I know you have heard this advice many times, but I had a color consultation this morning that addresses an issue perfectly and I wanted to share with you as a reminder when selecting colors. The homeowner’s own a beautiful lake house where they are building on a large addition and needed help choosing wall colors for a new kitchen, dining room, den and master bathroom.
Steve Miller
When I went for the appointment, the owner’s had a sample of the new cabinets for the kitchen which are going to be a natural cherry. So my next question was, what are you going to use for the countertops?
They told me they decided that they definitely wanted granite so I asked to see a sample of what they chose. They did not have a sample but showed me one on the computer that they liked.
So guess what I said next? “You can not buy a granite countertop just by looking at pictures on the computer!” Not only will all the colors in the granite look much different in real life, you must bring a sample into your home with your lighting and that is the true test if you will like it or not. Then after you find the countertop you love, then we will select a wall color to work with the granite.
The same rules apply with choosing the backsplash. Select your countertop first and then select a backsplash color:
A good way to remember- always start your color choices for your room with the most expensive item (countertops, flooring or large furnishings such as your sofa) and leave your wall color choices for last. There are so many paint colors to choose from.
Follow the same steps for the bathroom. The homeowner’s had selected a tile floor, which is thankfully very neutral, but did not know which color granite they were going to choose for their countertops yet. Again I had to tell them to find the granite they love and we will select the wall colors from the countertop they choose.
The lesson of this story? Remember to choose your large, fixed (expensive) surfaces first and then begin selecting a wall color. It is much easier to choose one of the thousands of paint colors available than the other way around. Don’t you agree?
If you need help seelcting colors for your home, contact me today.
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Kelly Bernier Designs
actual items differ from what we see in picture…you have a nice taste on selecting colors…tablefashions.com has a nice rental linen for any occasion.
Pat, I’m guessing you’re deciding between granite colors because you fell in love with the color of the Madura Gold granite but are afraid it’s just too “blendy”? That you’re okay with the Peacock Green and you like the way it looks with the rest of your kitchen, but you don’t love it? Am I right? Because if I am, what you need to decide is which one is more important to you. Do you want to love the granite you have, or do you want more contrast and drama in your kitchen?
I have never heard of that Joan! Off the granite counters? Interesting! Thanks for writing.
I just sold a house that had high radon, because we live in the Granite State. My house also had granite counters in the kitchen. I was concerned about the granite counters and looked it up on the internet..and it said that granite counters can add to the total radon in a house..
OMG! I could echo those statements almost exactly! I too had a color consult the other day. Customer says she wants to build her bedroom color scheme off the shower curtain in the adjoining bathroom and a small stained glass window she was using as artwork.
All I had to go on was a photo!!!!How was I to know if the color was true or not? I told her I couldn’t give her a specific paint name without really seeing those items in person, in the room. I did give her some suggestions about how to go about using those two elements to help her find a paint color though.
Color selection is SO much more than what people think! I’m very reluctant to do them until ALL the “big” elements in the room are there.
I always tell them, “Color is the first thing you’ll probably do in the room (i.e. painting the walls) but almost the last thing you should pick.”
I agree with you and thanks for this advices!
Amen!…Great post, well put and advice I wish everyone would take.
Agreed! How did they do with that advice? It’s amazing to me just how much people truly don’t know this. Great post!