Just Because....

With the fourth of July around the corner and summer in full swing I thougt it might be time to revisit the teeny tiny bikini subject.  After a particularly traumatic color experience yesterday I felt the need to repost this blog...I love my job, I love my job.....

There's a saying in fashion that goes along the lines of.... just because they make it in your size it doesn't mean you should wear it.  You know... like squeezing into a tiny bikini when you are not so tiny.  It's a rule that should be applied to staging and home décor, especially when it comes to color.

I usually see two types of client.  The one fearful of change no matter what and the other who believes they are up on all the latest and greatest, show it off in their homes and then seem insulted when you are trying to explain it may not be the best presentation for the home. 

Less is more and for me this is especially true of color.  Not meaning no color or all white but rather less combinations and mixtures.  Throwing in lots of textures while using the trendier colors in small doses is something I like better.  Color mistakes can be easily corrected in this way also.

For Real Estate sales, a professional Stager can help determine what fits best for a home.   Changing color is one of the easiest and inexpensive ways to update a property.  Color is something that stands out immediately to buyers and also opens a whole can of worms.  Painting is time consuming if you do it yourself and more expensive if a professional is hired.  Most buyers view it as a headache they don't want to tackle.  

Fact:  bad color choices set the difference between days or months on the market.  That doesn't mean paint everything white for you color phobics out there.  That can be the kiss of death also.

A 60s ranch in Palm Springs can take the latest trends in large pieces, its style is suited to them and will show great with the interior blue greens, cool grays and purples now seeming to be the trend out of Europe.  A two story traditional in a family neighborhood may take some of these colors too but in lower doses and thoughtfully placed.  Again don't try to stuff a house into that trendy tiny bikini.

Take a look around the neighborhood.  What are you seeing next door or across the street?  Great clean and strong exterior colors attract positive attention and invite people inside.   You don't have to go crazy to stand out in your tan, yellow and gray neighborhood but don't be afraid either.  Play with samples on an inconspicuous part of your home.  This is easy now as many paint retailers and box stores offer small inexpensive jars of samples versus the larger cans one used to have to purchase.

For exteriors, consider your roof color, hardscape and landscape.  You can pull a great color from your surroundings that stands out.  Strong rich colors complement what's going on outside your home without appearing out of place.  Grass looks greener and flowers look brighter.  Color should flow outside to in but your main exterior color should not continue on into the interior on a large scale. It kills interest and is cold.  Tan walking in to Tan is very depressing.

Always consider your outside surroundings when choosing interior wall colors.  Lighter, warm neutrals create a nice frame from which to view your yard and patio.  They can keep things cheerful during the winter months in colder parts of the country. You can bring in the pizazz with an accent wall and accessories.  These things are much easier to change when the trend is gone or you are tired of it.

There are many colors that are like the classic black dress.  They never go out of style and hardly offend anyone.  It's great to show off the latest and greatest, but the classics never go away.  You will snatch buyers if you choose wisely.  If you don't have the eye, hire a professional to help you.  It's inexpensive and will prevent costly mistakes that need to be corrected down the road.   

Remember, neutral never has to be boring. It always has the right fit if paired with the right accessories...just like the little black dress!