AboutRebecca Bushner Expertise Specifying paint/coating colors or materials for interior or exterior of buildings including residential and commercial spaces. I also do graphic design & color marketing. I'm the current immediate-past-president of the International Association of Color Consultants/Designers North America (IACC-NA), a former Color Marketing Group chairholder, and an award-winning fine artist.
Experience I've been officially a color consultant for 7 years, a designer and researcher (tableware design) for about 10 years. I have my own color consulting/graphic design business in Arizona.
Organizations IACC-NA: International Association of Color Consultants/Designers, North America.
Publications NAFEM (North American Association of Food Eguipment Manufacturers, Ceramics organizations.
Education/Credentials BA in fine art, MBA, and have taken the full International Association of Color Consultants/Designers seminar course and oral exam.
Question Hello - we are renovating our living room and in need of color advice. It's a smaller room, with low ceilings; there are windows but not tons of light; a wood stove connected to a fireplace of pinkish stone; the floors are light colored birch; we've got a chocolate leather club chair and a moss green sofa. We're struggling on choice of color to paint the walls and trim. Any suggestions? Thanks for any advice you can lend.
Answer Hi Mary
First, if you lack light, add more. Different kinds of light is good: reading lamps, ceiling fixtures, track lighting, recessed lighting on the ceiling if it's too low for a fixture, etc.
Light Neutral color: pick colors that are very similar to your birch floors, either the same tone or a deeper or lighter is fine. This will make the room look larger. If you want a cool feel to the room, try blue and green accessories; for a warmer look, add reds, terracotta, golds, etc. Examples of colors that might work: Sherwin Williams SW 6112. SW 6113, 6114, 61115.
Actually, anything in Sherwin Williams "Fundamentally Neutral" collection would work with your floors. Go to their website or one of their stores and buy a fan deck so you can really see the whole range of colorful neutrals that will appeal.
The other excellent source of color ideas happens to be the exact same advice I have to one of the last questioners: add something significant and patterned to the room then play off it for paint color ideas. Items that will work for this: beautiful area rug, a significant piece of art, a fancy ottoman, an artful armoire/or hand-painted cabinet, occasional chair, tile-top coffee table or sideboard, etc. The more colors in this piece, the more inspiration and choices you have for paint and other accessories. I hope this helps!
reb
