The Minimalist Guide to Decorating with Charcoal

Photos by Maria Killam

Recently, I had a consultation with a client who needed help creating a colour palette for her new home.

She didn’t want to make the same mistakes she had made in the past and was looking for a plan. She sent me this inspiration photo for her house:

 {via pinterest}

I spent a few minutes asking more questions to make sure this was the direction she really wanted to go since most people consult with me because they are looking for the confidence to inject colour into their home. She confirmed that she wanted to stay neutral.

First I had to re-group. Neutral over colour? ; ) ; )

Then I suggested adding a cognac colour to her decor to warm up the taupe and charcoal that was already in her hardwood floors and kitchen.

When we walked into this restaurant in Chicago on Tuesday afternoon, I snapped some photos so I could show you exactly how to add warmth to a grey-on-grey palette.

The wainscotting was weathered wood, with the trim painted in a green grey shade. The walls above were a faux painted gold and green grey combination (would not have been my choice but in the context of this restaurant it looked good).

The gold colour was repeated in this moulding detail.

Black and white artwork above to repeat the grey scheme below.

This was a section of the black and white montage that took up an entire wall.

And here’s a close up of the warm wood tables with the table tops arranged in a chevron pattern:

Loved the juxtaposition of the glam chandeliers, which you can find at Restoration (below).

Restoration Hardware

Another view of cognac leather furniture to warm up all the grey:

Circa Lighting

Here’s the restroom!

Are you following my 25 days of undertone series on Facebook? I’ve extended it indefinitely since we are past 25 days, but you can play the game right here with this bathroom.

What are the undertones that you see here (above)? Post your guess below!

This was the most colour found in this restaurant! A pic of my salad! The food was so good.

I’ve had such a great time this week with my biggest group ever here in Chicago! We had 22 fabulous women in our course, and two of the graduates were here with us as volunteers!

Here’s Susan Lecas of Gander Design & Consulting, who did my course in Toronto last fall, and Diane Golin of Colour Harmony Consulting. (Both live in the Chicago area).

“It was such an honor to assist during the Chicago TCE training! Hearing Maria’s system again proved to be a great refresher course and also validated my knowledge and confirmed that the training I took 3 years ago was a tremendous investment in my business. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to volunteer and give back to you for your continued support and color wisdom!” Diane Golin, Colour Harmony Consulting

What a pleasure and honor to spend time with you, Terreeia and all of the women attending the course.  Maria – again, thank you for sharing all that you have learned.  

 I feel that everyone who attends this course leaves feeling so appreciative for several reasons.  One being that Maria shares information about real life experiences (the good and the bad) that many of us will encounter within our own work experiences.  Being able to have any information on the unknown lurking ahead helps to remove fear and replaces it with confidence and the knowledge of how to prepare in advance for many situations that may present themselves in the future.  

Another bonus to attending the course is to meet the many talented people who attend.  The people who have made the effort to attend the True Color Expert course want to be there and want to learn.  So many attendees are open to sharing about how the course applies to their niche and also share their experiences.  

After attending the course as a student and a volunteer, I have left the training both times with new skills, new knowledge and new peers within my industry.  Thank you Maria and Terreeia for bringing it all together. Sue Lecas, Gander Design & Consulting

(Top from left to right) Paula Stewart, Susan Schneider, Cindy Sakos, Marie Glynn, Julie Kay, Sondra Singhurse, Cynthia Ruh, Cristina Hopper, Rosemary Lopiano, Hillary Kruse, Carolyn Soltesz, Baba Barnett, Jennifer Clayton.

(bottom from left to right) Cathrine Haley, Linda Sewell, Barb Lytle, Maria Killam, Pamela Tiberia, Jane Strom, Kari McCormick, Kristin Oblon, CeciliaTassy, Lynn Trinklein.

Julie Kay & Maria Killam

This morning, I received this email from Julie Kay from Julie Kay Design (above)

“Maria, I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to learn from you.  I have been deliberating over choosing carpet and siding for our own home for months.  I have had multiple samples and have never felt comfortable selecting the correct one.  

Well, today I took them around and within less than 1/2 hr, I selected both the siding and carpet color.  I couldn’t stop saying, “AMAZING” the whole time I was walking around holding them up with tears in my eyes! 

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! 

PS. I just can’t resist telling you one more thing!  Just finished opening up all the color boards and laying them out.  As I was doing so it brought back the feelings of being an excited child at Christmas opening my gifts.  Overjoyed!”

If you would like to transform the way you see colour, become a True Colour Expert .