Now that you have my advice for making your home even more beautiful, you need to properly test the colours I recommended. Clear testing instructions are provided below.
Hooray! It's time to
Test Those Colours
Please upload images of your testing process to your exiting online album and email my eDesign Team to let them know. I'll review them and tweak my recommendations if necessary.
if you're uncertain about the colours I suggested after you've tested them...
- xo, Maria
Be sure to properly test your colours
Always test the colours I recommend as the actual painted board is the ultimate test for accuracy. If it doesn’t look like an accurate match, email me a photo just like this one to the left and I will tweak it to make sure the colour is perfect.
It takes a little more work to consult with me this way, but it’s worth it because you’re getting the right colour advice the first time.
To properly test your colours, paint them up on a large board and hold the board vertically against all your hard finishes and furnishings. Isolate the new colour from the old paint colour by placing a white board behind it, so you are not reacting to the combination of old and new colours.
Observe the colours throughout the day to make sure it is perfect. Also look at the colours at night in artificial light but know that light bulbs can be switched to a better light colour.
If you are sending me a photo, take in the middle of the day in natural light. No flash.
step one
Take photos of your space (see more instructions on how to take photos in the next section).
step two
Create your idea board on Pinterest or Houzz.
step three
Click on the link in your email (with ‘Your eDesign Questionnaire’ in the subject line) to complete the questionnaire. There is space on the questionnaire for you to discuss all your ideas or concerns and they will all be taken into consideration when Maria makes her recommendations. This is also where you will also submit links for steps 1 and 2.
Please note, we cannot begin your eDesign consultation before all steps are completed.
Once you return all the information, Maria formulates her colour and design advice and the eDesign team puts it all together in a clear presentation PDF format. It will include slides with images to illustrate what she is recommending, complete with explanations and advice, and links to any products she is recommending.
Our process works best when you tackle your eDesign project in the following order:
Because Maria won’t be able to visit your home in person, the right photos are very important so that she can see the neutral undertones accurately. Please read this section carefully.
Taking the time to send in the right photos will expedite your consultation and assure you the best possible solution.
She has developed a system of how to take photos and a format of questionnaire that covers all angles and allows her to truly help people with their colour and decorating dilemmas.
Capturing photos with your phone is the most convenient way to gather the shots we need for your eDesign consultation.
step 1: take photos
How to take photos of your interior (+ a list of shots we need)
Take photos of your whole room from at least two different angles in natural light, with no flash. We understand that some rooms don’t have any windows or natural light, so just do your best with the lighting available and let us know in that case. You will be able to make sure the recommendations are accurate despite the influence of artificial lighting in the testing process. Pictures of low light with some natural light are preferable to having the lights on.
examples of interior photos
Please create an idea board on either Pinterest or Houzz with 6 to 20 images of rooms that appeal to you. Please be sure to mark your board public (accessible by a link) for the duration of the consultation process. Maria cannot accept invitations to inspiration boards.
step 2: Set up an inspiration board
Please note, Google does not allow our questionnaire to be saved before you submit it. If you don’t think you can finish this questionnaire all at once, we recommend adding your answers to a Google doc or Word doc as you go, so you don’t lose your progress.
To help you prepare, here are some of the questions we will be asking:
step 3: answer questionnaire
- Do you (or your contractor) have a preference of paint brands?
- List any fixed elements you are planning to change. A fixed element is any finish that is ‘permanently’ installed in your room. For example, flooring, carpeting, tile, countertops, stone, brick. If you’re not planning to change anything, don’t worry about this.
- Are there any furnishings you are planning to replace or remove?
- What is your trim colour? Use specific product or company paint colour names when possible.
- Checklist of colours that you are interested in seeing in this room (as well as colours you don’t like).
- Tell us about your home. What do you love about your house? What do you dislike and want to change?
How to upload your photos to an online album.
Using your phone to gather the shots we need for your eDesign consultation is great. However, we will need them to be added to an album on an online photo sharing site that we can access with a public link.
Unfortunately sites like Dropbox have space requirements that prevent us from accepting a shared folder invite. That’s why we recommend using these free sites instead. Please do not email your photos.
All of these solutions work best when you download the corresponding app to your phone first.
google photos
flickr
smugmug
Once we receive your complete information as outlined in Steps 1 through 3, the eDesign team will add all your information to a file and send it to Maria for review.
There generally isn’t a back and forth conversation unless more information or photos are required. But, if there is more than one option for handling your decorating query, the instructions on how to handle it in various ways are included.
Your presentation will be delivered to you via email within the promised turn around time from when we received your complete information.
We understand that you might still be left with questions after you review Maria’s recommendations. Your eDesign consultation includes a follow-up question in one clear and concise email.
But, if you have several questions or would like feedback on your testing of samples, or are considering alternative materials and colours, you can buy the eDesign Feedback and Follow Up Service here. The follow-up service buys you one hour of correspondence and review time with Maria. And if you need more time beyond that, we can arrange for an invoice to book additional time.
next?
What Happens
Refund Policy for UNUSED Consultations
There’s no deadline to send in your information – we’re ready whenever you are! You have paid for our time so if for some reason you move or something changes before you can implement our recommendations there will be no refund. We want you to be happy, so if there is an issue other than personal preference we ask that you share photos of your colour testing and any objections or concerns you might have and give us the opportunity to tweak our selections before you reject them outright.
Please note, we will not provide a refund unless we have had the chance to make adjustments to our initial recommendations.
Things come up in life, situations get altered or sometimes we just change our mind – it happens. Our eDesign team is here to make you happy and we are committed to complete client satisfaction. So, if within 90 days of your purchase, and prior to submitting your information, you change your mind, we will provide a refund less a 5% administrative fee. After 90 days, or once you have initiated the consultation process by submitting your information, we can no longer provide a refund.
Guarantee and refund policy
About Maria
Maria Killam pioneered virtual colour consulting in 2010, long before the industry caught on. She's trained thousands of design professionals since, guided more than 10,000 virtual colour and design projects, and is the creator of The Killam Colour System® and the Understanding Undertones® Neutral Colour Wheel.