Get a master plan your interior wall colors...

Big tip on painting your interior walls.... is to not paint one room at a time!! I was in a home the other day and every room was an experiment room. As she repainted her home, she had tried to find the right yellow so every room was a different yellow! It was interesting to me as we took the yellow board of paint around that we had chosen for her master plan of color, how just tweaking it to the correct shade of yellow made all the difference in the world. Professional color consulting is a very inexpensive service that will make one of the biggest differences in the interior environment of your home.

One of our specialties at Interior Spaces, and the best value for your color consultation is to have us put together a master plan for your interior wall paint colors.  This will include every area of your home... even the hallways and powder rooms!  After doing a color anaysis of what your personal likes are, we analyze what wood tones you have existing in your house that you want to work around.  Are their piece of art that you love and want to make the focal point?  Many times what wall color they are surrounded with will make them look totally different.

Give us a call at 503-692-6077 for your professional color consulting in the Portland Oregon Metro area including, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Tualatin, Tigard, Wilsonville, West Linn and Vancouver Washington.

Don't forget the entryway colors can be a simple way to showcase wall color on your walls!  Below is a picture of a client's home and how we layered different colors that you viewed from the front door of the home and can create a focal point.  When chosen correctly, you will walk into the home and know that it is beautiful... but you will need to study it for a few minutes to figure out why.  If you walk into a room and say... wow... a red room... I  know I've failed as a professional color consultant.  My goal is to choose the colors that flow so well together, that you need to ponder how and why!

Brands of paint... so many choices!

Whew!  Now this is a subject that I get asked about all the time... people get so confused about what brand of interior wall paint to use.  Plus, the media and advertisements are very misleading.  I'm sure you have heard the ad touting they have the best rating for longest lasting paint!  Likely they do, it looks like lacquer going on the wall.... and smells like it too!  What they don't tell you is that when you get it up, it is shinny and wet looking.  Every finger print will show and if you try to touch up your interior walls, you will see every little touch up. So when you evaluate what paint to use... consider several things beside price and media advertisement before purchasing.

Devine Paint is a new paint that I have loved using.  It indeed holds up to its advertisement that it "goes on like rich yogurt"!  With no ammonia smell it is very user friendly if you are doing the painting.  Devine pallet is limited, but can produce stunning results.  Interior Spaces uses Devine Colors for many of the boards so give us a call and we can help you select which color is best for your space but also which sheen to pick so it will give you the end result of a beautiful space that you desire.  Devine paint is sold at all the Miller Paint stores in your area.

Sherwin Williams is another one of my favorite paint manufacturers.  They have great decorator colors and many different bases to choose from.  Notice as you look at different paint color cards that sometimes the base of a color is black... sometimes it is white... sometimes it is clear base.  What base your color is mixed in is very important and will greatly affect the overall look and feel of your interior paint colors.  Call us for more information... 503-692-6077.

Pratt & Lambert is often my choice for commercial interiors, or for children's play rooms.  They have great primary clear colors that are playful and fun.  Their bases are often black and white... so they do not flow in a decorator way as much as make a statement.  Even pulling up their website, you will see a difference in the look!

Kelly Moore,  Benjamin Moore, Parker Paint, Pittsburgh Paints are all options too in the Portland Metro Area in Oregon.  Generally are used more by contractors and commercial, however, many of them are trying to move into the trend paints for interior wall colors.

However, one paint brand I would caution you about is Behr paint.  This paint is less expensive and can be found at most large home improvement stores.  However, it looks like lacquer when on the wall.  It is very hard to touch up and has a very cheap look to it.  Spending a few more dollars on a gallong of paint is well worth it.  Often the sheen will bring you the luminosity that will enhance the overall feel of you newly painted space.

At Interior Spaces, we extend to you our contractor discount for many of the paint companies.  Call us for more details.   503-692-6077

Wall color creates mood...

Color creates mood….


Homeowners today are exploring new and bolder, more creative colors to express themselves. Depending on how colors make you feel you can create different environments that are comfortable and entertaining.

Before you begin selection of wall colors in your home for a master plan, be sure you analyze what mood or feeling you would like each room to evoke. Maybe in your family room you want it relaxed and comfortable, or in a master bedroom you want tranquility, or a sexy red. Color has a language all of it’s own, so explore what you want the interior walls of your home to speak!

One of the best website tools is Sherwin Williams Color 101 article.  In their article they present, "Why Color Matters" and presents how color will set the mood for your interior environment.  They mention that color can unite...   Do you have a mix mash of eclectic pieces of furniture?  Paint color often is the thing that will bring it all together and reduce the busy or clutter look.

Is your room or space boring?  Electrifying hues and fashion trend colors can become a focal point and bring a touch or whimsy or focus to the room.  Be careful!  Using bright strong colors is fun, but need to be placed in the correct areas for it to bring the end result you are hoping for.  Professional color consulting is well worth the dollars, when it is something that will affect you every day of your life! Call Anita for more information - Interior Spaces at 503-692-6077.

Choosing the right wall paint colors…

Choosing the right paint colors for the interior wall of your home can be a challenge for clients. Anita with Interior Spaces has years of experience and daily works on a variety of color consultations with clients. Years of experience and good eye for color have helped develop Anita’s keen sense of connection with each client. Personal, professional, experienced and affordable are words that best describe her service in the Portland Metro Area including Vancouver, West Linn, Wilsonville, Sherwood, and Beaverton in the beautiful state of Oregon.


Where do you start in choosing wall colors for your home? One of the main mistakes I see is when clients just go to a paint store and point to a color they like. There are a lot of colors in a paint stores interior wall color paint deck!  Remember, not every color in the deck is meant to go on a wall!  So, having expert eye evaluates your home, and what wood tones you have what furniture you are working around, what artwork you want to accent, your likes and dislikes is the first step to bringing together a good master plan of color for your home. Professional paint color services will help you get stunning results.  You can visit our website for more information... http://www.interiorspacesforyou.com/


Another tip that I like to tell clients is look at the paint color in all lights. How color appears in the sunny south side of the home will be different that on the shade or north side of the home. Color changes as light changes, so view them in the morning, mid day and at night when only incandescent lighting is used. One of the services I offer clients is to keep the 20” x 30” sample boards that I create for their master plan of color and move them around all times of day to make sure they will like the color at all times.

For more information or an appointment call Anita at 503-692-6077

Interior Paint Color Specialist in Portland Oregon Color Consulting

"Beauty from the inside out" is often a phrase that comes to mind when choosing fabulous colors for people’s homes. I believe, just like how we live our lives for inward beauty naturally, every home can be beautiful from the inside out. As a professional color consultant, Anita Thompson with Interior Spaces specializes in helping her clients choose and place interior wall colors that reflects their taste and enhances the character of their home.


Choosing interior wall colors often scares people and many mistakes can be made just pointing to a small dot of paint on a paint deck and saying, "that one"! Anita with Interior Spaces servicing the Portland Metro area including, Tualatin, West Linn, Tigard, Beaverton, Wilsonville, Vancouver area help her clients achieve their master plan of interior colors a little different way. After a color analysis of what colors they enjoy, what furniture or wood tones they are working around that they have currently, a color pallet can be developed that reflect their personal color combinations as well as enhance the interior of the house they are painting. Once the interview process is completed, Anita then makes up a series of 20" x 30" boards with paint colors that reflect a color pallet for their home. In the second visit these boards help the clients visualize what the color will look like. You are able to put them behind the sofa or wood furniture or kitchen cabinets so the client can see themselves how this color works with their interior surroundings. Clients love this service and it makes them very excited and takes the fear out of choosing new interior colors for their walls.

Once a color pallet has been chosen for the interior paint colors, then we help them place them. Color placement, whether it is color for your living rooms, family rooms, kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms or the entire master plan of colors it is equally important where you place the colors on the walls. Anita helps you with placement of the interior wall paint colors by drawing a diagram, or listing it verbally on a specification sheet. How colors are layered depends on the architecture of your home, but makes a great impact on the overall finished look.  Click on this link for photo examples of how different colors can be chosen, yet will flow beautifully one to the other when an overall master plan of color is developed for your home.

For more information give Anita a call at Interior Spaces - 503-692-6077 or visit our website for more information and special offers.

Harmony in Interior Design and Decorating

In interior design and decorating a home, harmony can be defined many ways with words. It can mean agreement, unity, flow, cohesiveness. But beyond any word you choose to describe harmony, it is in the end how the space makes you feel when you are in it. Following are two main points to think about so you room will feel harmonious.

Unity and Variety need to be combined with just the right balance to be aesthetically and visually compatible. Unity can be achieved by repetition and/or similarity of parts. . For example, lines you see in the architecture of your home could be a repeated in some of the major pieces of furniture to maintain the integrity of the architecture and as a result, unify the look.
The same would hold true about accessories and art that echo the style and colors of the furnishings and solidify the uniformity. Good design will balance unity and variety for harmony.

Even when choosing wall colors for your home, harmony is important. One color can often be boring and monotonous. Having a variety of wall colors that are chosen so the flow one to the other will and placing them on the walls so they complement their surroundings and architecture is so important in creating harmony in your home.

After many years of experience in interior design, one of the top design mistakes I see is lack of harmony in client’s spaces. Whether it is helping clients choose wall colors or furinture or window coverings, harmony is important in making you feel good in your space. Give us a call and we will be happy to help you create harmony in your home.
Anita Thompson…. Interior Spaces… 503-692-6077 Visit our website for more information.

Top Trends in Decorating Today

We are looking for a respite from an increasingly chaotic world. We want homes that are comfortable, relaxing, healthy and safe, but also reflect your personality. At Interior Spaces in Portland Oregon, our goal is to help you make your home not only function well, but also be aesthetically pleasing. Following are some top trends we have noticed that our clients request in decorating their homes.

Color and Light Can Change Everything…

It is a scientifically proven fact that light affects our health and color affects our mood. It is no wonder that getting the right colors on the walls is a top trend in the design of home interiors. Windows have been described as the house’s eyes to the world. Because of this trend, window coverings are no longer the standard mini blinds that we have seen in the past. Good interior design will incorporate not only the right selection and placement of color on the walls, but also the appropriate window coverings your home. There are so many options of fabrics and styles it can become overwhelming. A professional decorator can help you pull color and light together.

Serenity Reigns Supreme…

“Spa” and “zen” have become buzzwords associated with the home. Communications are instant, travel is frequent, and economies are connected. We are citizens of a global village and our homes reflect that. Rooms or wardrobes that feature only one style or place of origin seem as out of date as last week’s headlines. How to combine different styles and colors can be a home owner’s nightmare. But getting a professional interior master plan in color and furniture layout can make all the difference in the way your home feels to you. That's our speciality at Interior Spaces, a full interior design and decorating firm in the Tualatin, Tigard, West Linn, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Wilsonville Oregon area plus Vancouver Washington.

The Healthy House…

Going “green” in our private homes is just as important as the environment. One of the top trends today is analyzing how interior furnishings and finishes are affecting our health. From what carpet you choose, to what pillow you sleep on, it is important to know what chemicals and fibers are treated and how it can affect you health. Because of this there also is an increasing trend to bring nature indoors and into our interior decorating. From natural fibers, natural woods, the earth toned color trend have become the new modern! Hiring a professional interior designer with this expertise can help you choose finishes and furnishings for you home that will bring health and happiness to your home.

Give Anita at Interior Spaces a call at 503-692-6077 to set up an appointment. Or visit us on the web at http://www.portlandinteriordesign.com/

Recall information on Roman Shades, Roll Up Blinds

Check out this new Video from Window Covering Safety Council on Vimeo regarding child safety

Recently the media has given a lot of attention to the recall on roman shades and roller shade blinds for your windows.  This is especially important in children's rooms or play areas.  However, with the new products that window covering companies now have it is important to consider them when retrofitting or putting new window coverings in your home.   The following link is to information regarding the Window Covering Safety Council and it's recommendations.

Here is our recommendation... buy from a company that for years has been concerned with making window fashions safe for homes with infants, young children and pets has always been a top priority... Hunter Douglas. They specifically address concerns that have recently surfaced about the safety of roman shades and roll-up blinds in the PDF titled "Hunter Douglas and Child Safety."

Highlights of their child safe window treatment designs include:

• Hunter Douglas Vignette® Modern Roman Shades are the industry's only roman shade with no exposed rear cords.
• Hunter Douglas developed the first Break-Thru® Safety Tassel, which is designed to break open under pressure should a child or pet become entangled in the cord loop.
• Their innovative motorized lifting system, PowerRise® with Platinum™ Technology, allows you to raise and lower window treatments with just the press of a button.
• Hunter Douglas cordless LiteRise® system has no operating cords; it just pushes up and pulls down from the bottom. The shade or blind raises or lowers evenly to the desired position, and then holds that position, locking in automatically.  

Or if you are in the Portland Oregon and Vancouver Washington area, call us for on-site demonstration. 503-692-6077

Energy Loss through Windows

Glass offers very little resistance to heat flow. Because of this, windows are “energy holes.” Compared to the well-insulated walls and roofs of modern homes, standard double-pane windows allow 10 to 15 times more heat energy to flow through them. So, despite the fact that windows make up only 10 percent of a home’s exterior, approximately 50 percent of the home’s heating and cooling energy pours through them… which means that about half of what is paid for heating and cooling utility bills pours through them, too.

Slowing the energy flow...
The infrared photo above graphically shows the energy loss through windows. Notice the dramatic color difference between the walls and windows, highlighting the contrast in resistance to heat flow. How do we make the windows more like walls? We add insulation. Not with the fiberglass you would find in the walls, of course, but with window coverings like Hunter Douglas new Duette® Architella® honeycomb shades. The patented honeycomb-within-a-honeycomb construction forms three air pockets for superior insulation between the window and the room.

Expected savings...
Hunter Douglas new Duette® Architella® honeycomb shades have the highest energy rating that I have found in the window covering world of blinds and shade options available. It triples the energy efficiency of standard double-pane windows when fully recessed inside the window opening. This significantly decreases heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer, providing substantial energy and cost savings. One of our clients, who in an accountant, recently purchased Duette Architella shades for their lake house. They called to tell me, that in one winter month, it saved them about 25% on their monthly energy bill! Needless to say, he was happy to have such a quick return on his investment. Hunter Douglas is offering incredible rebates back too now on their Architella® shades, plus with our sale, you will save energy and investment dollars!

Call Interior Spaces in Portland Oregon now to schedule your free in-home consultation for window treatments, blinds and shades, custom draperies and panels and more. 503-692-6077  Visit our website at: InteriorSpacesForYou

For more information on the new Hunter Douglas Architella Duette window shade that adds insulation to your window visit Hunter Douglas website too.

Top 10 reasons to hire an Interior Designer!

Many people are intimidated at the thought of hiring an interior designer. They worry it’s too expensive or that the end result will be something they do not like. Following are 10 reasons you would want to hire a professional interior designer.

1. Education & training is the difference between a decorator or designer and a professional interior designer. Be sure to hire a designer with appropriate credentials for your project.

2. Professional eye will not only help you in selection of the colors that flow through out your house, but also make sure your space is proportioned well and balanced. Often times I go into homes where the clients tell me, “We just don’t feel good in this room”. Generally I have found the problem lies in proportion and balance in either color or layout.

3. Experience does count and it is the best teacher! Many things in good design are learned the hard way. Remember when you hire a professional designer with experience that you are eliminating a lot of frustration on your part because they have learned the hard way through their years of experience and that is part of the design fee!

4. Master planning is a key to an interior designer’s magic. Ever notice your home is full many things you’ve collected, art, knick-knacks, furniture… and all seemed to be a good idea at the time… but you have no idea how to make them all look right together? Having a master plan does help you work in all the things you already have decreases the need to buy everything new.

5. Color consulting for interior wall paint is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to bring new life to your space. Professional color consultants will not only analyze what colors make you personally feel good, but also what colors will work the magic with your existing surroundings.

6. Space planning and traffic flow through your living space will make the difference in not only how you feel, but also enjoyment of living and working in your home. The pictures show an example of how a professional floor plan can help you visualize the furniture layout.

7. Finish Selection – From cabinetry and countertop choices to hardware finishes and lighting fixtures… there are so many options that it can be overwhelming to clients. Having professional help can simplify your life and the decision making process.

8. Access to designer products such as fabrics and furniture other than what you see in local retail stores is very positive to most clients we work with. From High Point North Carolina to Las Vegas new Furniture Market, hiring a designer opens up a world of possibilities you normally do not have access to.

9. Saves you time which is a rare commodity these days. Many clients express frustration in not having enough time to get everything thing done. Hiring a professional who does this every day will save you so much time.

10. Saves you money when your home is just how you like it… we have found clients no longer feel the need to change it so often. Remember, a professional designer will always work within your budget and your style.

Give Anita at Interior Spaces a call at 503-692-6077 to set up an appointment.

How to select and Window Covering

~ A Shopper’s Guide ~

 Selecting window coverings is one of the most complicated decorating decisions homeowners face, as there are many practical and aesthetic considerations. Following is a brief guide to help you select custom window coverings that will provide the best practical performance and add pleasing decorative qualities to every room in your house. For more information visit our website or give us a call at Interior Spaces for on-site consultation in the Portland Oregon and Vancouver Washington area. 503-692-6077.

What are your needs for privacy?  A general rule of thumb is that if you can see out through closed treatments during the day, others can see in at night. Interior Spaces offers a range of products that offer options ranging from sheer to privacy and all the degrees in between. For example, our top selling product, Silhouette® window shadings, which feature fabric vanes suspended between sheer fabric panels, rotate for varying degrees of privacy and light control allow you to see your view and at the same time provide privacy and best of all eliminate those tan lines on your furniture!

What are your needs for light control?  Many window coverings go up and down and make all stops in between. Another favorite and top seller are the Duette® honeycomb shades, Roman shades and Provenance® woven woods which offer the added option of being lowered from the top down, thus allowing light to enter a room while still providing privacy and offering maximum light control. And there is now a Top-Down / Bottom-Up and TiltAnywhere™ option for the popular Silhouette window shadings which allows you to operate the shadings from the top down, or the bottom up or in combination and tilt the product when it is in any position.  Of course, how much light control you need depends what your room will be used for. For media rooms, Duette honeycomb shades in opaque fabrics with an aluminized polyester core that provides total room darkening are a good choice.

Which direction does your window face? And what are your needs for UV-ray protection and energy efficiency?

• North-facing windows bring in the most even and consistent light. It is also the coldest exposure, so for energy conservation these windows are often treated with insulated shades – like the new Duette® Architella shades, which trap air in the honeycomb shaped cells, or stop the energy flow with wood shutters or even cornice board with insulated draperies.
• South-facing windows receive sunlight year-round, casting a warm, golden glow on interiors. Heat and UV rays in this consistent light will cause the most damage, so, choose products that can protect fabric and furniture from the sun’s harmful rays. The right window covering can block up to 99 percent of UV rays. Look for a “% UV blockage” rating. The higher a product’s rating, the better the home’s interior is protected from UV rays. For example, Duette honeycomb shades can block up to 99.9 percent of UV rays. Roman shades, hardwood shutters and cellular shades in opaque fabrics are also good choices.  
• East-facing windows admit the most balanced or full-spectrum light, however, its brightness and clarity may render it warm, especially in the morning. Window treatments with two layers that diffuse light, such as Silhouette window shadings with companion Luminette Privacy Sheers and Duette honeycomb shades are good choices here.  
• If your windows face west they are exposed to the hottest light and also the haziest because by day’s end, there are so many impurities in the atmosphere. Many of the same treatments as south-facing windows are good selections here. Products like Silhouette window shadings and Luminette sheers can also provide UV protection while still allowing a view.

Is noise a problem?
If your windows face a crowded street, sound can be a problem, especially at night. It’s good to know that fabric window coverings can provide a solution. Cellular shades with the triple layer of honeycomb cells absorb almost three quarters of all reflected sound.

Do your windows open and, if so, do you open them often?
Some windows open up, some out and some in. Other slide from side to side. Analyze which direction your window coverings need to open in relationship to how the room is laid out for accessibility.

Is the window covering child-safe?
Particularly if you have young children or pets at home safety is important. Look for Break-Thru® Safety Tassel, Safety Wands, cordless, wireless PowerRise motorization; the UltraGlide® patented lifting system which features a single, retractable cord that is easily kept out of the way of children.

Aesthetic Considerations to consider when choosing window treatments for your home or office:

What are the proportions of the room?
The window treatment should be considered within the overall scale of the interior in terms of both height and size to maintain proper proportions. If, for example, the window is small in relation to the rest of the room, you may want to extend the covering to make the window seem larger. For a large window with a beautiful view you may want a simple covering, which will enable you to control light without obscuring the views. For a window with an interesting architectural frame, place the covering within the frame so as not to obscure it. Also, for a room with a low ceiling, remember that vertical lines can enhance the height of a room.

What colors do you prefer in window decor?
Color intensifies as you increase areas of coverage. A small amount of bright red might be suitable for a decorative tape or trim, but overwhelming in an entire window treatment. To visually expand a window or rooms choose soft, light or cool colors. Another hint: Coordinate the window coverings with the wall color, as low contrasts will keep the eye moving around the room. Reverse the technique to make the window or room appear smaller and cozier by using dark, warm colors and high contrast between the window and wall. Also remember what your window looks like from the outside. Many window coverings have neutral white backings for a consistent from the exterior.

How does pattern work at the window?
Always consider the effect pattern at the window will have on the whole room. Are there other patterns in the decoration? Will they complement each other or create chaos? Pattern, like color, can be surprisingly intense in large quantities.

Considering Texture?
The rich subtlety of texture is increasingly appreciated in home decoration. Textures can be both casual (rough, nubbly or earthy) or formal (smooth, elegant fabrics). Texture is particularly important at the window where light penetrates the fabric or material. Always put the sample to be used in an application up to the window to judge the effect of light coming through it, as the texture will alter the diffusion of the light.

Top questions and answers regarding FEDERAL TAX CREDIT OPPORTUNITY on Window Coverings!

1. What is the Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency?On 2/17/09, President Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 – a stimulus bill that includes federal tax credits on selected energy efficient products purchased during 2009 and 2010.

2. Which products currently qualify for the Federal Tax Credit?
Hunter Douglas has been a leader in innovation and current affairs. As of this time, certain Duette® Architella® honeycomb shades with qualifying fabrics and lifting systems that are inside mounted over double glazed windows now qualify for this Tax Credit. Call us for free on-site product showing.

3. How much is the Federal Tax Credit?Qualifying products are eligible for a tax credit of 30% of the cost, up to $1,500 in total during the 2009 & 2010 tax years $1,500 is the maximum combined total amount that can be claimed for all purchases of qualifying energy efficient products placed in service during this period. Call us for more information.

4. What is the time frame during which tax credits can be earned on qualifying Hunter Douglas products?The qualifying shades must be purchased and installed between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010, for existing homes, not new construction. The home must be considered your principal residence. Be sure to consult your tax advisor for further details regarding your eligibility for this tax credit and proper forms to fill out.

5. Are installation costs for my qualifying Hunter Douglas products covered by the tax credits?
The tax credit applies to the product purchase price only and does not cover the installation/labor costs for measuring or installing your qualifying shades.
For more information go to Hunter Douglas website
Or give us a call for on-site evaluation.

New Interior Spaces Website is Growing!

We are very exited to announce that our new website is growing! Interior Spaces is a full service interior design and decoration specializing in master planning, space planning, color consulting, window treatments, Hunter Douglas blinds and shades, custom drapery and valances, furniture, lighting and accessories. We are located in the Portland Oregon area servicing, Tualatin, West Linn, Lake Oswego, Beaverton, Tigard, Wilsonville, Hillsboro, Gresham and Vancouver Washington.