Fresh paint brings home into 21st century

Colorful homes are my signature. But sometimes it’s just too much, as in this case of my client Leslie’s home in Bend. Time for a change!

The first thing you noticed was how dark the house felt, despite the high ceilings and Bend’s eternal sunshine. The dated valences in the living room added to the gloom and needed to go away. Intense color on the walls was overkill because Leslie has a lot of vibrant art. We decided on a much lighter neutral – a warm taupe for most of the walls to bring out tones in the marble kitchen countertops and the stone on the fireplace. (The ceilings are a lighter shade of taupe, though it’s hard to tell in the photos.)
Paint makeover. Joy Overstreet, color consultant, Portland, ColorStylePDX.com

The white mantelpiece was a problem. It seemed to float above the fireplace area without any connection to what was below it or to much else in the room. Time to pull out “Paint Magic!” We needed to pretend it was grounded with the traditional wood surround (legs), and in a color that blended with the stone facing. Fakery accomplished by painting the mantel and the wall below it the same dark taupe that was in the stone. The TV stand is also much less obvious now that it’s no longer white.Paint makeover. Joy Overstreet, Portland color consultant, ColorStylePDX.com

We painted the inset above the fireplace a deep espresso and repeated the color on the opposite wall behind her dining table.
Leslie's DR

The red-green (complementary) color scheme is very difficult to pull off in an open plan house where the living room and kitchen are part of the same space, unless at least one of the colors is in a pastel version. Also the art was blocking the light from windows. Paint makeover. Joy Overstreet, color consultant, Portland, ColorStylePDX.com

Next to the kitchen is Leslie’s office, now more calm in the taupe. She’s thrilled with the new look.Paint makeover, Joy Overstreet, color consultant Portland. ColorStylePDX.com
If you’re interested in a paint makeover to bring your home into the 21st century, and you live in the Portland metro area, please call me (Joy) at 360-903-3659. I’d love to help.

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  1. Pingback: Paint colors: how to lead the eye and set a mood - Creating Joyful Spaces

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