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 A few years ago I wrote you a question and you were very helpful. I went for
the bold and painted my family room burnt orange and my bathroom plum.
Now it's time to move on to the upstairs. My main question is for the guest
bedroom. I'm going for a Tuscan look and have a red bedspread and sheer
orange curtains. I also have a few art pieces that have those colors as well
as a little yellow. I'm wondering what color you would suggest for the walls.
Obviously something to tone it down a bit and I want to get a true Tusan feel
and I'm not too sure of the color pallet to achieve the right look. I was
thinking maybe olive or a light yellow? But I'm open to any suggestions. If I
could get your advice again that'd be great. (Also if you could let me know if I
need to get rid of the curtains or bedspread, I just need help with the colors
all around). Thank you for your time!
Answer Hi Jackie,
I think the olive is a great color which works well with your red and orange. Is there any olive in the art pieces that would marry it all together? If so, that is a really good option.
I have done several Tuscan type of faux finishes in the past. Usually I begin with a very soft yellow and add reddish brown and brown glazes to give it an old world feel. Also, I add a little joint compound to the walls in random areas before I paint to give the walls a slightly unfinished texture. If you want to give this technique a try, just call or email me for information.
