Color Buzz

Turkish Delights

By Michèle Coppin

Spring is the time for renewal and this season, new styles are coming from exotic lands such as Turkey.

With a tradition of unique decorative arts, the Turkish culture, formerly the Ottoman Empire (1299-1923), is a treasure trove of divine inspiration. Arts and crafts were molded by its rich history and religion—Islam.

Islamic art varies hugely from Western art, primarily influenced by the Koran. In this Islamic tradition, depicting human form in art is forbidden. Therefore, Turkish or Ottoman art relies on the pure balance of color, line and rhythm in geometric patterns and designs. Rugs, tapestries, glass work, metal sculptures, mosaics and paintings all share similar characteristics of precise detail, harmony and elegance.

Turkey is also known for its famous blue Iznik ceramics, which are decorated with abstract and intricate patterns of floral and fauna designs. Ornamental square, rectangular, hexagonal and triangular tiles still adorn palace walls.

Iznik pottery melds form and function beautifully.

 
The colors used in this art form are blues, viridians, reds and golds. Touches of green pull these colors together and balance the red and the blue perfectly.

                   
      Dazzle 4005-10C            Berry Blush 1004-1A         Salamander 6001-8B

These colors and patterns are becoming more trendy. I have even spotted them in a window display on my street!

If you would like to expand your knowledge of Turkish history and art, I recommend one of my favorite novels, My Name is Red  by Nobel Laureate Orhan Pamuk.

The book is about the Ottoman Empire and the influence of art. The story follows the murder of a painter in 1591. In each chapter, the perspective and narration changes, even to such unexpected ‘characters’ as a coin, a dog, and even the color red! This beautifully written novel is a true work of art, full of color, history and suspense. Let me know what you think!

African Fashion Statements

By Megan Leblond

American fashion has many styles due to the wide range of influences. Cutting-edge design sensibilities and the borrowed traditions of our melting pot combine to form eclectic styles all our own.

In Time Magazine’s Style and Design section, Kate Mossman and Chad Pitman’s photo spread ‘Out of Africa’ pays homage to African patterns adopted by current designers. Interestingly, I found that African prints and patterns actually serve certain purposes in the culture.

Kente is a specific type of cloth made in Ghana. The cloth features symbols and colors which communicate specific messages. Patterns and motifs  transcend village languages and can identify a wearer’s purpose or a specific adage or philosophy. In African Kente weaving, each and every thread is used in a way that allows each thread to be seen. The warp and weft colors are laid out carefully, each carrying specific meanings within the pattern.

Examples of these motifs include messages such as, “One person does not make a nation,” “The extended family is a force,” or “One who climbs a tree worth climbing gets the help deserved.” These fabric patterns express the wearer’s community’s needs and ultimate goals in life.

Le Petit Ecailler

By Michele Coppin

A few years ago, I decorated and painted a seafood restaurant called, "Le Petit Ecailler," which means "the little oyster shucker" in French. I began by painting the sign in ultra-marine blue which has been fading beautifully in the sun...and wind, and rain.

Inside the entrance, I created a beach scene with a lighthouse mural using fresh white and blue tones, reminiscent of the surrounding coastal environment. 

I painted the main dining room to resemble the wood planks of a sailboat's hull with rusty browns and oranges. The orange tones offer an elegant and classic look to the interior. Studies have shown that orange is actually an appetite stimulant, so it’s a great color to add to a dining room or kitchen.

In the stairwell leading down to the restrooms, I painted waves to suggest a descent underwater.

To complete the marine theme, I laced the restaurant's ceiling with white canvas sails. The look was ethereal and intimate.

Just recently, the bartender opened an explosive bottle of champagne spraying the ceiling. This, unfortunately, created enormous, yellow stains and I was called to the rescue. The work involved to take down and wash the canvases was too daunting, so it was my job to disguise the stains. In keeping with the nautical theme, I decided orange fish would fit in perfectly with the existing decor theme and the color palette.

I began by drawing templates of the fish design on paper.

Then, I traced the outline onto the ceiling and filled in the designated areas with an orange wash,  which actually blended nicely with the champagne. Next, I outlined the fish with off-white, loose brush marks to cover up the remaining splatters from the bubbly.

Finally, I added the final details, including a few white bubbles just for fun. I am told that happy hour customers enjoy the new addition above the bar!

 

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Finding Your Color Voice in Color Combinations

By Megan Leblond

                                     

Having trouble deciding on a color combination for your home? Sometimes we over-think such decisions. If you find yourself agonizing over paint chips at the store, try a different approach. I suggest tricking your mind into finding its way naturally. Take some of the pressure off of your specific color selection and visit a fabric or upholstery store to find combinations in the various patterns that speak to you. Switching gears and giving yourself a fun way to approach colors can help reveal colors in combinations that you could live with. Once you have a few fabrics selected, ask for clips to bring home to add to your paint chips, and see what starts to work best.

I recently visited Aura Fabrics, a fabric and upholstery in Effort, Pennsylvania. I perused the aisles and waited for my eyes to latch onto something fabulous. I was particularly drawn to purple, gold and brown fabrics, as well as some lime-green and yellow combinations with hints of red. I was able to find two distinct color combinations that I really liked without trying.

                 

I asked Ursula, a fashion designer from the Philadelphia Textiles School and owner of the store, how she helps clients with color choices. She said that many of her customers are usually drawn to one particular color to start, maybe the color of a couch or window treatments already in the home. With this starting point in mind, Ursula works with the client to find a fabric that will work well with the existing walls, drapery, and flooring of the home. 

I asked Ursula if she has noticed any current trends. She noted that she find clients are carrying a color combination throughout the home, because of more open design plans in newer architecture. However, she prefers to style a home so that each room can have its “own life.”

                   

I totally agree! We looked at the color combinations I had selected and decided that the greens and yellows were energizing and the purples and golds lent themselves to a more dramatic and elegant look. When choosing color combinations, be sure to keep in mind the tone of the room you are redecorating. This can also help guide your choices.

Hopefully this fun field trip will bring you closer to your color choice, and you might arrange for some wonderful pillows or upholstery to bring the room together. If you have any color combination questions, please let us know. We would love to see any successful final projects too!

Friday Project Series - Say it with Roses

By Megan Leblond   
   
                           

Giving the gift of roses can have special meaning, depending on the color of the flower. Generally, a gift of roses communicates intimacy and love, often to a friend, family member or significant other. The color of the rose adds a more personal message:       

                       

RED—Love, Romance
PINK—‘Please believe me,’ Gentleness, Grace, Elegance, Sweetness, Poetic Romance
YELLOW—Joy, Friendship, 'Remember Me,’ 'I Care,’ Jealousy
WHITE—Innocence, Purity, Honor, Reverence
ORANGE—Desire, Enthusiasm
LAVENDER—Enchantment, Love at First Sight
DARK PINK—Gratitude
LIGHT PINK—Admiration, Sympathy
YELLOW W/ RED—Falling in Love
PEACH—Appreciation, Sincerity, Gratitude
CORAL—Desire
TEA ROSES—‘I Will Never Forget You'

                

I decided to paint a simple 'rose wall' with various rose colors in a lighthearted pattern. I painted the wall a light green base coat (Valspar’s Sprig of Mint) and chose various hues for the tops of the roses. I arranged the rose stencils to look as though the flowers were being tossed in the air. I was very pleased with the look I achieved.  

                                        
                                       Spring of Mint 6004-7B

                

                          

If you are planning to complete a colorful project and you would like to test a few different colors, remember that Valspar has very small 'paint-tester' cans available. These are great because there are so many colors available and they are very inexpensive. Should you choose to paint an adjoining wall or space, you can also find a color that is a perfect match to the existing space.

Friday Project Series – Lace Technique

By Megan Leblond       

                                                

A romantic look can be applied to your walls with a delicate lace project.  You will need:

    -Lace

    -Tacky Glue

    -Paint Color of Your Choice

    -1 Stencil Brush

    -1 Brush for Glue Application

    -1 2" Brush

For this project, I recommend using a heavier lace, so it doesn’t tear during the process. Because the process is somewhat time-consuming, I would start with a smaller surface area for your first project—perhaps a fabric window panel or a small wooden stool. I also recommend practicing the technique on a piece of poster board or wood before you begin. Depending on the pattern on the lace, you can achieve many different looks. You can try a few different patterns on the test run to see which lace gives you the look you desire.

To begin, apply tacky glue with a brush to one side of the lace. Apply to the wall, fabric panel, wood surface or test board.  Once the glue is dry, use a stencil brush to gently pat the paint through the lace. As soon as the paint is dry, remove lace. Voila! 

Many people also get great results with sprayed paints. If you are attempting a large scale project, it would be a great idea to use a sprayer. Just remember to try out the process first so you understand the results with different lace patterns. Obviously, a cotton lace will become saturated and soak through to the wall. There are many lace stencils available as well. They are economical and easy to use. This project can be sexy or sweet depending on your color choices!

                                     

Bubbling Over in Winnipeg

We like to start all of our projects with a conversation with our client, and the Valspar Ultimate Match Makeover project was no exception. Last year’s winner, Krislyn, was great to work with, and we began by discussing her living room’s renovation, focusing on the room’s function. Her living room also doubled as her son’s playroom, so we wanted to create two areas of the room: one for Eden and his toys, and one for grown-ups and visiting with friends.

 

It was important to make sure the room had a unifying theme while still identifying the separate parts of the room. Krislyn really wanted something fun and lively, so we had an idea of using giant circles or bubbles in different ways to achieve different effects. We once painted large circles in a client’s entry - they made the space very playful. For the adult side of the room, we wanted to created columns of circles which would give a calming sense. I suggested this sketch which she liked.

                 


Krislyn and Phillip’s house is beautiful and located alongside a winding river. We were also able to meet  Krislyn’s adorable son, Eden. He was very excited about bubbles, as you can tell.

We started by looking at colors. Winnepeg is cold and frozen most of the year, so we thought bringing some green in would lift the spirits. We created a color wash  using blending Leaf Bud 6005-5B and Plum Passion 6007-5B. After we painted the room a soft warm green, we started cutting stencils.

                              


We began by painting larger circles on the walls. We painted these in a soft color to give an ethereal effect.

Krislyn really liked the warm colors, and we were able to incorporate these colors by using them with the smaller stencils, giving the room some “pop.” We used Terra Cotta Red 2004-3A, Caramel Honey 3003-3B and La Fonda Antique Red 2002-5A on the small circles and a cooler blue, Dewdrop 4006-7A, on the mid-size bubbles.

 

Above the fireplace, we added Venetian Plaster in a deep charcoal brown that matched the existing mantle. This gave definition to the fireplace and anchored the room. Krislyn and Phillip were so wonderful to us, and we were very fortunate to have gotten to know them. They were a pleasure to work with and they seemed quite pleased with the final outcome. What do you think?

        

        

Domino Magazine - Toile

Check out this month's Domino Magazine. They have a great article on Toile in their decorating section. They put together some very interesting paint combos. One I really like is the aubergine and orange. It has a warm, inviting feel. Very old-world, but modern at the same time. They mention Valspar's Classic Royal Blue and pair it with fuchsia for an interesting twist. Personally, I think I would add a little gold to it too. They do a nice job of summing up toile and its rise in popularity during the mid-1700s after France's 73-year ban on printed cloth. Toile is a great way to incorporate bold colors. Most people believe more is better when it comes to toile. A great resource for finding more is: dominomag.com/go/toile. 

             

Holiday Home - Personalized Placemats

Here’s a quick and easy way to add charm to your table or create a beautiful gift for someone.

Holiday Placemats! They're so simple. The quick version takes about 20 minutes to paint and 20 minutes to dry. The custom-color version takes a little longer, but it's worth the wait! For the custom version, allow 20 minutes to mix and paint the first coat, and 1.5 hours for that to dry. Then, another 20 minutes to paint the stencil design, and a final 20 minutes for drying.

Here we go…

What you need:

Quick Version:                                                               

Solid color placemats in color of your choice
Small scale stencil
Stencil brush
Metallic paint for stencil

Custom Version:

Solid white placemats
Small containers of two paint colors that will blend together nicely
Small scale stencil
Stencil brush
Metallic paint for stencil

For this project, we used a gold from Valspar's metallic line, along with Valspar's Posh Red and Crimson Glow.
    
     Posh Red 1011-4                Crimson Glow 2011-5

Step 1

For the custom version:

 white    Place the white placemat on a working service. Take the two colors you chose, place them in separate containers and add equal amounts of water to them. Mix thoroughly. Take a brush and apply them to your placemat in swirling patterns. Alternate between colors so the two blend nicely. Allow to dry completely.

 For the quick version:

 Simply lay the placemat on the work surface.

Step 2

Stencil –

Place the stencil in the corner of the placemat. Lightly dip the stencil brush into your metallic paint. Wipe excess paint off the brush with a cloth. Gently apply the paint through the stencil opening, while trying to avoid paint-bleeding (less is more). You can swirl the brush into the corners of the stencil to be sure you are printing accurately.

Step 3

Enjoy!! Voila - you now have a lovely holiday placemat to adorn your table or give as a thoughtful present.

 

 

 

Chinese Influences from Art to Home to Fashion

By Michele Coppin

China has influenced Western art off and on for many years. In the 17th century, when all things Chinese were quite fashionable, the term "Chinoiserie," was invented.  It means "Chinese-esque" and refers to a recurring theme in European artistic styles, reflecting Chinese artisitic influences.

It is characterized by the use of fanciful imagery of an imaginary China: asymmetrical in format and whimsical contrasts of scale.

The period from 1890 to 1927 was another era which saw tremendous change occur in Western dress due to Asian (Japanese and Chinese) influence. Many socio-cultural factors contributed to the spread of the “Sino – Japanism” style such as the war between Japan and Russia in 1905, the Chinese revolution in 1911, world exhibitions, fashion publications, and the work of creative designers.

 

Francois Boucher 1703-1770
The French painter merged Chinese
and French fashions in this charming picnic

 

For example, the late Victorian style which was characterized by the hourglass silhouette, close fitting bodice, floor length skirt and angular shoulders was soon replaced by the Asian V-neck line, straight seams, contrasting wide waistbands and rectangular sleeves...

Now, China's influence on style is becoming global, says fashion guru Didier Grumbach, president of the Chambre syndicale de la haute couture, one of the entities that governs the French Fashion Industry. Trendy Chinese labels are appearing in Western markets, not just copying existing styles, but employing their own Eastern flare. Indeed, the Chinese have, over their long history, inherited a fantastic feel and love for fine materials and gorgeous colors.

 

In home decoration, warm colored metals like copper, bronze and gold are coordinated with precious woods and lacquered finishes. Silk, velvet, embroideries, styles with intricate patterns and elaborate decorations create a refined and elegant ambiance.

And, I am not immune. A few days ago, shopping for an upcoming dressy event, I chose typical Chinese colors and patterns. Yellow and red patent leather shoes, and a red and gold brocaded Chinese dress…

I think that contrasting old and new will work really well, and this outfit is going to be a smash - what do you think?