Tag Archives: paint

The Positive Psychology of Color – Part 3: Bold Colors

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How to use color to convey in interior design

Now that we’ve discussed both light and dark colors it’s time to step up the excitement and learn how to use bold colors to create a mood in a room! As mentioned in Part 1 and Part 2, color has a dramatic effect on space. It influences energy, emotional response, and overall enjoyment. Perhaps you’re already savvy or perhaps this is your first exposure to this method. Either way, our series of guides to the power of specific colors is sure to aid in creating a space that you adore. If your goal is for others to adore it as well then all the better!

An important consideration is to think about the way combining colors changes things. For example, if you use just bright red and bright pink in a room it might feel energetic and festive, but after a while that could seem like too much. So, try incorporating golden yellow so it also feels comfortable. You can control this even further by minimally using the colors that evoke stronger responses, and liberally using colors that are inherently mellower. 

Blue Purple – contemplative, meditative, spiritual, soul-searching, intuitive, mysterious, enchanting

Bright Red – exciting, energizing, passionate, hot, dynamic, provocative, dramatic, powerful, courageous, assertive, impulsive, adventurous, spontaneous, motivating

Bright Pink – exciting, playful, attention-getting, high energy, wild, tropical, festive, vibrant

Bright Yellow – illuminating, joyful, hot, lively, friendly, luminous, enlightening, energetic, sunshine, innovative, aware, surprising

Ginger – spicy, flavorful, tangy, pungent, exotic

Golden Yellow – nourishing, buttery, tasty, sun, hospitable, comforting

Lavender – romantic, nostalgic, fanciful, light

Lime – fresh, citrusy, youthful, refreshing

Red Purple -thrilling, intense, exciting, dramatic, creative, expressive

Tangerine – vitality, fruitfulness, energizing

Turquoise infinity, compassionate, protective, faithful, water, coolness, sky, gemstone, tropical, oceans

Stay tuned for Part 4!

Pops of Color

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Legacy Models 057Neutrals always feel safer when you’re decorating, but staying safe keeps you from enjoying the power of color in your home. If more vivid colors seem overwhelming or just too risky, consider taking a chance with a few pops of color. Here are a few ways to let color help bring your home to life.

A strong accent wall: Paint, wallpaper or fabric can turn one wall into a natural focal point with a strong color choice. And the option is relatively easy to eliminate if you aren’t happy with the result. Take a look at this entertainment area in the family room of the O’Connor model at Legacy. The deep purple has enough gray in it to soften the impact on the wall, and neutral furniture, shelves and accessories keep the overall feeling rather low-key.

Contrasting accessories: Adding the yellow glass bowl on the right side of this console helps the space to really pop. Yellow is the complementary color to purple, which means that they are on opposite sides of the color wheel. By adding just a small touch of yellow, the purple becomes more purposeful in the space. The other complementary colors are blue and orange and red and green. If your colors seem drab, adding just a spot of the color on the other side of the wheel will add a spark.Legacy Models 027 (2)

Let color infuse your focal point. This Bertazzoni Range in rich dark red creates a new energy in this kitchen. Other neutrals start to feel like the background elements, allowing this retro range to stand out. (Photo from the Fulton Model at Legacy.)

So jump into color – starting small or with a big push – and let your home’s décor pop!

 

Fulton Homes Energy Star Program

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energy_star_photosAt Fulton Homes we proudly support the Energy Star program and we continually work to enhance the energy efficiency of every home we build.

Energy Star is a joint program of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and s latest building practices and technologies to ensure that your new home is energy efficient and comfortable.

Fulton Homes already surpass all current Energy Star requirements so that you can rest assured that you are doing the most to protect the environment as well as your pocketbook. And with all new Fulton Homes certified to EPA’s Indoor airPLUS indoor air quality standard, you are also protecting your family.

Some of these special features include:

  • Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) interior paints and carpeting – protects your family and the environment
  • Lousiana Pacific Tech Shield Radiant Barrier – deflects heat away from attic
  • 14 SEER Carrier Air Conditioner – excellent cooling and energy efficiency, plus a 10 year warranty on parts if registered online
  • Merv 6 Return Air Filters – helps A/C unit run more smoothly
  • Outside Air Exchange Fan – tight construction requires precise fresh air exchange
  • Foam Seal on All Exterior Doors – reduces air leakage
  • Gas Water Heater with .58 to .62 Efficiency Rating – saves on water heating costs

The Fulton Homes Energy Star Program is just one way we build homes that we’re proud of, and that you can be proud to buy and own. For more information, visit our website at: http://www.fultonhomes.com/energy-star-homes.

Pinterest on Paint

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20237301_SWhen you visit the Fulton Design Center, it has a good selection of neutral paint colors for your home. The right neutrals can make a big difference in how your home looks.

Suppose, however, you want to add some color to your walls. Visiting a paint store can seem overwhelming. If you want yellow, how yellow do you want to go? It’s easy to move from a light lemon to a horrifying egg yolk without realizing it until you see the final version on your walls.

With its strong focus on visuals, Pinterest provides a great resource for choosing the right paint colors. Instead of studying 30 different versions of the color you want, you can see various rooms with the paint colors listed. Pinterest also lists popular colors with designers which can help you determine the right choice for your home.

If you need direction for choosing the right color, several pins provide clear steps that explain a process for selection that will help ensure success. In addition, check out the many tips and tricks to enable you to tackle any painting project like a pro.

The Fulton Homes Pinterest site has a board, Painting Your Home with pins selected to help you approach painting successfully. Our board is just the beginning of the support Pinterest can offer as you begin your search for just the right wall colors to make your home perfect. While you’re at it, how about visiting some of our other boards? You may find just the decorating or design advice you are looking for!

Personalize your Home: Color

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15825954_SDo you find yourself always choosing “safe” neutrals when you make a purchase for your home? Well, maybe it’s time to add some of your favorite colors!

If you’re not sure where to begin, take a look at these ideas to kick-start color in your décor.

It’s just paint: This seems like a daring place to add color, but it’s actually one of the easiest and least expensive ways to change a space. Here’s a suggestion. When you’re looking at paint samples, move down the color cards to the rich darker tones at the bottom. Then get sample pots of several of your lighter choices and a few of the brightest hues.

Now, challenge yourself to paint at least one wall with the vivid shade. Use the sample pots to see which wall and which color works best for you. Be sure to live with those sample colors for at least a week. You may find that a color that was startling at first grows on you over time.

20700581_SPlant a pocket of color: Whether it’s bookshelves, a guest room or some simple storage in the kitchen, consider adding a splash of various colors in combination. Take a look at how appealing the vivid mix of tones appears on the right. Simple lines pop when you add color to the mix.

Take a chance: Instead of a brown leather sofa, how about choosing one of the colors shown below? The rich blue, warm olive green, or even one of the daring reds could turn your safe living or family room into something dramatic and inviting.

Does a sofa seem just too much? Why don’t you start with a chair; then add some color in a rug. You never know, you may end up with a home as bright and colorful as you are!19877392_S

Making your Home Yours – DIY

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18165356_SOne of the advantages of buying a new Fulton Home comes from personalizing it to your taste and preferences through the Fulton Homes Design Center.

Once you move in, tackling a simple Do-It-Yourself (DIY) project can help you make your new home feel even more like it’s yours. To explore some DIY projects for all skill levels, you might want to search Pinterest under DIY home ideas.

You might want to assemble, paint or stain, or even decoupage pictures onto a chest like the one to the left. Or create an interesting series of hooks for coats and purses just inside the garage using branches, old doorknobs, or even plastic animals. These and more ideas are available with Pinterest.

Some pins give detailed information, such as the ones that help you choose the right type of tool for every situation, or provide a how-to for painting furniture without having to sand first.

Other pins may have no real information, just a picture with an idea. But with some planning and research you may find detailed instructions for just what you’re looking for to tackle a home project.

Most people think of painting walls when it comes to DIY. Pinterest can help there too. Maybe you want to paint horizontal stripes on one wall – just search “paint horizontal stripes,” and you will find pin after pin with directions, images and ideas for approaching the project.

Do you want wide stripes? Maybe you’d like a subtle option – then take a look at how lovely stripes in the same color, but contrasted by layering a matte and glossy finish.

Even a simple project can help you love your new home even more. After you’re unpacked and settled, take a few minutes to browse through Pinterest to look for projects that catch your fancy and fit within your skill set. And have fun in your lovely new home, built just for you.

Fulton Homes Design Online – Colors & Textures

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Std Int 2-Tone Paint ColorDecorating your home starts before you place your first piece of furniture. Choosing the right paint color provides a great start to the decorating process.

Gone are the days when every wall in a new home is painted the same Navaho White. Fulton Homes provides a choice of 12 designer colors for your walls, all 12 available in low VOC paints.

Or maybe you want to go with a two-tone look with Frazee eggshell wall paint in 16 Designer Colors? Take a look at choices online at Fulton Homes Design Online and then make your final selection at the Fulton Homes Design Center.

Doors, baseboards, casings, trim, closets, garage and ceilings will all be painted with Swiss Coffee. This soft off-white complements any wall paint choice.

You may want to bring samples of your upholstered furniture colors, and consider your flooring and cabinet and countertop choices when making your final paint selection. By spending a few minutes, you will find that the right paint choice helps bring everything in your home to a coordinated whole.

Exterior Color Scheme 24CYou have a choice of exterior paint choices also, along with Coronado stone trim. These colors are chosen to coordinate with your home’s particular elevation. Paint samples are available in both the Sales Office and Design Center. The photo to the right shows only one of the options you can choose from for your own home.

Fulton Homes Design Online also shows you the textures offered on the interior and exterior walls of your home. Browse through the “colors and textures” section and discover those options that may stay in the background, but will have a real impact in the final look of your new Fulton Home.

Thinking about Walls: Dark

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How daring do you want to be with your walls? Would you risk painting your walls this dark?

As you can see, it’s a dramatic look that works very well here. Let’s take a look at the choices that make a midnight black wall work in this room.

To start, plan to paint multiple coats to get this rich a tone. When you choose a dark shade, at least three coats are generally needed to build depth of color. You may be able to get away with two if you use a tinted primer, but don’t hold back – an extra coat or two will really make a difference.

Next, take advantage of contrast. The bright white sofa and chair upholstery help the walls pop and make the room feel light. Take a look at the mirror frame and the curtains. Once again, the pure white works well with a dark, dark wall. Adding the brown pillows provides a contrast on top of contrast. This contributes to the drama of the space.

Make sure the lighting lets the space feel open and inviting. During the day this space stays well lit thanks to the two large windows. At night, look for lighting options that pull light into corners and highlight the shine on this luscious floor.

Notice that we’re working with white, black and brown here. There are a few plants, but they play as neutrals rather than color because they are living elements rather than accessories. A splash of color – yellow, red or orange – would make a fun element.  Are you ready to take a chance?

Thinking about Walls: Yellow

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Yellow can brighten up a bathroom or kitchen, or make a bedroom seem extra sunny. But it is the most difficult paint color to get right. The wrong choice can make a room gold instead of yellow, or turn a space into egg yolks rather than lemon. If you want to bring yellow into your home, take these steps first.

Go lighter: Yellow dominates a room much more than you would expect. Whatever tone you want, choose one at least two shades lighter. The color strips available at paint stores make this easy. Don’t worry that it will be too light. Yellow reflects off every wall and the color naturally intensifies.

Test test test: Buy a sample of two or three possible yellows. Paint poster boards, one in each color, and try them close to each other. If one of the yellows has an orange or green cast, you’ll be able to tell thanks to the contrast. Choose the purest yellow you can find. Also, put the painted posters on every wall of the room and then see which works best. Yellow changes its mood depending upon the type of light, so check in daylight and artificial light.

Combine with white: Don’t be tempted to use too much yellow. Paint the ceiling white and don’t add yellow cabinets or furniture. Too much yellow quickly takes over a room. White areas help the yellow look brighter without becoming overwhelming.

Yellow can be gorgeous or a real problem. Doing your homework at the start will give you a space that uses yellow at its best.

Home Decor – Paint It Red

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The primary color red is one of the strongest colors on the color wheel. Red can intimidate some people for its bold, rich color. Small doses of red can be used as an accent color to spice up a room. Buying or painting a single accent piece of red furniture is a fun way to add a pop of red to a room.

 

A red chair or ottoman in a living room or a red console table in the entry will create a focal point. Red accents can be in furniture, rugs, lamps or soft accessories like pillows and throws. A red bowl on the dining table or kitchen counter is a nice way to incorporate the color into a room. Even a bowl of red apples can add a little burst of red to a kitchen.

 

If you want to make a bigger statement, use red on furniture or the walls. Red area rugs or or multicolor rugs that have red in the pattern are less overwhelming than red walls.

 

Red painted furniture can be done with spray paint or traditional oil based paints for furniture. To get a good saturated color, multiple layers will need to be applied. A red lacquer is great for its deep color and hard surface—perfect for a coffee table or dining table. The shiny, glossy surface of lacquer can be imitated with a high gloss enamel paint. Durable enamel paint is a good choice for chairs and surfaces that will get a lot of wear.