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ColorTherapy: Why Don't You Paper Your Kitchen in Black Damask?

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Why don’t you paper your kitchen in black damask? OK, I’m officially using non-paint color submissions. This is an excellent way to show off your Kris Kringle cookie jar collection. Not a second too early for the post-holiday hangover.

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Why don’t you paint your nursery Aruba Blue? Saturated colors are in this season--Aruba is the new baby blue. And this room belongs to a girl. Benjamin Moore Aruba Blue 2048-30.

 
 
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Why don’t you paint your woodwork orange? Instead of an orange room with off-white trim, paint your room in grège and put the color in the details. My, what a beautiful harpy that is hanging over the toilette. Benjamin Moore Florida Orange 152.

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Why don’t you paint your bathroom hot pink? I’ve written it before: everyone looks good reflected in the mirror of a warm-toned bathroom. It somehow puts a blush in the cheeks. Benjamin Moore Hot Lips 2077-30.

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Why don’t you use a faux finish behind your credenza? Decorative painter Chuck Hettinger painted a wood grain pattern of knotty pine to complement his collection of Blenko glass. Very modern—you’d never know this from real paneling. chettinger (at) aol (dot) com, 212 614 9848.

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Send me your colors! In 1936, Diana Vreeland began a column in Harper’s Bazaar titled “Why Don’t You…” which dispensed inspirational tidbits in her typically broad style. Such items were often based on color: “Why don’t you—as does Schiaparelli—wear violet velvet mittens with everything? Pin an enormous beige topaz on your beige suit?” Email pictures, a brief description and the paint name if you have it to colortherapy (@) earthlink (dot) net, and put WHY DON’T YOU in the subject line.

- Mark Chamberlain, interior and decorative painter

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Comments (19)

That first pic looks like a scene from a horror movie. I think I am going to have nightmares now :(

But I *love* the pink bathroom with the Marimekko shower curtain!

posted by cat on 2007-01-09 15:03:53

Oooh, I love that hot pink bathroom with the Marimekko shower curtain too! I feel like rushing out to buy that paint. The fact that the color is called Hot Lips doesn't hurt either!

posted by becca on 2007-01-09 15:07:48

The black damask and santa jars are actually pretty witty.

posted by Mia on 2007-01-09 15:18:50

Why don't I paper my kitchen in black damask? Well that's a very good question. I guess because it's revolting and makes me want to throw up? Is that a good answer?

posted by matilda on 2007-01-09 15:20:03

The black damask is lovely! Where can one find it?

posted by jif on 2007-01-09 15:22:55

Hmmmm... in the words of Mister Wilfred Peterson:

“Champion the right to be yourself; dare to be different and to set your own pattern; live your own life and follow your own star.”

Why the heck not?

posted by **Terramia* on 2007-01-09 15:29:28

How about let's *not* paper our kitchens in black damask.

posted by Joanne on 2007-01-09 16:10:27

I kept looking for the punch line. That black damask as well as that santa clutter is truly awful.

posted by peggy on 2007-01-09 16:58:32

... but that pink bathroom is to die for. I'm stopping at Home Depot tonight to pick up that color.

posted by peggy on 2007-01-09 17:11:38

'Cause Aruba Blue looks like teal, and I had my fill of teal in the 80's! Yuck!

posted by JG on 2007-01-09 19:35:51

The black damask, with the primary colored clutter, is comptletely terrifying. I bet it would be really dramatic in a living room, maybe a half-wall with a chair rail, with a lot of creamy whites and warm grey.

But really, wallpaper, especially in a small kitchen? The smell, the grease, I can't see how it would be practical in any color, especially black.

posted by AMLitt on 2007-01-09 19:54:19

No one has comment on the orange woodwork! It is gorgeous.

posted by Joanne on 2007-01-09 20:53:11

That black damask kitchen reminds me of one of the kitchens on "America's Ugliest Kitchen." It would get my vote. Santa? Time to go home.

posted by mindy on 2007-01-09 23:23:48

i was actually planning on painting an accent wall in my room with the aruba blue color. hm. now that i've read these comments i feel i could be making a big mistake.

i was born in the 80's and missed the whole teal deal - would painting a room "teal" now be a-ok?

i say bring on the saturation.

posted by brittany on 2007-01-10 01:22:03

Aruba blue isn't teal at all, actually (at least not in that pic). Teal is a different saturation, imo.(And you have to trust me, because I grew up in Miami during the 80s, so I know teal.)

posted by Lauren on 2007-01-10 07:32:17

I'd like to see more pictures of the black kitchen. I think the orange woodwork is incredibly beautiful... that pink is painful and tired though, however nice for the complexion.

posted by Lizbeth on 2007-01-10 11:20:58

brittany, why don't you post a question in the open thread for some suggestions on the shade of teal (or aqua?) you are looking for?

posted by angelune on 2007-01-10 15:31:00

The black damask kitchen looks like a Victorian funeral parlor for dead Santa impersonators. But perhaps it would be helpful when trying to diet? I can't imagine being hungry in that room.

posted by Kim on 2007-01-11 23:19:11

I say "Why don't you"-get a clue!!! That kitchen is U-G-L-Y!

posted by johnleeplease on September 24th 2007 at 8:45am
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