We Answer Wednesday - 6 Best Trim Paint Colours

"My house needs a fresh paint job.  I feel good about picking a wall colour but do you have any suggestions for the perfect white trim paint colour?"

You are so right, picking the right white can be tricky.  The look of a fresh coat of paint is spectacular and painting that trim really completes the feel. But like every other colour - there are many qhites to choose from.  Not knowing which paint colour you will choose, your safest best is you use a pure and true white tone, you can't go wrong with that. We have a few favourites to share with you.

1. Simply White by Benjamin Moore - this was BM colour of the year for 2016. 



2. Cloud White by Benjamin Moore - this is a designer (and painter) go-to.



3. Decorator's White by Benjamin Moore -just like the name, it is a decorator's (and painter's) favourite.  It's clean and crisp.



4. Ultra Pure White by BEHR - so clean and so crisp -this is one of the purest whites you will see.



5. Extra White by Sherwin-Williams - a great white trim choice, bright white!



6. All White by Farrow & Ball - a perfect white




 Other trim painting tips:

Caulking - be sure that before you start painting that trim to caulk any gaps

Order - paint the trim first and then the walls

Finish - be sure to use a semi-gloss  when it comes to choosing a finish for your trim. A semi-gloss adds even more brightness but also when it comes to cleaning, the dust doesn't stick!

We Answer Wednesday - Rose Quartz Trend

"I want to update my space.  I know light pink is a trending colour for 2016.  How can I use it in a modern way, I don't want my place to look too girly or old lady."

Yes, Rose quartz is one of the two hot colours this year! Rose Quartz is a soft, light pink hue with a touch of a mauve quality.  For some, they had already seen this trend and are not hopping back on the band wagon but for others this is a fun and fresh colour that can add a touch of feminine whimsy to a space. 

 

With any trend, we do not suggest NOT diving in head first unless it is something you absolutely LOVE and MUST HAVE! So before you commit, just make sure it is a trend for you.  Trends come and go, so we also recommend not going full out!  When it comes to a trending colour (especially) use accessories to embrace that trend.  So consider art, pillows, throw blanket and some knick-knacks, too.  But if you really want to dive in consider an accent wall, area rug and bedding.

 

To avoid looking too girly or old lady, think about what you are combining rose quartz with and how you are using it.  For instance, layering multiple pastel tones looks dated instead layer rose quartz with a more masculine hue like navy or charcoal even black.  Balance out the pink hues with more masculine elements.  We also suggest layering the rose quartz tone with some bolder colours like fuchsia, magenta, eggplant, jade green and teal - fun and punchy and not dated at all!

 

Here are some of our favourite ways to use rose quartz and some of our favourite combinations.

When it comes to colour you don't need a lot to make a statement. We love this mostly neutral motif with a slight touch of pink in the trellis pattern on this area rug.  Keep the main furniture pieces neutral and add a few more splashes of colour in your throw pillows and you are set!



 Try adding a fun accent chair in the living room, kitchen or dining room - it's a fun splash of colour and not a huge expense! This also makes a great desk chair in a home office!



Really want to embrace the rose quartz trend? Try these incredible table lamps - they make a real statement with shape and texture and add that pop of pink with a simple white shade!





 Grey continues to be a big trend (we would say it is a timeless classic) so add some softness to the neutral tone with some rose quartz pillows with texture. We also love the light pink floral arrangement, simple and feminine.



Make a statement on your wall that isn't a painted wall! Everyone looks great in pink and we love an over sized and bold art piece. Remember art doesn't need to match your room, in fact it shouldn't! So take a risk and add something fun and splashy!



Not ready to commit to an accent wall? Try painting the interior side of your door.  This makes a statement and we love this one in particular because of the details and character of this door.





Keep the colour modern looking by pairing it with streamlined furniture pieces and add it to a tone on tone room.  This room has many shades of grey adding the small pops of pink just adds some femininity to the space.





We love mixing soft pastels with bolder tones.  We love the mix of softer and lighter hues with the darker tones.  We also love the water colour effect of this pillow.  It's a perfect pop for any room!







Get creative, be bold but don't make too much of a commitment!  Let's face it painting an entire room or even and entire wall in pink sounds a bit over the top and intimidating but why not the inner part of your bookcase? You get that big pop of colour but not too big of a pop! We love how it looks in this image against the white bookcases and than paired with some dark accents in the room like navy and black!



Only you can determine what the right amount of pink in your decor is. Start small and keep adding until you are happy with what you have achieved.

New Year's Resolutions For Your Home: 5 Ideas to Organize in 2016

“One of my New Years Resolutions this year is to focus more on my home.. I am hoping to update my décor and get more organized. What are some areas I should focus on?”

January is here! The start of the New Year is so refreshing for many people. It’s a time to reset your goals and reflect on the previous year. Lots of us make New Year’s Resolutions, depending on your lifestyle and your objectives, these vary for everyone. Maybe you’re going to commit to the gym or a healthier routine, perhaps your goal is to save money, or to travel more this year. If your resolutions involve home décor, we have some fabulous suggestions for you. Here are 5 suggestions to kick off your new year resolutions.

Decluttering Closets: Closets are the spot where a lot of items can hide out behind closed doors. Out of sight, out of mind. Items just keep being piled in there and forgotten about, so why not sort and purge what you no longer require? Decluttering is a surprisingly great feeling. Getting closets organized is helpful for your everyday life, having extra useable space is never a bad thing. We recommend baskets and bins to make sure everything has a home and is placed back inside neat & tidy.

Paint: Resolve to paint one room in your home a different colour, however bold or muted you desire. A fresh coat of paint signifies fresh, new beginnings. Never underestimate the power of paint. Changing the colour in a room is an inexpensive way to change the mood and décor without having to replace everything in the space. Depending on your current décor, choose a paint colour that will be a noticeable change. This can be challenging if you have a very set colour palette in your current décor. Even using the same colour you currently have and making it a shade or two darker will be a welcome change. If painting the entire room is too large of a task to undertake, try painting an accent wall! Choose a colour from your current colour scheme and use that as your new accent wall.

Weekly Cleaning: Most of us clean our houses weekly in the common areas, bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens etc. But there are many places that are often overlooked that need some TLC. For example, the inside of the kitchen cabinets as often ignored. Cleaning the inside of your fridge. Washing Baseboards. Dusting hard to reach places. Pick one “overlooked” area a week and focus on that as well.

Refresh some accessories: Depending on your budget, adding some newaccessories to a room gives it new life. This is a very budget friendly way to refresh your rooms. Adding a few new pillows, or a throw blanket, or maybe a new art piece will be a fabulous way to change up your décor and redesign your space. Try adding a colourful side table or garden stool, or changing some frames on your wall.

 

Fixing Odds and Ends: Do you have a “to do list” that just keeps piling up? Take the time and tackle these items. The little things that are ignored in your home continue to pile up, so just spend a few hours and get them done. You’ll feel so good knowing you can check off some items you’ve been meaning to get to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We Answer Wednesday - Girl on a Budget

" I'm a girl on a budget.  I've moved into a new place and I need some ideas to make my new place look expensive."

We are all on a budget but there are some home updates that you can do with minimal money that will result in maximum impact.

1 - Lighting.  Swap out that old dining or entry way light fixture for something with visual impact



2 - Neutrals.  Ever notice that those classically chic spaces we all drool over in the magazines are always in neutral tones? So opt for neutral paint on your walls, the depth is up to you but greys, taupes, creams and beige always looks chic.

 


3 - Tile.  Is your kitchen missing something? A back splash is like jewelry on an outfit - it pulls it altogether and makes a statement! So same with tile.  Update your kitchen with some back splash tiles and maybe give your powder room a boost too.  Looking for something timeless? We love a subway tile, it comes in many colours and it's always in style.

 

4 - Built-ins.  Yes, they are expensive but fake them! find some pre-fab or packed shelving and create that custom built-in look with floor to ceiling bookcases.  Aim for shelving that is the colour of your trim to get the built-in look. Be sure to style your bookcase with decor pieces and books to make it look elevated!

 

5 - Dimension.  Add some depth and elegance with panels and molding. Use this to draw attention to special features of the home like a fireplace.

 

6 - Hardware.  Make sure your hardware finishes match.  Replace any hardware that doesn't match or that is broken. Coordinating your hardware pieces will make the whole room shine.

 

7 - Walk way.  Even the exterior of your home can look expensive.  Update that walkway it will give the whole exterior an instant boost and make your landscaping look even better.

 

8 - Exterior entryway.  A full exterior make over can get pricey but try a few easy improvements like paint your front door - a fresh coat of paint always looks great!  Update your mailbox and address plate. Try adding some flanking planters to your front exterior, for symmetry and balance they frame the entry and look welcoming.

7 Easy Ways to add a little Colour to your world

It's officially November and we can all see it, not just on the calendar but outside, too!  The days are shorter, the leaves have fallen off of the trees and those beautiful fall colours have turned to grey....everything is just a little dreary.  So maybe it's time for a change, a dash of colour and some fun at home.

The easiest way to make a change to your space to liven it up is with colour.  Here are some of favourite (and easy) ideas to add some pop to your decor.

1 - Florals.  This is perfect for anyone non-committal, fresh flowers don't last for after about 10 days - they will need replacing. Or try some silk flowers, these keep, they are low maintenance and you can bring them out when ever our home needs an extra boost! They look great in bedrooms, bathrooms, on coffee tables and more....



2 - Art.  such an easy way to add as much or as little colour as you like.  Any style of art piece can have colour from abstract to landscapes - go with what you love.  You can use the colours in that piece as an inspiration for adding even more colour in that room, so not, it's up to you!






3 - Area rugs.  Think of them as art on the floor.  This is a great way to make a statement in any room.  Mixing colour and pattern can really transform a room.  The options are endless!



4 - Drapery.  A fun way to add colour, pattern and texture to your space.  This can really wake up a neutral space.  Like area rugs - the choices are plentiful...




 5 - Small furniture pieces.  Keep your main furniture pieces neutral but try adding an accent chair, side table or stool in a colour.  This is unique and it's a great way to show off your personality.  We love this kitchen with orange stools - it really adds some fun to a mostly white on white space.



6 - Decor pillows.  This is probably the easiest way to give your room a colourful update.  We love to mix bold colours, patterns and complimentary colours against a neutral sofa or bed.



7 - Accent wall.  If you feel you need a bigger change, consider a painting accent wall in a fun colour or splashy wallpaper.





 

Baffled by the Bristles? See our Paint Brush Lesson!

Now that the weather is finally getting nice, we’re all starting to feel ambitious again about some projects around the house. I know for me, its paint that I want to tackle. Not just walls, furniture as well. When it comes to paint, I always have the best intentions, but trying to nail down which brush is for where, and what kind of paint is best on that surface … the list goes on. Here is a more ‘simplified’ version of the paint brush aisle for you!

The Square Cut Brush:
Best for large flat surfaces.
These brushes are most ideal for covering a large space in a short amount of time!
Sold in widths as large as 5 inches and are made with natural OR synthetic bristles.
Cost is anywhere from $8 to $16 dollars.

Short Handle:
Best for cramped spaces!
The 2 inch handle makes navigating into tight areas much easier.
These brushes are great for painting inside cabinets, tight corners on furniture etc.
This brush will cost you around $7 dollars.

Foam Brush:
Best for touch-ups.
I wouldn’t recommend using this brush for much more. It is a great option for covering any scuffs, but only on smaller spots. These brushes are great with any type of paint.
They are cheap option as well as a disposable option. No keeping these bad boys!
These brushes also come in a few different sizes: 1 inch, 2 inch and 3 inch wide.
Approximately $7 dollars for a 3 pack.

Angled Brush:
Best for cutting in and painting along the trim.
The angled shape of this brush gives you more versatility and control than the square cut brush. This enables you to have cleaner lines along edges. (such as where the wall & ceiling meet!)
This brush comes in many widths and is made with natural OR synthetic bristles.
These brushes will cost you between $8 and $12 dollars, depending on the size.

 

Finishing Brush:
Best for Lacquers and Stains.
This is a finer version of the square cut brush. It has softer bristles for applying finishes without having streaks.
This comes in natural OR synthetic bristles and will cost you about $30 dollars a brush. (make sure you clean & preserve this one!)

Combinations for Colourful Spaces

Picking the right colour combination for your space can be tricky.  But here are 3 sure fire ways to combine colours.

Safe neutrals are always an easy route but nothing really brightens up a room like an injection of colour.  For inspiration you can always turn to the colour wheel.  The colour wheel plots colours in a pie chart to show the relationship between primary colours (red, yellow and blue), secondary colours (green, orange and purple) and beyond.  To create a palette you will love start with your favourite colour, for example blue, then add other colours to get a look you will love.

 

1 - Monochromatic.  Navy, Marine and Sky blue.  Monochromatic schemes combine several tones of the same colour and feel soothing. Add a basic or neutral like white for a visual break.



2 - Complementary. Blue and Orange.  Complementary schemes combine colours that are opposite to each other on the colour wheel.  The result is vivid and bold.

 





3-  Analogous. Blue and Green. Analogous schemes combine colours that fall next to each other on the colour wheel and produce lively yet subtle spaces.




 

Furniture Distressing = No Stress at all!

Looking for a quick DIY to spice up your décor? So many times there are budget friendly jobs we can do ourselves at a low cost and with minimal work without even realizing it! Here is an EASY paint do-it-yourself project that will make a difference in any home. 

 

A very popular paint technique we are seeing a lot of these days in magazines and on home décor websites is “Distressed Edging”. This is a technique that creates an aged look using paint and glaze, without any sanding required. Talk about easy DIY! The glazing softens the colours producing an aged/distressed finish. Since no sanding is required, this means that there is no dust and no mess! There are many wooden surfaces in your home that could work with this technique such as a dining room table, kitchen cabinets, headboard, chairs or stools, coffee or end tables, doors and window trim, and that’s just naming a few!

There are only a couple basic tools you will need and no mess to clean up afterwards:
-Basecoat (only needed if you are starting from scratch and painting an entire piece of furniture.)
-Paint/Glaze for your “distressing” (the colour which would be showing through “underneath”)
-Flat Edge Foam Brush (for distressing the surface, this will be the only brush you need.)
-Plastic containers to hold paint & glaze mixtures.
-Soft cloths for wiping (in case of paint running or applying too much at a time.)
-Spray bottle with water for cloths
-Sealer or varnish for final protective coat once distressing is complete.

 

 

Here’s how it works: Paint the surface in the desired colour or use an already painted item or surface. Where you want the surface to look worn and distressed, paint another colour that would represent the colour underneath, this is where the paint and glaze comes into play. Make sure to use small amounts at once. The paint/glaze will likely be a fast drying product. It is much easier to apply less than you need than to try do it all at once, on the off chance you apply to much and cannot fix it. For example, you want to paint your kitchen cabinets yellow, you could chose a medium brown tone to “distress” with. This would look as though the original wood was beginning to show through the paint. This would give the illusion that the previous colour is coming through from normal wear and tear, when in actual fact, this colour is painted on top! Easy! Depending on the extent of the paint job you’re doing, you may want to seal or varnish the surface upon completion. Check with your local paint store for the product they would recommend.

Make sure you record your recipe. When the product is finished and your admiring the fabulous job you did – you want to be sure you remember how such perfection happened!