CITY LIFE - Barbara Kaplan [CITYSunTimes July 2009]

HOMESTYLE

Barbara Kaplan, IFDA, ASID Allied member, helps people express their “interiors” through interior design and is the author of The Bajaro Method: Rooms Have No Feelings, YOU Do!

To contact Barbara, call 480.998.5088, send an e-mail to barbara@barbarakaplan.com or visit barbarakaplan.com.

Barbara is a regular contributor to CITYSunTimes.

A Rainbow Of Environmentally Friendly Paint

Being green has never been so colorful. That’s because one paint manufacturer now creates zero-VOC paint in a rainbow of colors.
VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are solvents that get released into the air as paint dries. Manufacturers have been trying to lower these levels ever since they first realized what damage these chemicals could potentially do and, of course, since the government has legislated regulations.
Fifteen years ago, Benjamin Moore introduced its first zero-VOC paint, an environmental milestone even though the palette was restricted to pale colors because adding colorant adds VOCs. Now the company has developed a technology that yields a VOC-free formulation regardless of the color. The new line, Natura, is making its own history because it’s rare to have a truly zero-VOC paint available in limitless color choices.
For more information, visit benjaminmoore.com.

CITYSunTimes Web Exclusives July 2009
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CITYLIFE

Decorating For Kids Using Color
By Barbara Kaplan

Decorating for kids can be fun because they use their imagination freely and don’t worry about anything but pleasing themselves. They aren’t concerned about what colors go together, how it will look or what others may think of their choices. The cost doesn’t enter their thoughts. They just go into their fantasies and picture the outcome they want.
I love this approach to decorating. In the creative process of interior design, when you don’t put your focus on what can’t be done, the design becomes much more open ended and creative. There are no limits!
Kids love color – they aren’t afraid to use it. They aren’t concerned they will make a mistake as long as they like it.
Before decorating for your children, have a conversation, ask them questions to determine how they feel about color. Then ask what specific colors have an effect on them when they are playing or studying. When kids can’t relate to what you mean regarding how colors make them feel, go to their closet and ask them to show you their favorite article of clothing. Maybe they like the look or the feel when they wear it.
Kids most often choose primary colors. This may happen because they identify those colors with many of their toys and cartoon characters. There are five colors kids especially love and you can’t go wrong using any of them.

Red: Although red is not always the easiest color for everyone to live with, it is the color of fire trucks, sirens, little red wagons, balls and sweet candy – all good things to a child.
Green: Since green is the symbol of nature, it is comfortable to be around. It’s the color of cartoon monsters and gooey slime in a jar.
Blue: The many shades of blue can be calming for children and pleasant for the adults, too. A beautiful variation of blue for children is to add some green to make turquoise, which is a youthful touch of individuality.
Yellow: This color is considered pleasant and happy and sets a tone of sunshine and joy. It also has positive associations attached to it. Avoid the deep yellow that is like a school bus, though, and stay with the hue that adds a delightful aura of warmth.
Purple: This is generally used by itself or joined with the other primary colors. It’s a fun and interesting choice because it shows signs of individuality and style.

For those kids who might only like one color, you can decorate in what is called a monochromatic color scheme, using shades of red, green, blue, yellow, or purple.
Children have the opportunity to express their creativity when they choose colors for their own rooms. This is how they can make a statement about themselves, their personality and their interests. Selecting colors for their rooms builds confidence and encourages an individual sense of style, which allows them to decorate for themselves as they get older.
Children know that rooms have no feelings, THEY do!

CITYLife Web Exclusive | CITYSunTimes July 2009