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. ”
2021: A year in review
“With a new year upon us, it is an opportune time to reflect on what has happened and what is yet to come. I didn’t realize how action packed 2021 was until I sat down to write this blog. Because when you’re knee deep in work, family, life, and living in a time where there is so much uncertainty and unease, it is easy to lose sight of how good things are and can be. So here is a recap of all the “good” that has happened in the studio this past year, with the hope that this will continue to manifest positive outcomes in 2022 and beyond:”
“With a new year upon us, it is an opportune time to reflect on what has happened and what is yet to come. I didn’t realize how action packed 2021 was until I sat down to write this blog. Because when you’re knee deep in work, family, life, and living in a time where there is so much uncertainty and unease, it is easy to lose sight of how good things are and can be. So here is a recap of all the “good” that has happened in the studio this past year, with the hope that this will continue to manifest positive outcomes in 2022 and beyond:”
Best of houzz
2021 came in with a rush as CPB Designs was nominated for “Best of Houzz in Service”. Houzz is a wonderful platform that connects me with many homeowners and potential clients and has become an important avenue to showcase the studio. As well as a great source for inspiration and community.
luxe red award
It was extremely exciting when the West End project won “Best Use of Color” for Luxe Magazine’s RED Awards in the Greater NY Area. Luxe is a prominent publication showcasing some of the country’s top interior designers and their best work. It was a great honor to be recognized among industry professionals.
wedding season
Late spring is the beginning of wedding season – or so I am told. We donned our party planner hats and orchestrated a rustic chic wedding set on a working farm in the Pennsylvania Mountains. Carefully selecting and designing every detail from the music and entertainment to the décor and florals, down to the menu. Design is truly in everything we do, especially in event design.
cooper house
Cooper House was then completed. Designing a home with a real estate developer was such a fascinating project! Creating spaces and making decisions on selections while keeping a potential homeowner in mind, which we did not know of exactly, was an interesting process and it couldn’t have turned out more beautiful. I’d say there is a happy family making wonderful memories within those beautifully curated spaces.
forest house
Forest House began construction and will become the largest home I’ve collaborated on to date. I am so excited to see our designs come to fruition and to continue sharing snippets of this project on our IG stories with everyone. Please stay tuned!
ncidq
The Fall was filled with as much color on the landscape as there were color coded index cards in my hands, as I studied for the NCIDQ exams. With a lot of perseverance, late nights, and long weekends I can say it all paid off. I am officially a Certified Interior Designer! A long-time goal I can check off the list.
holiday season
And as the holidays approached, decorating a client’s home for Christmas is something I will continue looking forward to each and every year. There is nothing like seeing the clients’ happy faces after their home is carefully decked out for the holidays with your help.
“As I think back to each of these moments, I recall that little girl in her bedroom quietly decorating and rearranging the space so she can surprise her mother when she came in. Seeing the smile and joy across her mother’s face is the same smile and joy I see in each new client’s face. The happiness I witness at the completion of a project continues to solidify my purpose in becoming a designer. Whether it’s helping a bride realize her dream wedding or homeowner create their dream home, designers help create environments that then create meaning in people’s lives. That’s not a bad “job” to have if I say so myself.”
Exterior House Painting Tips
Today marks the beginning of Daylight Savings Time and with longer, sunny days ahead, cue in the spring cleaning and home improvement projects ahead. Many home owners are looking for ways to spruce up their homes. One way to do so is by changing the paint on the exterior of your home.
As featured with REDFIN: Exterior House Painting tips by CPB Designs
Today marks the beginning of Daylight Savings Time and with longer, sunny days ahead, cue in the spring cleaning and home improvement projects ahead. Many home owners are looking for ways to spruce up their homes. One way to do so is by changing the paint on the exterior of your home.
As interior design and architecture tend to go hand in hand, interior designers are often asked to assist in the selection of paint for home exteriors due to their color consulting skills and tips.
“With so many paint colors, finishes, and factors to consider when undertaking an exterior paint update, choosing a paint color can seem like an intimidating decision to make.”
While this can tend to be a big job, here are 3 easy tips:
Select colors that complement the period of your home.
Divide your home into 3 sections when selecting paint colors:
Siding color
Trim color
Door and/or Shutter color
Lastly, place the samples at the front of your home, or an area where you can see all 3 paint selections working together, and observe them during different times of the day.
For more tips, musings, project updates and features, subscribe to the blog and follow me at Instagram and Facebook.
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
Say hello, send me your comments, or submit your new project inquiry below.
5 Tips to a Successful Interior Renovation Project
5 Tips to a Successful Interior Renovation
I’ve collaborated on my fair share of renovations in my 15 years in residential design. If I had to put a number to it, I’d say approximately 250 projects to date. From gut renovations of NYC Apartments to remodels and additions of homes in New Jersey. No two projects are ever the same! The intricacies of designing, planning, and executing a renovation project takes a bunch of Ingenuity mixed with a steady Inner Calm, and a sprinkle of Patience.
Spoiler Alert:
No Project Is Ever Perfect from Beginning to End.
And that’s not a bad thing.
Projects are like humans.
They can be shiny and messy all at the same time.
That’s the beauty of it!
Redesigning your home is a Labor of Love and there are a couple of guideposts I’ve learned [created] along the way. I share them with you in hopes of giving a perceptive of the process and gear you up for your next home interior renovation project:
THE GOAL(S)
Being clear on what isn’t working for you (your family) in this space, rooms, and/or house.
PLANNING
Budget, Hiring a Team, Documentations, Timeline
THE TEAM
What professionals are needed for your particular project?
THE PROCESS
There is a natural Ebb & Flow to the renovation process – Trust it!
BREATHE
Be flexible and “enjoy the ride”
Stay tuned to next month’s blog post, where I’ll get in-depth on each of the 5 areas I believe are essential to a successful home interior renovation.
