My bedroom (after I painted it) changed the entire feel.

It’s actually really simple and the changes can be profound. Choose a new paint color depending on the feeling that you want to create in a space and it’s like magic. Get out your paint brush wand, work your hands and heart…and feel the difference in the energy of the room. You can do this!… and if you need a referral for some painters to help you along the way, just ask.

My bedroom (pictured above) is in a converted attic space so for me I wanted a tree house feeling–climb up and get away from the world below. Sleep in the heavens—be light and restful.

The panels were originally painted a glossy white which bothered me in the way that the light glared at me. It was bad. So I chose an off white, fleshy toned color from Yolo Colorhouse - Air .01 in a flat finish (very important). That one subtlety changed the entire feeling of the room and I loved it! I suddenly felt more relaxed–no more glare. I used the same color on the floor (it was an icky blue before that just didn’t do it for me).

I brought in warm colors through the furniture (warm dark browns). The chocolate drapery is from Target. Of course the red lamp shades bring in a touch of fire. My bed is made from recycled elm from Gingko Furniture. The back wall is painted Devine Storm from Devine Color which is calming but enveloping…feels like arms behind me hugging me while I sleep. I also happen to just love that color.

Color is a personal choice. It evokes emotion so thinking about how you want your space to feel before you decide on a color is important. I can support you through the process.

My favorite palettes and the only ones I am currently using are Divine Color, Yolo Colorhouse and Benjamin Moore’s Aura Line. I am committed to using no and low voc paints (volatile organic chemicals) which don’t off gas and do not have that icky smell that can sometimes be the cause of a headache and force us to leave the home while the paint dries. You know what I’m talking about right?

These palettes offer such wonderful and livable color choices that I know you will love. And I might ad, Divine and Yolo are from Portland and are now available nationwide.

As always, I’d love to hear your paint experiences both good and bad. It’s a fun subject to talk about.

No ordinary house: It’s green and designed with the female buyer in mind

I got so excited the other day after I received a call from a new client—a female builder with a maverick idea—create a new formula for spec home designs–make it green (of course!) and design it for the lifestyle of today’s dynamic woman—what a concept! It gets even better…

Last Friday, I met with Angela Crandall of Kaylynne Homes who shared her vision with me and asked me for my help with the feng shui design of the homes. She explained to me that she saw a need for more female sensibilities in her speculative home design(s)—that traditionally had been more male dominated. What does that mean exactly?…

Check this out:

1) Laundry Room/Creative Space–Changing the concept of the laundry room (make it bigger) and incorporate a beautiful island table for creative endeavors and a space for digital media. Yes, we women are very creative and need a personal space for that expression! I think many men would appreciate that aspect as well.

2) Re-thinking the flow of the space. We women (and some men actually) like a formal entryway or a welcoming area where we can take a moment upon entering and catch our breath). A throwback to times past. Love that idea!

3) Creating more archways and artistic architectural features (that have been overlooked frequently in modern history) in the building of a new speculative home. This also creates a softer and warmer feel to the home. Not everything needs to be square. That’s very boring and can feel monotonous. Some curves thrown in there create such a wonderful balance.

4) Blending of styles–modern with old world sensibilities, kitchens with warmer hues and textures (staying away from square rooms with square floors and square tiles) while maintaining energy saving appliances. Modern palettes with organic materials. The end result will be a unique and modern yet very balanced living environment.

5) Accounting for more specific feng shui considerations of the homes. Stairs will not empty out the front door, bathrooms will not be in the center or the wealth area of the home, bedrooms and other areas of quiet time will not be placed over the garage, front doors will not open to the back doors in a straight line. Believe it, these things matter.

Thank-you Angela and your partner Chris Boerste for thinking outside the box. If you are considering the purchase of a new spec home in Portland, you can contact The Crandall Group for upcoming neighborhood developments and floor plans. Stay tuned. I will continue to keep you updated with more images to come…

Comments? Would love to hear what you think?