AboutCyndie Stefanik Expertise Co-Developer/author of the patent pending "Color with No Regrets" Selection System. Just recently her Color Program was a feature article in Faux Effects World Magazine and a separate article for her virtual consultations in House Trends Magazine. The Color Class has earned the prestigous IACET Certification for the Live and Web based programs thru the SDP (Society of Decorating Professionals. She continues to conduct training seminars across the United States for decorating professionals and virtual color consultations for commercial and residential customers.
Experience I began as a decorative painter/artist 15 years ago. My work has appeared in magazines from award winning designer show houses in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and Architectural Digest. Most recently I have spent the last 3 years creating, developing and patenting a numerical color selection system that takes the subjective nature out of color. Since it is numerically based, color can be chosen quickly and accurately. For the past year, I have conducted training seminars for the "Color with No Regrets" System to decorating professionals around the United States. My background in decorative painting/art, has given me real life experience of how color works but more importantly why it works based on sound color principles. I am also an authorized Aqua Finishing Solutions Distributor and a certified training instructor for the Society of Decorating Professionals.
Organizations The Society of Decorating Professionals
Publications Recent articles and showcase projects appear in Faux Effects World Magazine, House Trends Magazine, WJET-TV for decorative painting set design, as well as local publications in Western Pennsylvania such as Today's Home. I am a regular guest on Good Morning Erie, WJET-TV, an ABC affliate as the Princess of Paint, where I provide decorating, painting techniques and problem solving for viewers.
I live in a colonial house. Due to mold on the walls, I have to paint my dining room. All the rooms are painted linen white with white trims except for the dining room. The previous owner painted it what looks to be a faux finish I will paint myself and therefore I will not do another faux job.
The dining room is small, about 14 x 14. There is a window on the east wall and a picture window on the north wall (the room is not very light). The floors in the whole house are oak wood - naturally stained -medium gold/brown. The dining room has a chair rail. It also has 2 dark brown bookcases and a dark brown breakfront. The dining room table is dark brown and so are the chairs. The chair seats are a medium to dark blue/brown tweed. There is an area rug that is blue/tan and off-white.
I need help in deciding what colors to paint the room. It is small so I would like it to look bigger and lighter. I was told to use Behr paint because of the mold problem.
Thank you so much.
Jackie
ANSWER: Hi Jackie,
Well I'm sure you already know that the mold issue needs to be resolved due to health concerns, and painting over the faux finish is easy enough. So to answer you color questions, it's probably a good idea to spin off of your existing colors from the rug, chairs and the golden oak color in your wood. They are nice colors and then you don't have to replace anything.
Take a look at Sherwin Williams Krypton for a neutral blue tone. I think this would be a good choice for a few reasons. First if your floor has the yellow tones and your area rug has the tans, it may be difficult to find just the right color to complements both of those together. The blues are a trendy color right now and will complement everything you have including the rug, carpet, and furniture.
If blue is not a color you like, then take a look at Benjamin Moore
Arizona Tan, it is neutral enough to work as well.
If you want to send over a picture, I can alter it for you to show you how it will look before you paint. Just let me know, I am happy to help.
QUESTION: Hi Cyndie,
Thank you for your response. I looked at Behr cracked wheat (320e-2) for above the chair rail and desert camel (320f-4) for below the chair rail. What do you think about these colors?
Thank you
Jackie
Answer Hi Jackie,
Thanks for getting back to me. Those colors are very nice. You can't go wrong with choosing 2 from the same strip. It also has that light and airy look you're after. Good choice.
