The 80/20 Rule for Getting Colour Right: Before & After

People email me all the time asking me how in the world it’s possible to specify colour on-line. They say things like “My husband is skeptical so sorry”.  Which is totally fine of course, I’m busy, don’t worry about me.

The point of this comment is that if you’re a designer and you want to conquer the world of on-line design, you should learn my system for Understanding Paint colours. Join me in one of my Specify Colour with Confidence™ colour training seminars.

So today I’m going to show you a colour consultation that I did with Amanda in Chicago last year. They bought this fabulous house that needed new paint colours badly.

And I’m also going to let you in on a secret and here it is: 80% of getting colour right is about Understanding Undertones™ and 20% is getting it right in the lighting.

Yes it’s true that you can choose a colour that you thought was the most perfect colour ever and the light changes it into something really bad, but most of the time, it’s getting the undertone right that makes the biggest difference in having colour in your house that makes you happy when you walk in the door.

Many people use the age-old excuse that the lighting changed the colour but the real reason 80 – 90% of the time is that the undertone was wrong to start with.

I talked about the Pareto Principal of the 80/20 rule on my blog a few years ago.

Here’s the exterior.

Amanda was so sweet to post her review on my Houzz profile and here it is:

“I found Maria’s website when I purchased a new house over a year ago and was beginning to search for inspiration images for redecorating my new home. I found her advice regarding color and paint so interesting and fresh (invaluable really) and it really resonated with me so I hired her for a consultation for the entire 5,500 square feet of my home. 

Prior to deciding on the consultation, I had already purchased her 50 large colour samples, which I had hoped would simplify the process of choosing the right paint colours (they have). We used them in the consultation and I have also used them to help my parents choose paint colours and my interior designer sister has tried (unsuccessfully to buy them from me!).

They have paid for themselves over and over again. We have successfully chosen great colours on the first try when we’ve used them without any hassle.

As for the consultation, I could not have been more pleased! From her years of experience working with colour, I had a feeling I would be able to trust her design advice and she did not disappoint! Our consultation covered choosing all of the paint colours in my home (using my furniture, flooring and fabrics as a reference point). In addition, we discussed the other renovations I was working on at the time like updated my kitchen and retiling my foyer/mudroom. Maria and I discussed all the elements of the foyer and the kitchen: The backsplash tile, cabinet paint color (white of course), the countertops I was purchasing (Cambria Torquay), the hardware, lighting, etc. 

She really does give sound advice through and through. From my experience, she has an in-depth understanding of what paint can do for a space and she definitely understands the concept of undertones (which is a critical component of creating a beautiful space). Overall, I feel like her design advice outside of colour results in a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing look that is timeless and classic.

I can, without hesitation, say that Maria’s fee was 100% worth it. I shudder to think of the mistakes (cost in $$$ and stress) I would have made without her expert advice. Choosing paint colours was completely stress free, my choices for my kitchen renovation were confirmed by the white kitchen expert and I am now enjoying every square inch of my new home and it’s gorgeous palette chosen with the expert help of Maria Killam.”

 

Lovely back yard.

 Pretty, flagstone pathway, My LA, MaryAnne White would approve.

 Before

Brace yourself for some STRONG colours! I believe it’s my mission in life to give my clients the confidence to use colour but certainly where appropriate. This house was VERY colourful! But hey, everyone has their own preferences when it comes to colour.

 After

We toned down the red tone of the wood floors and staircase into a medium brown. The new timeless colour for floors.

After: Wall colour P&L Phantom 11-31

Before

After

Before

Amanda wanted to paint out all the trim, so that’s what we did.

 After: P & L Dried Moss 15-25

Amanda and her family actually had to re-locate soon after they moved in, so they moved out and had the house staged which is why the furnishings are basic.

Their house was on the market for one day and they got their asking price! She was thrilled!

Before

Amanda had found this wonderful wallpaper and it made sense to paint out the millwork in this den.

After: Millwork: P & L Off-White 32-31

After

Before

And of course the kitchen, which is the best transformation in my opinion. Since I renovated my kitchen last year I get much fewer emails asking me about white kitchens. Instead I receive emails with people saying “Maria, I’m copying your kitchen exactly, I just need a few more details”, haha.

I really need to post better photos of my kitchen but I was waiting until there was something pretty outside the windows after my landscaping was complete so I’ll have to do that soon.

After: Countertops, Cambria Torquay, White P & L Off-White 32-31

I love that she had the island re-designed, it made this kitchen feel brand new.

After

 Here’s another view.

Master bath – Before

When we got to the master bath, I suggested Amanda have the two sconces removed. The placement was odd given there was no mirror. Obviously the wall colour was 100% better not cut up like it was in the above picture.

After: Existing Calcutta Tile: Paint colourL P&L Gray Moire 33-30

Before

After

After

Before

After: Paint Colour, P&L Pavonne 25-26

Remember this house has been staged to sell. I think she did a great job, thanks Amanda for sending me the before’s and after’s!

Related posts:

What NOT to do with your Kitchen Island Design

The New Timeless Hardwood Floor

PEI Cottage gets a Dose of Colour me Happy

If you would like your home to fill you with happiness every time you walk up to the front door, become a client. On-line or In-person.

Download my eBook, How to Choose Paint Colours – It’s All in the Undertones to get my complete step-by-step system on how to get colour to do what you want.

To make sure the undertones in your home are right, get some large samples!

If you would like to learn how to choose colour with confidence, become a True Colour Expert. 

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