The painter hijacked my color scheme!

Yes and I never use or refer than painter any more. He asked why and I honestly told him...he went off in a huff...too bad!

HI! Maybe the budget did not allow the painter to paint with more than one color???? The room still looks improved with neutral paint and staging.

You are so right, the before and afters show a huge improvement though so I guess be happy that you got through to them and you made such an impact. And, I'm with Ginger, make note and if you have to tell the painter...you'll never use him. Too bad.

How frustrating. You could always add to your contract that paint colors not be changed once the client has agreed to your color selection. Were the clients happy with his painting, clearly they were happy with the price.

Tamara, It's frustrating when you've planned something out for someone and they totally disregard you. But the bedroom looks 100% better painted. The fact that you got him to paint it is great. I'm sure it was a cost issue. Painting all one color is always cheaper (easier).

You get what you pay for! A homeowner I did a Consultation for did his own painting, and disregarded my written instructions. He painted panels in the wainscoting the same color as the wall above - I told him to leave it white. Now it looks all chopped up and ruins the classic looks. Oh well - a professional would have followed directions. At least your dresser looks better than before! Julie

This is currently happening to me! Paint colors were chosen for an upcoming stage, but the REA "donated" two old cans of paint, without consulting me, "like what you picked" for the project. We have to be careful about our response - not wise to make them wrong, better to protect the relationship - but very disheartening and certainly not the highest and best for the project. Tamara, on the upside, your project was improved, but not to the extent it might have been. Let it go. Breathe!

Yup I had something similar happen to me to! He changed his mind after his painter suggested another color. Dark Gray.....from my Neutral Beige for the whole house. He sent me online pictures to see what I thought. I informed him I don't like to do color consults online as the color gets distorted. I told him the gray was nice but it does not appeal to the masses. Still not sure what he did. Ugh!

We did a staging and the seller agreed to paint the bedrooms from dark green to pale green. The realtor came in and told them the color was fine.

Tamara, i think you should count this as a success even though it wasn't quite as you envisioned it--it does look soooo much better! Color is always a little tricky. I have a client whose sister is doing the painting, and though i recommended colors, the seller wants to go with the sister's choices. Though not exactly what I wanted, i do think they'll work!

SORRY- I REPOSTED THIS THREE TIMES AND IT WON"T POST WITH PARAGRAPHS! Color. I swear, this one of the hardest things to get people to understand. When I worked for a Benjamin Moore store I would have to cross this battle line 10 times a day at least, with owners, sellers, painters, wall paper hangers, mothers-in-law, neighbors, daughters, and whomever else someone could drag in to thwart the plans I had carefully laid a few months, weeks, days, or hours earlier. Everyone has a favorite, or an idea, and they are all better than mine, even though, all I did, day in and day out, was evaluate fabric, tile, wood, granite, and artwork for undertones and accent colors for people to run with. Nothing is more frustrating than color, or harder to describe the outcome. You are selling an idea, and that can be a disaster when someone can't grasp the concept. First, make sure everyone knows who you are. I don't do consults with one half of a team without the other. When it's over, and we have a plan, I call the painter to introduce myself, and confirm that he/she has the colors documented, and the sheen level, and where it needs to go. It's called a paint schedule in the business, and they get it faxed or sent via email personally by moi. All this painter to decorator contact is crucial, but thwe owner could give it to them, but I handle that personally. It's just a ruse to get them to understand I am a pro, and not to $#%@&*! with me. I also take small chips of the colors and glue them to a 3x5 card, and I make one for each person involved, husband, wife, painter, grandmama, whomever. Tht way, they have the color scheme in their pocket and if they do feel compelled to buy something or tweak the scheme, they at least feel guilty for wasting my time and screwing everything up. I also use terms like hue ratio, saturation, metamerism, and anything other elusive but impressive color concepts, to take control of the scheme and weaken their will to buck the plan. I know it's evil, but trust is imperative, and I will do whatever it takes to make sure the scheme stays intact. Why? Because in staging,the paint color is the cheapest, easiest way to change the overall response to the room, and it's also the easiest thing to screw up royally. I play hardball when it comes to the color. And the painter that crosses me gets a visit. I ask them what thier most important tool they use is. I dont care what the answer is. After they answer, I ask them if they know what mine is. They say 'I dunno, what?" and I say "The colors I choose for each job." And I ask them to with a tight smile on my face to stick to their paint brushes or airless sprayer or whatever they said is their most important tool, and to allow the color consultant to use their tools as they see fit, or they will not last long in the business. And then I walk away. I know it's a little mafia-esque, but they need to understand what they did was unprofessonal, and that the result of their interference affects my success. They may think I am a >bleep< but they also know I am no pushover and that I expect and deserve a professional's respect. That goes for REA's, too. I don't throw out listing price suggestions. All we have to hock are our IDEAS. You can let other people hijack them if you want to, but then you are just some person hanging around the listing sucking up oxygen. Don't let them, and if they do it, let them know exactly what they did wrong. It's a can of paint to some people. It's a control issue for others. It is the keystone of MY WORK, and I expect my work to be respected by others on the payroll. ~Michelle