Custom Color Paint Matches

 Fabric "Lutron Storm"

The colors for most redo's are drawn from a particular item that you plan to include in the redo.  It may be a picture, a pillow, a bedspread, or a fabric.  In most cases I begin with the fabric.  This is probably because unless you have endless access to a wide variety of fabrics and an unlimited budget you may end up in trouble if you pick the paint first and then try to find a fabric to match.  For example I knew exactly what color I wanted in my bedroom but I had to search high and low to find a spread the same color.




Meet the fabric "Lutron Storm".  It was love at first sight.  Just the inspiration I needed to change up my kitchen after 10 years.  I already had the vision in my head that I wanted a sort of greyish blue paint color and this fabric had the right blues. I have also fallen in love with the color combination of browns and blues so this was perfect.  I got a swatch and went home to measure my windows and determine yardage.  On my next trip back to my favorite fabric store, 1502 Fabrics, they were completely out of the fabric.  Another designer had bought every yard of it.  I guess you can imagine my panic when love at first site was gone but I was able to order it.  I just had to wait a while to get it.

I bought a beautiful neutral linen for the chair seats and table round and ordered the print fabric for the backs of chairs and the window curtains. Then I went home to tackle the paint.  Now as the confessed "Queen of Color" I do have to admit that I am a little obsessed about colors matching.  Perfectly.  I know, it can be a curse and in this case it was.  After a million paint chips there was just not one the was perfect, with the right amount of grey and blue.  Besides matching the fabric I wanted to complement the grey in the granite counter tops and pull out the delicate blue trim on the hand painted chest in my kitchen.  The fabric came in well before I had chosen a paint color.

Ingenuity to the rescue or maybe I should call it fate, good luck, or chance happening.  I opened the chest in my kitchen one day and a Restoration Hardware shopping bag fell out. (I also have a shopping bag obsession but we won't go into that.)  I picked it up and put it by my fabric.  It matched perfectly and I thought if I could only find a paint swatch this color I could paint my kitchen. Then it sunk in.  The match was perfect. 

The bag I color matched.

I realized this offered a wonderful opportunity for me to try a Valspar Paint custom paint match at Lowes Hardware.  I knew the technology was out there to do a match but I had never recommended it to a client because I was not sure if it would work.  Now my kitchen would be the testing ground.  My kitchen originally was Bavarian Torte by Valspar ,  a wonderful neutral that had just enough hint of pink to flatter the granite we had chosen.  Now it would become a custom match Restoration Hardware bag blue.  The technology really works!  It was identical and I love the color.  Originally I had planned to paint the cabinets but decided not to after the paint went up because they looked so good together.  Below are the results.

                 
                 Before                                                                                                                    After 

                                                                       Before 

  After

The color turned out truly perfect.  It really made the cabinets pop.  It draws the blue detailing out on the chest and works with the counter tops.  It really has a calming effect which is what I was going for.





















                       Before                                                                                                        After



















I think these before and after pictures really show how color can change a room.  I hope they will convince those of you who have been hesitant to use color to give it a try.  I believe that there are real life benefits to creating spaces in our home that comfort and nurture us.  Color can play a big part in influencing how we feel.  Now you know that if you can't find the perfect paint chip just find the color that you love in another object and let them match it up. 

Recovering the chairs was what I call a DIY- WHFAF.  Do-It-Yourself-With-Help-From-A-Friend.  Thanks to Ronnie and Stephanie Hurley for their help and expertise in putting the fabric on.  I just hot glued the matching braid around the fabric on the chair backs.

Next I had a fun time adding a few new accessories.  On the kitchen desk I placed  this picture which is hand painted and these old seltzer bottles.  The picture has beautiful colors and was a great find at a great price.  Both were purchased at the Collectors Antique Mall here in downtown Asheboro.  It is a great place to browse and to pick up interesting things. 

I like making little displays on this chest or on a corner of my kitchen island.  I change it up depending on the season and my mood.  I had a little fabric left over so I used it for this little display.  Doing this also helps scatter the fabric colors and pattern throughout the room.

 Not long ago my sweet Mom brought me this piece of slate with this wonderful message of encouragement.  So nice.  I just love it.  - Marianne







All pictures property of Living With Color Designs