As a color consultant, I often hear people’s fears around color choices. They say things like, “I want to be conservative because that way I won’t make a mistake.” And then oftentimes they end up very unhappy with their choices. I’m here to tell you that going with a color you love will never lead you wrong. Okay you might need some support from someone more experienced (like me), but thinking too much, instead of feeling your choice, can lead you astray. I just came back from an hour color consultation for two clients at Powell’s Paint Center where they offer free Saturday color consultations with professional color consultants (again, like me) to anyone who signs up. I spoke to two people who had two different exterior color challenges that they needed help with. In both cases, each (an older woman and a younger man) was leaning towards more conservative colors. The woman clearly wanted something more feminine, not too bold, but that represented who she was. We ended up with two color choices and when I asked her to choose with her heart and not with her mind, it was easy. It was absolutely the right choice. No fear at all. The second client owned a rental duplex property with his sister so clearly the choice had to be a compromise between something not too feminine and not too masculine while taking into consideration who was going to live in the units. With those parameters in place we narrowed it down and the choice, made with feeling, became crystal clear.

It’s summer and many of us are painting right now. Got a color challenge? Just, “Ask Cheryl.”