PAINT UP A STORM WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK
Like many families relegated to working and learning from home these past months, you've spent as much time outdoors this summer as possible to remedy your cabin fever. But with the return of fall on the immediate horizon, you'll once again retreat indoors — the perfect opportunity to give tired spaces a refresh.
And, as Benjamin Moore colour and design expert Sharon Grech assures, there are lots of ways to refresh your home without breaking the bank or investing oodles of time.
Pull out your paint brush and drop cloth, because we've rounded up her suggestions:
1. Paint your dining room
Regardless of whether it's a separate room or part of an open-concept plan, your dining room merits a colour all its own. Grech suggests drawing inspiration from a piece of art or a textile like an area rug or a cushion from an adjacent room, such as the living room.
Another idea? Find inspiration in food.
“To emphasize the art behind every dish, shades of red are always a great choice,” she says.
Her go-to colours include Rosy Apple 2006-30 and Caliente AF-290. If you like intimate dinner parties that last into the evening, consider rich, earthy hues such as Caponata AF-650 and Warmed Cognac AF-235.
2.
Create an accent wall
If you want a change but don't want to commit to painting an entire room, an accent wall is a favourite designer trick to introduce colour into a neutral space. It's also an easy weekend project.
“People always ask if an accent wall is still in style but it's really something that's just strategic.
“It works in certain places and it's not so much a trend. The colours of accent walls have changed over the years. Sometimes they're bolder and sometimes they blend in a little bit more, but the idea is about defining a space,” Grech says.
If you love the colour of fall leaves, you'll appreciate hues like Greenfield Pumpkin HC-40, Prairie Lily CC-98 and Golden Tan 2152-40.
3. Paint wooden furniture
From wooden chairs to coffee tables and dressers, you can easily update furniture yourself to give it a fresh new look. But don't take shortcuts: always make sure to sand, clean and thoroughly prepare any surface before painting to ensure beautiful results, Grech advises. In your dining room, consider painting just the end chairs or a credenza that doubles as a desk while working at home.
4. Transform your kitchen
Repainting your kitchen cabinetry will transform your kitchen without the steep cost of a full renovation.
“You can easily achieve a completely new look in a weekend by repainting your upper or lower cabinets,” Grech says.
Looking for an update, but not ready to commit to repainting all your cabinets?
“Paint the cabinets on just your kitchen island a bold colour like Hale Navy HC-154 to make this the focal point of the room and transform the look and feel of your whole kitchen.”
You can also repaint the backs of display areas like open shelves and china cabinets to let your dishware take centre stage.
5. Paint the ceiling
This is yet another way to bring colour into a space and can have a big but not in-your-face impact.
“If you're planning to repaint, you usually have to start with the ceiling anyways, so really consider what that colour should be,” Grech says.
“The default is white, which can work really well when your space is very modern and light or if you have a lot of white in the house.”
Painting your ceiling a warmer colour can make a space feel unique and separate and is especially easy if your ceiling and/or some walls are recessed and create natural transitions.
6. Create room for relaxation, rejuvenation
People always ask if an accent wall is still in style but it's really something that's just strategic.
As we head into the colder months of the years, a sense of space and light can instantly lift your spirits.
“Choose a light neutral palette to visually expand a room and soothe the senses,” Grech says.
Create unified and harmonious spaces for comfort and relaxation with hues such as Dune White CC-70, Collingwood OC-28 and Mount Saint Anne CC-710 throughout your home.
Soft textiles like curtains, throw pillows and an area rug in similar hues offer added comfort.
Simply adding a comfortable chair and table with soothing lighting to a corner can offer the solitude you crave.