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Meet America’s Color Consultants:  Florence Jones

Florence Jones is a co-founder of America’s Color Consultants and has been in the paint color consultation business for over 16 years.  With a degree in fine arts and a background in graphic design and advertising, she was particularly well prepared to start a business helping others with the selection of paint colors for their homes and businesses.  And because everything has color – from tile to flooring to appliances – she also assists clients with renovation product selection.

One recent  project was particularly interesting and gratifying:  the renovation of Happinest.

In the mecca of McMansions – north Arlington – the owner of a 1920’s property decided to renovate and refurbish rather than raze and replace. The owner contacted Florence to help with exterior color choices, but quickly recognized the talent and experience she brought to the project, and hired her to help oversee and participate in the overall renovation of the property.  Mindful of his European sensibility to honor the history of the house, Florence proposed the renovation/modernization of the kitchen, bathrooms, and  lighting while retaining the beautiful original woodwork and architecture, and honoring its colorful history.  Both recognized they were on the same page.

  • Welcome to Happinest
  • Front entrance to Happinest
  • Front entrance to La Petite Happinest
  • Front patio for La Petite Happinest
  • Beautiful moss and fern garden

The brick and wood Tudor home was built in 1921 (with a second section built in the 1930s) and was the summer home of Judge David K. Ballard of Washington, DC and his wife, Fanny Foy.. They called it Happinest.  The home featured walls and banisters made of pecan wood that was shipped in from Georgia where Fanny Foy grew up. It had a large room that was used as a ballroom with a balcony from which Fanny sang.  During the age of Spiritualism, Fanny hosted regular seances that included the likes of Edgar Cayce (the “Sleeping Prophet”), Rev. Arthur Ford and medium Ruth Montgomery.  It was thought then that the house was a portal to the spirit dimension:  there have also been numerous spirit “encounters” over the years by different people.

Throughout the renovation process Florence made many interesting discoveries:  a hidden compartment in the floorboards in the second floor (no money, just a few newspapers from the ‘20s); steps in a wine cellar that lead to a door to nowhere; and a dumbwaiter/window between the basement and garage (a possible Prohibition distribution site).

  • Custom ladder to loft
  • Prohibition passthrough?
  • Wine cellar (right) restored complete with steps to nowhere

With the talents of a contractor with a wide variety of skills and experience with the challenges of very old construction, the wood paneling, railings and flooring throughout were refreshed. Recessed lighting was added and modern light fixtures that were an homage to the history of the home were installed.  The bathrooms were enlarged without totally tearing out the solid plaster and brick work, and were updated with modern vanities and marble appointments. The bedrooms were painted in more reflective shades and the exterior paint was more contemporary.  Everything worked to meet the brief of bringing new life to the 100 year old home while keeping those appointments that made it beautifully unique.

  • Skylights added to the great room of Happinest add much needed light
  • Woodpaneling refreshed and preserved with updated lighting added
  • Vintage chandelier moved from great room to dining room – a better fit
  • Updated and modernrized kitchen in La Petite Happinest
  • Refreshed Happinest sunroom
  • Updated and modernized full bath for La Petite Happinest

Renovation contractors will ask their clients to “pick your floor”, “pick your cabinets”, “pick your tile”. Florence is often called in after the installation of tile, flooring, and cabinetry, with the thought that paint color can “tie it all together.” She has found that It is much more efficient (and less stressful) for clients to collect numerous samples of all the products they like before installation and work with her to make sure everything will work together in the space. She will shop with a client to gather samples, or make pre-selections with direction from the client, mindful of the overall color palette.

Happinest was the first in a collection of unique homes listed as vacation rentals on AirBnB www.happinestrentals.com. Florence also guided the renovation of Manior Normand in The Plains, VA. Since The Plains is a historical town, care was taken to not alter the exterior appearance, yet to enhance and modernize the interior living areas.

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Minimalism vs Grandmillenialism in Interior Design

Depending on your point of view, one might describe the other as “sterile” or “cluttered”. Both approaches are a reflection of the owner and can be beautiful if carefully edited. This month we’ll look at “grandmillenialism”. 

Cali Natural Modular Living Room Set from Coleman Furniture

The term “grandmillenial” with regard to interior design was coined in 2019 in a House Beautiful article regarding the aesthetic favored by many in their mid-20’s to late 30’s (millenials). Grandmillenial design is a resurgence of traditional and classic design combined with some modern elements. It encapsulates the comfortable feeling one may have felt at their mothers/grandmothers/even great-grandmother’s homes (hence the “grand”). The term also morphed into “granny” chic and some have denigrated it by saying it is all floral pillows and crocheted throws. But designers of this oeuvre incorporate elements of the following: collections (crystal, china, personal mementos); blue and white; toile, plaid & chintz; vintage brass; linen; ornate chandeliers; rattan/bamboo/wicker, needlepoint pillows; dark(er) wood furniture; and leather. This style tells a story about the person/people who live there. Their history is displayed in the gilt of a frame or the soft hand of the wood furniture.

There are also subsets of Grandmillenialism such as coastal grandma, and grandpa chic (use BH&G link below). There’s even an Italian grandmother aesthetic! This, according to Better Homes and Gardens, blends warm rustic colors, beautiful marbles, and artisan details such as wood beams, terracotta tiles and ornate glass chandeliers. In other words: a rustic elegance that has been curated over many years.

FLORAL AND CHERUB Wallpaper from Wallpaper Boulevard

What all the “grandmillenial” designs have in common is the desire to exude a feeling of warmth, security and casual comfort. They incorporate craftsmanship and the appreciation of all-wood furniture, which can readily be found in antique and used furniture shops – even Facebook Marketplace – as can the other items we’ve mentioned here. “See our blog on Recycled Artwork, October 2022.”

Many designers feel trends tend to have a 10-year life span. Farmhouse Style (think shiplap and distressed wood interiors, and board & batten exteriors with black window frames) has enjoyed a decade of popularity, so it’s time we’ll be seeing a design shift. Since grandmillenial design is based on classic, traditional styles with tweaks of modern elements, its components will not go totally out of style, rather just rise and fall with general popularity. 

Let your home speak to you – don’t be so quick to remove its previous owners’ embellishments or paint everything white. If yours is an older home, spend time appreciating its details and how to curate them or bring them back to life. If it’s a newer home, think about how you can make it feel warm, comfy and truly reflect you and yours. Be patient and build an interior history with objects of quality and those that “spark joy.” 

BHG.com – Grandpa Chic Is the Collected-Over-Time Look that’s Both Refined and Comfy

Want to name your house? Here’s a site to help: www.name-generator.org.uk/house

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America’s Color Consultants “Real” Colors of the Year

America’s Color Consultants (ACC), the nation’s first color consulting franchise, is pleased to introduce its first “Real” Colors of the Year choice for 2023.  While the major paint companies spend millions to introduce their colors for the coming year, ACC takes a different approach. ACC franchisees help their clients select colors they’ll love for more than 6-12 months. The average, real homeowner – those who use ACC services – paint their interiors an average of 5-8 years and exteriors 10-15 years.They may add to their interior furnishings, but few change everything enough to necessitate a wild swing in paint color. A color refresh, yes, but few ever ask about the vibrant hues offered as the color or palette for the coming year. Quite the opposite: occasionally a new client will ask “you’re not going to tell me to paint any of those loud colors of the year I see are you?” We assure them that what we select with them will work with their furnishings, and set the mood they want for each space while still looking fresh. ACC sees the trends of the past few years continuing for another five: the turn to neutrals for living spaces. Neutrals do not mean just shades of white or gray, but any subdued color. They can be warm or cool: Paper Mache, Baby Fawn, and Silver Strand are just a few of the colors that have proven popular and usable time and again.


Greek Villa, Sherwin-Williams 7551, is ACC’s first “Real” Color of the Year for 2023.  For a space refresh or for resale staging purposes, it works in just about all situations and no client has ever been unhappy with this choice.

Greek Villa

On occasion we suggest a color (or 2 or 3!) that a client may not have considered for their space. Our second color is Benjamin Moore’s Dark Celery  (2146-10), a bold rich choice for the right space that works with neutrals, grays, as well as deeper jewel tones. It is also the compliment color to Pantones Magenta.

Dark Celery

Sherwin Williams – Introducing Redend Point SW 9081, the Sherwin-Williams 2023 Color of the Year. In this soft and soulful neutral, we know what it is to feel cared for, to appreciate what we have, to create deeper connections as we move through the world.
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Redend

Benjamin Moore – Raspberry Blush 2008-30 strikes the right chord, setting the stage for Color Trends 2023.Never a backdrop, Raspberry Blush is the definition of charismatic color. This unapologetic shade of red orange had us thinking: bold, bolder, boldest. This sentiment flows through the rest of the palette as we immerse ourselves in hues that make a statement. Inspired by an artist’s desire to communicate through color, shape, and sound, Color Trends 2023 was built to envelop you in vivacious color.
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BlushRaspberry

Behr – The 2023 Color of the Year is a hopeful and welcoming warm white with limitless possibilities to help transform any vision into a reality. BLANK CANVAS DC-003

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Blank Canvas

PPG – PPG and Glidden paint by PPG announced their 2023 Color of the Year: Vining Ivy (PPG1148-6) – an energizing, yet grounding blue-green that can be used in any space. Its versatility takes the guesswork out of design, leaving consumers with more time to indulge in the things that matter most to them.
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Vining Ivy

Pantone – Pantone’s Color of the Year, Viva Magenta 18-1750, vibrates with vim and vigor. It is a shade rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength. Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative.
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Magenta
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Artisan Tiles

All artisan tiles are handcrafted by skilled craftsmen and there is a slight difference among all the tiles because they are handmade. Artisan tiles can be described as offering something timeless and utterly sophisticated. However, because they are unique, if you are someone who needs the exact same pattern and design on every tile, you may want to choose a machine-made product.


All the hard work, effort and skill of the artisan comes at a premium price. Artisan tiles are more expensive than machine made, mass-produced products. Because artisan tiles are made to order, make sure to buy 10% more than your actual estimate. If any damage occurs to one or more tiles, you can replace them. Otherwise, you may not be able to find the exact same design and shade color if needed in the future. 


Here are some colorful ideas:
Tiles shown above by https://www.maplejude.com/tiles

There are several artisan tile producers in Southern California, including Malibu Ceramic Works and Tierra y Fuego. They make custom handcrafted tile in the style of historic, iconic California tiles, such as Malibu Tile, Catalina Pottery tile, Batchelder tile and Hispano Moresque, among others. The tiles are recognizable due to their combination of raised and flat glazes and matte and shiny finishes. The same techniques used by the legendary Malibu and Catalina Potteries of the 1920’s are used by their artisans today, hand applying the glazes to outlined designs.

Yohen and Yuki border tiles are Japanese tiles recognizable for their long, thin design which are evenly stacked either horizontally or vertically. The first time the Yohen Border was commercially produced was for Frank Lloyd Wright for his famous Imperial Hotel in Tokyo in 1924. INAX Tile has been developing the Yohen Borders since 2000. The innovative designs and fantastic designs of these artisan tiles make it an excellent choice for a modern home or mid-century renovation.

The Yuki border is also created by INAX and is differentiated from the Yohen border by its gentle curve, which is obtained naturally by using a split bamboo

Quadri Tiles are italian artisan tiles are created from porcelain, a material which is impervious to moisture and humidity. Therefore, they are long-lasting and can retain excellent color. Porcelain requires minimal care and can be cleaned quite easily. Since these porcelain tiles come in geometric shapes, you can easily align them and make them look completely uniform. Quadri Artisan Tiles create a geometry of vertical and horizontal planes with their tile that effect a weave with the tile. Tile designer Sebastian Herkner creates innovative and fascinating new tactile experiences with tile.

Plummage tiles are made into depressions or elevations that mostly resemble bird’s feathers. Many of these tiles are handcrafted in Italy, and the hand painting makes each tile have the very slight imperfections that create a unique environment in one’s space.

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Add Color With Landscaping

Color can be added to your home in many ways other than with paint. Evergreens and flowering trees and plants will enhance your exterior color choice. Evergreens come in a wide variety of greens from warm to cool. Flowering plants are available in every hue found on the color wheel. And the same principles apply to plants when creating a palette of colors for your home.


Do you prefer monochromatic color schemes or complementary colors? Are pastels your choice or do primary colors suit your tastes? Our expert paint color consultants can help you decide on the best approach for adding color to your landscape to complement your exterior. For a monochromatic choice, for instance, a nearby pink dogwood can inspire painting a front door in the same pink, which can be a surprising and beautiful choice. What if your exterior is yellow? Purple flowers would be the natural complement to your yellow exterior.

A gray blue exterior works well with a front yard of evergreens for an analog use of color. Blue spruce, or fescue grasses would look beautiful with lime green plants. The changing colors of a Japanese maple that turns scarlet in the fall would look gorgeous against a blue/gray structure.

Another approach may be the mass planting of one color of a species, such as the bougainvillea (seen in the photo below).

When shopping at your local garden center be sure to take photos of your house along with you – even from different times of year – to remind yourself of plant colors already established. This will help you make more efficient purchase decisions to build a gorgeous landscape for all seasons!

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Trends We See for 2022

This blog was included as part of a larger article on color trends on Redfin.com.

As people emerge from their COVID cocoons, we’ve seen one trend emerging that we expect will continue in 2022: people are going opposite!  Those with warm/beige walls are opting for cool grays, whites, and gray-greens. Those who have been living with cooler colors are opting to warm them up! Our clients that are in their forever homes are asking for bolder, brighter colors. They are not likely to follow suggested color trends. Clients who plan to sell in 3-5 years continue to opt for the lighter neutrals that work with their decor: Agreeable Gray, Sea Salt and Ancient Marble by Sherwin-Williams; Gray Owl and Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore continue their popularity streak. The beautiful gray/green shades that are being highlighted by paint manufacturers for 2022 are proving to be popular with clients doing a total reno or for new builds (October Mist-Benjamin Moore; Evergreen Fog-Sherwin Williams).

Another striking trend to emerge is the desire to add personality to one’s home through the addition of architectural elements such as wainscotting, coffered ceilings, and  “feature” walls created with furring strips in various patterns.  Many clients are also painting their stair railings and balusters a dark brown/black or deep gray color. Some are even trying out these dark colors on the window/door framing and moldings of a “trial” room. 

In sum, we have found that our clients are welcoming change and looking to stamp their individuality on their homes in many different ways, and are no longer afraid of color to do it!

Check out the full article on Redfin.com: Most Popular Paint Colors to “Swatch” Out For In 2022

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2022 Paint Color Trends -Green

Green Is In!  While the color green in its many shades is always a perennial favorite among ACC’s clients, this year the majority of paint manufacturers have selected a green as their Color of the Year.  As green represents renewal and growth and positively affects our physical health, we celebrate their selections:

Benjamin Moore – Make room for creativity with October Mist 1495, the Benjamin Moore Color of the Year 2022. This gently shaded sage quietly anchors a space, while encouraging individual expression through color.

Sherwin Williams – Evergreen Fog SW 9130, Soothing, subtle and a perfect shade to freshen up any space.

McCormick Paints – It’s time to Chillax. Our 2022 Color of the Year has an airy, soothing tone that is comfortable in a rustic, modern, or traditional space. This white has no boundaries, a timeless classic.

PPG – Olive Sprig PPG 1125-4 After a year of stay-at-home orders and too few IRL (in-real-life) moments in 2020 and 2021, homeowners, designers, architects and facility managers are craving authenticity, nature and meaningful human interaction after living in a mostly digital world.

Behr – Breeseway MQ3-21 – evokes feelings of coolness and peace while representing a desire to move forward and discover newfound passions.

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The “Perfect Paint Color” vs the “Perfectionist”

The America’s Color Consultants LLC’ tagline is “We Make Choosing the Perfect Paint Color Easy!”  With over 15 years of experience we’ve found the term “perfect” has proven elusive for a few of our clients.  Every so often we have a client who describes themselves as a “perfectionist.” Uh oh. While 99% of the colors selected with our client’s participation are, indeed, “perfect” and work for them, we sometimes can’t match a client’s perception. We educate our clients that many variables can affect what they see in a color as they seek “perfection.”  Here are some examples of what I mean:

Example 1: The client sees a color in a magazine and requests that shade for their space.  They are disappointed when they see it as an actual sample.  What went wrong?

Magazine use a CMYK printing process.

Answer:  Magazines are a printed medium and paint is a suspension medium of chemicals and pigments. Printed pieces can only try to get close to the same shade nuance. The client should use the printed color as an inspiration and starting point, but not have the color in the picture as the expectation. Paint color is influenced by many factors.

Example 2: The client uses a manufacturer’s online tool to select colors for their space, but when they put up samples, the colors are not the same. What gives?

Electronic devices use RGB color.

Answer – Much like the answer for Example 1, a computer is a different medium and consequently can only get close to showing you what the true color of the paint is. It can be a good starting point for seeing what a change of color can look like in full coverage of a space (vs a small chip or sample), but don’t expect the color you see on the screen to be what you see on your walls.

Example 3: The client wants the same paint color found in one room of their home painted in a different space.  They have the name of the paint manufacturer and color from 8 years ago. When a new gallon is purchased, it is close in color, but doesn’t look the same as the original room.  Why?

Paint uses pigment, diferent pigments are mixed to create the paint color.(color above SW 6425 Relentless Olive)

Answer – Paint can look a bit different in different spaces for a wide variety of reasons: The paint in the original space has dulled over time; The orientation of the room’s natural lighting (NEWS) and time of day of use and affect color perception; Manufacturers of paint change the base formula every 3-5 years which can affect color nuance; Calibration of the computerized paint mixers can be off/need cleaning; Human error at paint store (wrong code punched in); Sheen of paint affects color – pearl and matte finishes will appear differently in addition to all of the above.

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The Age of Creativity

Going into a new decade, I am observing a strong movement towards “creativity”.

We are living in the Modern Era, which has included the Space Age and the Dot Com era, both based on science and technology. During the last 20 years I feel the Arts have been disregarded. Five years ago a guidance counselor at my son’s high school told him there was no point in taking an art class, because there are no jobs in art.  I was horrified!  Everything around us is, was or will be created by an artist:  the computer you use, the car you drive, and even the label on the can of tomatoes you buy, all were designed by an artist.

Lately we are beginning to recognize this creativity. You can see it all around you. Paint colors for homes are no longer just shades of white or beige.  Paint manufacturers are putting more time and money into promoting paint colors:  everyone has a “Color of the Year.”  We are seeking out more creative and unique products for our homes. Food products are more creative in stores,  and presentation, in addition to taste, is an important element at restaurants.

In our era of shrinking job stability and stagnant wages, people are finding ways to generate additional income through their creativity. A “side hustle” is a common second or even third job. Creative sites such Etsy.com offer unique creations such as this Starry Night Birdhouse or Fantasy Hoof Boots . Visit your local farmers market and you will see that we are even becoming more creative in our local food products such as Immortal Mountain Chocolates.

If you have a creative urge, but don’t know where to start, a subscription to a site like mybluprint.com might be the answer.  With on-line tutorials in everything from quilting and photography, to jewelry making and cake decorating, it is a fun way to exercise your creative muscles.  Perhaps you caught the competition “Making It” hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman.  The goal of the show was simple:  to encourage everyone to “Make It”!  It was a “Project Runway”-styled show for crafts people with different skills and backgrounds in which the makers were given projects to create each week.  The variety of creative skills and imagination on display was staggering:  both impressive and inspiring.

Why all this creativity? Perhaps it is the resurgence of concepts such as Ikigai that are driving this new age of creativity. This Japanese concept means “a reason for being.” The word “ikigai” is usually used to indicate the source of value in one’s life or the things that make one’s life worthwhile, the word translated to English roughly means “thing that you live for” or “the reason for which you wake up in the morning.” Read more at en.wikipedia.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

America’s Color Consultants franchise model fits perfectly into this new trend. We offer a home-based business which you can pursue part time as your “side hustle” by adding creativity back into your life. A great way to start the next decade.

 

 

 

 

 

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Why Hire a Color Consultant – A Cautionary Tale

Fall is a very busy time of year for my business:  lots of people are sprucing up their homes for the holidays.  My appointment schedule is booked two weeks out, which I note to potential new clients when they call.

Recently, I had an appointment with a new client.  The day before our appointment, she called to cancel saying that her painter had a color consultant who he would send over for FREE.  I told her I understood and wished her well.  A week later I received a desperate call from the same woman telling me that the house was half painted and it “looks awful!” and can I come right over?

Sadly, I had to tell her that I was booked for the next two weeks!  She also told me a bit more about the painter’s “consultant”, who did not ask her anything about her own preferences, didn’t look at her furniture or use any kind of process to help with paint color selection. No samples were provided and she felt strong-armed to use the colors they recommended.

I hoped I could fit her in, but the timing for us both couldn’t be worked out.

Over the last 15 years as a paint color consultant, I have developed a personalized process to assist my clients with their selections, so that they love the colors that they paint.  My system is now used by all our America’s Color Consultants franchisees and we offer customer satisfaction. What does “customer satisfaction” mean? After your paint color consultation you can text or call us and we will continue to help you tweak the color selection until it is perfect.

Painting your home is an expensive proposition. While there may be painters with a very good eye for color, there are others who are just excellent painters. Paint color consultants are talented experts who are specially trained professionals – and do the job right the first time. Take your time and don’t feel rushed to make a decision.

It’s your money and your home.