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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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The Four S’s of Paint Color

When working with clients to develop a color palette for their homes, I am often met with the sentiment “I don’t want my house to look like a clown house.”  These clients fear color.  As a trained artist and color expert, I use the four S’s to help them select what will be their ideal color solution.

Simplicity, Strength, Sizzle, Sophistication.  These Four S’s have been used for decades as the foundation in graphic design, interior design, architecture and most creative fields. In each category the S’s might differ somewhat, but the general idea remains the same. 

Simplicity – The simpler something is, the longer its life. When things are simple we do not tire of them as quickly. If you do not plan to paint for another 20 years, consider choosing this path. An example of this is a monochromatic color palette. Simple does not necessarily mean all white or beige.

Strength – This can mean something different for each person. For paint it means a bold, saturated paint color. 

Sizzle – Some people just like things that are exciting – colors that create energy. Complementary and analogous colors can also create this color energy.

Sophistication – In the paint world this can also be defined as classy, refined or elegant.

Sophisticated color does not shout at you, and does not stand in opposition to its furnishings. These colors usually fall into the mid-range of intensity.

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America’s Color Consultants Collection of Real Life Paint Colors

From Left to right: Bohemian Lace (HGSW-4052); White Diamond (BM-OC-61); Pure White (SW-7005); Alabaster (SW 7008).
From Left to right: Mindful Gray (SW-7016); Revere Pewter (BM-HC-172); Classic Gray (BM-OC-23); Collingwood (BM-OC-28).
From Left to right: Antique Glass (BM-CSP-695); Sea Salt (SW 6204); Borrowed Light (Farrow & Ball); Aleutian (SW 624l).
From Left to right: Full Moon (SW 6679); Napery (SW 6388); Behr P270-2 September Morning; Kilim Beige (SW 6106).
From Left to right: Urbane Bronze (SW 7048); Grizzle Gray (SW-7068); Stargazer (SW-9635); Lichen (Farrow & Ball). 
From Left to right: First Light (BM 2102-70); In Bloom (Magnolia), Dune Grass (BM 492); Behr RD-W14 Aria Ivory.

Sherwin-William paints are indicated as SW, and Benjamin-Moore as BM. 

Happy New Year!  It’s that time when all the new paint “colors of the year” have been revealed.  And there is a hue for everyone!  There are soft, muted colors, colors born in nature, bold colors, and dark, moody colors.  You can easily Google “Paint Colors of the Year 2021” and find links (and lengthy tomes) from all the popular paint manufacturers.  Some of these colors will prove to be trendy – lasting 4-8 years in popularity, and several will prove to be a fad – out of favor in just a year or two. 

Many of the shades you see among the major players were developed in coordination with the home decor and furnishings industry several years ago.  That’s why you find lots of items that “match” among those manufacturers in any given year.  The past several years have seen the continuation of the neutrals trend with the current favorite, gray, now moving from the cooler shades toward the warmer ones being referred to as “greiges”.

America’s Color Consultants often work with people who have had their current furnishings from “a few”  to “many” years and more often than not, want a refresh as opposed to a total home redo.  Consequently, we are working with fabrics and colors that are not currently “on trend.”

When a client wants a more “modern” color (currently meaning gray) we see which of the beautiful neutrals on the market will work best with their rugs, drapes, furniture, light sources, etc. Because grays are actually black and white paints tinted with color, there is a gray shade of every color. 

Over the past 15 years ACC has consulted hundreds of times with homeowners and small businesses and enjoyed the insights of national paint manufacturers and local paint stores, realtors and home owners. We have put together our first ACC Collection of Real Life Favorite Paint Colors (ours and our clients!).  A few are personal favorites and colors we would love to spec for someone with bold ambitions; others have proven to be very popular for those planning to sell their properties in a few years; changing from a bright to a neutral; and several are those colors that have proven time again to be both popular and tried and true for clients on the east and west coasts. 

Color is SO subjective and there are many factors that are considered when searching for a new paint color.  We never push our own personal preferences, but when asked we certainly offer them! Our job, of course, is to educate our clients, guide the process, and assist in identifying the color that makes them say “YES – that’s it!”  Experience, product knowledge and industry familiarity make us a valuable tool in your home improvement arsenal!

America’s Color Consultants Real Life Color of 2021 is Agreeable Gray (SW 7029).

While the name of this shade may elicit a yawn, and suggests it is neutral to the point of non-existence, nothing could be further from the truth, in our opinion.

This versatile shade of greige is happy to play with everyone.  A medium light shade, it has an Light Reflective Value of 60, so it reflects a fair amount of light, but won’t wash out, and looks great with white or natural wood trim.  It works well in any room with any furniture style and loves complementary earth tones. It can stand up to bold accent colors, too. It can comfortably be used in one room or the entire house. It has been a popular choice for all these reasons for the past 10 years with our clients and shows no sign of slowing down any time soon.

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Accent Walls

With  design trends that are more modern and neutrals maintaining their popularity, accent walls are a good way of accentuating artwork or a fireplace or just adding a surprising jolt of color. An accent wall is a wall painted in a different color than the rest of the room. Usually a contrast to the predominant room color, it could also be a similar color but with a different pattern. Wood, tiles or wall paper can provide that beautiful contrast. There are numerous products on the market now that can serve the purpose.

Random Lengths Butternut Brown Vintage Shiplap Planks

Be careful though – an improperly created accent wall could make the room feel smaller. It’s a safer bet to use accent walls primarily for living rooms or family rooms, rather than smaller rooms such as bedrooms. However,  a properly done accent wall behind the headboard of the bed can work very well. An adventurous homeowner could even choose to have two accent walls:  multiple accent walls create an accented space. But it would be best to make sure the colors work particularly well together: if the accent colors are fighting each other for attention,  then the effect could range from odd to atrocious!

Behr M420-4 Jade Mountain Accent Wall