House to Home: Earthy browns combine with calm blue for a serene setting
July 18th, 2010 by Debbie Travis
Q. I’ve just moved into a tiny gem of an old house. My first priority is to freshen it up a bit with paint, and I’m hoping you will give me some direction with colors. I have a very hectic job and want to be able to leave the stresses of the day at the front door.
A. You are looking for a serene color palette that will soothe the senses. I suggest you begin with a base of browns, taupes, creams or whites. These colors are naturally peaceful and are associated with the senses. Think of tactile wood tones, smooth melted chocolate, mossy taupes and creamy sand.
To complement and heighten the calm mood, add the irresistible charm of blue. Blue is synonymous with sea and sky, and the medium tones, those with a touch of red in them, such as lilac and lavender, evoke tranquility. For the bathroom, watery blues paired with white create a spalike freshness and purity.
Strive for an uncluttered space; allow the eye to rest on surface textures and sheens. Taupe satin walls, a chocolate velvet cushion and a lightweight blue-and-white wool throw with a gently swirling pattern produce a restful living-room vignette. The gently reflective surface of the shiny metal lamp base sitting on a pale-blue side table and the asymmetric brown and blue vases on the mantel are elements that balance the setting.
Natural fibers should be used as often as possible to allow the body to breathe. We are especially conscious of what is touching our skin in the bathroom and bedroom, where we are most vulnerable. With today’s accent on environmental responsibility, look for organic products that soothe and nourish your skin.
Apply a coat of duck-egg blue or frothy white to your bathroom or bedroom walls. Floors can be wood or stone; both have perfect natural textures and feel great underfoot. On your bathroom counter, display a fluffy pile of towels in brown, blue and white, and you’ve got an unbeatable combination that is guaranteed to clear your mind and rejuvenate you for your next busy day.
Q. We have ceramic tile in a standard bathroom layout. Unfortunately, the row of “decorator tiles” is not to our liking. The 3-by-6-inch insert tiles, decorated with a pink, green and blue vine pattern, run around the shower and counter. Without having to rip out all the tiles, is there any paint I could use to cover these tiles to go with our cream and taupe color scheme?
A. Yes, you can paint over the tiles that you don’t like. They will not have the same texture or touch as the real ceramic tiles, but that doesn’t matter. Tape off around the border tiles to protect the remaining areas. Sand the tiles you are going to paint, then apply a high-adhesion primer so that the new paint will stick. If the vine pattern is raised, you will still see it, but this should look good, adding some dimension to the effect. Melamine or laminate paints are tough and hardwearing. You can also use acrylic paint, but finish with two or three coats of varnish for sheen and protection.
Debbie Travis’ House to Home column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. Please e-mail any questions to house2home@debbietravis.com.
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