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.
My fiance and I just purchased a 3 bedroom two story SFH. We are trying to decide on paint colors. I want the whole home to be warm and inviting. The first room when you enter is the great room/dining room combo. The ceilings are vaulted. There are also six windows on the wall. Three at the top and two at the bottom. The room is 24 x 17, then the dining area is 9x11.There is a fireplace on the wall adjacent to the window wall, and three columns in front of the dining area. I want it to look warm but still industrial. The walls are stark white now, but it looks too cold. You can see the kichen from the great room also. We have stainless steel appliances, and we are getting cherry hardwood. I was thinking that I wanted the kitchen to be a semi bright yellow, with some gray-silvery accents. There is a study you can also see from all of the rooms, and it is going to be my library. I was thinking a gold color, with orange accents.I also want white trim in every room. Is that too much? The overall look of the home is very lofty, but still kind of homey.I want to keep the loft look because it's cool, but I want it to feel like a home.I hope this makes sense! Also, what color do I paint the columns? Can you help us?
Answer Hi Tabitha
You have many questions, so in this instance, photos would really help. You have many contradictions as well: Lofty, industrial v. white trim (very traditional) and "warm but industrial". The other thing you do not mention is decor style. The colors that you do mention sound very modern ("semi-bright yellow with silvery accents is stark and modern) and the "gold color with orange accents" sounds 1970's; plus you have cherry wood cabinets and stainless appliances, both very contemporary.
I recommend looking at what you really want for the overall feel of the place: if "Warm but industrial" sums it up, excellent. But it sounds like you are not sure what you want since you mention white trim in every room.
Here are the other details I need before I can really help:
1. ceiling height
2. flooring
3. Other finishes in the rooms, especially kitchen- counters, tiles,furniture finishes, window treatments, etc.
4. Describe the trim you are thinking of and why: baseboard, ceiling, crown molding-style and width, etc.
5. The decorating style you REALLY want
If you can't provide multiple photos, please consider hiring someone since it sounds like you may need more than color on the walls. Try this link to find a trained color consultant/designer near you: http://www.iaccna.org/contactus/contactmembers/
Good luck and I look forward to helping out when you provide more information!
Thanks,
rebecca
