Located in Montpelier, Vermont, Birchgrove Baking specializes in custom cakes, pastries and coffee.

I first heard from Jenn a couple of months ago.  As the owners of Birchgrove Baking, she and her husband were trying to decide on a new color scheme.  At that time, the bakery had blue walls, black display cases {left behind from the previous owners} and red accent chairs — all great colors but Jenn was ready for a change.  She wanted friendly hues that would give the bakery a fresh look and appeal to her loyal customers.

After reviewing a few different color palettes that I recommended for the bakery, Jenn ultimately decided on the combination of yellow and gray.  She also threw in a couple of warm blues for accent colors.

The new colors are cheerful, welcoming, and everyone loves the new look.  Jenn says the bakery, which measures just 19′ x 23′, even looks larger.  In a stark contrast from the previous wall color, customers are now greeted with sunny yellow walls.  Jenn also removed some of the display cases, and the remaining pieces received a coat of gray paint.  She stenciled the backs of a few shelves, and others were covered with Woods Wallpaper from Anthropologie, which was also used on the bakery’s accent walls.

This re-design was all about color in the details:  Accent chairs and the Barista bar were also given new hues.

Didn’t Jenn do a wonderful job?  Birchgrove Baking was already a hot spot with the locals before this transformation, but I have a feeling it will be even more popular now.  After all, color changes everything.

If you’re ever in Vermont or you live in or near Montpelier, be sure to stop by the bakery for coffee and a sweet treat…and tell ‘em Kelly@Color Sizzle sent you!

Birchgrove Baking Paint Colors: June Day, Butter Up, Mindful Gray by Sherwin-Williams; Florida Keys Blue, Hazy Blue by Benjamin-Moore.

{houzz}

We’re not too excited about wallpapering our kitchens or family rooms, but wallpaper in the bedroom is becoming very popular among designers and homeowners.

{my oasis}

{european chic design}

Many homeowners are choosing to wallpaper just one focal wall — usually the wall behind the bed.  This is a great idea if you have a bed with a not-so-grand headboard.  For the greatest impact, select a wall covering with a big, bold pattern.

{proxxn}

Wallpaper in the bedroom is no longer a thing of the past, and it’s definitely not just for kids rooms.  Today’s styles are both classic and contemporary, and the right selection will bring a welcome pop of color and pattern into your space.

{simply home designs}

{house and home}

{house beautiful}

And don’t forget the closet…

{wallpaper for kitchens}

{No wall space in your closet?  Paper the ceiling!  Photo by elledecor.}

For more ideas, visit ‘Bedroom Wallpaper.’

This is a photo of my most recent purchase which now hangs in my office.  It reminds me to stay positive and prayerful when I’m not feeling very…positive.

I wanted to share it because I think we all can use some encouragement from time to time.  So, whatever it is that you’re striving for — no matter how frustrated you get, no matter how tired you get, no matter what other people are doing, and no matter how old you are — find your purpose, let your true colors shine, and never give up!

I rarely see purple carnations in different color tones bunched together like that {unless I’m at the flower wholesaler}, so I grabbed them up and created a simple centerpiece using a $5.00 vase that I found at Marshall’s.

Pale lavender, lilac, aubergine and magenta make a very pretty palette for parties, weddings and showers.  Or, if you love purple, you may just want to buy a bunch of these carnations for yourself.  Note: Flowers are not just for special occasions.

If you can’t find purple carnations, you should be able to special order them at your local grocery store or florist.  You can also purchase them on-line from fiftyflowers.com.

photos by Porter House Designs

{livelikeyou}

My clients often ask me for advice on painting trim and molding, so a couple of years ago I decided to write a post about painting picture-frame wainscoting.  To my surprise, it has become the most popular story on my blog, so I thought it was time to do another post about trim.

{Cleverly ‘camouflaged’ picture-frame molding by mhouseinc}

Painting any type of trim can be a challenge, especially when you want to do something other than white.  But it really just comes down to amount of impact you want your trim to have.  Do you want it to stand out and be a focal point in your space?  Or would you prefer that the trim blend-in and quietly reinforce the room’s color scheme?  If you answered yes to either question, then take a look at the following photos for inspiration:

{suzanne kasler}

In the room pictured above, the crown molding blends into the room because it’s painted the same color as the walls.  Design Tip:  For a subtle distinction, paint the trim in a different finish, such as a lacquer or high gloss finish.

{trailer park gypsy}

Your trim will pop the most when you paint it with a vivid hue that contrasts against a more understated wall color or wall covering.

{herdofblack}

{acuratedlifestyle}

{the lennoxx}

{curbly}

Design Tip:  Create an elegant, monochromatic look by using two or three colors from the same color family, as shown in the photo above.

{domino}

{house and home}

{design crisis}

For more tips on painting trim and molding, check out Ideas For Picture-Frame Wainscoting.

{Porter House Designs}

Black walls have been on a slow ride to the top, and with good reason:  It’s a bold choice.  Plain and simple.  Black was my first choice when I recently re-styled my sitting room {shown above}.  I painted just one accent wall and left the other ones crimson, at the request of my husband.  Even painting one wall black was a bit scary…

…but I love it!  Using black is very tricky.  Unless your room gets a ton of natural light, has ample artificial lighting or is open to other rooms — I strongly suggest painting just one accent wall.  Yes, this is where an accent wall really makes sense.  Otherwise, you’ll end up with an extremely dark room.

Some designers like to use white furniture and fabrics in black rooms.  That’s OK, but I think using bright, vivid colors looks much better and it’s way more fun!  In my sitting room, I used my red chairs, and brought in splashes of orange, pink, yellow and wasabi green.

Here are a collection of other black rooms that I love:

{mix and chic}

{casa sugar}

{hgtv canada}

{vanessa and valentine}

{miauu}

{homeklondike}

{the style files}

If you decide to paint a black room or wall, here’s an important tip:  Unless your room is very low-traffic — meaning no one will ever go in there — do not use a flat finish.  Black paint in a flat finish is like a chalkboard.  You will not be able to even brush up against the wall without a smudge showing.  For the best results, use either a high-quality, cleanable matte or satin finish.  And bold as it may be, you’ll love having a black space in your home!

{lamaisoncharmante.com}

This radiant color has already graced the cover of  House Beautiful’s February 2012 issue.  That’s a prime example of how home design often follows fashion:

{the fashion spot}

Yellow was spotted all over the runway during New York Fashion Week back in September, and this sun-drenched hue quickly moved into celebrity wardrobes…

{onsugar.com}

…Including the closet of Malia Obama, who is becoming quite the tastemaker herself.  She wore this gorgeous yellow, satin dress to the Christmas In Washington event.

Yellow has the amazing ability to add sunshine where there is none…

{flickr}

{michelle hinkley via houzz}

{style illuminated}

…And it makes a sunny space feel even warmer and more inviting.

{style illuminated}

{country living}

Yellow also represents the first flowers of spring.

{My spring daffodil centerpiece}

And yellow shines on swank accessories of all kinds.

{vandm}

{lamps plus}

{decor universe}

{style intel}

Are you warming up to yellow?  If so, you can learn more about how to pick the right yellow in my featured Ideabook over at Houzz.com.  Enjoy!

I hope you had a very Merry Christmas!  My holiday guests were greeted with this winter centerpiece that I designed using roses, carnations and sprigs of holly from my yard.  The ceramic vase was made in Italy, and it belonged to my husband’s grandmother.

  By using such hardy flowers and greenery, this arrangement will last through New Year’s Day.

Red is a wonderful {and very romantic} color choice for winter floral displays.  This type of centerpiece is perfect for winter parties, weddings and Valentine’s Day.

You can usually find red roses and carnations in the grocery store, and if you don’t have access to a holly shrub, any type of evergreen will do.  Have a Safe and Happy New Year!

{homeklondike}

{wintercreative via houzz}

Over at Houzz, you can find my Ideabook on using wallpaper to create dark and dreamy bedrooms.

{habachy designs via houzz}

Then, at Sherwin-Williams STIR I’m dishing out ways that designers can help clients feel comfortable using darker paint colors {but I think this info is useful for anyone — not just designers}.

{the lennoxx}

{decorations.net}

{lonny}

Dark colors and wall coverings bring elegance and sophistication to your home like nothing else can.  Be daring in 2012 and give ‘em a try!

photo sources:

1.  House To Home

2.  Home For Christmas

3.  Kelly Porter

4.  Home For Christmas

5.  Kitchen Decorating

6.  Eclectic Revisited

CLICK HERE to see more Christmas Colors.