A Fresh Coat of Paint.

Somehow it always seems that a fresh coat of paint marks a change in my life (aside from painting the bathroom 3 times in 7 years but that's neither here nor there). When I first became a homeowner in 2005 I flexed my newbie designer muscle and went with a warm and rich color; Benjamin Moore's "Alexandria Beige." I loved it. It made bright colors pop in the summer and was warm and inviting in the winter. It was a bold choice, but I went with my gut and it was a success.

Fast forward 7 years. I've added a husband and a dog and it's time to prepare my happy little haven with a fresh faced makeover to be market ready. This time I went with to the opposite end of the spectrum and a color that is light, fresh, and crisp; Ace Hardware's "Subtle Ivory." The fresh coat of paint has already breathed new life into my walls. I've flipped the original color scheme and balance with a fresh coat of paint and my to-be-installed-this-weekend bamboo on the floor. While I'm excited to see the transformation it is bitter sweet. I've loved my first home, my own little place, but it is certainly time for the next step and a little more wiggle room!

While on the topic of paint I must admit as a designer I typically select colors from either Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams. I've always been happy with the quality of their paint, the durability and ease of their products, and spectrum of colors. I took a chance this time and selected a color from my local Ace Hardware's line of paints. My favorite store just introduced a new line, Clark & Kensington, that was a paint-and-primer in one. I was utterly blown away by how well this paint preformed in covering my dark walls. Two coats was all it took! While their color selection isn't as detailed and carefully curated as some of the larger paint companies, if they have a color you're looking for it's definitely worth a try. The C&K paint ran $20-$30 less per gallon than the traditional paint companies and really preformed!




{Note: This post is purely my opinion and experience in home improvement DIY'ing. I was in no way compensated or given any products for this!}

White Space.

In my honest opinion, the perfect white is the most difficult paint color to achieve. You want a color that is a subtle and crisp accent ... a springboard for color and artwork in the room.  White is never just white. You have to look into the soft undertones to find cream, beige, grey, green, or blue. Something that is not too cream, or not grey, not too this this, not too that. It may take a few trial-and-error-session but you'll find it, and you'll have your go to. I think the latest (and most fabulous) white I've found thus far comes in the form of Benjamin Moore's "Winter White." 

{Benjamin Moore | Winter White | OC 21}

I was excited to see it on a test wall with the trim painted in a clients home. This sophisticated and versatile color has just the perfect tinge of dove grey while remaining bright, airy, and not too cold. I can say confidently that it is "the one!"

{Kate Nisbet Designs}

Wall Color: Benjamin Moore "Winter White", OC-21

Trim Color: Benjamin Moore "Super White"