No matter the year, painting remains the easiest and most affordable way to get your home on trend and feel refreshed. This do-it-yourself transformation adds personality to any room. Whether you’re starting from the bottom up and reworking the whole house, or changing one room at a time, here are five ideas to inspire you. Read the rest of this entry »
(wallpaper therapy = positive energy)
May 2, 2013 — Marsha
I’m thankful the snow that blew through parts of the state last night missed the Twin Cities. But it’s not enough. I needed some wallpaper therapy to brighten my day. I hope Fleurique puts a smile in your heart with its cheerful colorways and fun, stylish patterns. From our friends in the Netherlands, Eijffinger always puts the “happy” back in color.
This book is not available at all locations, so please call your Hirshfield’s store before you make a special trip. Here’s another post showing more patterns and colors from the Fleurique book.
{monterey wallpaper collection by thibaut}
March 29, 2013 — Marsha
Carolina Raffia on the walls
Alston Trellis
Donegal
Bastille
Sulu
Thibaut’s limited edition collection, Monterey, offers a variety of fresh patterns with a bohemian vibe. Strong yet comfortable colors ranging from vibrant coral to peacock-blue round out this unique wallpaper and fabric collection. Versatile patterns flexibly coordinate to create a collection that has a hip new take on traditional style.
Color or colour? Either way you spell it, Thibaut’s newest wallpaper book is filled with fabulous color combinations and patterns. I know, no need to state the obvious. Doesn’t it seem like the patterns are crying out, “look at me, I’m more gorgeous than the pattern next to me.” In addition to wallpaper, the Monterey book carries coordinating and complimentary fabrics.
Okay – if you’re thinking that red sofa doesn’t look good with the wallpaper, I would concur. And that dog? The home of Britt Van Deusen is where the Thibaut team set up the photo shoot for the Monterey book. Being a wallpaper geek, I loved Britt Van Deusen’s blog posts on the weeklong photo shoot. Read all about it on her blog Design Omnivore. Britt is a fine artist who shares her love of art, life, and all that is design on her blog - it’s an entertaining and informative read.
Thibaut books are available at most Hirshfield’s stores; call first before you make a special trip.
Happy Easter everyone!
{window treatment wednesday}
March 13, 2013 — Marsha
House of Turquoise is an excellent resource for inspiration. Whether you want ideas for paint colors or just want to see what other people are doing in their homes, House of Turquoise is a site to check out. Erin works very hard at curating all that is turquoise, and the majority of what you see on her site is the result of Erin’s hard work. She finds all those lovely homes to share with her thousands of readers.
I chose some window treatment photos from her site, and asked Shannon Scarrella (Manager of Hirshfield’s Shop at Home) to share her window treatment expertise. It’s all in the details.
A great picture to show the effects of layering. Hardwood shutters, while they provide a handsome look with nice privacy, the top treatments and draperies softened the feel. The tassel fringe breaks up the linear lines of the shutters and the stripes in the drapery fabric.
The roman shades on the doors provide privacy when lowered and the valance provides uniformity, when the function of a shade isn’t needed. In this case, the custom roman shades and valance bring in the needed pattern and color to a neutral kitchen.
This is one lucky girl! The honeycomb shades are neutral, to disappear, but also providing privacy and light control when needed. The drapery panels, tie backs, and trimmings give the room a classic feel. The layering of pattern, texture, and color help to keep the room age appropriate and fun.
Custom Shutters with Pinch Pleat Draperies provide a clean backdrop to the teal and green table combination. The pleating on the draperies helps to add fullness and depth to the neutral drapes.
My favorite! Upon first glance this appears to be teal drapes, but look closer…..it’s actually a sheer with a soft stripe over a teal colored fabric. The header at the top is sewn to create the illusion of one piece, when it’s actually two materials sewn together. The layering of the sheer over the top softens the fabric underneath and the stripe in the sheer adds another dimension. The fluted detail in the rod mimics the custom molding beautifully, while the metallic matte finish compliments the accessories in the room.
More shutters with side panels….must be a trend! The white on white provides a classic, clean look, while the darker rods pay respect to the other furniture pieces in the room.
People see our windows from the outside too. The chevron patterned fabric is attached to the rod with rings and clips; this allows the soft fold and less serious look to them. They are outside after all. The fabric framed windows also make a great backdrop for the skirted bar or buffet.
Natural Roman Shade with blackout lining and coordinated cotton edge banding gives the bathroom something more organic, yet structured. The color of the shade ties the color of the bedding into the bathroom.
Wasn’t that a treat? It’s like looking into houses on your nightly walk, without having to worry about being busted.
Here’s a link for more information on Hirshfield’s Shop at Home Division. And to see what’s on sale in the window treatment world at Hirshfield’s, you can click right here!
Erin also runs the shopping blog, Everything Turquoise, jammed packed with turquoise goodies for sale. We’re very proud of our Minnesota girl.
{friday finds: front door design}
March 1, 2013 — AmyIt’s the first of March and the sun is shining! I don’t think it’s too soon to start thinking about exterior painting (and spring), do you? Let’s start with the front door.
The front door of your home is like the cover on a book, the wrapping on a present, or the icing on a cake – it’s a preview of what’s to come. Your front door assures you that you’ve arrived safely home. It warmly greets your guests and welcomes them in. With so much of your home’s reputation resting on your front door, we wanted to share some tips and inspiration to help you make your front door a true representation of the family and home that resides within.
Color When focusing on exterior colors for your home, Hirshfield’s paint expert Mark Masica recommends going by the “70-25-5” rule:
Body color (70%) Trim color (fascia, windows, overhangs) 25% Accent color (doors and/or shutters) 5% Since the paint color you select for your door will only be used on about 5% of the exterior of your home, it’s a great place to experiment and go bold! Here are some popular exterior paint colors that Mark says are right on trend for the season.
Lighting A well-lit front entrance not only looks lovely, it’s also practical. Wall lanterns on each side of the door will give your home a warm, welcoming look, while assuring the safety of those who enter.
{bits & pieces: decor happy}
February 26, 2013 — Marsha
This Cow Parsley wallpaper is what grabbed my attention and made me want to check out Vanessa Francis and her blog. This is a room from her own home; a small unused bedroom she transformed into a lovely den for her husband. Vanessa did a wonderful job picking out the finishes for this room; I think it’s the uncluttered, cozy vibe that hooks me. Back to the wallpaper. This is the first I’ve seen Cow Parsley in this yummy neutral and it looks just as splendid as the flashier colorways.
If the Cow Parsley wallpaper didn’t grab YOUR attention, what about Vanessa’s interview with Scott McGillivray from HGTV’s Income Property? Scroll down and check out the basement transformations. All those paneled basements, which men still can’t bear to paint, and shazam! the Power of Paint to the rescue.
{kendall charcoal hc-166}
February 20, 2013 — Marsha
The island is painted Kendall Charcoal – Designer Sandra Ericksen as seen on Houzz
When did this happen? Benjamin Moore’s Kendall Charcoal HC-166 has bumped long-time favorite Revere Pewter HC-172 out of first place as most searched paint color on the Hirshfield’s blog. I was surprised. Revere Pewter has held the first place spot for the past couple years as everyone’s beige/gray favorite.
“Rich, deep, and luxurious, kendall charcoal pops beautifully when paired with crisp white room accents and trim. A versatile neutral, it also works well with most color schemes.” Benjamin Moore
Designer Jennifer Austin-McGrath from Gabberts – Houzz
Meister Construction – Houzz
Sarah created an entryway in her apartment with this great oversized chevron pattern, painter’s tape, and Kendall Charcoal paint. With the high contrast of paint colors, charcoal and white, this small space makes a huge welcoming impact.
Avenue B Development – Houzz
How to determine which colors are popular with Hirshfield’s customers? Talking with H’s employees who refill the paint swatches in the chip racks and mix up the paint. How’s that for a high tech, top secret, evaluation process?
Cindy (H’s Maple Grove) tells me she is constantly filling in Kendall Charcoal (and other darker grays) on the Benjamin Moore chip rack. She thinks customers like the idea of using darker grays, but when it comes right down to it, they back off, and order a lighter and safer paint color. They mix a lot of Revere Pewter and Hirshfield’s Oak Tone 0217 at the Maple Grove store.
She’s also seeing an increased interest in accent walls – here’s where the customer will choose a darker paint color, or use wallpaper, on that one focal wall.
We painted BM Kendall Charcoal on the wall behind our bed—and it totally changed the look of our master bedroom. I love it! It looks great with white bedding and accents of either orange, yellow, red, aqua, or red. I’m currently using lemon-colored accessories! It’s a dramatic neutral color. Reader from Houzz
Want more? Color Chats from Benjamin Moore showcased their 50 favorite grays in this June blog post.
{painted furniture}
February 15, 2013 — SydneyWhether you’re operating on a budget, looking to give your furniture a new twist, or trying to add “pop” to a room, painting your furniture is a fun DIY project that gives you the ability to accomplish all or any of these things!
Ombre shading is a big trend in clothing, decor, even hair. You can adapt the look to painted furniture by adding a soft gradient to an update an old dresser. Using a fan deck, grab a sample pot of each color and paint away! Typically the top drawer, dresser top, sides, and feet are all the lightest gradient color.
atticmag.com
Don’t forget: where there is paint, there can be stencils! Forget the fusty, country blue geese you may be envisioning. Adding a contemporary stencil design is a great way to add fresh style and personality to your painted furniture. These old wooden chairs turned “wild berry” are a great example. We highly recommend you take a look at the before and after pictures, too.
roadkillrescue.net
Using a bright color on a once-basic colored piece adds focus and style. For instance, this kelly green cabinet is the perfect amount of accent to a black and white foyer. The before and after on this project is quite remarkable as well.
citydwellin.com
If instead of a new and bright look, you’re looking to age or distress your piece, look no further. The Pretty Handy Girl blog does an excellent job explaining different techniques and methods to perfecting a worn look.
prettyhandygirl.com
If you’re ready to give your furniture a little makeover, but aren’t quite sure where to start, the paint experts at Hirshfield’s are always excited to help you get your project going!
P.S. Soon, very soon, select Hirshfield’s stores will be carrying a specialty paint for use on all your best junking pieces. Stay tuned, my pretties.
Hirshfield’s is your local Minneapolis-St. Paul paint retailer. The paint experts at Hirshfield’s are here to help you with everything from window-treatments to paint colors. Hirshfield’s manufactures paint right here in Minneapolis.
{house beautiful reports on paint colors }
February 14, 2013 — Marsha
What’s in? What’s out? Most popular color in your state? House Beautiful shared their paint color survey in the September 2012 issue and here it is in case you missed it.
I’m fascinated (I can’t help it) with the USA map showing the paint color preferences according to regions. House Beautiful was right! Hirshfield’s store employees tell me gray is still the most requested paint color with our customers. Grays with blue or green undertones was mentioned most often by our staff.
And for the 29% of readers that say “pink is so over.” Wrong call. Let’s see where pink is in a year.
{MELINKI wallpapers & fabrics now at hirshfield’s}
February 5, 2013 — AmyModern. Bold. Quirky. Fun.
We’re talking about the line of Melinki wallpaper and fabric now available at Hirshfield’s! Melinki’s range of wallpapers and fabrics add a fun, bold style statement to any home.
The non-woven wallpapers are responsibly manufactured in the UK and printed using ethically sourced raw materials on paper from sustainable European forests. The eclectic mix of wallcoverings are inspired by mid-century archive documents and modern Scandinavian design. These versatile wallcoverings enjoy a cool, clean palette of fashionable hues: coastal calm, retro kitsch, bakelite brights and urban neutrals.
Melinki Wallpaper
Melinki Wallpaper
Melinki Wallpaper
