With CHRISTOPHER LOWELL
You Can Do It!
The Video Learning Annex
It all Starts With Color & Pattern
Once you have the right color and patterns for your room design, everything else falls right into place. Of course actually choosing those elements is the hardest part of the process. But not to worry. I've done all that work for you!
Knowing your pattern and color scheme FIRST, is the single, most critical step before you do another thing.
While you can certainly customize and tweak my pre-coordinated palettes (below) to suite you, you must still begin with an initial recipe before you start improvising. Hey, it’s no different than if you decide to cook a new recipe in a genre of cusine you’re not familiar with.
So, say…if you’ve never cooked an authentic Asian dish. You first need to get familiar with their very particular blends of spices and methods. Right? And you can’t go to the grocery store if you haven’t got a list of what you’re looking for. Right?
Well, It’s the same when tackling a design project too. You need the key ingredients before you can home shopping too.
These Room Recipes are your starting-point. Because once you have the paint color and a very good idea of the mix of patterns you’ll use, then when you go shopping, you’re far more focused and less likely to get into emotional overwhelm. So my Room Recipe acts as your project's GPS.
Introduction
-
What if the fabric in the Room Recipe video isn't available?Obvioulsy, every store carries different merchandise. So, look for fabrics that match as closely as possible. Pay attention to the texture of the solid fabrics and size of the prints (patterns) I've recommend. Then pay close attention to which fabrics are best, where. The Accent Fabrics are for just that...accents and should be used only on items that can be easily replaced like pillows, or drapes or coverings for smaller seat cushions or accent chairs. Things that aren't a big investment. What you don't want to do is put an accent fabric on a sofa where it's locked in and can't easily or affordably be replaced should it go out of style. The Base Fabrics are the ones that can be used in abundance because they're eighter solid or more texture driven and will forever remain classic.
-
What if I'm buying a piece of furniture that's already upholstered?The Room Recipe works exactly the same. Look for sofas or club chairs that are covered in solids or textures. Or, as each video points out--a transitional fabric. What you don't what to do is purchase high-ticket upholstery, where an accent fabric has been used. It will only shorten the life of the investment since it's accent fabrics that are usually the first to date a room. If you can't find a ready-made in the colors I recommend, then also don't forget about the four paint colors I've also given you as well. They can also be used as a color matching guide for your base fabrics as well!
-
How can I tell if a fabric is transitional or okay to put on a sofa?In your video, I talk about the "squint test." If you step back about 4 feet and squint your eyes and the fabric seems more textural or solid (rather than "print", than you're good to go! If in doubt, then try to stick with print-free fabrics which are solid or texture-driven only. Remember you can always add more drama and visual punch with accent pillows. And oh, there's also another 6 layers of stuff in most rooms.
-
With your paint colors, what if I don't want to paint the trim?"Excellent question! The short answer is: Then don't. All my colors are designed to easily go with white (existing) trim, which is already in most newer homes. Actually, my favorite trim color is fresh white throughout a whole house. And my favorite white color from Sherwin Williams is: High Reflective White SW: #7757. You can substitute it for all the trim suggestions across all my color combinations. If you do, then simply use the trim color I have chosen (if other than white) as another wall or ceiling color. Everything is pre-coordinated so you can't make a mistake no matter where you choose to put each color.
-
Why are there four paint colors?Two are for alternating walls, one is for the ceiling and the other is for the trim. That doesn't mean you have to use all of them, however. It's just that using two wall colors that are the same hue value adds that special designer touch and a sculptural feeling to any room. I often use four colors alternating from room-to-room in an entire house too. Certainly, you can use the colors any way you want knowing that they are completely interchangeable. As for the ceiling, I really do recommend that you paint it if you can. Once you introduce rich paint to the walls, leaving the ceiling white looks unfinished. And if you are worried that it may close the room in visually, actually a while expanse of ceiling will, because it's the only unfurnished thing you see when you walk into a room.
-
What should I bring with me when I shop?It would be a good idea to get your paint colors first from your local Sherwin Williams and have them with you all the time. They can be used as other ideas for base color substitutions too. Take a few photos of your room on your smart phone. The same with the windows. Make sure you add the opening sizes if you're looking for drapes. Take close-ups of elements in your room like carpets or rugs or upholsetery that you intend to keep. Often, I put all these elements in one photo and email it to myself with notes I might forget, so I have them whereever and whenever I shop.
-
Are all the Room Recipes the same except for the various colorways?Yes. For the most part. The only thing that changes video-to-video are the paint colors, the fabrics and the accessorizing. The rest of the information and important tips are included in every Room Recipe video so no matter which one you choose to download, that information always travels with you in the same place.
-
Are these Room Recipes really ---free and why?Yes 100%. As the video explains, what's really important in times like these, is that we use our creativity. It's our only defense and antidote against the fear and stress that swirls around us each and every day. Creativity is within each and every one of us. It's inherent. So, I hope you'll use these simple Room Recipes to help reignite the greatest and most powerful gift you possess. Your creativity is the only tool you have to truely add real quality to your own life. So get busy! You can do it!
Start your creative journey here...
Christopher Lowell Room Recipe
Christopher Lowell Room Recipe
Christopher Lowell Room Recipe
Christopher Lowell Room Recipe
Lifestyles
Ok, first, here are the lifestyles under which I’ve organized each of my Room Recipe colorways.
These are the same I used globally when I had my own line of mix and match home products. Not to brag but it was an amazingly huge billion dollar hit. No kidding. It set a standard which is now followed by leaders like Target Stores. The Idea is that while we can’t always visualize specifically “how” we want to live, we can certainly imagine “where” we’d like to spend our time.
Get it? Now, you don’t need to actually live at the beach to transform your own interior spaces into a shore-inspired environment. It’s an attitude and a feeling.
Pre-coordinated Options
There are a million ways to interpret each of my “lifestyles” (above). Nevertheless, I urge you to look at all the room recipes and use your gut! Did you know that we instinctively and involuntarily have an emotional reaction to every pattern and color we see? Well, it’s no wonder that we are pushed into emotional overwhelm the minute we step into a paint and fabric store. That’s why the idea of "roaming the aisles thinking that you’ll know it when you see it," is such a disaster just waiting to happen.
So, below you’ll see the four pre-coordinated fabrics and paint recommendations for each colorway. If they immediately connect with you then don’t overthink it! Just go for it!
NOTE: All the teaching information is exactly the same in each video. So, whichever one you decide to download has all the identical tips and hints you need. What does differ from video-to-video are the fabrics, paint colors and accessorizing hints. So, enjoy!
Ok. Ready, Set, Go!
Lifestyle
Pre-coordinated Room Recipe Video Options
If you what to download it, simply click on the share symbol on the lower right of the video control bar and a download box will appear. Simply click on it and the Room Recipe would immediately download to your devise. Easy!
Devon Manor
Urban Plum
Hampshire Spice
You can only download from a desk or laptop
Just click on any of the boxes below to view the swatches larger. If you like it, simply press play and watch the video.
Lifestyle
Pre-coordinated Room Recipe Video Options
Mountain Tweed
Colorado Sky
Turtle Creek
You can only download from a desk or laptop
Just click on any of the boxes below to view the swatches larger. If you like it, simply press play and watch the video.
If you what to download it, simply click on the share symbol on the lower right of the video control bar and a download box will appear. Simply click on it and the Room Recipe would immediately download to your devise. Easy!
Lifestyle
Pre-coordinated Room Recipe VideoOptions
If you what to download it, simply click on the share symbol on the lower right of the video control bar and a download box will appear. Simply click on it and the Room Recipe would immediately download to your devise. Easy!
Nob Hill
Urban Plum
Gramercy Park
You can only download from a desk or laptop
Just click on any of the boxes below to view the swatches larger. If you like it, simply press play and watch the video.
Lifestyle
Pre-coordinated Room Recipe Video Options
If you what to download it, simply click on the share symbol on the lower right of the video control bar and a download box will appear. Simply click on it and the Room Recipe would immediately download to your devise. Easy!
Mystic Seaport
Camden Cove
Coastal Edge
You can only download from a desk or laptop
Just click on any of the boxes below to view the swatches larger. If you like it, simply press play and watch the video.
VIEWER MAIL
Back to Basics
For more answers to your design questions check out my Viewer Mail Back To Basics series. Here I answer many of the most often asked design questions.
If you have a question, use the form on the Viewer Mail page to ask me your questions too!