Filed under: Color, Design, etc
Designer Genevieve Gorder talks to us about how color and paint are the most powerful tools in transforming a home.Designer Genevieve Gorder is a very busy bee. Not only is she traveling all the time to decorate homes, she's also just wrapped up filming the newest season of HGTV's Design Star, which airs tonight!
On top of all that she's also recently teamed with the innovative paint company Valspar as color expert for their new Valspar+ paint line. We love the summery shades and tones in this new paint collection, and what's more is that the paint is certified allergy- and asthma-friendly and already available at Lowe's around the country.
Despite her overbooked schedule, we were able to catch up with Genevieve for a few quick questions about the new paint line and her thoughts on the positive powers of color in the home. Scroll down to see the Q&A.
Portrait and Organic Garden paint: Courtesy of Valspar.
1. How was working with Valspar and their new Valspar+ line of paint?
Color is a designer's most powerful tool, so pairing up with Valspar, a company that celebrates this as well as the well-being of their customers, goes hand-in-hand with my personal mission as a designer. On a more personal note, I grew up with asthma and allergies, so I think it's wonderful that Valspar has introduced Valspar+, which is the first asthma and allergy-friendly paint that's certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. It's a new and very kind approach to the painting process.
2. Do you have a favorite color from the line?
My favorite paint colors change constantly as it's my job to keep it new and interesting. I'm dying over pinks right now, but one must be very careful in this color family as we all know it can go to a very questionable place quickly. Pressed Blossoms is money! Love it, love it, love it! And a pale calamine is timeless and ethereal.
3. What are your foolproof Valspar color pairings for each room in the home?
Cool Gray for the living room and Blizzard Fog for the kitchen. Use Lime Kiss in the bedroom and Lilac Buds in the bathroom. Woodlawn Sterling Blue is good for a children's room.
4. Do you believe in painting each room a different color?
Paint is one of the boldest ways to express color and set the whole mood of a space. That being said, I don't believe you have to paint every room a different color, it's about bridging color--bold pops in transitional spaces like hallways and bathrooms, calmer neutrals in common areas and personal favorites in bedrooms and the office. Color should make sense and create movement, and this happens when a palette is fully realized.
Paint colors, clockwise from top left: Indigo Steamer, Organic Garden, Plumberry, Safari Sun; and paint can: Courtesy of Valspar.
5. Are there colors that you think people write off easily but should give more of a chance?
I think people write off almost every color group beyond beige. There is nothing "safe" about a monochromatic environment, beige on beige is absolutely dull and I know that no one truly wants to say that they are a "beige" personality. Every color has a neutral version of itself. Dive into the grays, smoky lilacs and watery blues, they don't bite.
6. What's your own living room/kitchen/bedroom/bathroom color?
My living room is Valspar's Cool Gray, which is a very light gray. I like using buttery neutrals in open layouts--the walls become an oyster shell of sorts and all of the powerhouse colors enter in the contents. I'm a sleeper, so I thought a little sunshine on my walls would help ease me into morning. Grounded with blacks, grays and creamy whites, Lime Kiss is a delight!
7. Is there an interesting color experience that's changed you personally?
I've been scared of blues for a very long time. It took a trip to Scandinavia for me to finally embrace it as a color. I've flirted with blue in accessories, but to own the color as a room, on a wall, or the floor was difficult for me. Understanding a color means stepping out of what you're familiar with. I use blues in almost every room I do now.