Posted: June 2009

“I thought we’d found the perfect blue for our bedroom, but now that it’s on the walls, it looks nothing like what we’d imagined.”   You’ve probably heard these painting horror stories before. No matter how perfect the color you select looks on the swatch card and on the lid of the can  you picked up at the store – or how many coats you put on to try and get it right, there is always likelihood for disappointment. So what’s a homeowner to do to avoid those all too common color mistakes?     

The solution is to call upon the expert help of a color professional. There is a fine art to selecting a color palette, and trained professionals can relieve the pressure by taking you through the process methodically. They ensure that the colors you choose not only reflect who you are and what you like, but also that they feel right for the mood or atmosphere they are trying to create, whether in just one room or throughout your entire home. It’s helpful to gather your inspirations together early, whether from photos, textiles, furniture, art, or even your rock collection.

“Creating an integrated color palette can be an overwhelming process for homeowners. It is typically easy for clients to find inspiration, but it is usually a challenge for them to take the next step,” explains Renee Adsitt, Design Assistance and Selections Coordinator for CityBuilders, Inc., a full-service, residential design / build remodeling company based in Lynnwood, WA. “There are many dimensions to selecting a home color palette. Some are very personal, such as mood, while others are a function of the physics of the space. And paint is only one aspect of your color decisions. Everything else in your remodeling project has a color too: cabinetry, floors, countertops, furnishings, not to mention how natural and artificial light affects your choices. I’ve had homeowners tell me they spent more money on frustrating paint test quarts in the past than they spent on my fee.”

Selecting a color professional need not be a nightmare. To make sure you get the perfect match for your specific remodeling needs, here are the top five questions to ask a color professional during your selection process:

•    How have you come to be a color professional?
•    How long have you worked in the field of color?
•    Where can I see examples of your work?
•    Can you provide some references I can call?
•    What do I need to do to be prepared to work with you?
 
“If there is one take-away I always recommend to homeowners, it is this,” concludes Renee Adsitt. “It’s more important to feel color than to think color. An excellent color professional handles the thinking parts, so you don’t have to worry about making mistakes. The homeowner’s job is to honestly communicate their feelings, gut reactions and goals throughout the color selection process, so the palette they end up with is uniquely designed to serve their lifestyle.”