The 10-Step Maria Killam Colour Confidence Method™ (#3 is my Favourite)

I’m really excited to announce my new Colour Confidence Method™!

Last week’s Specify Colour with Confidence™ training was the first group to go through this new method with me and here’s what one of the participants had to say about the class:

“Maria’s course was fantastic – I learned a wealth of information from her and knew it would help me in my career as a long-time kitchen designer. What I didn’t expect was to be able to use it immediately with great results! The class ended on Friday, and on Saturday morning I had a consult with a new client. I started to use the steps and language I had learned inside her new Colour Confidence Method and thought to myself, “Listen to me! This is so helpful!” My client easily understood what I was saying and hired me. I knew Maria was great but didn’t realize I would see the cost of her training start to make me money the next day!”  Deb Trembath, www.kitchenslangley.com

This method is a 10-step process that can be used in any consultation to move the project forward. Most importantly, you can use this method no matter what level you are at in your business – whether you’re a beginner just starting out, or you’re an expert with years of experience. This system works whether you’re helping your clients with renovating, decorating or choosing finishes for a new build.

What makes this method so ground-breaking is that you can map it onto ANY STYLE or ANY SIZE home with ANY BUDGET and walk your client step-by-step, through exactly what needs to be done.

The classroom in February

Here are the steps:

1. C – Clarify your client’s goals

2. O – Organize what’s staying and what’s going

3. N – Navigate the budget

4. F – Focus on creating flow

5. I – Include the principles of classic and timeless

6. D – Determine the boss of the house

7. E – Establish how much colour can do for the space

8. N – Notice and follow the rules for the neutrals, whites and colours

9. C – Create the inspiration

10. E – Ensure your client’s happiness

Here’s why 3. N – Navigate the budget is my favourite. Everyone either knows how much money they have or are prepared to spend on any project. But it’s WHERE you spend it that is so important.

A designer’s job is to use their creativity to be smart in navigating exactly where their clients should put their hard earned dollars.

I recently heard this story by John Assaraf on what it looks like to work with an expert:

 “If you blindfolded a person and gave him a Rubik’s Cube to solve, it could take him up to 6 billion years to do it. If the blindfolded person sat next to a Rubik’s Cube expert who gave only “yes” or “no” answers to every twist of the cube the blindfolded person made, it would take the person less than 2 minutes to do it!”

So many people think, “If I pay a designer to help me, my budget will be that much smaller, because I’ll have to spend some of my hard-earned budget on paying the designer.” What that thinking doesn’t consider is that if your designer is smart and creative, they will simply move your budget around so it looks like you had more to begin with and create beauty at the same time!

Not to mention of course the money you will save by not making mistakes you can’t afford to make in the first place.

Think about it. You were about to install a busy, patterned, expensive and totally trendy backsplash until you hit my blog and read this post ; ) ; ).

And then you changed your mind.

How much money did I save you right then? Enough to buy a lamp or two or some cushions probably which contributes way more to the atmosphere of your house than an accent tile you’ll get bored of soon enough. I’m just sayin’.

On your own, you might spend {fill in your budget here} on a matching set of “meh” bedroom furniture (left above), but a designer could take that same budget, give you a designer bedroom that includes accessories, bedding and lighting too! (right above)

Something to consider next time you think doing it yourself might save you some money.

Here are a few pictures of my fabulous new True Colour Experts™. . .

Jennifer Glynn, Luanne Funk and Cheryl Bloom 

Theresa Sheldon-Meyers, Mavis Truscott, Sue Ross, and Janine Arietta

Joanne Dimeff, Robyn Walter, Catherine Kennedy and me on the right

(Back row) Theresa Sheldon-Meyers, Cheryl Bloom, Carolyn Robinson, Kim Calabrigo, Luanne Funk, Kathy Bestwick, Sue Ross, Catherine Kennedy, Jennifer Glynn (Front row) Mavis Truscott, Joanne Dimeff, Cheryl McCartney, Janine Arietta, Maria Killam, Deb Trembath, Lynne Russell, Robyn Walter, Lana Gagnon

If you would like to become a True Colour Expert  Register here.

Related posts:

The Enchanting World of Atmosphere

How to Decorate with Throw Pillows; 5 Rules to Follow

What it Takes to be Great

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 and 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.