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#4 - Lizm's "Color Rocks"

Name: lizm
Location: Oakland
Type: My husband, two kids, and I live in a 2 bedroom craftsman bungalow/house that we own

Why I use color:

Why do I use color? I use color to enhance our lives. White walls make me crazy and dull. Color can make a place welcoming and comfortable. People are too afraid of color - especially dark or uncommon colors - and when they add more of it to their lives, it can be a really good thing...

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...Color can create contrast and life, enhance moods and inspire creativity. Color rocks.

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2 Good color tips:

1) Stay away from too peachy and too minty, you will regret it (they go really far south as they age and get dirty)
2) Don't be afraid of color, it can be your friend

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Favorite type and brand of paint:

I have been really happy with Benjamin Moore eggshell finish latex paint, but used oil paint in the bathroom, and the black went on like a dream (but it was stinky and messy to clean up).

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Tags

Fall Colors 2007 - Northwest

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Comments (25)

I like your black bathroom very much.

The photos are intriguing, but don't show enough of the rooms.

posted by Joan A. on 2007-10-04 15:10:20
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Oh my God. Where did that rhino head over the mantel come from? That is AWESOME.

posted by bumblebeechicago on 2007-10-04 16:30:57
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I agree - too many detail shots, and no sense of how the colors move through the spaces. And whats with the magical hovering gumball in the last picture?

posted by Modfan on 2007-10-04 16:34:29
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Pretty damn cool!! Dramatic and unique. Thanks.

posted by art donovan on 2007-10-04 16:38:17
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Seconding bumblebeechicago - that rhino head is amazing.

As for the rest, I like what I see, but I'm really not getting a sense of how things look overall. It's like we're peeking at this house through a keyhole.

posted by mmadden on 2007-10-04 16:49:36
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I love the green in the middle shot - is that your kitchen?

posted by Anne (in Reno) on 2007-10-04 17:07:52
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I <3 Mr. Rhino.

posted by Psymonetta Isnoful on 2007-10-04 17:15:20
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Love the rhino?

What's the Benjamin Moore color used on that wall? And on the kitchen wall (the creamy colored one)? I'm just in the process of looking at colors like those...

thanks!

posted by joy13 on 2007-10-04 17:31:06
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Sorry I couldn't get past the rhino.

I can't really get a sense of your home. While your color choices are bold, I don't really see how they relate to each other.

posted by peggy on 2007-10-04 17:42:14
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While it looks like it could have potential, I can't even see a single piece of furniture (only hints of edges and corners).

I thought there was a guide on how to photograph your home... :(

http://la.apartmenttherapy.com/la/how-to/how-to-photograph-your-home-020319

posted by gretchen on 2007-10-04 18:07:12
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Wow! That's the most beautiful bathroom I've ever seen!

May I ask where you got that shower curtain??

posted by kellylc on 2007-10-04 18:12:47
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i wanted that shower curtain from anthro soooo badly but when i went to get it they had no more :(

yours looks delicious in that fantastic black bathroom :) good luck in the contest!

posted by Meg on 2007-10-04 19:29:49
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Where's the rest of the house? It's like everything's been manipulated to provide you with just a tiny taste of what's there. I don't trust a submission that doesn't provide a comprehensive look at the home. It makes me feel like the (e.g.) bedroom walls are supposed to fill in the blanks for what the rest of the bedroom looks like.

posted by samsd on 2007-10-04 20:13:50
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I would also love to know where the rhino head is from. Wow!

posted by AmyE on 2007-10-04 23:15:12
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LOVE the bathroom, thought the rest of the colors were pretty typical and the weird blue/green combo was....eh.

not a fan of the metal rhino head, but i'll get yelled at for all my real taxidermy when i submit my apt...

posted by goodnightdean on 2007-10-05 00:17:49
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the black wall was very brave!

posted by SD913 on 2007-10-05 08:46:15
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nice bathroom. Too bad about the rooster curtains. I love love love the colored windows on the door, though - is that a DIY?

posted by kygirl on 2007-10-05 12:58:04
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Love the shower curtain and the black bathroom! And love the contrast between the yellow and the fireplace tiles. Very original!

posted by schmules on 2007-10-05 13:08:09
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you lost me at cock a doodle- doo. window treatment?

posted by itsthehouseshow on 2007-10-05 14:15:37
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i love the happy colorful door, that's my favorite.
the wall color contrast against the stone fireplace is fabulous.

posted by becabrenner on 2007-10-05 17:13:29
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I LOVE LOVE LOVE your color choices! Wow...what a terrific looking place. Wish I could see the details of your home. Do you have more Rhino heads out and about???

:-)

posted by Jen P on 2007-10-06 01:03:07
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love the rhino, hate the chickens
can't get a sense of the apt from the photos

is the rhino metal?
more info on the rhino, pls!

posted by guido on 2007-10-06 11:48:06
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Sorry everyone, the rhino is a one-of-a-kind, made by a sculptor friend as one in a series of masks. It is welded metal.

I understand lots of people are opposed to the roosters, (good thing none of you live with me, because I would tell you tough-titties) but "hate" - come on - be a little more civilized than that, please.

posted by lizm on 2007-10-08 13:43:42
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I wanted to answer other questions too...

The shower curtain is from Anthropologie.

The colored windows on the door in the kitchen are diy - it is colored vellum taped to the windows!

The green color behind the oh-so-distained roosters is the kitchen, just above the sink, but is not Benjamin Moore paint, it is a low-voc stuff that is Celery Green, and the yellow/cream in the kitchen is also not Ben. Moore, it is a combo of Laura Ashley Cowslip 3 and white (my husband played mad-scientist until we hit a color we liked, sorry).

The ochre behind the rhino is called American Gold, and it is also a low-voc, which I bought at Eco Home Improvement on San Pablo along with the Celery green.

The magic hovering gumball, I believe, is Jupiter. That is my kids room, and they have a solar system hanging from the ceiling.

posted by lizm on 2007-10-08 14:13:43
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I don't think it's "uncivilized" to say you hate chickens/roosters in design. They did get a little over-played. I don't mind them, but I can think of a bunch of things I would say I hate if I saw them....butterfly chairs for one.

Your friend should sell rhinos online...from the reaction of everyone else he'd sell at least five (me included).

posted by st@cy on 2007-10-11 23:24:32
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