Bridget Beari Color Rule #10 - Test a Color in the Room Before You Buy!

Test a Color in the Room Before You Buy! 

As we have talked about before, colors look different in the store and on a chip. It is important to put a large enough samples on different walls in the room to see how the light affects the color and what other colors in the room are interacting with the wall color. 

These days all the paint manufacturers have what they call sample pots. Small pots of paint that cover about a 2' X 2' area. The only problem is the finish - not all finishes come in the sample pots. 

Here are some examples of people's attempt to visualize the color within a space. 

                                                              Painted on paper or board: 

Directly to the wall: 

Side by Side between trim

photo from Benjamin Moore website

Or side by side to select a certain value. 

All Photos from Pinterest

No matter how you do it, it is an important step in the selection process. Even the design professionals do this on every job or at least the good ones do!

Tip: Use nylon brushes for water base paints and natural brushes for oil paints. 

Happy Painting.....

Bridget Beari Color Rule #9 - Take Clues from Your Closet

Bridget Beari Color Rule:

Take your Color Cues from Your Closet

Sometimes the easiest way to find your personal style is to look at the clothes you wear. This will tell you what colors appeal to you and how accessorized or simple your tastes are. 

For example, the picture below shows a girl in a Bohemian blousey shirt with multiple bracelets and necklaces. She also drives an orange VW Beetle. 

Below is a room that might appeal to her. Bright colors, patterns and bold shapes. It could also be very eclectic from places she has traveled. It is her look and her style. 

Good Bridget Beari Colors for this look would be: 

Trixie No. 22

Bing Bong No. 28

My own personal closet is more classic. I have mostly gray, white, black and some khaki. I feel more comfortable in these colors and around these colors therefore my house has similar colors. I love neutral but interesting textures. 

This foyer would represent the classic fashion color schemes. 

If you watch It's a Brad Brad World. You will notice that Brad Goreski- loves himself some plaid, color, and a bow tie. He is a mix of old and new but still classic and clean.  

His look might translate into a room like this: 

A classic look with pops of color behind the bookcase and traditional leather with modern detailing.

Try Bridget Beari Colors: 

Bababooey No.25

Rambo No 44

Sidebar: Trixie was a horse from my childhood horseback riding camp. We did a cowboy and indian play on horseback. I was an Indian and rode Trixie bareback  in full costume as we chased the cowboys. I was about 10. 

Bing Bong is the nickname of my cat BIng. We call her Bing Bong because she is so silly. 

Bababooey is the nickname Joe the BBD contractor gave my Sharpei Lulabelle. He is a big Howard Stern fan and Bababooey is one of the characters on the show. 

Rambo is the name of my neighbors wired hair dachsund. He rides on a Harley, dresses for Halloween, and is very vocal. We call him " the Man." Big like Rambo!!

Tip: Tone is how Intense, Bright or Dull a color is. 

If you are interested in a Bridget Beari Fan deck, they are available on line: 

Bridget Beari Colors

Happy Painting.......

Bridget Beari Color Rule #8 - Always Consider the Finish

                                     Bridget Beari Color Rule #8

                                              

                                      Always consider the finish

After you have decided on a color, it is very important to remember that the finish or sheen of the paint will change its look. In general these are your choices: 

High Gloss or Brilliant

Flat 

Eggshell 

Semi-Gloss

Satin 

Fine Paints of Europe makes the best brilliant finish similar to that of a gloss lacquered finish. This finish can be very reflective and manipulate the light differently than a flat finish. 

Tory Burch Foyer from Pinterest

As a general rule I paint all walls eggshell (because I like a sheen on the paint), semi-gloss on the trim and cabinetry and flat on the ceilings. I have been changing it up a bit now that I'm part of the FPE family. I love a gloss ceiling or a high gloss front door! 

To achieve that green wall, try Bridget Beari Color

Pickle No. 37

Furniture can also be given that lacquer look. It is great as an accent because it will really stand out in the room. This look is easy to achieve with the FPE Hollandac Brilliant. 

Photo from Pinterest

Shakin Jakin No.24 is a great coral! 

Farrow & Ball makes an interesting flat paint. It is actually their specialty - a dead flat paint, almost caulky. It is extremely interesting the way the light reacts to this paint. Even their estate emulsion can change tones between the different walls in a room. 

Sidebar: Pickle is the name of my office manager's terrier dog. He was actually a client's dog and he barked too much so Jayne adopted him. Very cute but high maintenance! 

Shakin Jakin is the name of the dog next door to Joe named Jake. Poor Jake doesn't get much attention from his owners and lives outside most of the time but Joe sneaks him treats when he can.

Tip: Always stir your paint. It makes the color more uniform. 

Happy Painting.......

Bridget Beari Color Rule #7 - Choose Colors That Flatter

                                         Bridget Beari Color Rule #7: 

                                                  

                               Choose Colors that Flatter! 

This is a rule I like to keep in mind when decorating personal spaces i.e. bathrooms, bedrooms, closets, dressing rooms. It is always nice for the colors on the wall to complement your complexion. Lighting is always a key factor here as well but the color can make you glow or turn you green. 

For cool tones, try soft lavender or blue like Bunny Williams did for this house. The gorgeous blue onyx tops were the inspiration for this wall color. 

Photo by Architectural Digest and interior design by Bunny Williams

For a Bridget Beari Color try:

Squeek No. 54

Loving this bathroom with the Carrera White marble floor and white walls but the soft peach draperies give that room its glow. Remember on Rule #6 - the power of white and how it reflects the colors around it.

                                                                   Photo from Pinterest

                        For a reverse try Bridget Beari Color French Fry Potato No. 9 on the wall! 

Sidebar: Squeek is the name of my office manager's cat. French Fry Potato is the nickname I call Lulabelle, my Sharpei. I love Nat King Cole so if you know the song Frim Fram Sauce then you know where it came from. The lyrics are: 

I don't want french fried potatoes,Red ripe tomatoes,I'm never satisfied.I want the frim fram sauce with the ausen fayWith chafafa on the side.

      She takes a long time to get down stairs so I sing songs to her like this one to motivate her or scare her (hopefully not! ) To shorten the song she just became french fry potato and sometimes she's red ripe tomato. It just depends on the day. 


Tip: Wrap your brushes during breaks in plastic or aluminum foil. Squeeze all the air out and seal with a rubber band. For overnight storage put the wrapped brush in the refrigerator. I always had a fit that Joe, our BBD contractor put the brushes in the BBD refrigerator. It kinda of grossed me out but now I know he was saving us money. Thanks Joe!

                                                                 Happy Painting......