Custom Color and Art

06/03/2024

Don't Neutralize Your Home into Oblivion

If you plan to sell your home, you've probably been told to strip it of personality, making everything neutral to help potential buyers envision themselves living there. While this advice may sound practical, it’s actually one of the worst things you can do. The truth is that only a handful of people can visualize a space’s potential, and even fewer can see it as an appealing, well-designed home. When you remove all character from a home, you risk making it forgettable, especially in areas where houses share similar designs and floor plans. Here’s why you should rethink the neutral approach and infuse your home with thoughtful design elements.

Why Neutrals Aren’t Always the Answer
One common mistake is creating a tone-on-tone palette—think tan on tan or, even worse, gray on gray. Such uniformity gives the eye nowhere to rest and blends the space into a bland, indistinct blur. Buyers browsing online listings will likely scroll past your home, forgetting it instantly. Instead, aim to include a mix of light and dark elements that catch the eye and create memorable impressions. For those who prefer neutral walls, adding a bit of black in each room can help anchor the space and provide visual interest. Among neutral shades, white walls are a better choice over tan or gray. However, be mindful to select the right shade of white—not too warm or cold—to keep the space inviting and contemporary.

The Texture Rule
To make your home stand out, incorporate at least seven different textures. Textures can include materials like wood, marble, leather, and patterned fabrics—everything from the walls to the furniture and drapery counts. A well-designed room that feels cohesive and attractive often features a variety of textures that appeal to the senses. Most people may be unable to articulate why they love a particular design, but they know it when they see it. A home that’s already well-designed or offers a template that buyers can easily replicate often sells for a premium.

Balance the Proportions of Elements

Achieving a balanced proportion of elements in your living space can significantly enhance its coziness. For instance, the overwhelming presence of a large white wall can be softened by incorporating a series of shapes in mid-tone or dark tones. Here are a few ideas:

Artwork and Wall Hangings: Hang a series of framed prints, paintings, or photographs to break up the expanse of the wall. Choose pieces with mid-tone or dark backgrounds to create a balanced contrast with the white wall.

Accent Walls: Consider painting a portion of the wall in a darker color or using wallpaper with a subtle pattern to add depth and interest without overpowering the space.

Shelving and Decor: Install floating shelves and decorate them with books, plants, and decorative objects in varying tones. This not only breaks up the wall visually but also adds a functional and aesthetic element to the room.

By thoughtfully balancing the proportions of elements in your living space, you can create a harmonious and inviting environment that feels both cozy and well-designed.

Invest in Professional Help
Most real estate agents lack a background in interior design, so their advice to neutralize may not serve your best interests. Instead, consider hiring a color consultant, interior designer, or professional stager to create a memorable, well-designed space that captivates potential buyers. By doing so, you’re not just selling a house; you’re offering a lifestyle they can’t resist. The investment in expert guidance can make a significant difference in how quickly your home sells and the price it fetches.

04/12/2024

Imagine stepping outside your home to be greeted by a facade that reflects your style and captures the attention of everyone who passes by. That's the power of hiring a color consultant for your exterior painting project.

As an artist and designer, I understand that every space is unique, just like every homeowner's vision. That's why I take the time to collaborate closely with our clients, ensuring that the color scheme we create reflects their personality, brand, or desired ambiance. With our finger on the pulse of current and emerging color trends, I guarantee that your home will stand out from the rest.

From classic selections to cutting-edge options, I’ll guide you through choices that will keep your property looking fresh and modern.But it's not just about aesthetics; it's about your property's value. Well-chosen colors can significantly boost your property's worth, whether you're planning to sell or simply want to create a welcoming atmosphere for your guests or customers.

Investing in a color consultation is not just a financial decision; it's a smart investment of your time and energy. Our efficient process eliminates costly mistakes and ensures a harmonious color palette that perfectly aligns with your vision, saving you from potential headaches and disappointments.

At Custom Color and Art, we're passionate about transforming architectural spaces into captivating works of art. And it all starts with colors that radiate brilliance and sophistication. Let us help you make your home the envy of the neighborhood.

03/28/2024

A collection of my works on paper, “Rites of Passage,” opened on March 22 at Studio DDLA. The exhibition delves into the states of identity that define our lives.

What made the opening unforgettable was conversing with visitors, hearing their interpretations, and witnessing their emotional responses to my work.

Some shared personal anecdotes that resonated deeply with the themes I explored, while others offered perspectives that opened new vistas of understanding.

One particular encounter stands out in my memory—a woman spoke to me of how one of my pieces, depicting a figure in a hospital gown, made her think of her mother, who had had Alzheimer's.

Studio DDLA provided a platform for my work to be seen and a sanctuary for dialogue, introspection, and connection. The exhibit is open by appointment and runs until the 19th of April.

The closing party is on April 19th from 5 pm to 9 pm at 944 Chung King Road, Los Angeles, CA

Studio DDLA provides a community, gallery, and event space to explore death, grief, life, and loss in collaboration with local doulas, artists, healers, and community members.

In addition to rotating art exhibitions, Studio DDLA hosts an array of DDLA and external programming. Our interactive workshops and educational offerings cover topics like end-of-life planning, art therapy, grief support, living funerals, and somatic and movement work.

12/26/2023

I LOVE when clients send me pictures like this! I consulted on this renovation project and the owner also purchased several of my paintings for the interior. It is unrecognizable from the way it looked before. The fireplace looks amazing with the new Heath ceramic tiles. The terrazzo floors are dreamy, as well as the furniture which reflects the owners style as well as the house’s vibe.

11/29/2023

As a color consultant, I work with my clients to achieve color harmony with all their building materials when they embark on a renovation or new building project. My goal is to create an environment that the client had hoped and dreamt of rather than one that came together haphazardly.

The interior of this Palm Springs residence is no exception. The client (whom I had worked with before on their Los Angeles residence) wanted to bring as much light as possible into this mid-century home.

While some of the furnishings/ rugs and details on the open plan kitchen are still to come, I wanted to share a sneak peek as one of my paintings is now in place, and I'm so excited to share the result.

The painting hanging in this space is from my series some years back called "Memories of Place." The piece is titled "Fear of Falling". Ironically, the impetus for making this painting is more about being so swept away in the beauty of open space, in its volume, atmosphere, light, and dancing shadows, that I lose a sense of my feet being on the ground.

Some critical decisions were changing out the old patio doors for these sleek, thin-profile sliding doors. I found the large-scale terrazzo tiles with a hint of a sienna blush that gave the right amount of warmth and texture.
The relief design on the fireplace tiles gave a nod to the sixties and introduced weight and masculinity to the space, tying into the dark trim of the patio doors.

The light color of the walls was carefully chosen so as not to appear cold/bluish against the tiles nor to feel overly peachy or yellow to give a drab appearance.

There is a coffee-colored s**g rug that is on the way, which will create contrast between the floor and the couch.

10/10/2023

1. Expert Knowledge and Experience: an in-depth understanding of color theory, psychology, and design principles. With years of experience in the industry, I have an eye for detail and can guide you in selecting the right hues, shades, and tones for your space.

2. Customized Color Schemes: Every space is unique, and I believe in creating tailored color schemes that reflect your personality, brand, or desired ambiance. I work closely with you to understand your goals, preferences, and requirements, ensuring the final result meets your expectations.

3. Enhance and Maximize Space: The strategic use of color can profoundly impact the perception of space. Whether you want to make a small room feel more expansive, create focal points, or define different areas within a large open space, I will optimize your space through color selection.

4. Stay Ahead of Trends: Possessing an in-depth knowledge of current and emerging color trends, my designs ensure that your space remains fresh, modern, and visually appealing. They will guide you through timeless choices and innovative options that will make your architecture stand out from the rest.

5. Increase Property Value: Well-executed color choices can greatly enhance the value of your property. Whether you are a homeowner looking to sell or a business owner aiming to attract more customers, I create an inviting and captivating environment that will leave a memorable impression on any potential buyer or client.

6. Save Time and Money: With an architectural color consultant on your side, you save valuable time and resources. A color consultation streamlines the color selection process, preventing costly mistakes and ensuring a harmonious color palette that aligns with your vision.

Being passionate about transforming architectural spaces into captivating works of art begins with colors that radiate brilliance and sophistication.

When should I hire a Color Consultant?
You should always look for an architectural color consultant, regardless of the size of the job at hand. Professionals are necessary to create a quality final product. An architectural color consultant can help you achieve any project's desired style, feel, and value.

What's in it for me if I use these services?
Some people don't see the point in hiring a professional color consultant when another tradesperson currently working on the project or someone with a "good eye" might do the job just as well. While some people are naturally gifted with color selection, a professional architectural color consultant will be trained to create a comprehensive color palette and strategically place those colors.

Just how much are we talking about here?
The fee ranges from several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the consultant's level of expertise, the necessity of an on-site visit, and the depth of the services given (such as whether or not photo renderings are included

Please get in touch so that we can talk about your project.

Please reach out to me today to schedule a consultation and embark on a color journey that will unlock the true potential of your space.

02/24/2023

Fascinating way they achieved balance in values in black and white film with color

Some neat trivia about makeup application for early black and white film, esp relevant to early horror movies.

Until about 1926, most motion picture film was orthochromatic. Orthochromatic film is sensitive to blue-violet hues on the visible spectrum but is less sensitive to the yellow-red range. Some problems created by this could be blue eyes that looked almost white when projected on the silver screen, or overcast skies and skin tones that looked uneven, muddy, or simply did not "pop" satisfactorily from other elements in a scene.

Early filmmakers examined which colors would show up as grey, and especially what shade of grey, they would become when filmed and projected for audiences. Cameramen found that viewing scenes through a blue lens could give decent tonal approximation.

Early horror and character effects masters like Lon Chaney had to work on multiple, and sometimes complicated, levels when applying makeup for horror films in the silent era: On the one hand, colors had to "pop" (or blend) in just the right way for the finished film; and on the other hand, the monster's makeup still had to plain old scare audiences, too (or achieve whatever effect Chaney or any other makeup artist intended).

In modern color movies, blood on the set is filmed as red, and it shows up in the finished product as red -- period. In early silent film, however, the impression of "red" blood was often suggested with black, syrupy, or viscous fluid. (Although Psycho was made well after the silent era, Hitchcock infamously used dark brown Bosco chocolate syrup for blood in that movie.) Horror effects artists in the silent era had to similarly improvise to impart impressions of color within the constraints of the primitive film stock they had to work with.

Many studios developed and relied on "cheat sheets" like this image, below:

02/18/2023

I am so proud of this renovation. Working with my client, we prepared this 1927 beauty for the market with stunning results.
Call today to hear how I can help you design your ideal living space with color

02/23/2022

While painting your home's exterior is part of maintaining your investment, you also want it to reflect you. You want your taste and style to create a feeling that you're happy to come back to at the end of the day. A place you're proud to call home.

One of the tools I use when working with my clients is creating a Photoshop color rendering to give an overall idea of the new look. The photo rendering allows my client to feel the mood a particular color combination carries.

The next step is narrowing down the choices and putting paint swatches up on the exterior. While a digital rendering is fantastic in establishing a design concept, seeing how color behaves during different times of day in a different light is something a rendering can't capture.

Once the paint samples are up, and you've lived with it, seeing it in the morning, afternoon, and evening, you can be confident that these are the colors for you and your home.

06/11/2021

While we are thrilled to have our new furry friends in our lives, I was not so thrilled to have cat hair all over our custom upholstered sofas. I've found the perfect solution, a slipcover line made in Italy with two way stretchable fabric that fits any sofa! I LOVE this! It can be taken off and machine washed. I've got a 5% discount coupon too for anyone who has pets, kids or is prone to spill stuff in general.
Just use: tierce5off at the checkout