"Design Happens"

When I first told my mother I’d be painting my new renovation house entirely white, I saw her visibly shudder. And I totally get it. White can be hard to clean, difficult to keep cozy and can definitely show its share of flawed walls.

Design by Ron Nowfel

Yet there’s something beautiful about walking into a home that is a blank canvas, and I’m so looking forward to the calming effects that come with a pure, serene shade of white.

The shade we chose for our own home is Olympic’s Architectural White, and I can already tell I’m going to love it. It’s the perfect gallery-esque background for my copious displays of artwork, and when the evening light hits the walls, a lovely little gray tint comes through.

Yet I realize that most of you are more adventurous with color than I, so don’t worry; I’ve got some inspiration for you, too. In addition to directing you to my post, (6 Ways To Choose Color For Your Home), here’s a sneak peek at my favorite color palettes for 2011, spotted at ColourLovers.

You know that sweet color on the paw of your favorite puppy? It’s not quite gray, not quite pink. And that, my friends, is the newest It Color, a perfect neutral to pair with bolder shades of brown, gray and salmon. I’m envisioning this being a fantastic color combination for a romantic bedroom suite.

Plum is still going strong, but I think we’ll be seeing it used a touch more playfully, with accents of mustard and magenta. I’d love to see this color palette used in an eclectic living room with plenty of patterned textures and bold, framed artwork!

This thin strip of navy-gone-gray would make an excellent wall color and backdrop for a sweet, light and airy furnishings combo. Equal parts masculine and feminine, this is another great bedroom option for the couple who simply can’t compromise on their favorite colors.

And now that you know my top color palettes for 2011, use them creatively with these great tips:

1. Look down! Paint color isn’t reserved for just walls; why not paint your floors, ceilings and doors for a pop of color that’s as unexpected as it is lovely?
2. Buck up. Don’t be afraid to go bold. Navy, plum and charcoal can really pop when paired with neutral furnishings.
3. Stripe it. Pattern can be scary, but prepping your walls for stripes has never been easier. We’ll be doing this in our guest bathroom and I can’t wait to show you the result!
4. Invest in the future. Paint brands are coming out with all sorts of fun techniques, from chalkboard paint to dry erase paint (aptly called Idea Paint). We’ll be utilizing Idea Paint in our office and, again, you’re going to flip when you see this stuff!
5. Have fun. Paint isn’t permanent and can easily transform the dullest of rooms. Enjoy the benefits of color and experiment often. Decorating should be fun, right?

Good luck, friends! I”ll leave you with a sneak peek of our painting progress:

Erin Loechner is a freelance writer/blogger whose work has been featured in Glamour, Dwell, Lucky, Nylon, Print and ReadyMade Mag. Follow more of her daily renovation musings at her blog, Design for Mankind.