Here's a one shot one-off — something we did years ago which I finally just re-photographed. This was my "black is beautiful" phase. More

It's the 50th anniversary of Ian Flemming's James Bond, and Bond is in the ether: a new Bond film just opened last week and there was an exhibit in Great Britain last summer titled Designing 007 at the Barbican. There was always a Space Age/Jet Set style to Bond, especially in those early films, which lifted him out of the ordinary and into imagination. Let's look at some film stills. More

There's a new documentary out on Diana Vreeland, and though I haven't seen it yet I look forward to it with great eagerness. I mention this here because as I was developing this column six years ago, I found her to be a tremendous source of inspiration.

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Attention all colorists: hie thee to the Morgan Library for the show Painting In America, which features the studies and works on paper of the artist Josef Albers. This show is so intimate and revealing that you feel as if the artist himself is watching over you shoulder as you flip through his sketchbooks.

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A client recently asked if I could paint over furniture — he was sick of the look, but the piece was functional and he didn't want to throw it out. Why not?

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I'm gearing up for a big paint job - my living/dining/workspace is essentially one big open room and it is in dire need of a refresh. We live in a converted storefront space, so it's a bit loft-like, with high ceilings and big windows (at one end) so there is lots of wall space that needs covering. I'm leaning toward super neutral on the walls to leave open the possibility of adding some wallpaper into the mix as the next step, but am feeling equally tempted to add a bit of color. I mocked up 10 different shades that I'm considering - can you help me out with your favorite? More

I lived with buttery yellow living room walls for several years and loved them; somehow they took the edge off even the chilliest Chicago morning. If you are considering adding this bit of subtle sunshiney warmth to your home, look no further - here is a palette of perfect pale yellows and creams. One is sure to suit your personal taste; some a bit brighter, some warmer, some more neutral, all pretty. More

Here's another one for the kiddies: the trick was to make something whimsical in a room for a new baby, please the guests when it doubles as a spare room, and not look like dining room wallpaper. More

April showers bring May flowers, but I've had so many painted flower projects last spring that I'm still running them here, in June. Here's the latest. More

What to do with a small studio the size of a dorm room plus bath? Why not go gray? More