A Color Specialist in Charlotte

Specializing in choosing color for Providence Downs South, NC

2012-02-09T07:37:00.000-05:00

The homes in Providence Downs South in South Charlotte are very large. They are anywhere from 7,000 - 10,000 sq. ft. and usually close or over $1,000,000. Now with a home this size, how can you NOT afford to choose the right color? Choosing the wrong color for a home this size AND going one step further and painting it the wrong color is a very, very costly mistake. What to do? Hire a Color Expert who specializes in choosing color for these large homes.

Here's what can happen if the wrong color and design is chosen - keep in mind - this home is on the market. It should look perfect but does it?

Here is the dining room. It's big, has gorgeous wood flooring, nice decor and custom drapery all are pluses. Now what is not sitting well with me is the color that was chosen for this room. It's very monochromatic, which is fine but too much of a good color can be a bit dull. My eye darts from the walls to the ceiling because of the pattern. Vertical stripes on the walls and a dark ceiling with contrasting white framing is just too much!

How would I change the paint color in this dining room? Well there are several factors to consider. One, is the gold color that is in the foyer. Second, the wall color in the dining room needs to coordinate with the area rug, drapery and seat cushions. Since those three are neural, we just have to contend with the foyer color.

The dining room is the one room where you can have a little burst of substantial color. I chose this salmon for several reasons. One, it counteracts all the yellow tones in the surrounding rooms, it's a new, trendy color and it's not the typical red dining room that you see in just about every one's home.

Finishing this room off with a soft neutral on the ceiling is classy and elegant. No white ceilings here.

I see it this way - if you're hiring a Color Expert to choose color for your home, the color better and should be unique to JUST YOU otherwise, you can have a “Color Consultant” from one of the paint stores to chose any old color for you.

So, to all the homeowners of Providence Downs, you have beautiful homes, go the extra step and inquire how you can get beautiful color for your home. My name is Donna Frasca and I'm a Color Specialist in Charlotte (actually Wesley Chapel) and I can choose the RIGHT colors for your home. I also have a paint team that I work with that will complete your home to perfection. It's a good investment with good service and quality. DecoratingbyDonna@mac.com

What Color Should I Paint My Exercise Room?

2012-02-08T08:26:00.000-05:00

Choosing color for an exercise room believe it or not is very important. Too much color and you'll be over stimulated and burn out, too little and you won't be motivated to move. So what color should you choose for your exercise room? Both.

Here you have a very typical room in the home that was converted into work out room. There's a nice size window for light and mirror to “check yourself out” and ample room to bounce around. But where's the color?

Like I said, you can use both a bright and dark color for your exercise room. I'd use that great green color as the main wall color. It's bright and energetic and would make me feel good. It's a happy color which is good for this room.

I would put the darker blue on the ceiling. I know the ceiling is fairly low here and putting a dark color here will bring it down further but think about the design in this room. You have enough light, a bright wall color and a mirror that will reflect both. You need a darker color to keep the brightness down just a bit. Plus, it's an awesome color and when you put and awesome color in an unexpected place - it works.

Like these colors? Believe it or not they are from the Kids Room Paint Collection that you can find at Target. Just because a paint company labels their line of paint for “kids” doesn't mean it has to be JUST for the kids room.

Benjamin Moore “ben” colors

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND ENJOY YOUR COLOR!!!!!

If you need help, contact me to set up color consultation if you live in South Charlotte.

Paint Colors: It's a Behr!

2012-02-06T07:45:00.000-05:00

Behr

… or Benjamin Moore, or Sherwin Williams or Glidden.

Which paint brand should I use?

When I meet with a client, I literally have to ask at least 20 questions about paint color and what type of look they want for their home before I even choose a paint company. For instance, here's just a few questions I'd ask to quality my clients:

Do you want Sherwin Williams? Behr? Benjamin Moore?
What paint color do you prefer?
Will you be moving within the next few years?
Are you renting?
Do you have allergies?
Is anyone in the home expecting?
Do you have specific paint ideas?
Do you know how to paint?
Will you need someone to paint for you?

You would't think that there was so much involved in choosing a paint brand but there really is. Just to break it down a bit, Behr, has a beautiful array of color choices. I actually have my home painted in Behr paint because the colors are vibrant, bright and clean. What? I know that sounds odd but that was yet another deciding factor - how bright the colors are and if you like that look and feel in your home.

I lived in Pittsburgh for 15 years and the weather was not so desirable there. It was gray most of the time, cold and sun was a rarity. So to compensate this, I chose a very warm color, Gold Buff.

Gold Buff

Choosing a warm color, or a color that has a lot of yellow in it, reflects back into the room giving it - well - a warm cozy feeling. That's exactly what I wanted in my living room. Did I mention that I also had a teal sofa that was a “Behr” to coordinate wall color with?

My living room, Pittsburgh, PA

If the colors weren't good enough, you can't beat the names Behr has - Spiced Butternut, Florida Mango - which actually fits in well with my Color Recipes. Sometimes I just flip though the deck reading the names. Who doesn't do that right? Sometimes the name of the color and the color itself is nailed to the T but some are a bit out there like Cupid Arrow. How does anyone know what color Cupids' arrow is? I guess you try coming up with names for a few thousand paint colors and you'll see how creative you can be :-)

All joking aside, as you well know each paint company has very specific colors. Some paint companies have brighter hues, some more muted and some with delicious names. That just makes it a bear to figure out which paint brand to use let a lone having to choose a few colors for your home.

This is what I do for a living. If you would like me to choose the right paint company and the right colors for your home, let me know! No need to get stressed or make poor decisions when you have Professionals to help you! Contact me at the email shown at the right on this blog and we can talk color. I'll be waiting!

Super Bowl 2012 and Super Color!

2012-01-30T08:35:00.001-05:00

I know I've posted about Super bowl and the Man Cave decor before but it's such an exciting sporting event that I need to talk about it a just a bit more.

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Men don't really care what color their man cave is I'm sure, they're there for the sports however, the ladies will be enjoying it as well and either way, the man cave should really look the part.

There are the typical dark, bold and very manly colors that's you'd see in the man cave but what if you had a “Woman Cave” with no men - its there such a thing? Besides, who said the cave had to be for men only?

Without further adieu, I'm going way out of the comfort zone and choose colors if the man cave was just for women. After all, the Super Bow 2012 should be enjoyed in super color regardless of who's in the room right? Let's have some fun with color - here we go!

The “Color Purple” Cave

Sherwin Williams

“Strike It Rich” Cave

Behr

The “Vacation” Cave

Glidden

“Orange You Glad” Cave

Benjamin Moore

“A Breath of Fresh Air” Cave

Valspar

So whether you're into sports on a large scale and enjoy the Super bowl 2012 or on a local much smaller scale at Sky High Sports - not matter what the color is have fun with both and with color.

If you need help with your color choices, contact me, Donna Frasca, Color Specialist and I'm located in South Charlotte.

Perfect Wedding Color by Pantone

2012-01-28T13:06:00.000-05:00

I want to be a Pantone Bride! I just found this beautiful website called The Dressy Group. This company helps you plan your wedding from style, invitations, destinations and which can be the hardest part, color.

I usually don't write about fashion, it just not my thing ya know ;-) however, I do know color and this website is the go to tool for brides. Look what I found:

The Dressy Group

This photo is on their main banner - you have me sold right here! Love the dress and color of course, it's a beautiful silvery gray with the classic touch of black but - I really love the background color! It's not the dreaded, bubble gum girly pink that is sometimes associated with weddings. It's rich, classy and elegant. Now I am reminded it is just a background color but it's these details that sell the product. Great web designer - who are you? Let's talk.

Jumping on the Tangerine Tango color trend -as you should - so many women look great in this color. From hair to skin tones, coral is the hue to choose. Be careful of the raspberry. If you have a blue undertone in your skin (I know that sounds silly but it's true) this color will not look good on you. (ppppssttt - use coral)

Products don't go anywhere without clever advertising and packaging. Very nice!

And here we have some of the colors to choose from. Aren't' they beautiful? They bring a tear to my eye! Really though, all joking aside, look at the array of color you have to choose from. Without a wedding guide or planner, would you know which color to choose?

Just for giggles, if I were a bride this year, my choice would be the Pantone Merlot. Love the trendy purple, which in my opinion, will always be trending in one hue or another.

I say the same thing when it comes to color for your home - without a Professional Color Expert for guidance, you could be making a very costly mistake on a very important decision.

So whether it's color for your wedding or color for your home, call the professionals for help. It's a good investment for peace of mind, for your important day or for your home.

Wedding Color Choices

Saying I do to Color

The Gift Of Color For Weddings

The Wedding Bed

Telling a Story With Color

2012-01-25T08:25:00.003-05:00

Color choices are not only needed in our home but in so many other applications as well. Nico Yektai of Sag Harbor, NY is a Furniture Designer and specializes in hand-made and one-of-a-kind works of art.

Bravely, I tweeted yesterday and asked if anyone needed help with color and I received a tweet from Nico asking about color for his sculpture. I was thinking wall color but color of course can be used in any application so sculpture it was!

This is the photo he sent me. It's not complete and I hope he doesn't mind me posting a photo of his work before completion but it's so very cool and I'm sure he won't mind.

Here is his work in progress and the colors I suggested along with the reason why I chose them. I hope he likes them!

Nico,

I’d like to make three color suggestions if I may. These hues are from Benjamin Moore Color Stories which as you know is brand new and the best of the best in pure color. It’s quality is superb for those who want “make a statement color”. Having said that, this is why I chose these colors.

Your sculpture shows movement so I thought you could take it one step further and show movement in color as well. With the lighter color on top, darker on bottom, it makes your eyes look down. Your “ladder” does the same. The “steps” make my eyes start at the top and then look down but cleverly you have the motion blocked or stopped by the marble (nice).

Espresso Bean is not black but is actually a very dark brown - nice trending color. Grays are also very trendy now but it you look at their names, I thought it was perfect for the NY flair in name.

All these details contribute to great color and design. From choosing the color and even the name. Now when you explain this piece to a client, you can tell a complete “Color Story”.

Hope you like it!
Donna Frasca
Color Expert

What Color Should I Paint My Closet?

2012-01-24T09:16:00.000-05:00

Closets By Design

The closet is actually a very important “room” or space in the home. It really can make or break a home sale if there's insufficient closet space. So, taking it one step further, when designing your closet, also keep color in mind.

For the most part when I'm at a color consultation I always ask my client if they'd like to paint their closet. The majority of the time it's a no because after all, “why do I need color in my closet” anyway?

There are several reason why you'd want to paint your closet:

1. It's probably still the contractors beige or white.

2. It's probably a flat or matte sheen which gets dirty very easily.

3. It looks unfinished.

4. It's hard to keep clean.

5. Painting is a minor detail that will have a high impact if you have to sell your home.
6. It will look better.

Reasons you aren't painting your closet:

1. I don't know what color to choose for my closet.

2. I'd have to take all the shelves out or paint around them.

3. It's a HUGE project.

4. No one will look inside my closet.

5. It's just a closet.

The best time to paint your closet of course is when you first move into your home and it's still empty. You'll more than likely have some type of wire shelving to paint around but it will definitely be worth it.

Now to the question - What Color Should I Paint My Closet?

When I'm designing a color scheme for a home, 9/10 I have a fairly neutral color in the foyer and hallways.

Benjamin Moore Whites

Most of the time I take the foyer/hallway color and also put it in the laundry room and the closets.

DESIGN TIP: Keep the color in your closet subtle and neutral. There really is no need to put substantial color in this room. Here's why.

Neutral Closet

This graphic represents a neutral closet. The background is an off white or beige and the rectangles are your clothes. We all have just about every color from lights to darks in our closets so having the background a neutral will visually make the closet more appealing and easier to see. It's really a small detail that will make a large impact in your closet.

Now this closet was painted the same coastal blue that's been trending for quite some time. So many people have this color in their bedroom and have taken it into their closet but look what happens. It's very unsettling to see all this color in a closet. The color of your clothes fight with the blue and it just becomes a mess. It's like painting every room in your home a different and unrelated color. It doesn't make sense and it's just ugly! By the way - the color of the “clothes” are the same in both these graphics but see how different they look?

So my friends, whether you have a very large walk in closet or a very small closet, take the time out to finish it. Just paint it neutral, perhaps a creamy beige, and it'll look great as a background color for your wardrobe.

Here are some darker neutrals if you have a really large closet and just want to cozy it up a bit. Make sure you have good lighting in here to!

If you need additional help

choosing color for your closet, contact me, I'd love to help!

Are Boobie Lights a Turn On?

2012-01-23T15:09:00.001-05:00

I just read a post from Color Chats about how some lighting companies are inspired by Benjamin Moore and are tweaking their lamps and decor to coordinate and or match with Benjamin Moore colors. Now THAT'S innovative!

The lattice on this shade can be made to any Benjamin Moore hue. Please read the post on Color Chats to read all about these cool finds.

Ro Sham Beaux

Now speaking of lighting in my house, I have a HUGE problem.

THIS!!

Aka - the “Boobie” light.

Unfortunately, this lovely appears in various places in my home and I find it quite distracting. It doesn't provide any decent light, it's ugly, it's in all the homes in my neighborhood and I'm tired of my guests making jokes about it because of what it looks like. Why did the builders do this? Was it “lighting fixture of the week” when they built my home?

Needless to say, it's un understatement that I would like it replaced. But, as you may guess, finding “the one” may not be an easy feat. Here's some of the other lighting fixtures I have in my home.

This fixture is in my soon to be bar (being constructed as we speak) so it was purchased with having a theme in mind. The bar is a step back in time and will have the look of an old Bardello. Decor will be ornate and gaudy.

I love this lamp! This to will be in the bar room. Love the feathers! It was originally $140 and I bought if for $30 (hello Designers' discount).

This chandler is standard and very typical in the homes in my area. This will be seen from across the bar and will be replacing this eventually to but … getting back to the boobie light.

What to do with this???????

The Black Dining Room

2012-01-22T08:36:00.001-05:00

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Have you been reading a lot of Black making a come back? I haven't seen it to strongly yet in South Charlotte but it's certainly starting!

I'm currently working with a client who's dining room is in need of updating. Here is the BEFORE photo:

Right now the green wallpaper will be removed, wall repaired and painted White Dove. It's a white with a slight gray undertone which is perfect because the office, which is right across from this room, is Señora Gray.

The entire lower half of the room (chair rail) will be painted Midnight Oil where you can see grays and blues which makes for a very interesting black. Ceiling and trim are white. The foyer is Winds Breath, which ties in both the office and dining room.

Now keep in mind not everyone can have a black dining room. The kitchen in this home also has black appliances and you'll be able to see them when you stand in the dining room.

Everything in the home has to relate. You just can't decide you want a black dining room without taking into consideration the rest of your decor and the lighting in your home.

Look at the table in this room. The black wood will really pop against the White Dove. Also, if you can see the fabric on the chairs, it's a pattern with white, gray and black. See how it fits in?

UPDATE 1/26/12

I just got back from my clients home to check on the color and just LOVED THE DINING ROOM! It's still not finished and still needs a second coat but couldn't resist sharing one picture with you. Here it is, almost complete.

I'm also going to get to decorate and stage this home so the sky's the limit with design! How fun!

If you live in Charlotte, NC and would like to consider black for one of the rooms in your home, contact me, Donna Frasca - a certified Benjamin Moore Color Expert.

What Color Should I Paint My Dining Room?

2012-01-20T07:39:00.003-05:00

Last year I designed a beautiful dining room and the main color what a rich, chocolate brown, similar to Riding Boots of Color Stories. The homeowner was a little nervous with such a dark color but I explained why is was such a great choice for her dining room.

Reason #1 - it wasn't red. The red dining room is sooooooooo very dated and very typical.

Reason #2 - Dark brown would look great contrasting with her white chair rail.

DESIGN TIP: It's not shown in this photo but I would paint the chair rail white so the entire bottom half of your dining room is a crisp, bright white - THIS is how you'll be able to have a very dark color in your dining room without it being too overwhelming.

Quietly Violet. I love this color from Benjamin Moore Color Stories. It's unique, unusual, cozy and it's not red. This room will look great with gold or brushed nickel accents and rich brown woods. This is very unique color and that's what choosing color is all about. I love that it has a slight purple undertone.

Don't forget about your ceiling - it doesn't have to be white!!

My dining room in the day.

keep in mind … colors have to look good at night to!

My dining room in candle light

Red or Orange?

2012-01-18T09:10:00.001-05:00

This question was taken from the Benjamin Moore Color forum. It was such a great question I had to repost it here. Since orange and red seem to be trending now, which direction should you with these hues? Here's the question and my answer:

I would love an orange kitchen. Could be in peach family or soft pumpkin. Room is northern exposure with large windows. Dark blue counters and natural maple cabinets, halogen recessed lights. The conflict is that in the taupe living room I have raspberry color upholstered club chairs, aubergine leather sofa, and dark green pattern wing chair. Would you suggest another color for the kitchen? I want a cheerful room.

Denise,

The color that concerns me in your home is the raspberry. That can fight many colors however, I'd like to suggest a red instead of an orange to perhaps coordinate better with the raspberry.

I'd love to suggest “Flamenco” from the Color Stories Collection of Benjamin Moore. It's one of the most beautiful, true reds I've seen. As you may know, red goes beautifully with taupe and of course dark green. Take a look at the color and see how you like it. I would also recommend using it as an accent color in your kitchen verses all over color so pick the prettiest wall to showcase this amazing red.

Donna

How to Make a Bedroom Sexy

2012-01-16T09:15:00.001-05:00

How to choose color for your bedroom and make it sexy.

This is obviously a bedroom but would you want to sleep here? Sleep yes but really not to have to spend anymore time than necessary here. It doesn't look nice, the deco is dated, there's no privacy and certainly no personality. Who sleeps in this room a college kid or a married couple?

Let's assume there's a Mr. and Mrs. in this room so you'll have to be careful to choose color for BOTH him AND her. It can't be too girly or to manly. Here's a happy compromise to get this room to a sexy retreat.

Macy's

Bed sets can be very expensive. The great thing about this black and white set is it's versatility. No matter what color you paint your room, this bedding will always match.

Restoration Hardware

It's amazing how rich cotton and professional tailoring can instantly change up your room. This is a great local find at Restoration Hardware.

Fine Art America

I'm super fussy when it comes to artwork. Why pay for prints when you can have the original art? It know it's more expensive but splurge for real art - it'll be worth it!

Thomasville

Make sure the furniture you purchase is in the right scale. Look how small the end tables are in the photo. If you have a large room, go for larger furniture - and in the right color to.

Can you picture it?

Benjamin Moore Colors at Target

2012-01-14T08:43:00.002-05:00

From the Kids room Paint Color Collection, getting color for your kids room has just gotten easier! You can now get Benjamin Moore colors at your local Target.

The dazzling colors of Circo© kids bedding can now be coordinated with your favorite Benjamin Moore colors - or should I say - with your KIDS favorite Benjamin Moore colors!

Beautiful color options for girls rooms

Boys rooms

Or I still don't know rooms

This is the paint you'll want to use for the kids rooms. ben offers great value with all the performance qualities you expect from a Benjamin Moore product. ben is a low VOC/low odor paint that applies easily, is very durable and covers well.

If you need help choosing colors for your kids room - and remember - they're millions of colors to choose from - let me know, I'm a Color Expert in the South Charlotte area and this is my speciality! You can email me at Color.Specialist@yahoo.com

How to Choose Color for a Bathroom

2012-01-10T09:51:00.000-05:00

Is blue too obvious for a bathroom color? No, not really. We associate blue with water and relaxing in the tub which is something we all want to do at he end of the day. Consider all colors before choosing the obvious.

There are other factors that will guide you to choosing the right color for your bathroom. Tile for example. Look at the colors that are in your tile. Do you see a lot of yellows? Does your tile look more gray? Sometimes all you have to do is just pick one color that matches your tile to tie in the look of your bathroom. It's that easy!

Foggy Morning by Benjamin Moore

This poor bathroom was forced into green whether it liked it or not. It seems the homeowner said “I want a green bathroom” snapped her fingers and got her green bathroom. But just because you want a green bathroom doesn't' mean you should have one.

I added a color that I thought would make this bathroom shine. I looked at the overall color of the tile, cabinets and hardware before choosing this pink gray. This bathroom went to a palm tree fiasco to a light, classy spa you can relax in - like the soothing colors of a foggy morning sky.

After you've chosen your color, you can add more accents with accessories such as towels and shower curtains.

Use a paint designed specifically for bathrooms because they contain mildew resist properties and makes clean up snap. Stay away from flat paint because it will streak after the room fills with humidity.

Enjoy your color and your bathroom retreat!

If you need help choosing a color for your

bathroom, email me at Color.Specialist@yahoo.com.

Love the Color of Morning

2012-01-09T15:22:00.000-05:00

All found at your local Benjamin Moore store.

Fishing Around for Color

2012-01-08T19:03:00.000-05:00

Benjamin Moore Colors inspired by Betta Fish

Must Have Man Cave Colors

2012-01-08T08:32:00.001-05:00

Need some help choosing the RIGHT Man Cave color? You simply can't go wrong with these very manly colors from the Benjamin Moore Affinity Collection.

If you need help with your Man Cave, I'm Donna Frasca, a Benjamin Moore Color Expert in South Charlotte. You can contact me at: Color.Specialist@yahoo.com

What Colors Go With Gray?

2012-01-06T08:12:00.001-05:00

What colors go with gray?

Many!

There are so many grays from warm grays similar to the ones shown in this Pinterest photo to the darker shark grays - it really depends on which gray you're using. Let's say you're using the light, warmer grays that are trending now.

Benjamin Moore Grays

This would be the typical look you'd expect to find when you're trying to find colors that go with gray but what if you're looking for something different and unique?

Purple and brown are two colors that you may not typically associate with gray but keep in mind, gray is a neutral so it'll go with just about any color - just watch your undertones.

See how striking gray will look with deep blue?

And here are cooler grays that play up nicely for a more contemporary look.

If you need help choosing your grays,

contact me, A Color Specialist in

the South Charlotte area.

What Color Should I Paint My Man Cave?

2012-01-04T16:52:00.000-05:00

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It's right around the corner - Super Bowl Sunday and you know what that means - MAN CAVES and sports of course.

I've done several posts before on various Man Caves and the colors you can possibly paint them but today, I want to get into a little more detail about how you can get the ultimate Man Cave colors.

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As you well know there are man caves …

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and then there are THE ULTIMATE MAN CAVES! But, being realistic, this type of cave is not the norm (sorry) so lets talk about how we can change any room in the house into a place for the men to hang out and watch the games (sorry ladies).

Now here are a few colors that would possibly work for Man Cave colors. Now of course this will depend on your lighting and furniture of course but these certainly are some possibilities.

The Traditional Cave

Warm wall color with sufficient depth for just the right about of “caveness” - not too light not too dark. These colors will go with most wood flooring but in the man cave you will want carpet for your acoustical pleasure.

The Contemporary Cave

Perhaps a penthouse cave or if you enjoy sleek and simple colors. Let the games bring on all the excitement in this room. This wall color is also a good choice if you don't really have that much room or if your room should open up to another part of the home - it's user friendly color!

The English Pub Cave

These colors would probably be my choice if I had a cave of my own. I love the dark green wall and the camel leather furniture. I would add brass accents and amber pendant lights where needed. That's just me!

The Modern Cave

Striking wall color with white furniture - not the easiest to keep clean but talk about contrast!

So no matter what type of cave you have, a large room with all the bells and whistles or a little bonus room tucked away from the rest of the house, make it you own!!! Choose a great color for it, comfortable furniture you love and enjoy your sports!

If you need help choosing your

man cave colors, please let me know

… before Superbowl Sunday!

If you like any of these colors, you can pick

them up at your

local Benjamin Moore store.

What Color Should My Shutters Be?

2012-01-02T08:48:00.001-05:00

Photo of Marvin home/Keller Williams

When choosing color for your shutters, there are several factors you should consider before going ahead with your painting project.

First of all, do you have any color restrictions from an HOA?

Do you have a color picked out?

Will your neighbors like it?

Seriously though, not that your neighbors will be a deciding factor on your color choice or not but I do recall a neighbor having a Pistachio green house and it was hard on the eyes. But - chances are that won't happen - at least let's hope so.

Getting back to color. Do you have some favorite hues in mind? Do you want the color to blend with the house or to coordinate with it? If you have a traditional home, you really should stick to a more traditional color scheme. Either way, your color choice needs to somehow relate to the style, age and restrictions of your home. Here's what I suggest.

In this Marvin home from the Keller Williams website you can see it's your basic large brick home with black shutters - very ordinary and safe. Since this home is for sale, that's a good thing!

So if you bought this home, what would your color options be? Here's some of my suggestions. These are the very typical colors that you will see in just about every home in just about any neighborhood.

Now these two colors are a little out of the norm but certainly are a beautiful and unique choice.

This is Antique Burgundy by Valspar. Now I do have HOA restrictions and snuck this color in. I didn't put it on my shutters (they are charcoal gray) just my front door.

The great thing about this color is that in the daytime, it appears to be black UNTIL full sun happens to be on the front door then it has a distinctive purple appearance - very much like eggplant. I would be very careful if you use this color. It will not go with most home colors or styles, mine happens to be a light gray color with a contemporary flair so it works well.

Here is another color that is somewhat unusual for a shutter color. The home I used this “teal” for was an older ranch home that had a lot of blue tones in the brick which is how this hue ties in and it looked beautiful!

So if you're thinking about painting your shutter or front door and you need color help, contact me to help you with your choices. You certainly don't want to have to do this project twice :-)

New Year, New Home, New Color

2012-01-01T20:27:00.001-05:00

Another year has begun! It'll be a year of resolutions, bucket lists and many “first's for the year”. If you're one of the lucky people to have just purchased a new home you'll have a very full plate to start the year off.

So. New home means new color - at least it should. One of the first things I did when I bought my home in Wesley Chapel/Waxhaw four years ago was to paint the entire home, than again I'm a Color Specialist so having white walls was out of the question.

As if it's not overwhelming enough to go through the “new home” process now you have to think about what colors you want for your home. If you're like most people you have at least 10 Questions About Color For Your Home.

To start with, do you even know what colors you want for your home? Will they match your decor? Lighting? Will you know how to keep all the undertones the same? So many questions and concerns about color but don't despair. Just because you are unsure of color, please don't settle for Contractor's Beige or all white walls. If you live in the South Charlotte area, chances are your home is about 2500-4,000 sq. ft. with an open floor plan. That's a lot of white to look at day in and day out!

Anyway, think about the colors you love the most and consider that color for the room you'll be spending the most time in - the kitchen.

This is actually a kitchen from the Greylock community in Matthews. It has gorgeous dark wood cabinetry and light counter tops - nice contrast. Look at the color swatch I added. Don't you think this kitchen would look a lot nicer with just a bit of color? Of course it would!

The color you see on the walls here is the Contractor's beige. It's better than white but really shouldn't be left on your walls for several reasons. First of all, it's in just about every home in South Charlotte. It's what the builders use just to throw some color on the wall. It's VERY porous and feels rough to the touch. It stains easily and is very hard to clean. If you do decide to paint, your first coat of color will just soak right into the wall - that's how porous it is. Priming will help but it's not necessary. Use a high quality paint like Aura from Benjamin Moore and you'll be fine.

Benjamin Moor Paint

Gray is a good choice for this particular kitchen because there is just so much yellow and warm tones that the coolness of the gray I choose will balance everything out. It matches the counter tops and coordinates with the stainless appliances. The floor is also so very yellow so the last thing you'll want to do is add a wall color that has a yellow undertone.

So you see, there is so much to consider when choosing color for your home. Enjoy your new home, the new year and let me help you with your new color scheme. I'm a Color Specialist in the South Charlotte area and I love to choose the RIGHT colors for you!

Contact me to schedule a color consultation for you!

What Color Should My Bonus Room Be?

2011-12-30T08:14:00.000-05:00

Bonus rooms usually have the “odd wall” with a partial ceiling and perhaps not to much light. How do you work around this? With color!

Before we determine the color of the room, we have to know the function of the room. What is this bonus room used for? Storage? Playroom? Man Cave? Most of the homes in South Charlotte that I've chosen color for use the bonus room for the kids so playroom it is.

Keeping in mind there is usually just two small windows in this room, you'll need to use a fairly light color, but still have enough pigment in it to be youthful and playful.

I chose this green as the main color. Why is green a good color for a playroom? Because it's universal, both a boy and a girl like the color without being to gender specific.

Take the green over the entire ceiling so you don't have that awkward white landing strip. Making it all one color will also make it appear larger. Take the yellow and put in on the accent wall where the window is - you can do this on both sides of the room. Add a splash of yellow to the bookcases to tie in the look and you're done!

If you'd like to know what these two colors are or to choose the perfect color for you bonus room, you can contact me if you live in the South Charlotte area.

My Most Popular Posts for 2011

2011-12-28T08:37:00.000-05:00

Since I just mentioned my best colors for 2011 it's only fitting that I tell you my best blogs posts for 2011. So again, here we go, the most popular blog posts for 2011

How to Choose Color for A Kitchen

Here I show you step by step how to choose color and even suggest a few that will work together. There are so many elements in a kitchen that need to be considered when deciding on a palette. After reading this post, you'll be on your way to beautiful kitchen.

Home Furnishing Color Trends for 2012/2013

Oh the dreaded “T” word - Trend. I'm not a fan of following color trends but here are few that were popular for 2011. I can't wait to see what will be hot for 2012.

How To Combine Classic Colors & Color Trends

The best way to choose color is to use both Classic colors and trendy colors to develop your own unique look. Mix them up and have fun!

Man Cave Colors

Keep it dark and colorful and there you have a your Man Cave color. This was a fun post.

10 Questions About Color For Your Home

Sometimes it just gets too overwhelming. Here's some of the questions that were asked about color in 2011.

(see #6 at the end of this post)

The Biltmore Estate At Christmas

If you live in North Carolina, you'll be very familiar with this home.

How To Use Warm Grays

Gray is a color that is still trending. Love the warms grays and this post show you how to use them.

Tickled Pink with Pantone's Color of The Year

A surprisingly bright color from Pantone - but how will the men like it?

And, the most surprising post for 2011 comes in at #6. I did this post in May 2010 as a joke and even thought about deleting it because it was so off base compared to what I normally do. Just goes to show you that there is a reader for all the posts that are written no matter how silly, odd or weird. If it's about color - it's ALL good! Here is it, coming in at #6 -

The Color of Comic Books

Thank you to all my readers for enjoying my blog posts over the years. They are always fun to write and I hope I've covered just about every subject you'd need to get the best color for your home.

A Year In Retrospect 2011

2011-12-26T15:29:00.001-05:00

As 2011 comes to a close and I get ready for 2012. I like to look back at some of the colors that stood out from the rest.

Here I have a short list of the colors that were unique to this year in one way or another. Without further adieu, come take a look at 2011 in retrospect.

Prettiest Pink - Milk Shake 1165

My Christmas Decor at Night

2011-12-23T07:20:00.002-05:00

We know Christmas decor is beautiful in the daytime but doesn't it have a magical ambiance at night? Here's a few pictures of my Christmas at night. You'll see that my main color scheme in one part of the house is purple and the other part is gold.

This is one of my favorite ornaments. It's a Martini glass filled with the Classic Martini with just enough ice to chill it while it's sipped thoughout the night.

When placing your Christmas tree in your home, look for places where it can reflect. Use mirrors and windows to help you with this look. Doing this will double the lights and triple the atmosphere.

I love how the LED's reflect off the presents.

As you move into the living room, you'll see the main hue is gold. From the vanilla candles to the Gold Buff (Behr) walls, this color really warms my room.

The dark green mantle really stands out against the Gold Buff background. You can't see the painting from this photograph but I chose the green that was in the painting (Tuscan Village). When you choose a color that is in existing decor, there really ties in the look of the room.

You can't see it here but I glazed gold into the crevices in the mantle to give it an additional yet subtle sparkle.

Santa dangles over the edge of the mantle and watches the family enjoy the Christmas season. Dark red and green velvet stockings complete the look.

I hope you've enjoyed a glimpse into my Christmas at night.

Merry Christmas and Happy, Healthy New Year to All!!!

What Color Is Your Christmas?

2011-12-20T18:21:00.004-05:00

My tree at night

It's that time of year when we start breaking out the Christmas decorations. My tree usually goes up Thanksgiving weekend. It goes in front of the window so everyone can see it at night - the light, the ornaments and the tree topper.

What I just love about tree decorating is that, like anything else, everyone decorates differently - different trees, lights, colors and styles.

So when you think of Christmas, most people think red and green. I wonder how many people break out of the norm and choose an usual color to call their own? What color is your Christmas?

Some people don't put up a tree, but use several small ones instead. A neighbor of mine used to have a tree in every room of the house each with a different theme. It was a Christmas wonderland!

Blue and silver is a “cool” choice.

Love the “Back to Basics” decor with these rustic bells.

Restoration Hardware

Here the tree is neutral but the wall color set the theme. It looks very much like Contented, a trending color here in South Charlotte. The tree looks like a Douglas Fir - artificial or real - with simple gold and white decorations on it. Very classic.

And here you have the very traditional full tree with red accents and white lights. Very classic, extremely beautiful. One year I had red apples and red bows throughout the tree accented with small bird nests. One of my favorite looks for the tree but between the kids and the cats, the decorations seemed to disappear.

Photo credits: Christmas at Historic Houses and Decorating For Christmas at Historic Houses McMillam & McMillan, Schifferbooks.com - ANY "SHARING OF OUR IMAGES MUST CREDIT OUR BOOKS.

Thank you to Patricia Hart McMillan for some of her beautiful photographs

Do Your Plants Match Your Decor?

2011-12-18T21:46:00.001-05:00

I've had this Christmas Cactus for about 10-15 years and I never really thought about the color of it until now. I guess since it's in full bloom, the question about it's color came into play.

When you purchase a flowering plant for your home, do you just buy the plant because you like it or do you take the color of it's flower into consideration?

I know these plants come in various colors and I think my #1 choice would have been red but it is what it is and I have fuchsia. Beautiful plant, beautiful flowers but does the color really go with my decor?

You can see the colors in the rug and column that I've circled are close to a burgundy. How do you think it looks by the cactus color?

For the 2-3 times a year it blooms it really shouldn't be a concern but for the main Holiday which is Christmas of course, it really is! Everything else in my home is gold and burgundy. During the year it really doesn't bother me but it seems to clash a bit when the main color of Christmas is red.

What do you think?

Do You Live In a Cookie Cutter Home?

2011-12-14T21:32:00.000-05:00

We all love cookies but do we love the “Cookie Cutter” home?

AKA - the Tract Home.

Definition: Large single family homes with manicured lawns, very close to each other, same layout, same appliance options and upgrades inside, consistent curb appeal, great for active neighborhoods with a lot of kids. Sometimes these homes lack individuality and personality and you may be able to get a little creative with exterior color if you don't have an HOA but for the most part - they all look the same.

What you may see in a Cookie Cutter home.

Composite Crown moulding

Hollow Interior Doors

Ceiling mounted lights that look like female body parts.

The same low grade, shedding beige carpet.

The point of this post is that even though our homes may look all the same on the outside, we can definitely make them different on the inside - with color!

Would you like a color consultation?

Contact me, Donna Frasca, Color Specialist in Charlotte

Choosing Colors For The South Charlotte Homes

2011-12-11T08:48:00.000-05:00

I've often mentioned that I work mainly in the South Charlotte area so I thought it'd be nice to talk about South Charlotte, what type of homes are there and touch base on the process of designing a palette for these homes.

First of all, where is South Charlotte? The towns in South Charlotte are mainly Ballantyne, Wesley Chapel, Marvin and Weddington. Prices range anyway from $349,000 to well over a $1,000,000. The homes are very large, mostly new homes, gorgeous custom builts and homes that have beautiful open floor plans.

What does a typical home in South Charlotte look like? Well, there are the custom homes that are very large, unique and usually have high end materials from the best granite to gorgeous wood flooring.

Then there are the “cookie cutter” homes. These home are still typically large, about 3500 sq. feet, and have a two story open floor plan. They are very close to their neighbor because land is fairly expensive and will have the same layout on the inside but sometime the builder flips the layout to change it up a bit.

So in a nutshell, these are basically the two style of homes I work with. Both are beautiful and both have their pros and cons like any other neighborhood. More common is the “Cookie Cutter” home so I'll be talking more so about this style of home.

Here I've included a very typical layout of these homes. Generally, you walk into a large, two story foyer. On the right is a sitting room/office and on the left is the dining room.

As you enter into the home there is a large family room that ideally may also be open to the kitchen and the second floor area. The main core of the home here of course are these main areas and it's imperative to choose a color palette that transitions from room to room.

Now this home I'm showing you is for sale and does have a really nice layout - however - since it's for sale, the colors may hinder the sale of this potentially beautiful home. It's not that the colors are bad, some people like strong colors, it's that these colors are not the best choice to bring out the homes full potential. Here's what I mean.

I just LOVE this rich butterscotch color but it may be too overwhelming the second you walk into the home. I does kind of hit you in the face but it's definitely a 'make a statement' color.

How would I change it? Keeping in mind there is a lot of wall space here that opens up to the second floor, I'd soften it up a bit and choose one of the colors that are in the area rug. Doing this not only is easier on the eye but it also starts to tie in the decor of the home by incorporating the area rug.

Now the dining room is the one room where I like to choose a darker hue. The green is not bad and would actually match the new foyer color but I'd like to give it a milk chocolate color.

It looks like they used the same color for the living room and the foyer. I just think it's too much. I would again soften it a light brown - keeping the dining room color in mind as well.

DESIGN PEEVE #1:

I just don't like the TV over the fireplace! I think it's an eye sore and it takes away from the beauty of the fireplace. You don't have to have a TV in the LR folks, especially if you don't have the proper place to store it.

DESIGN PEEVE #2:

Please do not keep the switch plates that the builder has provided for you - especially if you have a dark or bright color on the wall. With the contrasting colors, the white or cream switch plates really stand out and it's NOT a good look. I know it's expensive to purchase 4 dozen new plates for this size home (I know because my home is the same size) BUT - you can spray all the plates in your home for just a few dollars. I sprayed my plates Hammered Gold (my walls are Gold Buff by Behr) and it looks beautiful!

Huge problem in many of the homes here in South Charlotte - the dreaded 'orange cabinets'. Not sure what the builder was thinking using orange cabinets and a 'yellow' tone floor but it's really a challenge to make these kitchen tie in with so many undertones. I chose this warm gray and it really looks nice with the countertops and just softens the look of the kitchen.

Here we see the butterscotch color again in the master bedroom. Sometimes when people really don't know what colors to choose for their home, they pick 1 color and use it throughout the entire home - I've seen this dozens of times but it's usually with a more neutral hue.

Since the bed is so big and heavy, I went with this blue/gray which is strong enough for this big room and will compliment all the orange woods you see here. I really like this color!

For the master bath, I took out some of the gray in the bedroom color so it shows more as blue. Nice color choice for the lady of the house who usually likes the spa bathroom. Again, this blue will look perfect with the orange tone tile you see here. Brushed nickel hardware also looks perfect with these blues.

Before

After

So here you see how I've changed the color scheme. It went from only using three colors to having six colors throughout the house. Also keep in mind this home is selling so the colors should be soft and somewhat universal for the potential new homeowner.

Since the home is large, it can easily hold at least 6-8 colors comfortably. Now the colors that I choose will softly transition from room to room as you can see in the 6 colors that I've provided here. If I choose 6 distinct and unrelated colors than you'd have a “patchwork quilt” looking home. Not a good look.

I also choose colors that can be mixed and matched. Keep in mind that when you choose color for, lets say the kitchen, it's chosen to suit the lighting in THAT room. If you take the kitchen color and put it in the dining room, it will look slightly different because there will either be less light or more light making the color appear either lighter or darker.

Keeping that in mind, I always tell the client that if you have an extra room like the basement, laundry room or just an extra guess room, feel free to choose any of the 'base' colors I've provided because you know that it'll match with the rest of your home.

If you're hesitant to choose color for your home, you can contact me to choose a color scheme for you.

Donna Frasca

A Color Specialist in Charlotte, catering to the

South Charlotte homes.

Would You Love To “Tango?”

2011-12-08T08:24:00.002-05:00

I'd love to “Tango” in this shoe.

Oscars - 2011

I'd love to “Tango” in this dress.

credit

I may even “Tango” at work.

But would you “Tango” in your home?

It's full name is Tangerine Tango and it's really a beautiful color. We actually saw this color back at the Oscars when Jennifer Hudson showed it off so beautifully in 2011. Wish Pantone came out with this hue just a little bit earlier!

You can at Crate & Barrel.

We'll actually if the color changed up a bit to a more spicy, burnt orange than I would most definitely use in in my home. I've been using this color as accents in the home, for about a year and a half now and until recently, used it a as a main wall color as well.

Why is burnt orange a good choice for your home? Because there are some many “blue” lovers out there so if they are looking for a change of pace, “orange” is a good hue to bring in.

Of course you can use “Tango” in the kids room - full throttle - because kids love color - and a lot of it!

I like this color and I would certainly recommend it in the home for my clients. It's warm, spicy, energetic and will really look great with so many decors.

What decor goes well with Tangerine Tango?

Joss & Main

Black or white of course can give Tango a very contemporary feel.

… even if you have a very Traditional look in your home and want to update or modernize it, introduce Tangerine Tango into your bedding, draperies and accents to start. An accent wall be the headboard is a also a great place for a nice pop of color.

I've been blogging about this hue for quite sometime. From peach to orange and now to tangerine, if you want to read more about it, I listed some posts you may enjoy reading.

Everything Peach

A Healthy Dose of Salmon

The Perfect Shade of Coral

Orange at High Point

Where are The New Colors?

Color Trends for 2012-13

My Color Prediction for 2010

Jewel Tones: For the jewelry box or our home?

2011-12-01T07:45:00.003-05:00

Jewels by Donna Frasca

Bold, strong, saturated “make a statement” colors of the jewel tones were a thing of the past but we all know how the pendulum swings and they'll eventually come back.

Ruby red, emerald green, sapphire blue, rich amber, tourmaline green are the richest of gem colors but would we like to see them in our homes?

These are extreme examples of wallpaper that most of us will not be able to use in our homes but just look at the color of the paper, not the pattern. I've always loved the gold and red combination but you really have to be careful with the red and green because it can be a bit too “Christmasy”.

This is a very unusual color combination but very elegant. I could see this in the master bedroom using the rose and brown as the main colors and the muted purple as a accent or ceiling color. Have fun with this one.

Bradbury & Bradbury

The burgundy and navy is classic together but hold back on the lavender. This is one of those “yes I went there” color schemes. If you have a unique home or want something different for the teen room, give this combo a try.

And in the burgundy/cranberry family is Cranberry Cocktail, a Benjamin Moore color. Maria Killam of blog, Colour Me Happy just used this delicious hue for one of her clients.

Little by little I'm noticing the soft coastal colors leaving the walls of south Charlotte. I'm now seeing a very slow trend towards richer colors similar to these that can be seen in the living and dining rooms. Don't you just love how things change?

Here are some of the richer colors that have popping in this year - not exactly the true rich jewel tones but certainly containing some nice pigment. These are Sherwin Williams colors there were used in all rooms of the house so it's nice to notice that people are not just saving the stronger colors for the man caves or media rooms.

Are you using jewel colors in your home?

Want to?

If you'd like a change in your home to these jewels, contact me, Donna Frasca, a Color Specialist in the Charlotte area.

Color Is My Life

2011-11-27T13:29:00.001-05:00

Do you ever stop and wonder how you got to where you are in life and career? Sometimes I stop and wonder how did I become such a successful Color Expert, own my own business and where did I get such a finely tuned eye for color?

I really don't mean to sound conceited, I'm really a very down to earth person, but knock on wood sometimes I even surprise myself. Here's a painting I did today of Monet's Lady With Parasol, mine is on the right. I just love color so much and it's such a huge part of me it's clear that this is my destination.

Some people go to school to learn about color or take some certification classes and some “Color Experts” just decide to go into design because they “like” it. Which is fine because there are all levels of expertise and I can respect that. However, for those individuals such as myself who had their hands literally IN paint and color since they were kids - THOSE will be the true color experts if not by anything else but by experience alone.

There's a small percentage of people who clearly were born to color. I guess it's like the difference between a Chef and someone who just likes to cook. Everyone can follow a recipe but isn't it funny how some meals just taste better than others depending on who cooks it? Why is that? Because some people have the natural God giving talent and drive without even trying so it just comes more naturally to them. These are the people that will shine.

Getting back to color and art, if you look at my “fancy” painting palette which in nothing more than a white plate which I bought at the local Goodwill store for 25¢, notice the colors. Looking closely, I circled the original colors, you can see 5 main colors.

Starting at 12:00 there's a blue, yellow, red, black is at 6:00 and white is - or was - in the center. Those are the only colors I work with. With those five colors, you can make any color in the world - if you know how. This little factoid comes in handy when you're thinking about what colors to choose at a color consultation.

I've been oil painting since I was 10 years old, had several art shows in New York, won several blue ribbons and been published a dozen times over. Have I sold paintings? Very few - it's just something that I can't part with. When I paint, I feel like there is a part of me that is in the painting so how can I sell that?

I was just talking to David Hunt, Artist and owner of Eight Legs Gallery & Divine Custom Frame about selling art. He to was not able to sell his art for years but after a while, for one reason or another, an artist makes the decision to sell their work.

David Hunt

Perhaps at this stage in my life when my home is completely adorned with my paintings and I do have an art show coming up December 2nd, I think I may be at the point to share some of my work. After all, why not? If it brings such joy to me and I see how other people love it as well, then I'll share.

If you live in Charlotte, NC and would like to purchase this painting, see more of David's beautiful works of art or just enjoy the art of the Waxhaw Arts Councils members, please stop by the Bean and Belle Art Studio in Waxhaw. The event is this Friday, December 2nd from 5:30-9:30pm.

Classic Thanksgiving Colors

2011-11-24T08:12:00.001-05:00

Babette's Feast

How To Design a Color Scheme for Your Kitchen

2011-11-23T08:43:00.001-05:00

Choosing color for your home seems fairly simple right? You find a color, make sure it looks good in your room, brush out a sample to be sure then paint. But what about your kitchen color? It's more than just choosing a wall color. You have to choose a countertop that matches your cabinets, cabinets that look good with your flooring, flooring that matches your backsplash - it's like “Pandora's Box” - if one element is not considered, you're entire kitchen design will be off.

FLOORING:

I'm a huge fan of both bamboo and cork flooring, BR111. I've done several posts on them and really love the look in the kitchen.

If I had the pleasure to re-design my kitchen, the tile flooring would be out. Why don't I like tile? It's cold, hard and a pain to keep the grout clean. So in this “just for fun” design board, you see a medium tone bamboo for the floor. It's a “green” product (bamboo is actually a grass that grows EXTRTEMELY fast - like 24" in day fast). You really need to go to to local showroom and look at the grain and just walk on it. It's very cool.

CABINETS:

The panel shown here is actually an oak wood, Cathedral raised panel in a honey stain. It has a greenish tint which I thought was really unique. It also picks up the colors in the granite. So much you can do with this color.

HARDWARE:

Since the refrigerator is stainless, I felt that was enough “silver” in this kitchen - I really dislike the “matchy-matchy” look. So I tossed in a heavier look of Mediterranean Bronze to pick up the dark specks in the granite. The bronze with copper highlights finish on the pulls adds warmth to the room and compliments the granite. Switch plates are a small accent to tie in with the refrigerator.

DESIGN TIP: Please do NOT keep the stock, cream, plastic switch plates that come with the house. I litterly cringe when I see them, very much like plastic covering on a sofa. There are so many beautiful choices for switch plates and sometimes the little details in design make a huge impact.

LIGHTING:

Just for a little mood lighting, I thought it'd be nice to have some track accent lighting. The tea stained shades coordinate with the green undertone in both the granite and the cabinets. Of course you'll have the main lighting in your kitchen, I just highlighted this for fun.

PAINT COLOR:

Definitely go with the green that can be seen throughout this kitchen. Sage/muted green is very appealing to most decors. Try Benjamin Moore “ Shakespeare Tan” and “Da Vinci's Canvas” and an accent. These are two awesome colors to start your day with.

ACCESSORIES:

Run right to Crate & Barrel. They have the colors that will make this kitchen shine! The rich golds, warm greens and spicy oranges to jazz it up a bit will be perfect for this kitchen.

photo by Donna Frasca

Need help coordinating color for your kitchen?

Contact me to set up an appointment to get the

RIGHT colors in your home.

Backlighting in The Bathroom

2011-11-21T08:54:00.000-05:00

Fancy light?

Just a hint of light?

FreshHome

Where is the light?

So many people retreat to the bathroom for a spa experience or at least to get pampered just a bit. It's one thing to choose the wrong color in the bathroom, that's an easy fix, but what do you do if the lighting is completely off target? Here's what I'm tailing about. Come look!

As an Interior Designer, I know one of the most challenging design elements to perfect in the bathroom, or really any room in the house, is lighting. When you're planning out the room design, you really have to put yourself IN the room and virtually walk around it to see if it's really a functioning design.

Designs look great on paper but are they functional? Here's one of the biggest design dilemmas I come across, I know because this is MY bathroom delemma - BACKLIGHTING.

What is backlighting? It's exactly what is states, “being lit from the back” or having the light source coming from behind, creating a silhouette.

Here is a partial layout of my bathroom. Here you see the tub, with a window then on the other side you have the sink area with vanity lighting (not shown). Here's the problem.

The window by the tub is a 40" x 40" glass block window. I have a dark brown cellular shade on the window now for privacy, light and heat control. However, since we have many sunny days here in Charlotte I often love to have the window treatment up to let in the light and to warm up the room durning our cooler months. Plus my cat loves to soak up the sun in his basket on the edge of the tub.

Jimmy, Platinum Burmese
Wall color: Clair de Lune, Behr

Back to the bathroom layout …

Now the problem starts when I have the window treatment up and full sunlight comes in from the window behind me. When I stand by the sink and look into the mirror, I can hardly see my face. How does one apply make up in this lighting? Answer: you don't. Why? Since the light source is coming from behind me, the front of me is dark and the back of me is where the light is hitting - backlit.

So at this point, I now have to pull the cellular shade down and turn the vanity lighting on - it the daytime! Waste of electricity and frustrating to say the least.

There's nothing I can do about my bathroom design at this point but if only the designer thought how he or she would function in this bathroom, perhaps this fiasco could have been avoided.

ONYX in the Bathroom

Last week during the KBTribechat, of course the subject of lighting came up and I mentioned Onyx and how beautiful it looks when backlit. I first saw this effect when I went to go visit the Charlotte showroom of Charles Luck Stone.

Onyx by itself is beautiful …

But look how beautiful it looks when it's backlit. Now even though the light source is coming from behind, it's a soft light that really shouldn't project a silhouette, plus, there's ample spot lighting from above.

So however you envision your dream bathroom, keep in mind how you want your lighting to function. Lighting is so very important so take your time and design well. Need help you with color choices? Contact me, Donna Frasca, Color Expert in Charlotte.

I Don't Use White and That's No Lie

2011-11-17T14:28:00.000-05:00

After reading a great post by KG Style, When White Walls Are Your Only Option, it inspired me to write about the color I really just don't use.

I kid you not when I say that if I used white in my color consultations MAYBE a handful of times, that would be an exaggeration - and that's a 20 year career! Of course I've used it on trim and ceilings but that's a given.

I remember at one color consultation a few years ago I suggested white, and I can't even remember which room it was to be in, the client protested loudly! “I hired you to choose COLOR for me. White I can choose on my own.” “Wow, really?” I said but white would be perfect in this room.” I said and then I got a stern look as if she said with her eyes, “choose white and you'll be walking.” She had a point and to an extent, I agree. Not only is the customer always right but when SEVERAL clients say the same thing - you better listen!

White has it's place of course and when I lived in New York and Pennsylvania where the homes were older and smaller, white would have been fitting. Ironically, I didn't hear my clients voice themselves about white until I moved to Charlotte. What's the difference? The size and style of the homes.

Typical home in South Charlotte, NC

So not only do you have to consider how white will fit into the scheme of things in your home but you also have to consider the SIZE and style of your home.

The McMansions that I colored here in Charlotte are anywhere from 3500 - 7,000 sq. feet. When you consider how much crown molding, trim, chair rails, ceiling and two story wall space that is, you are looking at a considerable amount of space. Do you really want to see THAT much white?

Another reason I don't use white is because of what it symbolizes. The first thing I think of when I see an all white room is either a hospital or some type of doctors office. Who would want that feeling in a kitchen? I know I'm not the only one who associates white with hospitals so why would you want it in your kitchen unless of course for some odd reason, hospitals are exciting to you.

White isn't a cozy color, it's not fun, not exciting unless paired with a color, has no imagination and quite frankly, I question designers who have it for their signature look. I know that's not really fair to say because I know for a fact, choosing an all white or off white color scheme is not easy. One of my more difficult consults were when a client wanted her ENTIRE home to be various tints of white. That my friends, was a thee roughest color consult on my books to date.

Now on the side of white, of course when done properly and with enough color in the room to un-sterilize it - it can look pretty darn good.

Houzz

But - when there's too much white - why have this …

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When you can have this …

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You can still have a “light” kitchen by using white sparingly - just a splash here and there. Now I'm all for off or soft white such as Benjamin Moore 's classic white collection like Cloud White, White Down, Soft Chamois, Monterey White - the list goes on and on but it's up to my clients if they are open to this “color” that lacks hue and grayness.

Not a fan of white either? Contact me and we can get some color cooked up in your kitchen - and we can take a peek at some of these whites to see how YOU like them.

Color: Going Outside Your Comfort Zone

2011-11-11T14:57:00.000-05:00

So you bought an accent piece for your home with a little too much color. You really like the color but now you're not sure what will go with it. Same old question applies, “should I choose a white or beige and be safe or can I have a fun color to go with it?”

I say - choose a fun color for your main wall of course! You may want some help if you're not 100% sure, I'll make a few suggestions for you.

Who doesn't love a fun yellow chair? I love this chair and I could see any of those three colors to go with it. These three colors actually look nice together and throwing the purple in there makes it a bit unique. Using the red for a very dramatic room or just in accents if you want the chair to stand out.

There's nothing too unique about this mossy green vase so you'll definitely need some jazzy wall color to liven up this room.

These three colors are cool which is nice considering the vase is a warm color. Same as the first example, use the dark purple as the main wall color if you want a dramatic room but I think the lavender would be my choice.

Hello kids room! No rules here just have fun

with color - a lot of it!

Pale blue can sometimes come across as a little boring especially if you have a neutral wall. Liven it up with these hues for an exotic twist to a normally hum drum hue.

If you're looking for a Color Specialist in Charlotte, I can make some beautiful suggestions for you. Contact me to see how.

For The Veterans

2011-11-11T08:25:00.000-05:00

Veterans Day Red

Pretty Doesn't Always Mean Practical in Kitchen Design

2011-11-09T19:09:00.000-05:00

I really shouldn't say “goofs” but certainly design elements to ponder. Looking at this kitchen, which is actually very pretty except for the area's I have circled.

Why would a kitchen designer add that awkward shelf area where the rooster is? The cabinets are non functioning and it's just a shelf to collect odd decor such as roosters and plants. How often will you be going up there to dust? I'm thinking the bill for this kitchen would have been considerably less if that area was utilized a bit better or just eliminated.

The other area I have circled is the bottom of the cabinetry. Again, this is a great example of something that looks pretty but is not practical. Can you imagine all the dust bunnies and other “collectibles” that will be gathering under those cabinets?

Look where the hinges are on the cabinets. There's no way you can have full swing of the door without hitting the range. Poor design.

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Never liked a white kitchen. This kitchen (actually belongs to Courtney Cox) looks like a doctors office. I'm pretty sure there are no children in this home because that white sitting area would be filled with black footprints in a heartbeat if there were.

I don't care for this kitchen design for several reasons. Since the kitchen is so very white, the black island sticks out like a tank and it's not even an attractive island. It has an awkward design with those two legs looking like they're about to run away.

The tile floor has some color but the pattern is too busy for this small room. I do like the stainless appliances though.

See, it just goes to show you, pretty doesn't always mean practical.

A Designers nightmare. Too many undertones!

2011-11-08T08:37:00.000-05:00

It doesn't happen often but I kid you not when I shake in my boots a bit when I see all these undertones in one area.

From “orange” kitchen cabinets to …

a pinkish backsplash to …

a gray countertop to …

a yellow undertone floor tile to …

a very orange wood flooring in the surrounding room to …

the dreaded pinky beige carpet in the living room, that can be seen from the kitchen.

This is definitely is a challenge when all these colors are in one room and you need a wall color to tie it in. What color do you choose? A taupe? A off white? A gray?

Or do you forget the neutrals and just blast in some color?

Well there's one more factor that I forgot to mention and it's lighting. The color that you choose to tie in your kitchen kaleidoscope really depends on the type of lighting you have. Do you have a lot of natural light, north light, florescent light, yellow light?

You have to look at the overall picture, take all these factors into consideration and just look at the paint chips in your kitchen. Have no more than 4 to really consider and see how you like the color during different times of the day.

Paint out a sample or two for the two runners up and decide which sits well with you at the end of the day.

Need more help? Contact me and I can help you through the undertone madness that, sometimes happens but it's certainly possible.

Do you REALLY love your kitchen color?

2011-11-06T14:50:00.000-05:00

You wake up, get out of bed, head into the kitchen for that first delicious morning brew and you see this …

VERY bright “in your face” color.

Is this how you want to start your day?

Or, you went with the “trend of the year” and now it looks like it belongs in a Barbie Doll house.

Or, you decided on a white kitchen, which is fine, with a splash of counter color but you chose the wrong blue for the walls. Bottle of milk instead of that cup of coffee? Yup, you just turned your kitchen into a nursery.

Oh the things you need to think of when choosing color for your kitchen. And it's more than just wall color. You have to consider counter tops, cabinets, flooring, lighting and the list goes on and on.

Cherry cabinets? Go to it's complementary color and soften the edges in your kitchen. Green is a great color choice for your kitchen - but - you have to be careful not to choose it too minty or too pea green.

Love the silver/gray look for the kitchens that have stainless. They were just meant to be together.

Want to be a little cozier? Play off the colors in your granite.

Doing that will really tie in the look.

Like a white kitchen? Or maybe just a little? Try a very, very pale blue but make sure you have enough gray in the blue so you don't get the “nursery” look again.

Need help in the kitchen? No, I'm not going to cook but I will cook up some great color for you. Contact me to schedule a color consultation. Great color in the kitchen is a right way to start your day - and a great cup of coffee.

Coastal Colors STILL Going Strong in Charlotte

2011-11-03T08:28:00.002-04:00

I've been mentioning for quite a while now how Coastal Colors are still going very strong here in South Charlotte - for a good two years now. It's not because as a Color Specialist in Charlotte that I keep choosing them, my clients are asking for them.

Every now and then I get a client who's home just comes to life with new color and I wanted to share this one with you. This home is also in South Charlotte in the the Cureton Subdivision of Waxhaw. Come take a look.

Soft purple for the guest room.

Coastal blue for the living room.

The archway is white as it transitions into the foyer color.

With open floor plans, the living room color will be climbing up the stairs.

Decor plays a HUGE roll for color inspiration.

That beautiful pillow was the inspiration for this Master Bedroom.

Details over the archway make this dining room & foyer unique.

Silver, gray and black are always a great color trio.

Keep in mind that this home has an open floor plan so you can see just about every room here from any one given point. Take a look at the pictures again and see how the colors flow. Just love this home!!

Choosing Something Different for the BridesMaids

2011-11-02T08:54:00.001-04:00

I would LOVE to be a Color Designer for weddings. I remember all the planning I did for my wedding and choosing a color scheme was a HUGE decision! By the way, I went with black and white - ironic.

This “green” isn't actually a green. I wanted a iridescent green similar to what you'd find in a hummingbird or a butterfly wing but of course I couldn't portray that “shine” on a computer. This color would be muddied yet have luster like a pearl with a pearl cream/gray shoe to match.

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The never ending spicy orange! Great color choice if you're getting married in 2011 - Fall/Winter would be best for this color. I would pair it with a taupe/nude shoe.

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Is it blue? Is it gray? It's both and would look stunning with those very vibrant yellow flowers. Have a beautiful monotone look with a shoe to match.

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I'm talking cherry pie - Black cherry is my color of choice to pop in this bridal party. Definitely a black patent leather shoe to go or black suede if a winter month.

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Alchemy. This was my favorite color find at High Point Market this year and if it were MY wedding - this would be the hue for me. It's different, trendy and is a goes well with any season. Shoe color? Hmmmmmmm … well gold of course!

Make your wedding colors unique and explore

ALL colors, not just the ones that you see in the magazines.

Are You Getting Sick Over Color Choices?

2011-11-01T11:43:00.000-04:00

“I don't want a puke green”
“I don't want a beige that looks like skin”
“I'm so nervous to choose color for my home”
“I'm so mad I just painted my home the wrong color!”
“My husband is going to kill me! My house looks a dungeon!”

I've heard these phrases over and over and over! Choosing color for your home can be extremely stressful. One on my clients was so upset about choosing color for her home, she was actually shaking during our consultation.

Getting upset over choosing color for your home is very understandable. Look what happened with this unfortunate color choice.

Yikes!

Here are some common color choices that have gone wrong:

“I want a blue for my Living Room”

A little to blue?

“I want a blue for my Living Room”

Now your LR looks like a nursery.

“I just want beige for my home. It's easy and safe”

Really?

“I want a Green for my bedroom. It's a relaxing color”

Hope you have a bathroom nearby, this is a little “sickly”.

“I want a gold for my kitchen”

Hello sunshine! Ready to start your day?

With ALL these colors to choose from, and this is a fraction of what's out there, how will you know which colors to pick?

Let me help you with your color choices,

especially if you live in the Charlotte area.

Why do I love Crate & Barrel?

2011-10-28T17:44:00.000-04:00

Let me count the ways!!

1. Beautiful Reds

2. Warm Golds

3. Ethnic Colors

4. Warm Hues

5. Gourd - ous Hues

6. Cool Hues

7. Just Perfect Hues

My Color Finds at High Point 2011

2011-10-25T17:49:00.000-04:00

Grab a drink and have a seat. It's going to be a long post about my color finds at High Point this year. Most were great, some were very predictable, expected and some were a bit trendy.

Here's a few that caught my eye for one reason or another.

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Before I left for High Point, I did a quick facebook post on what the color finds may be this year. You can see the colors in this graphic (click on the link to read more) that I personally would have loved to see in one form or another but did I? Come take a read and I'll show you what I found.

This was my first find as my color eye was scouring the showrooms. These gorgeous pillows were a Dwell Studio find - and I want them!

What's so great about these pillows? To start, the colors are perfect. You basically have a “blue” and “orange” but with a innovative flair, not the typical blue/orange that flooded the market. The quality of this pillow was top notch and of course I love anything with birds on it - mostly.

As we get into a more contemporary flair, here you see the start of the typical contemps but brown is added instead of bright, bold hues we would normally see associated with a contemporary theme. Love the sharp edges and geometric lines as this style should have.

Well, here you have the very orange and blue color scheme. I knew orange would be the feature and I posted about this a very long time ago, but I would have loved to have seen orange paired with green instead of blue. Read the post.

Since blue, and it's so many hues of blue, has been so very popular, it's only natural that “orange” would be it's sidekick. However, I know we're in the design industry and these colors may be an old hat to some of us but does it have to be so obvious? I would rather see the blue/orange combo that was shown in the bird pillows - it's just not so typical. I guess it's good to have all ranges of blue orange for variety.

Global Views

The very expected orange but I do love it in the spicy range - again - this was one of my pics for a favorite hue to have a while back. I'm glad to see it available but really want to see it paired with other colors other than just blue. The spicier the better, but stay away from your blue friend!

Here's where lighting comes into play from the Go Home showroom. These re-inspired designs really don't have that much color - earth tones at most - but look how the right lighting and design can transform a showroom. The mood and effects from the shade cutouts are unique. Materials are natural or simple with a lot of texture for light to play off of. Go Home was one (and there were just a few) of my favorite showrooms.

The visuals and how light bounces off

objects in the Go Home showroom were impressive.

Very classy, very rich, very appealing.

Throw one more color in this scheme, perhaps the rug color to brighten it up a bit.

… fun … playful … great colors!

Transforming something ordinary into something playful. I'm not a big fan of describing decor as “fun” but this really is! I think it's clever and can be painted any color to suit any decor. Don't drink? It would make a great house for the kids to play with or even some kind knick knack display. Let your imagination run free!

As I mentioned early about the ordinary display of blue and orange, there are other color duos that you usually see together as well. For example, brown. Brown is most commonly seen with blue or green - so very dated and I cringe every time I see it in the store still!

Anyway, brown is just a good staple color but it gets even better when combined with unusual colors such as this very rich venetian gold. If anyone has been following my Chocolate Lovers' Series you'll know that I'm pairing up brown with some “not so typical” colors. So instead of brown/blue and brown/green you'll see brown/gold, salmon, mint or white.

From my Chocolate Lovers' Series

These are like colors you can eat! I see butterscotch, chocolate and milkshakes. When I see color that reminds me of something that good - I'd say that was a nailed color scheme, at least for me.

The bedding color is great but I really love the wall color. I wonder what it is? I thinks it's very fresh and sexy. Now THAT's good color.

Do kids like any other colors besides these? It's like boys like blue and girls like pink. Although beautiful, these colors are soooooooo very typical of what the kids are choosing for color. I know because I have been mixing and working with them since I worked mixing colors for Lowes and other companies back, back in the day.

I can close my eyes, walk into a kids' room and bet that you'll see bright pink, green or purple in the room somewhere. Come look at some of my color suggestion at HOUZZ and see some other color options - and they can be mixed and matched. I was greatly disappointed when I saw this color combo in a Market that should be cutting edge. This was a little too Kmart for me.

There were a few showrooms of rustic decor which is what I love. It's just so cozy and comfortable and I just love the earthy color palettes.

I only got to visit two showrooms before I had to run along, one was Pure Country Rustic DecorAntler Worx Inc. Someday I'll have my cabin in the North Carolina mountains but for now, I can enjoy them here.

Although cabin colors can really be a bit too earthy, I like to keep the palette warm. However, one component about cabin decor is that there is a lot of wood to consider. Dark wood? Warm? Yellow? So before you decide on a color palette for this decor, keep in the wood stain as a dominant color force for your palette. Having said that, these colors would be just fine but I think I'd throw in one dark accent color such as a dark green for just a little pizazz.

Here we see the blue again but the color that I'm spotting is that fabulous green. I would really have loved to see that and a spicy orange be the main focus instead of the blue. Maybe next year - if we ever tire of blue! Love the center color - so different. I even like the way it looks next to the green.

Soft and romantic - love this.

Really? This furniture is not to practical but I really love that rug! Look at the colors then look at the first graphic in this blog. Those are the EXACT colors I was hoping to find at High Point and unfortunately, found it under some very bizarre furniture - but I found it!

I feel like I'm on the Dancing With the Stars panel. This showroom is ok, pretty but way too safe in both color and design. It's a Home Goods look to me - which is nice - but this is High Point, with a stampede of the best of the best Designers and Buyers.

When I saw this color in the showroom, I got so excited! Look at that pillow! Great design and fantastic color. As a matter of fact, a women was resting on the sofa and I practically threw her off so I could photograph it - sorry Miss whoever you are but I was on a color mission.

I expected to see purple, then again, I've been looking at purple since 2007.

So, as this quest for color comes to an end, what do you think? Did you see any of these color combos and which ones did you like? Hate? Surprised to see?

To summarize my color finds, blue and orange were the hues most spotted. Not thrilled about it but expected to see it. Pretty couple but I don't think they'll have a long shelf life. We really need to get the greens in here and mellow that orange out for any color trend to stick.

The color that got me all goose pimply what this Alchemy. Get it more green, more gold or more orange and it's still good! This color will like greens, browns and deep reds which brings me to the color trio at the top of this blog.

I hope you enjoyed my color picks. Some were rough but in Interior Design, there is no “gray” for me. There's black and white, good and bad and the colors that fall in that “gray” area should not be in the caliber of High Point choices.

When I go to High Point I expect to be “wowed” with color and design and for the most part, I was. The textiles were 'out of my skin' amazing this season. I saw innovative displays and sometimes when it comes to product, sometimes less is more.

Thanks for reading this short novel and PLEASE leave a comment so I know if others shared the same thoughts. Positive or negative, let me know what you saw.

So, who wants to meet me at High Point next Spring for my next color crusade?

Finally a Color Trend I LOVE!

2011-10-20T08:44:00.001-04:00

Good for you Benjamin Moore for choosing Wythe Blue for your color of the year! I know just about every Designer is going to be posting the same but I just have to put my 2¢ in as well.

Wythe Blue HC-143

As a Color Specialist, I of course track all the “color trends” and for the most part, disagree with them. I was tickled pink when I saw that Wythe Blue was Color of The Year for 2012.

Charlotte just loving these Coastal Colors.
Can you see the Wythe Blue trend here?

Just to recap a bit, I thought CMG was way off track with Honey Moon. That color has been around for a loooooooooooonnnnnnnnng time! Don't get me wrong, like I said in the blog post, I love gold and even have it on my home - a lot of it - and that was my point. Nothing new about that hue.

My living room 10 years ago when I lived in Pittsburgh.

I also had to protest Vintage Wine, another Benjamin Moore color. Sorry but it was just so Gothic and I read the reviews, it wasn't a welcomed hue. Again, I know this color has it's place and I can certainly make this very dark, dramatic color shine in any home but for the most part, it didn't capture the true trend of what color we want to see on our homes.

I can't speak for anyone else but this coastal blue has been trending strongly here in South Charlotte for a good two years now. My clients want it mainly in the Master Bedroom, Master Bath and occasionally the living room, depending on the decor.

This is a graphic of a typical trending color scheme that is popular here in South Charlotte. Can you see the similarity to Wythe Blue here? These are the colors that I see homeowners are gravitating towards.

So what's so great about Wythe Blue?

It's a relaxing color.
Light can make it appear greener or bluer than it actually is.
It makes a great color for a spa bathroom.
Coordinates with a lot of the popular decors seen in stores now.
Reminds us of robins eggs?
A little similar to Tiffany Blue?
Looks great with brushed nickel accents.
Stunning with black furniture.
Can be contemporary with white decor.
It's appealing to both men and women.
Many, many colors can be matched up with this hue.
It's a retro and a currant color.
Works well in all types of lighting.

The list can really go on and on. I really like it and more importantly, my clients do to. I rate this color 5 out of 5 Purdy paint brushes. That's a great rating!