Today is a fun day for us because we get to share with you something new. Something we have been working on for a few weeks now and that we hope you love as much as we do. It's a new color.
We call her Emma. Lisa and I began discussing adding an emerald tone to our collection before the new year. Almost immediately after Lisa started mixing, Pantone announced it as the color of the year. Since then, we've been seeing emerald everywhere and we've been anxiously awaiting to add our own to the mix.
Well, today it is ready. Our take on emerald is strong, deep and beautiful. It's the perfect color to bring a little intensity to your space.
Emma can be found in our home collection along with the other stunning colors of the Estate palette.
I'm currently painting the stairs that lead to my office in this new color. I can't wait to share the results with you.
What would you use Emma for?
A living room?
Dining room?
Your little one's nursery?
A fine piece of furniture?
Get Painting!
read more »Good Morning! We hope you had a wonderful weekend! Today we have a post from Jamie detailing a project she completed in her own home to add a little color in her living room. Enjoy! -Andi
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I’m on a budget. I have never been on a budget before in my
life, but now hubby and I are on a budget. It’s a great thing, though, because
we are on the same page about finances for the first time in our relationship.
It does, however, make redecorating our house a bit more challenging. I’m
forced to utilize items we already have around the house and jump-start my
creativity side instead of taking the easy (and usually more expensive) way of
buying new.
We’re currently working on updating our living room. We’re looking at
some grey/green shades from the QHP palettes to brighten the room, while still
coordinating with our vibrant kitchen. I bought a new entertainment center and
bookcase that I felt were priced appropriately. When I looked at the side
tables in the same set, they were about $90 each. No way was I going to spend
that $180 on two side tables. I’ll find
something at a yard sale I can repaint, I thought.
So, when we were cleaning out (mostly) my husband’s junk in our office closet, I saw these babies:
Boring, right? I know, but these were exactly the trays I had been hoping to find at a yard sale or on clearance at Target! I knew that some primer and a couple of coats of paint could turn these trays into the pops of color I wanted to brighten up our living room. So, with a quart of QHP primer (which is VOC-free and non-toxic just like all our paints) and a quart of Pool, we were able to go from bland to grand.
Here is how we did it…
First, we took apart the tables and sanded them to rough up the surface a bit.
Then we primed the pieces with one coat of QHP primer.
Lily Claire wanted to paint, too, so she came out and helped us paint the
cardboard.
Each table then received two coats of Pool in satin finish with 2 days in between each coat for drying time. We wanted to make sure the paint thoroughly cured to stand up to the wear and tear of daily use.
After the tables were done, we placed them on either side of our love seat, and I was so happy with how they turned out! I love that we were able to take something we already owned and repurpose it into something beautiful and functional. It is nice to not have to set our drinks on the floor anymore, and I can’t wait until we get the living room painted… the color is going to stand out so much more! I hope to update you with the finished living room pics soon!
What are some repurposing projects you are planning to accomplish in 2013?
Seven. The number of houses I lived in growing up. A lucky number. The largest number of animals I had at one time (including horses and a cow). The number of days in the week. The title to a really great movie. A brand of jeans. The number of Roman Emperors. When preceded by 00, a really handsome man. Seven is a lot things. But today, to me, it is only one: the temperature outside my front door. Brrrrrrr.
(this is my puppy. she has nothing to do with the number seven, but she does illustrate how cold it is rather well. and i like showing her cute face whenever possible. oh and she is also no longer a puppy but i think i will call her one forever.)
That's right, folks. It's cold outside. And yes, I know. It is colder elsewhere. And yes, I have lived through colder temperatures. But today, looking at that measly seven on the thermometer, it doesn't feel like it. It's the kind of weather that makes you want to make a fire in the fireplace, move your chair directly in front of it and wrap yourself in a blanket. New item on the to-do list?
So, since they are on my mind. How about it? Some pretty fireplaces today:
Like this traditional masterpiece, showcased by that beautiful, rich gray. (from style at home)
Or this? Traditional frame, made unique and wonderful with a coat of bright yellow paint. It's my kind of fireplace. (from bleuepiece)
Blue is fabulous on its own. Mix that with some warm yellow and creamy whites all surrounding a great fireplace and it's perfection. (from jpmdesign)
Try it?
And this lovely place made special and sophisticated with a coat of shiny black. (from houzz)
Try truss on the walls and vintage tux on the fireplace:
OK, so this one won't necessarily keep your warm, but it will keep you entertained! (from unclutterer)
You only need one color to get this look:
one of my personal favorites, Torn Skirt.
More yellow... (from this old house)
Love this one... the bright white with this perfect blue makes me smile. (from mymodernmet)
And finally:
Don't feel like painting the whole fireplace? Why not try just the screen? (from MadebyGirl)
try spash:
Stay warm today!
Today is a day that encourages reflection on a whole year's events. How have you done with your 2012 resolutions? Have you thought about resolutions for the coming year? For us here at Quiet Home Paints, 2012 was a big year full of challenges, hurdles, excitement, successes, and learning. We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for listening to us over the past year and for being as excited (and sometimes more!) about our paint... Here are just a few highlights from the year:
Way back in the beginning of 2012 we got things rolling with a whole new look to our website:
Over the past 12 months we've discovered what we love and what we don't about this site... keeping with tradition you will see a few changes in the beginning of 2013!
We packed up some samples...
and sent them to Thailand where they were used by local children and teachers to create some beautiful murals...
like this monkey
and these flowers...
We had a wonderful photoshoot with two incredibly cute models and lots of paint cans....
We created new sample cards for each palette:
this is loft... full of sophisticated, modern colors.
We went to a few tradeshows where we saw many of your smiling faces and met your adorable little ones...
We had lots of fun projects to work on including this awesome loft space...
we loved this wall of windows overlooking Canal Street in Boston and think our color Brickwork accentuates them perfectly.
We staged some seriously beautiful nurseries for photoshoots...
including this one which uses pond, catnap, bee and buzz...
And of course, we started offering all of our colors in chalkboard paint...
seen here at Lincoln School...
We made a catalog:
another is on the way for 2013 with new colors, new projects, and of course - chalkboard!
and of course, did lots of projects on the blog! Some of our favorites:
an easy to do stencil project...
a quick lamp makeover...
and a chair transformation.
It's been a wonderful, busy year and we can't wait to share with you all of the changes and excitement to come in the new year.
Quiet Home Paints wishes you a happy, healthy, and of course colorful, new year!!
For the past few days, my internet has stopped working on the third floor on our house... which happens to be where my office is. It might have something to do with the fact that I shoved our router into a basket and then hid it behind our Christmas tree. But it has been forcing me to go back and forth between my office (when I need to fill orders, make samples, paint, etc) and my living room (when I need to check emails, edit photos, write blog posts or anything else that involves my computer). To put it mildly, it's annoying.
So this morning, while on my second trip up the stairs, I was day dreaming about how nice it would be to have one space for all things work. Because, you know, fixing the router would just be too simple.
Yes. Something like this would do... full of light and functional space for creating. (found here)
I'm always drawn to cups of pencils. I think they are simple and beautiful. I mean, really, who uses that many pencils? No one... but I see it as an invitation to make something. (found here)
The boldness of the black wall paired with the warm woods and concrete floor - I love this space.
Have you noticed that all of these spaces have awesome lights? Maybe that is what my space is missing - a really fabulous light source.
If I lived in a warmer climate, this would be my dream... (from here)
oh the light! this might be my favorite... from apartment therapy
What would your ideal work space look like?
read more »Hi everyone! Remember our intern, Jamie? Well, she's back on the blog today with a post inspired by the holiday season. Enjoy! -Andi
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Oh, if only you could have an endless number of rooms in
your house dedicated to whatever your heart desires. What rooms would you
choose? My sister used to say she wanted several rooms in her house decorated
for each holiday. That way, she wouldn't have to change the decorations as
often. I would love to have a spa room wing complete with a steam room
and sauna. I think it would be a tranquil place to go and relax… if only, huh?
The spaces I have chosen to share with you today are dedicated to those of you who possess a gift-wrapping addiction. You know who you are. I’m sure you have wrapping paper lined up perfectly in a holder. You probably have the special pre-cut tape attached to a wrist band for effortlessly securing your packages. You might have even made your own homemade gift tags. I, myself, am about to drag out my wrapping paper and tape this week. That is, if I can remember where I put them…
I bet she changes out her gift wrap to reflect the holidays and seasons. How
fun!
Like the wall color? Try our non-toxic paints in the color Pond:
Look at all the organized goodness hiding right behind that cute curtain.
If I had gorgeous wrapping paper like this, I would find all kinds of excuses
to wrap things—like my husband’s lunch.
Want to see a similar look on the walls? Try our color puddle:
This counter space is much better than my kitchen table… and much better on
one’s back than the floor, I’m sure.
We love bold wall colors like this. If you do too, try our color truck.
What about you? Are all your gifts wrapped beautifully and placed under the tree? Or are you still Christmas shopping like me?
-Jamie
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What does the word grand mean to you? When I think grand, I think of greatness both in size and effect. The words speaks to dignity, majesty and splendor. It's no wonder grandparents were given such a title with all that they bring to the world... But in regards to room design, does it mean the same thing?
To me, it's simple: tall ceilings, rich textiles, and some form of ornate detail makes a room feel grand:
Like this grand master that feels luxurious and livable at the same time. To get this look try using creams and taupe together:
like our non-toxic colors: cuddle, nest and spool
Here the grandness is felt in those high ceilings, rich color, and ornate fireplace... (from here)
Try using our non-toxic paint color Vintage Tux on the walls with our warmer white, cuddle:
A softer take on grand spaces... here the look is achieved with the oversized, plush headboard paired with luxiorious linens and ornate chandeliers... (From here)
Like this look?
try our most popular non-toxic paint color sea glass with accents of spool and cuddle
And finally a more modern take on grand with clean lines, soft color and velvety soft textiles. (from here)
Try using our soft gray, mist, with our brighter white, whisper. Bring in some warmer tones to calm it down by using our color nest.
Happy Monday to you!
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