Help for ugly paint color

Bright Green Walls

Dear Design Diva,

I painted my loft what I thought was going to be a light apple green color. My floors are hardwoods. It seems too bright in here, what can I do to tone it down?

Roy

Dear Roy,

Did you know that 40% of all paint sales are from people selecting the wrong color the first time around? Hopefully that should make you feel a little better. You haven’t mentioned whether you have set up your furniture and the rest of your accessories yet. Sometimes when you paint, the color can seem too intense when you are just looking at the solid walls. Once you hang draperies, artwork, accessories, and add your furniture, there is so much more to look at that it detracts from the boldness of the wall color.

If you have already done all that and are still unhappy with the color, you can add a wash of color over the green to tone it down. I like to combine one part brown paint with 4 parts of glaze, and then wash it over the walls with a large brush, making bold strokes. If you prefer, you can roll the glaze on, cover the coated wall with a large plastic drop cloth, and when you peel the drop cloth off it gives the appearance of distressed leather. I love this glazing treatment and use it often for studies and libraries. It also looks great over red paint for a deep red leather look.

I hope that helps!

The DesignDiva

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If you have a decorating question, please leave a comment below or email us at askthedesigndiva@gmail.com.

Check out our other blogs Save or Splurge and High End Looks for Less.

Barbara Green is The Design Diva and owner of Sensibly Chic Interior Design and host of “Ask the Design Diva,” a weekly radio show that answers all of your decorating questions. Listen to the live stream Saturday mornings from 8 to 9AM at AskTheDesignDiva.com or listen to the podcast anytime.

Paint Color for Powder Room

Rich Red Powder Room

Dear Design Diva,

I have a powder room that is still “builder beige.” I plan on painting it but am tempted to keep it light because I’m afraid it will feel too small. What do you recommend?

Jane

Dear Jane,

Thank you for deciding to get rid of builder beige! Ugh, that color really gets to me. I understand how you can be tempted to keep the paint color light, but think about it. Do you really think when people go into your powder room with pale walls they are going to say “Oh my, this powder room is so large!?” You’re not going to be fooling anyone into thinking the room is big, so why not go with something dramatic?

I love painting powder rooms in rich, jewel tone colors such as emerald green, sapphire blue, and deep ruby red. They add style and drama and a WOW factor. Yes, it is dark, but how long do people stay in powder rooms? Not very long. They can feel like they’ve walked into an elegant jewel box instead of a tiny, washed out wash room. Be bold and give it a try!

The Design Diva

If you like what you’ve read, please share it with your friends and followers. If you have a decorating question, please leave a comment below or email us at askthedesigndiva@gmail.com. Check out our other blogs Save or Splurge and High End Looks for Less.

Barbara Green is The Design Diva and owner of Sensibly Chic Interior Design. Follow on Twitter @thedesigndiva.

How to Pick Paint Colors

Dear Design Diva,

I just moved into a new house, and the whole thing is “builder beige.” I want to add some color, but I am not sure where to start. I am totally overwhelmed when I look at the wall of paint chips at the paint store. Where do I begin?

– Suzie New Homemaker

Dear Suzie,

The Design Diva congratulates you on deciding to add color to your home. Color has the ability to inspire and transform your life. The quickest and easiest way to get the right color the first time around is to hire a certified color consultant. Although it will cost about $150 for a three-room consultation, it is worthwhile when you consider 40% of all paint sales are generated by color mistakes the first time. Your wasted money is not only the price of the paint, but the time you spend actually applying it or paying a professional to do it for you.

For brave do-it-yourselfers, you can either pick a color based on the kind of emotional reactions you want from the room or you can begin with an inspiration piece. Vibrant tones (red, purple, orange) create passion. White tones (light pink, sky blue, mint green) give a feeling of freedom. Brown tones (olive, mustard, clay) make rooms feel earthy and sensual. Black tones (emerald, sapphire, cranberry) create drama. If you want to use an inspiration piece, choose a favorite piece of art, fabric, or accessory. If you want to spotlight the piece and have it stand out, choose a paint color that is the complement (or opposite) of that color. If you want it to blend into the background, choose a paint color that matches your inspiration piece. You can bring other colors from your inspiration piece into the room with furniture and accessories, tying the whole room together with your cohesive color palette.

Color has amazing powers – it can aid in healing, promote positive change and empower your life. The Desgin Diva encourages you to fully explore the incredible transformative powers of color.