My Go-To Benjamin Moore Paints in 2022
The colors you chose to bring into your home are not only a reflection of your design and aesthetic, but they become the canvas which brings everything together. Paint changes and reacts depending on your location, time of day/year, lighting, and what it is in relation to. Below are 7 of my Benjamin Moore “Go-To” paints in 2022:
Super White OC-152
My favorite “white” paint for trim and molding. Creating a crisp delineation from the wall color that “suggests clarity and simplicity”.
Cloud Cover OC-25
A dreamy off-white subtle shade with a gray-blue tint that works well in contemporary interiors. It’s also my favorite number :)
Pale Oak OC-20
A great alternative to white on cabinetry, Pale Oak is a versatile neutral that works with every metal finish for hardware or plumbing.
Balboa Mist OC-27
My favorite “Go-To” Greige, Balboa Mist is “pale gray with a slightly warm cast” which works great in Transitional to Contemporary Interiors.
Graytint 1611
I can never go wrong with this “soft neutral featuring a whisper of gray”. Whether on cabinetry or walls this is a timeless, classic paint.
Van Deusen Blue HC-156
My favorite navy! The perfect blue for traditional to modern spaces. It works well with whites, rich woods, and nickel or brass metals.
Wrought Iron 2124-10
A soft shade of black great for painting doors or railings when simulating metal. Rich and moody when used on cabinetry or walls.
There are many more great paints and having a Designer by your side in curating the perfect palette for your home’s color story is key in a successful remodel or renovation.
“Disclaimer:
This blog is a personal blog written and edited by Cynthia herself. This blog and/or author has not accepted any forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation. ”
5 Tips to a Simple Home Refresh
Here are 5 Tips for a Simple Spring Refresh that can inspire you to make easy changes to uplift any space in your home.
“here comes the sun…doo doo doo doooo, here comes the sun….”
I said goodbye to my heavy coats and dark boots about two weeks ago, and I refuse to put them back on - even though was a bit nippy and windy yesterday! The change in season from winter to spring brings upon a natural feeling of wanting to lighten things up, clear things out, and brighten up the atmosphere. Since our spaces are a reflection of ourselves, our personalities, and our mood, our home is the first place we welcome a change. Here are 5 Tips for a Simple Spring Refresh that can inspire you to make easy changes to uplift any space in your home.
CLEAR OUT THE CLUTTER
Thank you to the “Get Organized with The Home Edit” on Netflix for making my neat freak (aka) OCD tendencies look and sound “normal”! There is nothing better than an organized closet or pantry. “Outer Order = Inner Calm” is real! Our physical environment is a reflection of who we are and how we feel. Creating space will have a major impact in your home. Use this season to get rid of old, unused, and/or unwanted items, and make room for the things that truly matter.
RESTYLE YOUR SURFACES
Take all décor and accessories off your shelves, tables, and case goods, out of your bookcases and cabinets, and place them in one staging area. If you’re like me, bring out the bins of your additional home decorative accessories. Then turn on the music, bring out the swifter wand, and have some fun. Maybe that vase now lives in the living room instead of the dining room. A stack of books in livelier hues from your home office can sit on your coffee table instead. Reimagining ways to style your surfaces using the old and new accessories will breathe new life into your space.
BRING IN THE COLOR
We have a Spanish saying: “Para el gusto se hicieron los colores”, which means “Colors were made for taste”- our taste that is! Springtime is the perfect season to introduce vibrant hues and an easy way to do so is with our soft goods and/or décor. Swap out the blankets, pillows, and drapes with those in brighter colors and interesting patterns. Current color trends are inspired by nature with the use of blues and greens. If you’re really bold mix in oranges or yellow for an extra dose of color that will have you smiling your way well into spring and throughout the summer.
PAINT, PAINT, PAINT
Much like duct tape, there is nothing a can of paint cannot fix. Does your home need a new paint job? Is it time to turn that not so baby room into a big kid space? Is a space feeling old and drabby? Spring is the perfect time for painting homes. While you’re clearing and cleaning things out, take this opportunity to apply a new coat of paint onto the walls also. And if you’d like to knock out 3 of the tips in one sweep, introduce that color with the paint as well!
BECOME A PLANT LADY/GENTLEMAN
Welcome the outdoors in – literally! Plants and flowers not only help to liven up your spaces, but they are also natural purification systems, and provide better indoor air quality. They help to introduce color and texture into your space and are visually interesting. If you can’t commit to real plant babies, there are some faux alternatives that will give you the same effect and most people won’t even notice the difference at first glance.
What home refresh projects do you have in store this season?
Would love to hear about them. Drop me a message below.
-Cynthia
KITCHEN & BATH TRENDS
There have been a ton of kitchen and bath projects in the studio! We all know why these spaces are our top priority: Kitchens are the heart of the home while Bathrooms are our retreat from the world. Especially with how much time we have been spending at home.
There have been a ton of kitchen and bath projects in the studio!
They continue to be the top spaces for a refresh or full renovation. They rank #1 and #2 in 2021 in home improvement plans as per the NKBA.
We all know why these spaces are our top priority: Kitchens are the heart of the home while Bathrooms are our retreat from the world. Especially with how much time we have been spending at home.
I’d say good Interior Design is the key ingredient in creating new Kitchen and Bath spaces that complement our home, support our lives, and project our style.
NKBA 2021 Home Renovation Projects Statistics
Below are the top Kitchen and Bath Trends i am seeing from my time collaborating with homeowners
LOW-UPKEEP
Maintenance free materials are a top request. Quartz countertops simulate marble designs that homeowners love while not needing the extra care and attention of its natural counterpart. Porcelain tiles have come along way in design, and have made an impact in interior spaces due to their budget friendly and durability characteristics. Ceramic tiles are both easy to clean and beautiful in designs with varying degrees of textures, hues, and finishes.
TIMELESS DESIGN
“Trendy versus Classic” designs? I am often asked if certain selections we are seeing in the design world are here to stay or just here for the moment. It’s hard to predict the future but there are tried and true details that never go out of style. Natural stone is an everlasting material that transcends time. They can be used from tile or slab format to intricate mosaic patterns that add a naturally textural impact to any space. Not only do they withstand time and exude classic beauty but also help the planet in being a sustainable resource. Natural wood finishes complement the space and help to add character and warmth.
NATURE
Creating a sanctuary and oasis in indoor or outdoor spaces help transport your spirit and mind to far away places. Taking a cue from the natural landscape and incorporating them into our home continues to stay on trend. We see them in the earth tone colors in tile, stone, and paints, to the use of natural plants. Helping to create an atmosphere that is both relaxing and inviting.
SPACE
Open spaces and flow from one to another remains important in homes. The prior formality of separated public spaces are less important. Home and family life is about collaboration and connectedness, and open plan spaces support these needs. Kitchens open to family and/or dining rooms continue to be a top request when designing interior spaces.
MIXED METALS
I love mixing metals when designing spaces! Kitchens are a natural space for the use of more than one metal since appliances are usually a standard finish. Continuing that language as an underlying theme woven into other spaces, like the Bathroom, help to add depth and warmth to the overall aesthetics of the home. Touches of brass or matte black can direct the design from traditional to modern depending on the features and details expressed.
what are your home renovation project plans for the new year? Are you looking for an interior designer with an expert eye to help bring your visions to life?
if so, drop me a message. would love to hear from you!
-Cynthia
5 Tips in Depth
5 Tips IN DEPTH
Last month, I listed my 5 tips for a Successful Interior Renovation Project.
This month I’ll go in-depth on each key area with some insights based on my 15 years of experience in the Residential Design world.
THE GOAL(S)
Ask yourself: what areas of your home are not working for you (your family)? What is lacking? Do you need better flow, function, or use? Is your and/or your family life evolving and things are no longer supporting it? Has it been 10, 15, or 20 years since the last improvement and its time for an update? Is this a new home and needs a transformation to match your style and needs? Get clear on what projects are needed and what you’d like to take on at this time.
PLANNING
BUDGET
How much can you spend on the project at hand? (and always add 10% for the unexpected/unknown)
HIRING A TEAM
Depending on the size and level of your project a team of professionals will be needed and will help the process go smoother. An Architect, Interior Design, and Contractor to start. Add on Structural and Mechanical Consultants as needed. Landscapers, AV Consultants, and Lighting Designers can play a big role as well.
DOCUMENTATION
Obtaining the appropriate approvals and permits from local authorities is a must! There are Home Owner Associations, Building, and Zoning Departments with protocols that need to be adhered to. Your Team will also play an important part assisting with this.
TIMELINE
There are many factors that create the timeline for a project:
The scale and scope of your project and its complexity.
Design and planning phase - the pace between you and your Architect / Interior Designer.
Permit process - the time needed to obtain the necessary approvals.
Construction / Renovation Schedule - this is gauged by your Contractor and how many decisions have been made upfront as well as how quickly decisions can be made on site.
THE TEAM
We’ve all heard the old saying that “Team Work Makes The Dream Work” and it couldn’t be truer in Design. Getting a great team together is what really turns a project into a work of art. Think about it: a renovation from beginning to end will take from as little as 6 months to as long as 2 years. You will be spending a lot of time with your Team bringing this project to fruition. Choosing a Team that you are comfortable with, trust, and can rely on is key and possibly the most important aspect!
THE PROCESS
I always tell my clients that renovating your home is a Labor of Love. Home is the utmost special place! Allowing people into your home is major! You are giving other people a glimpse into your world. Trust the process. It could be nerve-wracking and exhilarating all at the same time. But YOU have assembled a Team of Professionals that have your best intentions at heart and will steer you in the right direction.
BREATHE
With all that being said, have fun! This is still a creative undertaking. We are creating art on your walls, floors, ceilings - entire space. There are no right or wrong answers. There are “what is right for you” answers. YES, there are some standards and guidelines created by industry professionals but then there are personal, subjective expressions of what your space needs to become.
Remember when I said renovations are like humans - shiny and messy all at the same time? Do not forget this. There are parts that will go smoothly and then there will be some hiccups along the way. Its a natural occurrence in all things in life. Problem-solving and critical thinking are a few of the many great skills you and your Team possess.
Pause…Breathe…and Lean In to the Art of Renovations.
by, Cynthia
Residential Interior Designer