AboutCyndie Stefanik Expertise Co-Developer/author of the patent pending "Color with No Regrets" Selection System. Just recently her Color Program was featured in Faux Effects World Magazine and a separate featured article for her virtual consultations in House Trends Magazine. Her Color with No Regrets online video Color Class is the first to earn IACET Certification with the Society of Decorating Professionals. Her specialty is the $199 whole house virtual consultation which is especially popular for new construction and remodeling projects all over the country. As a retired award winning decorative artist, she now donates her services on a regular basis to the Make a Wish Foundation.
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.
Question Hello Cyndie,
We moved into our new home less than a year ago and hired a color consultant when we decided to paint our walls. We're happy with her color choices but a couple of friends have commented on the fact that the dining room doesn't flow with the rest of the house because it's a totally different color from the adjacent areas. When you walk into the house, the dining room is on the right and it's painted two shades of yellow, a darker yellow (Ben Moore fresh butter) under the chair rail and a paler yellow (BM pale moon) above the chair rail. The foyer and upstairs is painted a light turquoise (BM turquoise mist) with a darker teal shade under the chair rail going up the stairs (BM scenic drive). There are no doors separating the dining room from the foyer...it's totally open. We have two shades of blue as accent walls in the living room and upstairs (which you see when you walk in) and a light and dark gold shade on adjacent walls in the living room. It's true that the yellow dining room does stand out. A friend suggested that we paint the area under the chair rail the darker teal color and leave the area above the chair rail pale yellow. I'm torn because I think the dining room colors work, but it's true that the room does stand apart from the foyer area adjacent to it. I know there's no right or wrong in selecting paint colors, but is this "separateness" a bad idea? At the suggestion of our colorist, I've placed teal colored accents in the dining room such as vases, plates and candles. Do you think we should paint the area below the chair rail in the dining room the same color as in the foyer? I can send you pictures if you'd like. I thank you for your assistance and await your reply. Sincerely, Ruth B.
Answer Hi Ruth,
Yes, I do see the problem. The reason your Dining Room appears so different is that every color has a degree of saturation (brightness) and all of your colors except fresh butter are pretty even. It is the Fresh butter that is throwing everything else off. It's too bright (saturated) for everything else in you home. Because you have an open floor plan it is critical to have the colors flow (different colors but following the same general guidelines of the color wheel hue, saturation and value to create a perfect palette). I believe your friends suggestion to paint it in the Scenic Drive or Turquoise Mist is a good one. Or you could continue with the Pale Moon if you like the looks of your yellow Dining Room. Any of these options will work. So, problem solved! It's the Fresh Butter, everything else is great.
I hope this helps you. Let me know if you have any other questions.
