eNewsletter Archives
May 2008: Decorating 101, Choosing your Colour Scheme
Hello, this is Dana Smithers from Sun On My Back Redesigns,
Thank you for taking time to read my newsletter. I always feel very privileged to know that so many of you enjoy my newsletters and that I am helping you create more beauty and harmony in your homes for living and/or for selling. Thanks for all your feedback!
You've heard it said over and over again the easiest way to update a space is to paint. And I know from working with so many clients that choosing the colour scheme is the hardest part for them! Since you have chosen your inspiration piece last month you have a great starting point to assist you with selecting your colour scheme. Dare to be bold and pick colours you REALLY LOVE!
DECORATING 101
Choosing your Colour Scheme for your entire home.
If you are unfamiliar with colour schemes I suggest you do an internet search with keywords like color schemes or color wheel. (US spelling of colour!) This research will give you some theory behind why you are choosing your colours and which colours work well together. I prefer using the Interior Design Color wheel which you can order on line from www.colorwheelco.com when advising clients on colour choices.
Choosing COLOURS for LIVING:
Using a colour wheel can be helpful to you. Decide what the overall 'feeling' is you are going for it. Is it quiet (green), contemplative (blue) or energetic (red) and stimulating (orange). For example I love warm colours like reds, yellows and yellow greens. My colour scheme choice is called harmonious and analogous as these colours appear together on the colour wheel. Reds, oranges and yellows make a room seem cosy and intimate all in medium to light values.
When you choose your colours look at selecting lighter and medium values in the paint chips. Darker colours are always dramatic; intense and too bright colours can be overpowering.
If you like opposite colours on the colour wheel then you prefer a contrasting colour scheme like red and green, or purple and yellow.
If you want to work with just one colour like blue then you prefer a monochromatic look. Use light, medium and dark values of the one colour AND be sure to add lots of texture in your accessories.
Colour is affected by lighting so it is important you test out the colour morning, noon and night before you go ahead and paint. I prefer to buy testers or large readymade colour boards to help me make my final decision.
Choosing COLOURS for SELLING:
I invite you to go to my website at www.sunonmybackredesigns.com on my Home Page under Article Archives and click on Best Color To Paint a Home For Resale. That will give you some information about the colour choices I prefer to work with.
Select your paint colours from your flooring colours not your furniture. If your furniture is staying while you are showing then of course take this into consideration but keep colours to a minimum of contrast.
Keep your colour choices very neutral and always consider who your target market is. You can add colour through your trendy and colourful accessories.
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SPECIAL: TRAINING HOME offers for REDESIGN & HOME STAGING – Save $$$$
Think you can't afford a HOME MAKEOVER for LIVING or SELLING? THINK AGAIN!
Special Offer: $75 Consultation & $150 for our One Day Home Makeover!
Sign up for our Waiting List for:
June 9 – 13TH – KELOWNA BC – imagine your home with a whole new look - in just one day -using your things – for living or selling!
July 21st – July 25th – VANCOUVER BC - imagine your home with a whole new look - in just one day -using your things- for living or selling!
Each month we are looking for the 'right' Training Homes that we can teach our students Redesign for living, and Redesign Staging for selling. All of our Training Programs involve some component of hands-on work in real client's home. Check out our websitefor more details.
A recent client testimonial:
"We were a little bit skeptical .... but we were quickly won over, not only by your obvious competence, but also by your genuine confidence in yourself and in your program. It was fun to listen to your plan for your teaching session at our home.
We left promptly at 9:00 a. m and when we returned at 4:00 p.m. what did we see and feel? Well, what can we say? We were knocked out. We had been warned that our smallish 1700 sq. ft. duplex was furnished modernly without much clutter and would not need much alteration. But there were astonishing changes – in the paintings, furniture arrangements, lamps, ornaments - in short, we were thrilled and haven't changed a thing.
Daughters Claire and Nancy - couldn't keep them away -both loved it and so did those of our friends who have seen it so far. Thanks again Dana to you and your students." Noah & Maggie West Vancouver
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A VERY BIG THANK YOU
To the George Mackie Library & the over 100 patrons who attended my talk on Home Makeovers for Living& Selling! Check them out at www.fvrl.bc.ca.
SPECIAL OFFER 5 Day Redesign & Home Staging Course - earn your CRSS™ designation and start your new career now!
Register One Month early and save $100! Register on line or contact us NOW to save your space, or be Wait listed. Monthly courses are almost all FULL!
In Complete Gratitude,
Dana J. Smithers
FYI – The talented French artist Pierre Ruiz now has his website up at www.pierreruizart.com. Check it out!
Dana J. Smithers 
