CasaSugar

Get the Look: Anna's Bedroom in The Invention of Lying

CasaSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:00:34 -0700

The Ricky Gervais comedy The Invention of Lying, which opens on Friday, features a slew of great actors, including Tina Fey, Jennifer Garner, Jonah Hill, Rob Lowe, and more. Buzz recommended it as a Fall comedy pick, and I'm definitely enjoying its great set design. In particular, I'm coveting Anna McDoogles's bedroom.

I love the classic look of Anna's room, as well as the muted femininity that runs throughout. To get the look, start by painting your walls a soothing shade of gray green. Sherwin Williams's 6174 Andiron is a close match.

To get the rest of the look, read more.

Pantone's Color of 2009 Is Mimosa

CasaSugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:04:30 -0800

Perhaps in a move to manufacture optimism, Pantone has named 2009 the year of Mimosa. The hue is definitely bright and sunny.

According to Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, "The color yellow exemplifies the warmth and nurturing quality of the sun, properties we as humans are naturally drawn to for reassurance. . . . Mimosa also speaks to enlightenment, as it is a hue that sparks imagination and innovation."

Are you a fan of this bright yellow shade, or do you prefer the more morose purple hue of Pantone's color of the year for 2008, Blue Iris?

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Are You Offended by This House's Paint Color?

CasaSugar — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:00:16 -0700

Some communities have ordinances against certain paint colors, and others wish they did after the fact. I personally think that anyone who owns a house should be able to paint it as they please. Some of these New Jersey residents, however, would disagree with me.

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Ask Casa: A Modern, Non-White Office Color?

CasaSugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 06:15:13 -0700

Hi Casa,
My husband and I want to paint the office in our house, something that will look clean, modern, and streamlined (and ideally make the room look a little bigger and brighter than it is). However every single "modern" office I see is white, or the slightest variation thereof. Does a workroom have to look sterile to be modern? (If it helps, by and large the furniture in the room is blond wood.)

Thanks!
Zulkey

To see my answer, read more.

Hi Zulkey,

Homeowners and decorators paint office spaces white for a variety of reasons. Perhaps they want to add a sense of balance or serenity to the space, or keep it uncluttered or on task. These are all great reasons, and white is a fine choice for home offices. However, I encourage you to paint your office whatever color you choose. My home office in grad school was actually painted a color called "Tequila Sunrise." The shade was a sunny, vibrant orange, and since I was writing daily in this room, the color gave me a boost of energy whenever I sat down at my desk.

Similarly, consider what type of work you'll be doing in your home office. Will you be paying bills? Working on a project? How do you want to feel in this room? Inspired? Motivated? Serene? After you've determined how you want to use the room, then consider which colors will best aid your task and mood. Perhaps light blues or gray-greens will bring you more balance in your day. Maybe a sunny yellow will add pep to your work.

You can still keep the look modern, and also visually expand the space, by editing your furniture and accessories. Choose streamlined, modern light fixtures, such as the Pablo Sophie Lamp, and avoid knickknacks and baubles. A few well-chosen accessories, which complement the wall color, will tie the room together.

If you're a fan of wallpaper, you could cover one wall, perhaps the wall your desk is facing, with a fun, graphic print, such as Ferm Living's Wall Dots pattern. Whatever you do, though, as long as you make the space comfortable, workable, and a reflection of your and your husband's tastes, you'll definitely end up with a room you can happily live with.

Good luck,
Casa

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Coveted Crib: Laurel's Rainbow Bright Home (Part One)

CasaSugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:19:32 -0700

When I knocked on the door of Laurel's home, I knew I was in for a treat. Laurel, a visual artist who works in low-relief wall pieces, bought her two-bedroom, one-bath 1928 Craftsman home from her grandparents five years ago. Since then, the space has been extensively renovated and personalized. Laurel says, "I want people with really different aesthetics and visions to find some humor in my home and to be inspired by it." To come along on a colorful home tour, check out the slideshow. Here, I'll take you through Laurel's amazing collections of furniture and art finds showcased in her living room, dining room, and kitchen.

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Midday Muse: Sweet Green Dreams

CasaSugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:00:20 -0700

Green is said to be a calming, restorative color for bedrooms, but the energy of this room feels a little too excited for me. It's very lush and would definitely provide a wonderful respite to the browns of Autumn, but tell me, would you find this room sleep worthy?
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Midday Muse: Subtle Split Pea

CasaSugar — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 12:00:58 -0700

At first, I had trouble picturing how the Split Pea shade from Benjamin Moore's 2008 Color Trends Report could work on a wall. Then I saw this room by interiors stylist Jo Barnes on Desire to Inspire. The bright hue looks perfectly subtle with the leather couch and hanging frames.

Primer: Choosing the Right Paint Color

CasaSugar — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 14:06:53 -0700

You guys are definitely not shy about adorning your walls with lots of color, but choosing the right shade can be nerve-wracking to say the least. So I've put together a Primer to help you ponder all those paint chips.

First, make sure your room is ready. A paint color can really set the mood for a room, but to get it just right, you should have the rest of your decorating scheme set, including upholstery patterns, window treatments, rugs and bold accents.
Pick a palette. Before heading to the store, determine a family of colors you want to work with, based on the look of the room and your personal tastes. Particularly with bolder looks, a paint shade doesn't have to match your decor perfectly. Lowe's suggests looking in your closet for a reminder of the colors you gravitate toward.

For lots of other handy pointers, read more

Stock up on paint chips. Before you even think about buying paint, take home a selection of paint chips that fit into your pre-determined palette. Be sure to take a few samples of any decor - such as fabric scraps - that you want to match Also, Real Simple recommends Glidden Paint's peel-and-stick color chips, which work like Post-its.
Try on your favorite shades. Once you've narrowed it down to a color or two, buy a quart of your chosen paint and slather it on a large piece of scrap material, such as a piece of cardboard or foam board, a couple feet wide and a couple of feet tall. Prop it up or hang it in the room, and leave it for a few days to see how it looks as the light (and your mood) changes.
Visualize your room virtually. A number of paint brands and retail stores now let you upload photos of your room so you can see how different shades will look on the walls. Behr ColorSmart, for instance, lets you upload a photo and "paint" with unlimited colors for just $4.95 .

Got any other paint-picking tips to share? Tell me in the comments below.

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Ask Casa: I Need a Paint Color

CasaSugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:00:23 -0700

Hi Casa,

I would love to pick your brain for a quick second. I'm moving into a new apartment and my new room is currently light chocolate brown. My furniture is all dark wood, and most of my other accessories are in the blue/green family. I'm thinking that I'd like to repaint the room (maybe a light shade of green?) but was wondering if you had any advice. Have you seen any amazing lighter colors recently that might work?

Thanks!
Ramya

To see my response, read more.

Hi Ramya,

Without knowing the exact shades of your green and blue accessories, it's hard for me to say exactly what shade of wall color would be best. I can tell you that using a semi-gloss paint will help to visually expand a room, while an eggshell or satin finish will add a more subtle sheen.

Your chocolate brown furniture will add coziness and comfort to any room, while the blue and green accents contribute serenity, calm, and a healing energy to the space. This is a great foundation already!

I agree that changing the light chocolate brown shade on the walls is for the best. I would lean towards a blue-toned neutral. You could go for a crisp white that has a blue-tone base, or go a little more dramatic with a grayer shade, which is very trendy right now. Try Benjamin Moore Gossamer Blue for a refined, blue-tone gray.

I hope this helps!

CasaSugar

If you have a suggestion for paint colors, please leave them below.
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How-To: Decorate With Gray

CasaSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:49 -0800

If you read my November must haves, you know that this month I'll be giving you tips, advice, and ideas for adding color to your home. As part of these "Color Theory" posts, I'm going to focus on different ranges of color each week. This week, I'm beginning with cool colors, showing you how to decorate with specific colors, how to use color in small spaces, and how to paint and upholster with color. I've covered turquoise and lavender, so now it's time to move onto one of my all-time favorites: gray!

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