Moody blues and other trending colors for home interiors

 Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press/USA Today Network Nov. 11, 2023

Coming up with creative color palettes is pure joy for this Southwest Florida interior decorator. I love nothing more than to walk through a home getting to know the space and people who live there, and giving them a color plan that will provide happiness every time they walk in the door.

 Just when I think I have used every possible color combination that includes a variation on the color blue for my area clients, Benjamin Moore pulls out another option for the blues.

 It’s always fun to see what paint companies come up with for their Color of the Year. And this year is no exception with Benjamin Moore’s Blue Nova 825. It’s what the company calls an “out of this world,” mystical shade with just a slight hint of violet. Its inspiration comes from “the brilliance of a new star formed in space,” according to the company.

Benjamin Moore announces that Blue Nova is its Color of the Year 2024. It’s what the company calls an “out of this world,” mystical shade with just a slight hint of violet. Photo: Benjamin Moore

 A velvety hue with classic appeal, it’s a great alternative to navy. It’s an easy color and reminds me of a beautiful nighttime sky. But a new color to consider does not mean that we rush to have our home repainted just because of the hype surrounding it. It just gives us something to think about and to place on our inspiration board.

 My take on Blue Nova and how to use it

And there are many ways to bring Nova Blue into your home. Here are a few suggestions.

 ·       Use it in rooms with good natural light and incorporate accents including oranges, yellows, light blues. Think: sunset colors.

·       Paint an entire dining room in Blue Nova. Use White dove as your ceiling and trim color. Spectacular!

·       It’s perfect for a small powder room. Think: chrome, black, antique or gold fixtures.

·       Love it but not ready to commit? Use just a splash! Try this or any color that you love but aren’t sure about committing to a full room, by using it to highlight architectural features: molding, windows, doors.

Try a color that you love by using it to highlight architectural features: molding, windows, doors and especially the ceiling. Shown: Benjamin Moore Regent Green. Photo: Benjamin Moore

·       Paint a bookcase including the back of the bookcase.

·       Paint the ceiling! It’s the fifth wall and under used. Just a splash on the ceiling may give you all the color you need/want.

·       Color drenching. If you haven’t heard, this is a huge trend. Paint everything in the same color. Everything. Ceilings, walls, woodwork. doors. Color drenching is for brave color warriors and if you are undecided, call a professional for input! 

Color drenching is the latest paint trend. Literally everything drenched in the same color. Only for those brave enough to try it! If you are undecided, call a professional for input.  Photo: Benjamin Moore

·       And if you love this or any color but don’t want to use it on your walls, try it in fabric for drapes or upholstery or pillows, wallcoverings, rugs, accessories.

Bright and cheerful, Benjamin Moore’s Honeybee from its Color Trends palette. Photo: Benjamin Moore

 ·       Paint the front door! Just in time for the holidays and picture your Christmas with Blue Nova as a backdrop. Beautiful.

 But wait there’s more (color)

Benjamin Moore has also released its trending colors for blending traditional and modern design styles. It’s always fun to see some new colors that you may not have considered for your home. Even if it’s just for a new accessory. And such yummy names: White Dove, Topaz, Pristine, Teacup Rose, Honeybee, Regent Green, Hazy Lilac, Polar Shy and Antique Pewter.

 Why is color so important?

• It updates your home without spending a fortune.

• Pulls the space together.

• Makes your home look clean and fresh.

• Color creates a personalized look for your home.

• It makes you happy!

 A few more color tips

Creating a spectacular space in your home doesn’t just happen. It takes thought, effort, planning and careful implementation for a quality result. This is especially true when coming up with a color plan.

·       ALL color has undertones. This is where the mistakes are made. This is where a professional can help.

·       Think about the rest of your home. Color needs to coordinate throughout. A good rule that I follow: No more than three paint colors in the home.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces, color palettes and solve decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information, visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 239-850-5800 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

Fall is a time to refocus and find comfort at home

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press/USA Today Network Oct. 21, 2023

 Fall sort of slips in without a lot of fanfare and for a while, the changes are subtle. But there are so many things to love about this season and it’s important that even in Florida, we acknowledge the shift in seasons, both personally and in our homes.

 Fall reminds us that Halloween is only a couple of weeks away. We begin dreaming about cooler days. Pumpkin spice is all the rage. Farmers markets have returned. Days are getting shorter and we “fall” back on Nov. 5. Thanksgiving will be here before we know it. Hurricane season ends on Nov. 30. And I won’t tell you how few days we have until Christmas!

Pretty and simple, a bouquet of sunflowers will bring a touch of fall into any home. Shown: Portside expandable beach house dining table with chairs in sage. Serena & Lily

It’s the time of year when I like to head to North Carolina. My fall memories there are very sweet and always make me think of heading to college, football, beautiful leaves and the anticipation of change. It calls to me and my heart tells me that it’s time to go look for fall. And so I do each year.

 For me, fall, even more than New Years, is a time to reset, readjust and refocus. It’s about finding thing those things that give us comfort. Just as the trees shed their beautiful leaves, we’re reminded that it’s important to let go of what no longer serves us or supports us. And that’s what fall is all about. Letting go. Hope. Comfort. Change.

Sometimes it’s the little things that make the most difference when it comes to making changes to mark the coming season. Pumpkins and fall colors from Benjamin Moore. 

 As a Southwest Florida interior decorator, I make homes pretty. Solve problems that bother the homeowner. Pull everything together for a calm, cohesive look. The ultimate goal: happiness when you walk in the door. And sometimes it’s the little things that make the most difference when it comes to making changes to mark the coming season. Some of my favorites include:

·       Start with a good decluttering. It will make you feel better. Say goodbye to anything that no longer makes you happy or supports your lifestyle.

·       Go to your closet, bring the long sleeves and jackets and boots to the front.

·       In the pantry, clean out all of the old spices and make room for the new as we get ready for the coming holidays.

·       Visit fall art shows and flea markets to invest in a new piece of art or an accent piece.

Fall fabric and pine cones. Photo: Kravet.

·       With shorter days, now is a good time to take a look at your lighting and perhaps add a new lamp or two. As the days become shorter, I like to add more candles in the evenings.

·       The change in seasons is a perfect time to invest in new linens, towels, throws, blankets.

·       For an outdoor space, add string lights. They are cheerful and add atmosphere to an outdoor dinner.

·       Change your fireplace mantel or tablescape with creamy neutrals accented with seasonal tones, gourds, pumpkins, leaves, baskets, accents.

·       As you spend more time outdoors, add some new pillows and throws (for chilly nights) to your chairs.  

·       Start at the front door with mums, a new welcome mat, wreath and faux pumpkins (Tip: spray paint the pumpkins to reflect your color scheme).

·       While you’re at the front door, consider giving it a fresh coat of paint. Think about some yummy seasonal colors from Benjamin Moore: Peach Cider, Caramel Apple, Pumpkin Seeds, Autumn Cover and Witching Hour. For tips on painting a front door:  benjaminmoore.com/en-us/interior-exterior-paints-stains/how-to-advice/exteriors/paint-a-front-door

·       On the first cool morning: open all of the windows and let the fresh air into your home and breathe it in.

Happy fall!

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solve decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information, visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 239-850-5800 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog