October 20, 2011
It’s Not Just A Can Of Paint!
Yes there is much more to just thinking it is a can of paint! We have all experienced an emotional connection to a color at some point in our lives. What was the color of your first bedroom or bicycle? What emotions does this bring up? For most people, one of the first decisions of the day concerns color harmony. What am I going to wear? This question is answered not only by choosing a style and fabric appropriate to the season, but by making the right color choices. And it goes on from there. Whether you’re designing a new kitchen, wrapping a present or creating a bar chart, the colors you choose greatly affect your final results.
How often have you caught your breath at the sight of a flowerbed in full bloom? Most likely the gardener has arranged the flowers according to their color for extra vibrancy. For retailers, shopping is the art of persuasion. Though there are many factors that influence how and what consumers buy. However, a great deal is decided by visual cues, the strongest and most persuasive being color.
Color evokes moods and feelings which are emotions. Each color of the spectrum has a meaning and portrays an energy that effects ones body, mind and spirit in ways you may have not realized. Colors act upon the body as well as the mind. Red has been shown to stimulate the senses and raise the blood pressure, while blue has the opposite effect and calms the mind. Color is light and light is energy. Scientists have found that actual physiological changes take place in human beings when they are exposed to certain colors. Colors can stimulate, excite, depress, tranquilize, increase appetite and create a feeling of warmth or coolness. This is known as chromodynamics.
My goal in creating the Authentic Home COLOR Paint™ line is to bring awareness to your emotional connection with a particular color. 
By arranging the Authentic Home COLOR Paint™ colors into five mood palettes, Elegant, Serene, Playful, Fresh, Regal, you now have a starting paint to begin the selection process so to achieve your desired feeling for your home. I invite you to enjoy exploring the meaning and effects color can have on you and your life.
The Meaning of Color
While perceptions of color are somewhat subjective, there are some color effects that have universal meaning. Colors in the red area of the color spectrum are known as warm colors and include red, orange and yellow. These warm colors evoke emotions ranging from feelings of warmth and comfort to feelings of anger and hostility. Colors on the blue side of the spectrum are known as cool colors and include blue, purple and green. These colors are often described as calm, but can also call to mind feelings of sadness or indifference.
I hope you enjoyed part 1 of It’s Not Just A Can Of Paint! “The Meaning Of Color” series…check back next week for “The Meaning Of Blue”.
October 7, 2011
Authentic Home and Kathy Banak’s Newest project – 1950′s Seattle Home Remodel
The couple of this 1950’s split level home wanted a more contemporary feel to their entire home especially since the wife recently retired. Tom Fine of Fine Construction headed up the project while Kathy provided aesthetic guidance with the selection of the interior materials for the kitchen and living rooms including the furnishings. The scope of work consisted of removing a main wall between the living room and the kitchen and dining room and the removal of several windows so to take advantage of the beautiful sound views. Authentic Home COLOR Paint in Greystone, Lemongrass, Ocean Mist and Champagne on Ice were used throughout the home.
New modern flat style cabinets in a white wash birch material by Kraft Maid were selected to keep the feeling clean and light. Chroma by Pental in the Stormy Sky color was used for the countertop and a 2”x 7” iridescent tile by United Tile were set horizontally for the backsplash. With the new open floor plan we replicated the horizontal backsplash tile and installed horizontal 9” x 18” Groove tile by Statements for the new fireplace wall. The new Kasala sectional and chairs set the tone for the new modern feel for the living room. Fabrics by Kravet, Robert Allen and Pindler & Pindler were used on the chairs, ottoman and pillows.
In order to give the home a more contemporary feel the interior walls where realigned to provide a good flow throughout the house, both bathrooms where modernized, new Fir millwork was installed throughout the home and glass railing panels were installed on the stairs leading to the basement. New interior doors are all Fir and a clear coat was applied to see beautiful wood grains in them. A large 4′ wide Fir door was also installed to provide separation from the living room to the master suite.
The outdoor deck was not structurally sound and rot was found hidden between boards. New stainless steel railings where installed with new waterproof decking membrane applied with a pattern to the new decking. Lights are installed in the railing to provide accent lighting at night. Powered screens are installed to help reduce the sun light heat gain, in addition to the new powered awning to provide a relief from the blazing Seattle sunlight.
On the exterior a custom front door with an integral weatherization system, new fences, exterior lighting on the house and low voltage lighting for the driveway were installed to keep the owners important little house guests, their dogs close to the home. Finally the exterior of the house was cleaned and painted, bringing this home back to life for many years to come.
You can view this beautiful home during an open house on October 15 and 16th. Contact Authentic Home for any information regarding interior design and Authentic Home Color Paint™ for your home.
September 7, 2011
Authentic Home COLOR Paint™ Launches More Rodda Paint Stores
Our partnership with Rodda Paint is growing again, we are launching our Authentic Home COLOR Paint™. line in the Puyallup, WA, Kent, WA and Tacoma, WA stores. Look for our display filled with 4 oz color cups, paint samples, quarts and gallons of our superior, high-quality acrylic interior paint that offers a rich, elegant finish with exceptional coverage and durability. All paints are zero VOC base, with low odor and minimal solvents to help maintain a clean painting environment. You will love the way this paint performs!
To find a Rodda Paint Store or other reseller in your neighborhood take a look at our reseller page here…Authentic Home COLOR Paint™ Store
And to read more about our paint, take a look at the AH spec’s page Authentic Home COLOR Paint™
September 1, 2011
Finish and Accessory Trends
I have noticed a trend in home accessories, furniture and plumbing finishes over the past year and would like to share my thoughts with you.
Glass and metal candleholders are perfect accessories that are a great investment. Here are some glass and brass metal ones that I’ve seen recently and adore!
With the holiday season approaching, we like vases with metallic finishes, specifically the mercury glass-inspired designs. Why? For starters, they can be dressed up for formal presentations or dressed down to complement the more rustic finishes you’re seeing in medium high-end catalogs and retail stores right now.
While the variations are many, the hues poised to dominate in 2011 are warmer, more casual and more natural than the topcoats you’ve seen in recent years.
Rather than hide the species of wood under layers of paint and finish, a new crop of furnishings is favored because it honors wood grain and naturally occurring markings.
Why the transparency? For starters, consumers are more cautious about how they spend their hard-earned dollars. As a result, there’s been a swell of demand—across many product categories, including home furnishings—for what’s real and genuine.
There is an environment-friendly theme to these products, too, as many are made from reclaimed woods, discarded byproducts of the harvesting process, and renewable plant-based materials such as bamboo.
In fact, according to a 2010 survey of recent home furnishings purchasers (by World Market Center Las Vegas and the Sustainable Furnishings Council) half of respondents said they would be “definitely interested” or “very interested” in buying green home furnishings, if they liked the style of the product and it cost about the same as other options.
The warmer finishes trend is most evident in the contemporary and transitional furniture categories. Gone are dark espresso and wenge finishes that begged for only chrome and polished silver complements. Instead, wood tones are softer, more Mid-Century Modern in color and shape—think “Mad Men” meets today’s modern loft. In both the contemporary and transitional style categories, walnut veneers guide the trend.
Solid brass electroplated with chromium – more commonly referred to simply as chrome – became the standard for faucets in the 1930s and remains one of the most popular looks today. Sophisticated, tarnish-resistant and durable, chrome replaced nickel-plated brass as the faucet material of choice.
The menu of faucet choices now available includes a smorgasbord of silver-tone finishes, as well as gold, bronze, mixed metals and brushed and hammered options. Read on for a few tips on using the different finish styles:
Polished chrome is a classic finish that coordinates beautifully with a wide variety of fixture styles and types of décor. It works particularly well for evoking a nostalgic look, as in a 1920s- or other vintage-style bath, but also complements contemporary styles.
Shiny like chrome, Vibrant Polished Nickel can be used in most of the same styles of décor, and is a favorite of Portland, OR, designer Sandy Hayes of Hayes Designs. “Polished nickel is a really sophisticated look that goes well with elegant furniture,” she says. It works well with both traditional and contemporary styles, and can add an elegant touch to the bathroom.
Brushed nickel has a warm appearance that appeals to homeowners looking for a bit of softness in the bath. It looks classic against white and coordinates well with granite or slate countertops and backsplashes.
Matte finishes such as brushed nickel don’t show water spots or fingerprints as easily as some of the polished finishes and that’s why it is so popular!
The rich look of Vibrant French Gold can provide a dramatic contrast to brilliant white fixtures. It goes well with period styles and complements decorated sinks with gold accents. Gold fixtures can add a luxurious accent to your bathroom. Yes gold finishes are back!!
Vibrant Polished Brass provides an elegant note to traditional-style baths, and adds a rich feel to modern or transitional faucet models as well.
Chrome, bronze, nickel, gold or a combination of metals – how’s a homeowner to choose? Keep these things in mind when choosing a faucet finish:
Choose a finish that is appropriate for the style of your fixtures, whether they are traditional, contemporary or transitional.
Think about the big picture. Consider not just how the faucet finish will look against the color of your sink or tub, but also how it will look against the backsplash and the colors or patterns on your walls. This is especially important if you’ve chosen a faucet style that installs on the wall instead of to the sink.
Coordinate your faucet finish with lighting and accessories. If you’ve already chosen bronze lighting fixtures, for example, it’s a good idea to choose bronze faucets and towel racks.
Get what you want. Polished chrome is the most popular finish because of its ageless appeal and flexibility in coordinating with many different design styles—and also because it is least expensive. But if chrome isn’t your favorite finish, remember that the faucet is something you’ll be using every day. It’s better to opt for a look you’ll really love.
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