Archive for February 2011

Give the color wheel a whirl and brighten your home

February 23, 2011

Consumer Reports latest interior paints review can tell you which products deliver the best results. And while manufacturers boast about “handpicked hues” and “proprietary formulas,” our analysis of color fan decks from Behr, Benjamin Moore, Martha Stewart and others found that you can get virtually any color in the brand of your choice. But you still have to pick your palette.

What is it about color that confounds so many otherwise sure-minded consumers? Maybe it’s the notion that color can directly affect mood. “Paint color is so powerful that it can influence our state of mind, and even our physiology,” says Debbie Zimmer, color expert at the Paint Quality Institute. That’s a reassuring thought … if you choose wisely. Take orange—the warm tone imparts energy and determination, desirable vibes in, say, a breakfast nook, but ones that could impede relaxation in a bedroom. (Color Examples)

Here are some some room-by-room recommendations. Ultimately, personal preference is what matters most, even if it means a tangerine-toned master bedroom. But if you’re short on inspiration, use these tips to find your way around the color wheel.

Kitchens: Chartreuse
This light, airy hue will perk things up and pairs well with stainless appliances and white cabinets, a popular look in contemporary kitchens. Plus its minty tone jibes with today’s confectionery craze.
Examples: Benjamin Moore’s Grape Green, Glidden’s Lime Sorbet, and Martha Stewart’s Lemon Ice.

Bathrooms: Coral
Evoking the beach and ocean, coral is a fresh take on the aquatic blues that have been standard in bathrooms.
Examples: Behr’s Coral Cream, Martha Stewart’s Pink Sea, and Glidden’s Pink Ballet Slipper.

Bedrooms: Taupe-Gray
Warm, relaxing colors like a neutral midtone gray help create a sanctuary effect, especially against crisp white trim.
Examples: Glidden’s Wood Smoke, Benjamin Moore’s Kendall Chocolate, and Valspar’s Stone Manor.

Family Rooms: Denim Blue
Blue is migrating throughout the home, including to family rooms, where this deep denim tone is meant to convey a warm, wearable feeling.
Examples: Martha Stewart’s Thistle Blue, Behr’s Almost Famous, and Glidden’s Barely Jade.

Kids’ Rooms: Fuschia
Pink is nothing new in a girl’s room, but this cheerful color takes its cue from Japanese animation. Use it on the whole wall or in geometric accent patterns.
Example: Behr’s Pinkelicious, Glidden’s Blooming Fuchsia and Benjamin Moore’s Royal Flush.

Dining Room: Dark Gothic
Small spaces are an opportunity to try a bold, Gothic hue, such as a sophisticated sepia. For added sparkle, consider a metallic glaze.
Examples: Valspar’s Roasted Sepia, Behr’s Not So Innocent, and Martha Stewart’s Francesca.

Remember that semigloss and, to some extent, low-luster finishes reflect light, while flat finishes absorb it. As a result, the same color could appear brighter in glossy finishes, an effect that intensifies over large areas. When in doubt, it’s better to choose a shade that’s too light than one that’s too dark. And, as always, Concepts In Color will easily help you make the right decision.

For More Info on Color and Painting your home Contact Concepts In Color Here.

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Award Winning Project Painted by Matt Kimble and Concepts In Color. Check It Out…

February 6, 2011

26th Street Affordable Housing, Painted by Concepts In Color, Kanner Architects

Winner of both the AIA Honor Award and the AIA National Housing Award

26th Street Affordable Housing in Santa Monica, CA

Painted by Concepts In Color and winner of both the AIA Honor Award and the AIA National Housing Award, 26th Street Affordable Housing is the product of an exhaustive community outreach mission.

In addition to input from the city of Santa Monica and the community at large, the final colorful design takes into account the region’s mild climate, historical precedents of Southern California Modernist architecture, and the human scale of residents and pedestrians. The design of the 44-unit apartment building incorporates dual-glazed and laminated windows along both street-facing sides to eliminate street noise. (continued here)

26th Street Low-Income Housing Project Santa Monica, CA

From Residential Architect Magazine by Cheryl Weber

After scrutinizing 26th Street, a judge offered the highest praise an architect of low-income housing could hope to hear: “It’s one of the best projects we’ve seen, period, and the fact that it’s affordable is amazing.”
The judges applauded the way the large, bold façade breaks down to human scale. The warm brown clapboard siding, checkerboard pattern of shaded balconies, and colorful side walls make all residents feel like they have their own house. (continued here)

View More Photos Here

More About Concepts In Color

Quality Painting For Your Residential and Commercial Properties

(310) 948-3371

Our Painting Customers Have Spoken!

February 1, 2011

Matt Kimble and Concepts In Color are fortunate to have worked for numerous customers in West Los Angeles, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, and Brentwood. Here are a few of the many comments and compliments we have received:

“I was referred to Matt Kimble, and Concepts In Color, by two friends. I gave Matt a call and I was very happy that I did. Matt and his crew do a fantastic work. Matt painted my home perfectly. Matt suggested the right types of paints and my home still looks like it was just painted. In my opinion, Concepts In Color is the best painting contractor in Los Angeles. ”

Accommodating people’s busy schedules is very important to everyone. Our painters are always respectful of our customer’s time and property…

Matt and Concepts In Color was professional in every way. Our house painting was done to exacting standards, the preparation and clean up were impeccable and most importantly, the job was done to look great and last a long time. We wouldn’t consider another contractor for our next project. I feel as though Matt painted our house with the same care he would use if painting his own home.”

“Concepts In Color gave us great service and were courteous and extremely competent painters. Matt Kimble has great taste and offered fantastic color ideas for our home in West Los Angeles. We were very happy to have found Concepts in Color. We can’t say enough great things about Matt and his employees.”

“I was worried that our building would be too large for a reasonable priced painting company. Not so! Concepts In Color did a great job at our agreed upon price and schedule. Our building looks amazing. You guys are the best! ”

Our interior and exterior painting customers can rely upon Matt Kimble to go the extra step – to make every effort to meet and exceed expectations. It is rewarding to receive a letter like this:

“Matt and Concepts In Color made our home’s renovation easy. The last thing we wanted to think about was painting the interior and exterior. Based on what we wanted, Matt suggested our interior and exterior colors, which turned out terrific. He was always reachable and supervised the job every day. We highly recommend Matt and Concepts In Color. ”

Read more great comments and reviews here.

Matt Kimble services the interior painting and exterior painting needs of fine homes and businesses in West Los Angeles, CA, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Bel Air,  Hollywood and surrounding areas. Let us exceed your painting expectations. For further information or to discuss your next residential painting, commercial painting you can reach Matt at (310) 948-3371 or visit us on the web at www.conceptsincolor.com .