Kelly Marshall, Prop Stylist: Sophia Pappas
One of the highlights of our REAL SIMPLE Home, our yearly showcase, is observing the latest design trends that our creative team weaves into their designs. Our designers seize this chance to showcase their finest design techniques, from furniture choices to pattern pairings and, of course, the art of color.
In addition to selecting contemporary paint hues, the designers we collaborate with are fond of experimenting with the application of paint within their spaces. We queried three designers from this year’s home about the paint trends they embraced in their rooms and the rationale behind their choices.
Kelly Marshall, Prop Stylist: Sophia Pappas
Textured finishes are currently all the rage in the design world, from the wavy ceramic tiles to the rough cement slabs and the undulating grasscloth wallpaper. These elements inject a wealth of depth into a space. In the children’s quarters of the REAL SIMPLE Home penthouse, Candace Griffin of Candace Mary Interiors chose to adorn the walls with checkered grasscloth and to install a panel with a striking navy blue finish (Night View 4007-4C by Valspar).
Griffin remarks, “I knew right away that the panels would be pivotal in unifying the space, and painting them was the key to realizing the vision. I selected the color to introduce a contrast to the room’s light and airy feel. I believed the room could handle it, given its playful shapes and bright corners.”
The outcome is a stunning, sophisticated splash of color that remains kid-friendly. “This was a chic, cool way to elevate a casual kids’ area,” Griffin notes. “I enjoy crafting sophisticated kids’ rooms that don’t come off as overly precious. The reeded panels instantly make the room feel snug and inviting.” We wholeheartedly concur.
Kelly Marshall, Prop Stylist: Sophia Pappas
Limewash has been a favorite in the design community for several years, and now, Venetian plaster, a close relative to limewash, is making a comeback. Designer Alvin Wayne chose to apply this technique to the walls of the penthouse’s master bedroom, as it offered another method to add texture and depth to the space beyond fabrics.
Wayne explains, “Many believe that to achieve a striking effect, one must go bold with color. However, simply adding texture to the walls can create depth and intrigue that makes a significant statement.” His choice of a neutral shade (Terra Venetian Plaster by Valspar) is key, as he aimed for a natural, soothing yet invigorating hue for a bedroom setting. “Your bedroom is the last thing you see at night and the first thing you see when you wake up, so I wanted it to be calming yet also a touch energizing,” he elaborates.
While plaster walls are visually appealing, they’re not for the faint-hearted DIYer. Wayne advises that the color must be mixed with plaster, and after each layer, it must be sanded and another coat applied until the desired texture is achieved. “You must sand between layers to ensure the wall is smooth to the touch,” he adds. If you’re set on this labor-intensive method, hiring a professional might be the way to go.
Kelly Marshall, Prop Stylist: Sophia Pappas
Room trim used to be an afterthought in the design process, but now, it commands equal attention to the space’s other key elements. A prime example is the molding in the REAL SIMPLE Home’s DIY Annex office, designed by Mallory Fletchall, the creative force behind Reserve Home. In fact, she considers this her “starting point” for the room’s design.
Fletchall notes, “My initial step was to install crown molding and a chair rail to lend architectural interest to the room.” What truly makes these elements pop is the chocolate brown stripe of paint (Cabin Plank 2011-10 by Valspar) she painted below and above the trim at the wall’s top and bottom.
Fletchall explains that the dark brown adds contrast to the wall and trim colors, “It also injects visual intrigue into the space in a cool, unexpected manner and nods to the chocolate brown velvet daybed, which is the room’s focal point.” We appreciate how straightforward this concept is and how all it takes is paint and a fine brush to pull it off—plus a steady hand.
