MAMAS’ COMING,”PAINT THE HOUSE WOW!”

The In Colors are Bright and Bold

I have been browsing through several magazines and noticed how bold and bright the color trends are.  Have You?  I was a teenager in the late 60’s and early 70’s and the popular colors then are back today.

Of course the names of the colors are different. Back then ‘Burnt Orange’, ‘Avocado, and Coppertone’. Those were BIG.  The colors now are ‘Monet Moonrise, Wythe Blue, Ice Breaker, Carrots.  But, “they are still bold and bright”.

The influence of Tuscan and Beach motifs’ are everywhere and in pretty much every décor. Greens, Blues and Oranges are offered in paints, accessories, furniture and well ‘you name it’.

That brings us to the subject at hand. Mama is coming “Paint the House WOW!”

We were contracted to paint the inside of a house that was originally built in the 1970’s.  It has been added too and changed somewhat but has a definite Tuscan flavor.

The new owner wanted to really bring the Tuscan décor to the forefront.  The interior really had the potential to accomplish this.  The openings between rooms were arches and the trim is massive and very dark.  There are beams on the ceiling in the great room and a wonderful patio out back with tile, rock and even some grape vines.  The walls in the various rooms are all hand trowel plaster.  Each room has a little different texture.  This is evidence of the different remodels and additions that were made to the house.  Each contractor had a different style.  This just adds to the Tuscan look that the homeowner wants to show off even more.

The ceilings needed to be painted so we started with them first.  The called for massive cover-up.  We have posted several pictures of this process.  This will give the do-it-your self group some idea of what is involved.  This is a very time consuming task when the people are living in the house while this is being done. We at Ken Rader Interiors L.L.C. are very conscious of the needs of people when we are in their home or shall I say “Villa”.

The floors in the Kitchen and Breakfast area are tile.  This too works well with the theme.

Next decision was the color for the walls.  Remember, the homeowner want WOW!  Her mother and sister are coming to visit and see the house for the first time and she wants to make a good impression.  The decorator has chosen “Bus Top Tour” from the ‘allen + roth’ collection.  It is orange.  Very bold and it takes your breath away.  I have to admit that I was a little worried about having so much of this color.  I could see accenting with it and having some accessories but not so thrilled with the idea of painting all of the walls.

Much thought went into picking this color and as I looked at the floors, furniture, trim and the pictures that would be used, I became more comfortable with the color.  So, “a painting we will go, a painting we will go’.  

Here are some pictures of the paint on the walls and a few of the finished project.  The heavy texture on the wall needed a lot of paint.  We used Behr primer and paint combo and were able to do the job with just 2 coats.  We were afraid it would take 3 or 4.

We definitely produced the WOW factor.  And the paint color is not over the top.  It is beautiful.  It is a success.

We were on a time limit to accomplish this project needing to get it done before the company arrives.  We painted the ceilings and walls of the Kitchen, dining room, hallway, entry, great room. Wet bar area and pantry in 3 days.  That’s right, three days, are we good or what?

My lovely wife is in some of these pictures, doing her thing, “attention to detail”.  I was doing the work too,’ I was just taking a few pictures’. 

We will be returning to this house in about 1 week to start painting 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a laundry room.  The Tuscan theme will continue but with a different color.  We will keep you posted on the progress.

I learned a couple of things on this project.

1. Keep up to date with the colors people like

2. Other decorators have good ideas also.

If you are planning a new paint job for your home be sure and check out some of the newest magazines for ideas of color and theme.

As always “Happy Painting”

Ken Rader Interiors L.L.C.

www.kenraderinteriors.com

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