Paint is the least expensive way to change the look of a room, whether you want to modernize your living room or make your bedroom more serene. A fresh paint job enlivens a ho-hum interior, but picking the right color (or combination of colors) and figuring out where best to put it and how much to use can prove perplexing.

Dining Room Refresh

A palette of bold colors and do-it-yourself paint projects give this dining room a fresh look. We choose two shades of blue for the table and chairs and created a two-tone effect to add interest to the furniture. Separate the painted and non-painted portions of the chairs and table with painter’s tape. Semi-gloss paint works best on furniture because of it’s easy-to-clean finish, so apply several coats.

Color a Table
Unfinished wood is the perfect canvas for paint. Sand the surface lightly, remove the sanding dust with a tack cloth, and then spray the piece with one thin coat of primer and several thin coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry before adding the next. Protect the painted surface with two coats of polyurethane.

Craft a Place Setting
Chair backs coated with chalkboard paint provide erasable name “cards” for a dinner party. To take the theme even further, use the paint on a tray to create a menu board.

Update the Furniture
If the wood surface is already painted or varnished, remove dirt or wax buildup with a household cleaner and rinse. Sand rough areas and wipe away dust with a tack cloth. Apply two coats of stain-blocking primer and allow it to dry between coats. Roll or brush on two coats of latex paint in the direction of the wood grain. Use a brush to finish the surface with smooth strokes.

A New Life for Metal
Clean the surface with a stiff wire brush to remove flaking paint or rust. Wipe with a damp cloth and let it dry. Prime with metal primer and let dry, or use a paint specially formulated with rust inhibitors. Apply several thin coats of paint. If using spray paint, hold the can about 10 – 12 inches from the surface as you spray. Shake the can during the application to keep the color mixed. Spray lightly to avoid paint runs. [Read more →]

Deep Red Drinks Room
The ultimate red room. The walls and doors in the “drinks room” are upholstered in a deep red Brunschwig & Fils silk stripe. Leopard carpet from Stark.
photo credit: Eric Piasecki

Chocolate and Red Bedroom
A 19th-century Italian headboard, upholstered in Osborne & Little’s Tamara, is the centerpiece of this bedroom highlighted with chocolate, red, and a soft pink. Very romantic.

photo credit: James Carriere

Splash of Red and White
Delightfully busy and engaging Jardin Chinois Red wallpaper from Waterhouse Wall-hangings masks the flaws of an awkwardly shaped powder room. The window shade is Cire red linen by Lee Jofa with Clarence House Greek Key tape. The perfect example of a bold use of red and white.
photo credit: Simon Upton

Red and White Bedroom
This red and white child’s bedroom is perfect for winter. The sophisticated red print is from Pierre Frey. A clever touch is Lee Jofa striped wallpaper — hung horizontally. Swing-arm lamps are from Phoenix Day. [Read more →]

Color decorating ideas, to me, are just that: ideas to be played with. Through experimentation you will soon learn that, yes you can use deep plum on one wall and a deep pink on the other three walls, with a terracotta carpet to finish. With white for the ceiling, coving, fitted furniture and door, the room acquires a warm, welcoming ambience that is a delight to enter. Take other color decorating ideas to achieve a different ethos: four walls decorated in mint green, with white ceiling and coving and doorway and a cream carpet. Enter this room and you are enfolded in a sense of total calm and harmony that is almost soporific. The only accent in this room is three long mirrors laid horizontally along the back wall. Nothing else, but the room speaks volumes in holistic tranquility. Now, if I were to ask you to imagine this mint green room as described and then leave the room. Imagine closing the door behind you. Next time you enter that room a black vase has been placed on a bedside table. Inside that black vase is a single red flower. At the window is a set of cherry red blinds. The bed is now made up with a black duvet cover and a cherry red bed throw at the end of the bed. The color decorating ideas have not changed but the accessories have – and so has the ethos of the room. Gone is that soporific element of tranquility: this has been replaced by a sense of modern chic. All that has altered are the accessories. This is how you take the basic principles of color decorating ideas and alter them slightly to achieve alternative moods for each room. When you understand the rules, color decorating ideas can become fun and successful and never something to shy away from.

Home Decorating based on your Color Personality

Confused about selecting color for your home? Why not try choosing decorating colors based on your unique personality? I decided to have a bit of fun and searched out several websites that discuss color personality types.

The Pratt and Lambert color quiz was the most comprehensive color personality test of all those I reviewed. Taking into account not only color likes but other factors that make you uniquely you. This test was the only one that returned a color scheme that was very similar to my personal decorating style. I was impressed. According to the Pratt & Lambert site my color personality: [Read more →]

Open shelves in dining room, beautiful ceramic tableware, blue, white,  and a red column. Photos

Colorful, Romantic And Cute Home Decor
May 6th, 2009 · 2 Comments
Colorful, Romantic And Cute Home Decorating pictures collection.

Old sheets, linens, or clothing could be patch-worked together to create a shabby-chic shower curtain like the one above.

We don’t all have the space for a luxurious chaise in the bathroom, but even a chair can provide a little glamor.

Try and collect items within a color palette you [...]
Modern Room Color Schemes
May 5th, 2009 ·

A modern room color scheme is simply a coordinated effort amongst all the colors in the room to create a group, or scheme that is noticeable from a distance.

Feature wall: A striking wall turns an ordinary room into an exceptional one. The intense richness of Redcurrant Glory on the fireplace in this image works brilliantly [...]

Country Homes & Interiors

a feminine pink bedroom

We have chosen two toning pinks for this exuberant yet feminine bedroom. Sexy Pink on the right creates a feature wall and is complemented beautifully with Sweet Pink on the back wall and Strawberries ‘n’ Cream on the window frames.

virginmedia

The walls were painted Benjamin Moore’s Marshmallow Bunny; the sofa is from Ralph Lauren.

pink princess room

When choosing a color for your room, it is important for you to decide on the type of mood you would like to set for the room. What feel or moods are you trying to create in your room? Would you like a warm or cool atmosphere in your room? What color décor will be incorporated in this room?
The pink princess theme is one of the most popular choices among little girls, teens, even young adult women,when it comes to their bedroom. Almost every young girl dreams of being a princess and decorating her room in this manner is quite popular.

countryliving

Pink and gold interior design

apartmenttherapy

pink, red and gold

Manuel Canovas

pink and black kitchen

Ikea

pink and white, a clean room

Kelley Interior Design

coutry style room with green and light pink

Aegean-style Decoration, simple design with blue and white, it is a apartment in China.

Color is one of the best ways to create the illusion you want.  I like the transitional Color Between blue and green.

a space for work

ceiling

chandelier

bedroom

Blue door

dining room

kitchen

Living room