Name: Erin
Location: Chicago
Type: 3 bedroom, owned

Why I use color:"It makes me happy! Each evening when I come home from a long day in the hospital, I sit on my sofa and smile at my orange wall."

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2 Good color tips:

"Go for it! If you have an inkling that a given color might brighten your day, give it a try - it's only paint. I've encouraged almost all of my friends to take this leap. If you can't paint your walls, paint your dresser an outrageous color and build a room around that. "

2007-10-15-orange wall.jpg

"That said, use restraint. It has taken me some time to learn this - when painting my first apartment out of college I went wild, filled each room with colors that had little to do with one another and had minimal continuity. Gradually I repainted several of those rooms in ways that, looking back on it, toned things down a bit while still being dramatic. When we purchased our condo I consciously tried to tone myself down, choosing more subtle tan-yellows, greys and dark browns for many of the walls and limiting my standard orange to one focal wall. I did, however, let loose a bit in the office/craft room with a deep teal that makes everything else in the room pop! The overall picture is much more mature and restrained while still being fun and colorful."

2007-10-15-hallway.jpg

Favorite type and brand of paint:"Benjamin Moore, specifically purchased from the sometimes helpful people at Sappano's Paint, who also have a great selection of wallpaper!"

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