Tags
benjamin Moore Paint, Cochineal Red, Colonial Williamsburg, Emilyaclark.com, Everard Blue, Historic Colors, House Beautiful name that color contest, Robert Carter House
Many times I have laughingly said that a job I would want to have is to name the colors of paint on the paint chips. Think about it. Someone has to name a color, “deer path,” (a tan) or “glass slipper,” (a light blue-gray), or Elephant’s Breath (a gray-white). The first two are Benjamin Moore colors and the last belongs to Farrow and Ball. I loved the paint department so much that before the days of HGTV, I would go there to gather up the brochures of my most favorite rooms and bring them home to study. I had no intention of actually painting a room but between looking at the pretty colors on the paint wands and admiring the pictures on the brochures, I could spend a delightful Sunday afternoon!
House Beautiful magazine has a contest every month. They present a paint color and you are invited to give it a creative name. The winner will receive a $100 American Express gift certificate and three runners-up will receive a copy of House Beautiful’s newest book, Color: The Perfect Shade for Every Room. Here is the color to be named for this month:
I think that I would name it, “Charles Dickens Green,” because it reminds me of the color of a frock coat that would be worn in one of his novels.
Most paint companies have a group of what they call, “Historic Colors.” Last week Emily Clark from Charlotte posted a blog about her visit to Colonial Williamsburg. She was present when one of the historic homes was staged by a paint company. They had done some research to learn what color the house was painted in the 1700’s. Of course, I found it fascinating. Here is what Emily said on her blog. For more information, please visit, http://www.EmilyAClark.com:
This is Emily at one of the Williamsburg gift shops.
Benjamin Moore was there photographing their historic paint colors in the Robert Carter House.
Here is an interior corner of the house before…
…and after it was staged:
The colors used above were Benjamin Moore Bracken Cream and Williamsburg Wythe.
…before…
…and after:
Ben Moore colors above are Ewing Blue and Market Square Sheil.
…before…
…and after:
Ben Moore Spotswood Tear, Everard Blue, Damask Yellow.
…before…
…and after:
Ben Moore Bone Black and Lamp Black on trim.
…before…
…and after…
Ben Moore Cochineal Red
Thank you to EmilyAClark.com for the photographs from Colonial Williamsburg. For more wonderful information, please visit Emily’s blog.
Whatever you name a paint color, the important thing to remember is that it is only paint. Try any color in your room and if you don’t like it, just paint over it. Paint is so much less expensive than a new sofa or chair but it can make a gigantic impact.
Create and be happy!
deborahwoodmurphy 