CITY LIFE - Barbara Kaplan [CITYSunTimes August 2011]

Bold Is Back Showcasing personal style

Color is making a major comeback in home decor. Homeowners are moving away from grays and beiges and gravitating toward bold, bright and bodacious shades for their redecorating projects.

Color experts say homeowners are increasingly savvy when it comes to identifying trends in home redecorating. Immediately picking up on the aesthetics around them – from the coffee shop to the airport and everywhere in between – individuals are willing to experiment with multiple colors to define their personal flair.

According to color expert Dee Schlotter, many people now use their homes as labs for new looks and technologies. Since paint color is one of the easiest things to change, when something new strikes their fancy, they’re willing to give it a shot.

“We keep what works and start over when it doesn’t. But always, the search is on for what’s real and honest,” adds Schlotter.

A perfectly tailored color mix lets homeowners express their emotions and feelings through the space around them. Schlotter explained, “There’s no better way to express yourself than with the transformative power of color in your home.”

Tips to Remember When Working with Bold Color

• Ultra matte paint is a great finish to show off color. The more shine, the more imperfections you can see.

• Don’t hold a paint chip in front of a white wall, since bold colors will appear darker or more intense on the wall than they do on a small chip.

• Test first. Use a large test sheet and a “time test” – view your color in all light: morning, noon and night. Live with it for a few days to make sure you love it.

• If you are going to go bold, then really go for it. There’s no such thing as a pale red.

To find your color personality, try the online color tools at PPG Pittsburgh Paints’ The Voice of Color website, www.voiceofcolor.com.

Editor’s tip: for a more personalized experience, create a Color & Design Personal Profile with Barbara Kaplan at www.bajaromethod.com.

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CITYSunTimes Web Exclusives August 2011 | Read the full SECTION

CITY LIFE: HomeStyle

How To Live Through A Remodel

Remodeling is a time for renewal and clarity. But, it can be also be scary – especially if you haven’t done your homework. As with everything in life, being prepared makes things go more smoothly.
I always caution my clients that whatever they expect in a remodel, the unexpected will occur, especially in decision making, cost and the length of time it will take.
It is important to be realistic. Also be aware of “might as wells” too. This means, as long as you have everything ripped up, why not do one more thing? These can add up!
Make sure you work with people who can handle all situations and understand everyday occurrences. When the unexpected happens, it can be frustrating and overwhelming. Keep your cool and focus on finding the answers through good communication.
Good contractors know to look out for the unusual and unexpected. You can’t know what decisions were made when the house was being built – so surprises can happen when you break through a wall or move plumbing. It’s these types of things that can cost more, delay the project or force you to change your plans.
Here are some guidelines as you plan your remodel:

Interview several contractors and make sure you are comfortable with your choice. It’s important to trust your contractor. You will be living with this person for several months. (It isn’t always the cost of things, but the value you get.)

Remember that your needs come first and should be considered with every decision. You are the one who will live with the results. Don’t settle or give up out of frustration.

Make sure the lines of communication are open among all the people who are working on your project. You must be able to be honest, be heard and understood.

Make all your decisions and plans before starting the project so that most of the costs are known. They will probably change as you go along, but you must have a starting point so you can understand why things have changed in cost, time and design.

Have all your purchases delivered and waiting for you before beginning the project. A good example of this is cabinetry that is being built, make sure it’s ready before you begin tearing things out to minimize the down time. This applies for appliances too.

If you can, move out for the worst of it. If you can’t, be as prepared as possible for the invasion of strangers in your home, dust and disarray everywhere and not being able to go in areas you are used to living in.

As a designer, I love the challenge of the unexpected. I believe when a situation occurs that appears to be a problem, it is really an opportunity to be creative to find the solutions. As a matter of fact I have found the solution usually is even better.
If you are your own interior designer, challenge your possibility thinking. If you have doubts and concerns, consult with a designer. You may just need an hour or two to keep your confidence and learn about products and ideas to complete your project. The best contractor is still not an interior designer.
Watch the progress closely to see if your decisions were right. You are creating something that did not exist before, and many times you don’t have formal floor plans. If during construction you see that you’ve made a mistake, don’t stress. Seeing your choices gives you the opportunity to make changes and corrections.
Certainly you must consider time and expense when making corrections. Weigh and measure the result and then decide how much of a correction you want to make.
A completed remodel that you love living in can be one of the greatest joys and accomplishments.
Always remember, rooms have no feelings, YOU DO!

Barbara Kaplan, IFDA, ASID Allied member, is an interior designer designing for people and their rooms 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 www.bajaromethod.com.

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