertones, it is equally comfortable working with all colors. 

It brings about a balance, a tolerance, and a harmony. Perhaps it's giving Pantone a bit more credit, but I'm thinking they have hit upon a color for our times.

So, how do we invite this heavenly hue into our homes?

Well, a color of this nature will always be welcome to the dinner table (although the science of romance tells us that it would also be welcome in another room with horizontal surfaces).

Image from the Design Home

If an entire room seems a bit too ambitious, most of the housewares industry has picked up on how versatile this color will be. From warm stoneware  

Crate and Barrel

 

to cool coffee makers to even a collapsible filing rack, it's easy to sneak this sumptuous shade into your daily routine.





 

Anthropologie









I will be adding a collection of pillows into a clients home with some subtle wine colored tones weaved within the design. 



Surya~ To the Trade


Don't feel like you need to commit to that color alone. There are some fabulous color combinations coming out that balance out grounded nature of Marsala.



RealSimple.com

One of my favorites is adding a splash of aqua or orange to the mix. Think Sangria.




Found on Pinterest



Glassy Baby



Anthropologie

And if you are needed a little inner strength and affirmation, choose to slip a little Marsala on your finger or around your neck. 



Anthropologie


The shade brings strength, purpose, and decision. 

A former boyfriend once asked me what I would rather have for Christmas, a microwave or a garnet ring. While I was happy he saw I had a practical side, I am even happier that when I open my jewelry box, there is not a microwave in sight.




Found on Pinterest

Take Marsala out for run. Slide it across your lips, drape it around you, snuggle into it and let it work it's universal magic. I promise, it's going to grow on you.

Living in Color,

Renee

P.S. Don't for get to find us on Facebook and check out my new Pinterest board ~ Meet Marsala~ Pantone's 2015 Color of the Year.

New Year's design resolutions!

Resolutions...we all have them. Mine are aplenty, trust me! If one of your happens to be to finally get your home looking fabulous, here are some simple tips and tools that can help you reach your goal!


1. Create a Pinterest Board: Not that long ago, I would tell my clients to cut out pictures from magazines of rooms they liked or elements they wanted to incorporate into their room design. That way I could have a visual understanding of what they liked and envisioned in their home. Then, along came Pinterest! If you haven't joined Pinterest yet, I highly recommend that you do, especially if you are planning on starting a new project at home. Create a board specific to your project and pin away! You can share your board or keep it private. Either way, it's an incredible visual tool that will help you hone in on your design wants and needs. Here are a few of my favorite boards: 

http://www.pinterest.com/reneebcarman/dream-bathrooms/

http://www.pinterest.com/reneebcarman/pool-patio-design/

2. Check out Houzz: Similar to Pinterest, Houzz is a visual playground. You can spend hours perusing 100's of thousands of beautiful photos. If you are looking to redo your kitchen or bath Houzz is especially helpful. You can search by your design style and then create your own "Ideabook". Bam! Once again you have a great visual library of what you see your own project looking like!

http://www.houzz.com/projects/532090/small-spaces-big-design-under-700-sq-ft-maine-cottages

3. Get organized: Everyone knows this is the first thing you should do to start a new project, but often times it's the last! I suggest making a wish list and prioritizing your projects. List them in order of importance to you. It might not be the biggest, most expensive project that is most important to you, but you won't really know until you put it on paper, and really think about it!

4. Focus on one room at a time: We all want our whole house to look great, but that can sometimes be overwhelming to think about when you are redesigning. And aren't we all a little guilty of not finishing our projects completely?!  That was the old Renee, now I focus on one room, start to finish, before I move on to the next. Of course, I always have a plan in mind for my next room, but I love the feeling of a finished room.

5. Hire a professional: It's truly helpful to have another set of eyes look at your room and talk to you about what your needs are; does the room need to be kid friendly? do you need lots of storage? what about the furry pets in your life? An interior designer has an eye for all of these things and they have an abundance of resources at their fingertips that are not necessarily available to you. So if you want your home to be a bit more special to you, and to look just like the house next door, call in an designer! You'll be happy you did!

Hopefully these tips get you started in the right direction for the new year. If you are still struggling a bit to get on track, give me a call! Together we can resolve to create a stunning home for you and your family!

Happy New Year!
Renee

Christmas on the farm

This year I had the distinct pleasure of decorating a stunning farmhouse for the holidays as part of the Exeter Area Holiday House tour to benefit Womenade of Greater Squamscott. Thankfully, I had lots of talented helpers alongside to help me create a magical holiday setting. The tour was a HUGE success to say the least and my heart is filled, knowing that we raised a significant amount of money for people in need.

The original farm sign

The home itself is a beauty, sitting up on a hill, overlooking the Exeter river. It's wrapped in history, from once serving as an Angus farm, then as a Montessori school. Now it's been restored back it's original purpose, a warm and friendly family home.

A chalkboard coffee table is perfect for storytelling

I decided to treat the home to a little bit of what I call "rustic glamour". Using lots of natural elements and recycled products and then adding a touch of bling! 

A touch of sparkle!



Photo credit: Jaye Carr

We decked the halls using lots of greens and loads of twinkle lights. It smelled and looked delicious!

Photo credit: Jaye Carr

 
 
For a little out of the ordinary, recycled and rustic charm, we built a Christmas tree out of books. The stunning wall décor you see behind the book tree are paper mandala's and are handmade by Victoria of Open Book Studio. She repurposes broken books into works of art....very, cool! Click here to find her on Facebook.


Photo credit: Jaye Carr

To embellished a lonely corner under the stairs we created this one-of-a-kind piece, and filled it with holiday sparkle.

 

And of course, nothing brings the warmth of the holiday season to your home like a beautifully decorated tree!

 

 

 

For more photos from our festive farmhouse, and holiday décor inspiration, hop on over to my Pinterest page!

 

Warmly,

 

Renee

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winter Design Trends

I was preparing for an interview last week on Winter Trends and it got me thinking about the changing of the seasons, snuggling in and the whole concept of Trending.

For those of you that know me, you will know I am not the trendy type and neither are my clients.
While our politics might not reflect it, when it comes to design, New Englanders are a pretty temperate bunch. There are no, "just becauses". Each decision comes with a platter full of practicality. 

So, I was pleasantly surprised to find that when I started researching the most recent trends in design for this fall and winter, that I was indeed on trend, merely by virtue of my natural design style.

Go figure!



A natural mixture of organic materials and ethnic inspiration 

photo credit: trendy.com


It stands to reason that organic, natural, and sustainable materials are always trendy.

Rich, nature inspired colors, heavy in texture and weight will always be in style, but this year don't forget to balance them with a bit of the whimsical, ethereal, and lighter weight. 




photo credit: justbesplendid.tumblr.com

Balance never goes out of style either.
Winter naturally brings about more layering. Heavier weight materials and faux furs (always faux!). 




photo credit: punktse.tunblr.com

Winter whites with undertones of brown and gray work any time of year, but as the sun struggles to muster up the energy to rise overhead, these lighter tones will invite the rays to stay just a little longer before retreating.




This parquet wood tile is from ADKO's Mansion Porcelain Library 

Barn elements continue to be popular with "wood" tiles and sliding barn doors leading the fashion pack. 

I find myself suggesting tile flooring that mimics wood to many clients looking for a great textured element but with the ease of water clean up and no refinishing. Add some radiant heating and big faux fur pillow and you might find me curled up on your kitchen floor. 



photo credit: bluebergitt.wordpress.com

The fashion world has promised us more distressed denim. You know, the kind your mom said, "Why should I pay good money on something that looks it just went through the chipper?!"


photo credit: writeontrend.com

Fabrics and tiles seem to be trekking the globe from Tribal to Ethnic with influences spanning from the middle east to Europe.




A recent bathroom we did incorporating Moroccan and Italian tile

And a the juxtaposition of color is always a personal favorite of mine. Pairing of unassuming colors is like that great couple that people can't figure out, but they just click. 
Think ballet slipper pink with cobalt or a whisper of gray with the rich aplomb of eggplant.




www.designseeds.com

Finally, mix well with the loose and blousy look of Bohemia. This style is forgiving in both fashion and design. It says, "Come as you are. Bring me your grandmothers couch, your favorite scarf from beloved travels and no worries about the cheesecake you ate last night, we can make that work too."
Who doesn't love that!

photo credit: ecosalon.com

So, welcome this wintery season with open and forgiving arms. Embrace contrast, change, and even purple. 

Take a chance!

Best,

Renee

For more inspiration check out our Winter Trends
pinterest board