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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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Color and Design in the Time of Covid

Like many people at the beginning of the pandemic, ACC co-founder Susan Mintz sought out additional outlets for her creativity. (In-home color consultations were definitely a no-go.) Luckily, she rediscovered the world of chalk paint, milk paint, furniture transfers and quality stencils. She had some experience painting furniture – the ugly kitchen cabinets and a beat dining table in her trailer in Malibu had needed immediate attention. But the decorative transfers and stencils she found serendipitously online inspired her to take her color love to another level. She flexed her creative muscle by painting and decorating old dressers to flip. Her furniture rehabs are rarely on the market for more than a few days, and she is constantly on the prowl for more interesting pieces to redeem with color for a second life. Want to give it a try? Below is some info to get you started. She has used and recommends all of the following.  

Painted with cualk paint and Iron Orchid Designs decals.


Here’s where you can find furniture pieces to paint:

your house, your parent’s house; garage/yard sales; Facebook Marketplace

Here’s paint to try:

Amyhowardhome.com; dixiebellepaint.com; www.milkpaint.com (and other online retailers of Sweet Pickins Milk Paint); Annie Sloan; DIY paint aka Debisdesigndiary (online retailers)

Painted with Sweet Pickins Milk Paint, blue bird & demin. Using milk paint can create great crakles and chipping.

Here are transfer brands to try,

available at a variety of online retailers: Iron Orchid Designs (most beautiful); Re-Design by Prima; Hocus Pocus 

  • Before
  • After
  • Before
  • In progress
  • After


Stencils

Cuttingedgestencils.com; royaldesignstudio.com
There are hundreds of tutorials on Youtube. Find inspiration for pieces on Pinterest, too.Have fun!

  • Before
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Rolling four colors on one stencils.
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Beware of ‘Free’ Online Color Consulting Services

Free services do not always equate to quality services. With free online color consulting sessions, you get what you pay for. Paint manufacturers are offering free online consultation sessions, but one should be wary of this seemingly sweet-sounding deal. Paint companies may push certain colors on clients to boost popularity and offer a limited selection of paint colors. Making decisions based off of these free consultations may end up being a costly, drastic mistake.

To really ensure you choose the perfect paint color, you need an experienced professional to come into your home and evaluate the space as whole. Expert color consultants have access to a multitude of different paint manufacturers products and have a broader range of colors to offer their clients. Factors such as natural lighting and furniture can’t be accurately taken into account online. More importantly, the true color of paint isn’t precise over a camera. If you are seeking input online about color samples painted on a wall, it is impossible to tell what the color actually looks like in person. While these free consultations can be a great jumping off point to narrow down possible color options. What you really need is someone experienced to come into your home. Would you rather have an apprentice give you advice over the phone, or hire a professional with over 15 years of experience to find the perfect color? #colors#consultants#furniture#interiordesign#paintinganddecorating#jobs#sidehustles

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Home Decor – “Peel ‘n Stick” Wallpaper

Asia Blossom Bedroom

One of the most popular current home decor trends is removable peel ‘n stick wallpapers and murals. They are being featured on all the home decorating shows and are available everywhere – in stores, online, specialty stores, even Target! And they’ve come a long way from the days of contact paper: there is a wide variety of styles, patterns and colors available. They are perfect for mercurial personalities who don’t/can’t commit to a permanent wallpaper design, those who like to change up a space on a regular basis, and also for renters who have to change their space back to “blah” at the end of a lease. As with every product there is a wide range of quality, with complaints that range from toosticky and not repositionable to a lack of stick-ness. It is best to read product reviews before committing to a specific product.


Alexandria artist Ashley Spencer has been at the forefront of the removable wallpaper trend, designing and creating custom and semi-custom wallpapers and murals since 2009. The company creates unique, gorgeous repositionable, removable and reusable wallpapers and wall murals. Ms. Spencer has noticed that since the pandemic people are anxious to bring elements of nature indoors. Her clients like the instant gratification that comes with peel ‘n stick products, but are taking the time to research and purchase quality products like hers. Casart wallcoverings are print-to-order, which adds a sustainable practicality to her high-grade designer wall coverings.


Check out Casart’s website casartcoverings.com and for help with color and pattern selections, you can always turn to your friendly neighborhood America’s Color Consultant!

Birds & Birch, Cloud Murals and Shell Fish Tropical.
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Back To The Office?

Everyone paints their homes, not everyone can choose the perfect paint color.

With vaccinations widely available and social life opening up, millions of Americans are reassessing leaving their home offices to return to their work spaces. The Washington Post reports there is growing evidence that a lot of people are “reassessing what they want to do and how they want to work.” Thousands of jobs remain work-from-home and will remain so even as businesses reopen their office space. Many have found they Iike working from home and don’t want to return to the office. 

America’s Color Consultants (ACC) is a business opportunity particularly suited for those creative/artistic types who have found that working from home has proven to be desirable, and for those whom the pandemic has taught that life is short.  ACC consultants own their own business, and thus own their time – working part-time, full-time, even overtime if they want.  They meet a wide variety of people and provide a valuable, efficient service all the while exercising their creative muscles. And they operate their business from a home-based office.

There will be those who will happily return to their pre-pandemic work environs, but for those who seek something different, there are numerous opportunities for individuals to use their unique talents to both earn a living and satisfy their soul.

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Goodbye to All White Kitchens

Say goodbye to the all-white pristine kitchen. Calming colors from serene blues to warm neutral greens are the upcoming color trends for 2021. Combining warm hues with bright pops of color is on the rise for 2021. After a year of being stuck at home, many people are choosing to update their living space to create a warmer and more sanguine environment. A cool grey paint in the kitchen matched with vibrant yellow accent furniture pieces elicits a vibe of positivity and warmth.

As color in the kitchen becomes more common, there may be an increase in popularity among homeowners with painting their cabinets green. Green is a combination between blue and yellow on the color spectrum and can work well with both cool and warm color palettes. Adding green accents in a grey painted kitchen can help bring the room to life and make it more vibrant. With industrial interior styles on the rise, green and other vibrant colors mix well with metal and wood elements. The days of having all white kitchens are behind us, as color makes its way back into the kitchen!