2017 Color Trends

It’s that time of year when the major paint manufacturers are releasing their “Color of the Year” selections. Today we will explore a couple of manufacturers and their choices.

Sherwin Williams: “Poised Taupe” SW 6039. They say this color brings together warm and cool tones for another great neutral. This color is described as a “weathered, woodsy neutral bringing a sense of coziness and harmony.” It is a warm, brown color with a hint of purple in the undertones. Sherwin Williams made this selection based on their research of trends where the trendy grays are transitioning into a warmer neutral, more taupes and browns.

Benjamin Moore: “Shadow” 2117-30. Described as a little bit rock and roll. It’s the color of the galaxy but also the color of a beautiful fig. It’s passion, it’s bravery, but it’s also silence. It can be electrified or softened. “Shadow” is a deep purple. Not a Barney purple, but a rich, royal amethyst that can fade into the soft lilac-grey of distant mountains or morph into lustrous coal.

Farrow & Ball: “Peignoir”. Created by giving the lightest pink color a big dose of gray, this dusty pink color can feel modern yet traditional at the same time. There is a trend of using blush as a neutral, and this color selection is further promoting that idea.

What do you think of these color selections? Do you already have some of these shades in your home or closet? If not, will you try to incorporate it somehow? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Send me an email at jessica@webbercoleman.com.

2017 Pantone Color of the Year

The interiors and fashion worlds wait expectantly every year for Pantone’s color announcement. Pantone announced their 2017 Color of the Year as Greenery. Touted as a refreshing and revitalizing shade, Greenery is symbolic of new beginnings. It is a fresh and zesty yellow-green shade that evokes the first days of spring when nature’s greens revive, restore and renew. The fortifying attributes of Greenery signals consumers to take a deep breath, oxygenate and reinvigorate.  A life-affirming shade, Greenery is also emblematic of the pursuit of personal passions and vitality.

“Greenery bursts forth in 2017 to provide us with the hope we collectively yearn for amid a complex social and political landscape. Satisfying our growing desire to rejuvenate, revitalize and unite, Greenery symbolizes the reconnection we seek with nature, one another and a larger purpose.” Says Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute

I’ve always wondered who gets the interesting job of choosing names for paint colors and who actually has the authority to choose the Color of the Year for the world. The entire world of fashion, automobiles and interiors takes their cue from this company. They don’t take their job lightly. The color of the year is a symbolic color selection; a color snapshot of what we see taking place in our global culture that serves as an expression of a mood and an attitude. Thousands of hours of research and filtering are done to determine what the color of the year will be. Pantone has been the world's color authority for nearly 50 years, providing design professionals with products and services for the colorful exploration and expression of creativity. They are the provider of professional color standards for the design industries. Always a source for color inspiration, Pantone also offers paint and designer-inspired products and services for consumers.

What do you think of this color selection? Do you already have some of this shade in your home or closet? If not, will you try to incorporate it somehow? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Send me an email at jessica@webbercoleman.com.

Finding Extra Storage in Stud Spaces

Have you ever looked at the space between wall studs and thought “There’s got to be a way to use that space!” More and more projects these days are utilizing the space between studs for storage. See the picture below for a recent project we completed. This tall linen cabinet was only about 8” deep, but recessed into the wall. It is perfect storage for all of those lotions and potions people keep in the bathroom.

Empty stud space is not just for short medicine cabinets. Utilize an empty wall and the tall space for more storage. You may not be able to fit towels in this cabinet, but it is a great place to keep medicines, shampoo bottles and other small items.

Take a look around your space, do you have some free space on a wall that you can utilize better? I love this free, found space for more storage-and who couldn’t use more storage space?! Do you have a good idea for found storage space? I’d love to hear. Email me at Jessica@webbercoleman.com

Standard Cabinet Heights & Depths

One question I am frequently asked is what the standard heights and depths of cabinets these days are. Let’s explore that today. *Note: Some of these dimensions are our standards after some trial and error and repeated client requests*

Kitchen

Base Cabinets: 35 ¼” height x 24” deep

Upper Cabinets: 12” deep

Inset Construction Upper Cabinets: 13” deep (with the door inset into the frame of the cabinet, you decrease the interior shelf size by ¾”. Because dinner plates are made larger and larger today, it’s important to have a 12” interior shelf)

Tall Oven or Refrigerator Cabinets: 26” deep-this allows a 24”deep base cabinet beside it to have a 1-1 ½” countertop overhang and the countertop to not stick out past the face of the oven or refrigerator cabinet

Bathroom

Base Cabinets: 35 ¼” height x 21” deep

Bookcases

12” deep

Because we build custom cabinets, we have the flexibility and ability to make cabinets whatever height, width or depth we need or want to. We build everything down to the 1/16^th of an inch allowing us to forgo fillers and maximize storage space. If you are getting custom cabinets for your space, carefully consider what will be going in each cabinet and have them built the depth you need accordingly. This will allow the best use of the cabinets.

Do you have a specific question regarding cabinet heights or depths? Email me at Jessica@webbercoleman.com

Cork Floors 101: Part 3

The last couple of columns we have explored where cork comes from and some of the attributes and benefits of it. Today we will explore how it specifically translates to flooring and what you can expect.

Most cork flooring comes in tiles or planks. The most common is an engineered laminate-style application which is installed using a glue down or floating installation process. As with any floor, make sure proper attention is given to the subfloor before installing it to get the best long term results. Many cork fans love its natural variations in tone and texture and like with most natural products, it has a richness and depth that manufacturers cannot replicate. Cork can be dyed or stained in a myriad of colors to fit any design aesthetic.

Cork is a natural product and with any natural product there is some maintenance. Sweep or vacuum it on a weekly basis to keep dirt and crumbs from permanently marring the surface. Some cork flooring comes prefinished and some manufacturers recommend waxing or applying clear polyurethane. Just like hardwoods or carpet, sunlight can fade it over time.

Ok, ok-I’ve convinced you to use cork for your flooring. But how much does it cost? A good budget number is about $12 per square foot which includes installation. Be careful skimping on the quality of the material. Lower density cork flooring won’t hold up very long in the long run. 

Like when selecting any flooring material, consider the other spaces and materials around it before deciding on color or style so that it blends in with the rest of your aesthetic. We’ve installed cork flooring several times and every customer has loved it! If you decide to use it, I’d love to see pictures of your finished space. Email them to me at Jessica@webbercoleman.com

Cork Floors 101: Part 2

Last time we discussed where cork comes from and how it is harvested. This week we will dive into cork flooring, specifically, and discover the benefits and traits that make it a great flooring choice. Some of the unique properties of cork are elasticity, natural, insulating, water & wear resistant and anti-allergic. Let’s dig deep into each of these properties.

Elastic: The ingenious cell structure of cork makes it especially elastic and resistant to damage. Each cubic centimeter is composed of 40 million highly flexible cells, making it very elastic and compressionable. It always returns to its original shape after being subjected to any pressure, absorbing shocks and decreasing the pressure on your legs, joints and back. Cork can easily bounce back from small nicks, but major dings, like sliding a heavy chair or table across it, are more difficult to fix. Furniture can eventually leave permanent dents unless you place it on protective coasters. The shock absorbancy of cork it really great when used in long standing locations, such as the kitchen or gym. It also lessens the risk of shattering glasses or dishes when dropped on the floor.

Natural: 100% natural raw material, 100% reusable and 100% recyclable.

Insulation: One of the world’s oldest insulators, the cellular structure of cork allows it to absorb heat and retain it for a long time. The millions of cells in each cubic centimeter of cork act as a decibel absorber making it a great insulating material for offices, restaurants and kids rooms.

Water & Wear Resistance: The honeycomb structure of cork makes it affected very little by impact or friction with other hard surfaces. The waxy substance suberin, found in cork, makes it naturally repel water. This makes it perfect for kitchens, bathrooms and outdoor areas. Standing water can permeate the joints of the flooring and cause damage. Check with the manufacturer before installing in a specific area.

Anti-Allergic: Cork does not absorb dust and contains suberin, a natural substance that fends off mold, mildew, rot and pests.

So are you convinced yet that you should use cork in your home? Next time we will explore the variations of flooring cork is made in and what might be best for your application. Any questions, contact me at Jessica@webbercoleman.com

Cork Floors 101

A newbie to the flooring scene is cork. (ok, maybe not a newbie, but a product that many people are not aware of or have used.) The word “cork” may conjure up images of wine bottles or popping champagne bottles. Natural cork comes from the bark of the cork oak tree, found mainly in southern Europe and northern Africa. Portugal is the center of the cork industry and accounts for more than half the world’s production. The cork oak tree is the national tree of Portugal and has been legally protected since the Middle Ages. Scraps of bark left over from punched out wine bottle stoppers are ground up, pressed and baked into sheets that are ready to convert into floor planks and tiles.

                                                Photo from the Portuguese Cork Association

Although you may just be hearing about cork floors, they have been around for more than a century. When it was first introduced, it appeared mostly in commercial spaces, though residential use increased after Frank Lloyd Wright chose it for many of the homes he designed. It’s popularity hit a peak in the 1960’s and 70’s but waned until the 2000’s and now it’s hotter than ever.

Looking for a green product for your home? Cork is a high contender. The cork oak trees gradually regenerate their bark after it’s harvested and the harvesting process is strictly regulated in order to keep damage to the trees and cork minimal. Trees live between 1-2 centuries making it a long term renewable resource.

Have you used cork floors in your home? Does it pique your interest? Stay tuned for the next column on the benefits of using it on your floor. Have questions? Email me at Jessica@webbercoleman.com