Sick
of your kitchen cabinets ?
Newsletter
5 : October 2006
Sick of your kitchen cabinets but worried that
new ones will break the bank?
Instead of buying new ones (a very expensive choice) use the power
of paint to transform your new inexpensive paint quality cabinets
or old units with fresh colors.
Here we have my favorite new combination: Off
white cabinets glazed with aging glaze and complimented by garnet
red island cabinets. To age the island cabinets we applied a coat
of satin polyurethane tinted with phalo blue (this is a universal
tint, kind of like food coloring).
The effect is breathtaking!
Summer
is finally here
Newsletter
4: June 2006
Summer is finally here and you may be ready to tackle those outside
paint jobs.
Here is my favorite trick for fast clean-up:
"To keep latex paint off your body, apply
nonstick cooking spray (original scent please!) and rub it in.
Water-based paint can't penetrate the oil, so the paint won't
seep through to your skin.
If you are painting with oil or alkyd-based paint
use petroleum jelly instead. Just a light coat will keep the
oil paint from sticking."
Fresh Ideas For Spring
Newsletter
3 : March 2006
Spring is here and you are probably ready for color and pattern
in your home. Here are a few helpful ideas:
1. Always start with your inspiration piece (this
will determine the colors in the room). Look for the color used
the most and pull it into other areas of the room by using throw
pillows, scatter rugs, etc.
2. Don't be afraid of mixing patterns but do pay
attention to scale (large, medium or small). You never want two
similar size patterns fighting for attention. What you do want
is a dominant pattern and then a couple of secondary patterns.
All of these patterns should have similar color schemes. This is
why a picture from a magazine with over 12 different patterns looks
so pulled together! The color schemes are all similar.
3. You don't have to paint every room the same
color to carry a color scheme throughout your house. What you need
to do though is to make sure that all walls have the same tonal
value. For
example, you do not want a pale yellow room next to a bright red
room. One secret to matching values is to ask your paint store
for their paint fan deck. Find the color you like (let's say it
is the second from the top). The value you need will now be whichever
color you choose that is second from the top.
I wanted you to see a current project whose inspiration
was a Hunt painted headboard. It is a large scale pattern with
colors chosen from the headboard. I taped off 12 inch stripes and
colorwashed them horizontally then vertically. This particular
room will be for two lucky little girls
Color
is often the key ingredient
Newsletter
2: January 2006
Color is often the key ingredient for a design
scheme, but it’s hard to know just where to start. Here is a tip
that will help you understand how to identify the true colors easily:
Tip: Bring your fabric to the
paint counter and ask to see the paint deck (also called fan
deck) from the manufacturer of your paint. A paint deck is a
complete set of all the paint chips on the rack in one easy deck
and is connected by a ring in one corner which makes each color
move easily. Simply place your inspiration piece on the counter
and look through the deck to find the colors that match the color
you want to match the best. Remember to use a keyhole (see below)
to isolate the color for you.
How to make a “keyhole” tool:
Cut a piece of plain white paper into the size
of a business card or use the back of a business card.
Fold in half lengthwise and cut a V shape. Open
card and you now have a diamond shape or “keyhole”.
Place your “keyhole” over the color you want so
that half of the color you want to match is there. Now use your
fan deck or chips you think may work under the keyhole and next
to the color you want to match.
Because you have isolated the two colors with a
field of white, you can identify the color that comes the closest
to matching.
Welcome
to ColorbySusan.com
Newsletter
1 : January 2006
No matter where I travel, my audience always has
a great story about why they do not decorate with their husbands
anymore. This is one of those true stories.
"We were trying to sell our house. One
Sunday morning our realtor called and asked if she could come
by with a hot prospect to look at the house. We said yes and
jumped out of bed to start to clean up. I did the kitchen, bathroom
and bedroom. Then I realized that there was thumping coming from
the ceiling. What could it be? I went outside and there he was,
my husband and he was sweeping the roof! He was so excited and
yelled down "I'm almost done, Ann!" You see, we
had a storm the night before and he didn't want the husband to
see the leaves and twigs on the roof! And that is why I do not
decorate with my husband anymore!"
Ann Mitchell
New Hampshire
(Ann received a Virtual Painter Interior Color
Design Software by American Tradition for baring her soul! Thank
you Ann)
How to clean your brushes:
I like to use fabric softener (buy the store brand please!)
to clean my brushes with. This is how I keep my brushes for many
years:
Rinse brush under running lukewarm water to get
out excess paint.
Pour fabric softer in a small quart container (about 2 inches)
and manipulate your brush to work in the softener. Let set for
about 5 minutes.
Rinse brush, shake out and then wrap the bristles in newspaper
to keep their shape.
Remember, the hole in the handle is for hanging. Create your own
cupboard with your supplies and hang the brushes from nails on
the inside of the door.
I like to keep chocolate in my cupboard for inspiration.
My cupboard also has a lock on it. |
