#3- Ksmile's Painting as Inspiration

Name: Ksmile
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Type: Two bedroom loft

Why I use color:"I live on the 5th floor in one of two original buildings that were a former sausage factory with a spooky past (the factory owner murdered his young wife and left her as bits bits in the basement. This building is featured in Spooky Tours of the city). The building was re-habbed in 1999 and each unit is unique with wonderful beams, brick walls and 17' ceilings!!! Stumped with plenty of ideas, but no idea how to paint those tall walls, I bought (8) 1 quart paints samples and starting painting large patches in different rooms to get a feel for the color. "

"Now committed to getting the job done (you can't have huge paint splotches on the walls ) two charming Czech painters did the hallway, bedroom and living room, and I painted the bathrooms. I ended up with a warm, inviting palette that friends say is really cozy and relaxing. Mission accomplished."

2 Good color tips:

"Go with your gut and pick a color that you're drawn to and feels good. Paint some swatches on the wall and see how it looks both during daylight and evening hours. "

"Use a favorite rug, painting or throw as inspiration. My living room colors were built around my favorite oil painting created by a friend. It's the focal point of the room above the mantle."

Favorite type and brand of paint:"Benjamin Moore"

Comments (22)

Nice place, very warm, but where's the color?

Just looking at a picture of that bathroom made me feel more relaxed. What a serene room!

i like the muted tones, u created good vibes in the spooky house.

your brick walls and beams are really cool.

calm and beautiful

Can I move in...

I love your bathroom!

That bathroom is so gorgeous...would you mind sharing name of that green paint?

This is unrelated to the contest, but I like the idea of the window as a headboard. I've never tried it because I've always worried about the Wisconsin winter drafts, but I like the look so I just might give it a shot now!

Thanks to everyone for the comments. Once you see the your home's photos actually posted, then it gets a wee bit nerve wracking to hear people's reviews.

Lori Elizabeth, I will look up the color of the bathroom paint and get back to you. Kat

my mom would love this place. me, not so much. might be too conservative for a color contest?

I like the colors--definitely very cozy. I also love the bedframe! Where'd you find it?

Cptmoll: The bedframe was a find at a Mig & Tig warehouse sale a few years back.

My use of color may be less bold than some other entries, but my favorite part is the finished effect is warm, inviting and I want to curl up with some apple cider and a book. Love the opportunity of viewing other people's homes and seeing what you can/can't identify with and how new ideas would work in your own space.

I really LOVE this place and admire your subtle colors as well as all the texture you've woven throughout. Insta finalist.

The colors are a little Starbucks for me, but it might just be the photo quality. Definitely very cozy.

the guest bath is DIVINE!!!

Wow, what a terrific place! What a wonderful and talented friend who did that inspiring painting.

What a beautiful bathroom.

this place has such an amazing backstory and history...color is only a tiny part of its overall appeal. the bedroom is boring for me (i hate beige - perhaps that's my own problem) but everything else is really nice. the red on the fireplace is PERFECT.

Not enough "bold" colors to be entered in this contest, I'm assuming. Beige, brown and burnt umber just don't say bold.

All I can concentrate on is you saying the apartment has a "spooky past" and now I'm seeing orbs in all the pictures lol

It's definitely a beautiful place, but I would love to see some colors pop...especially in that bedroom.

I would also like to know what color green and brand of paint that green in the bathroom is. It's very pretty.