PHOTOS: (ROOM) ANGIE SECKINGER, (PORTRAIT) HELEN NORMAN
home
color
A little lu s te r
Glossy paint helps
crown molding get
noticed. A little
shine goes a long
way; save it for trim
or one painted piece
of furniture such
as a sideboard or
end table.
A
VS*
V
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««M 444«“
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“ T h i n k
o f w
o o d
p i e c e s —
t a b l e s ,
c h a i r
l e g s ,
p i c t u r e
f r a m
e s —
a s
h a v i n g
a
c o l o r .
T h e y
c a n
r e a d
a s
l i g h t ,
m
e d i u m
,
o r
d a r k
d e p e n d i n g
o n
t h e
f i n i s h ,
s o
y o u
c a n ’ t
i g n o r e
t h e m
. ”
L iz’s Palette
Pointers
1
Determine your style.
“Do you want the
room to be modern or
traditional, calming
or energizing?” Liz
asks. The answers
will steer you toward
inspiration pieces—
a graphic rug, for
exam ple—that can
set the tone for how
colors will mingle.
Categorize colors
as light, medium, or
dark. “Your palette
should have some
in each category,”
Liz says. “A fail-safe
option is to keep
large item s, such as a
sofa, in the medium
range and then punch
things up with light
and dark accents.”
3
Choose paint colors
last. “Paint should tie
everything together,
not be the thing that
defines the room,” Liz
says. “I usually like
walls to be the softest
element so they don’t
scream at you—plus
that’s the safest way
to not make
a m istake.” ■
