Understanding Undertones

What Maria Killam and American Idol Have in Common

kitchen

Some of my readers have said "I have not bought your book because I have trouble seeing what you are talking about on your blog". Turns out, when someone shows you, "That's green beige, that's blue gray", you can see it immediately. Then it just takes seeing it over and over for you to start noticing undertones on your own. This is the second of a two-part guest post written by my Design Associate, Irene Hill.
"My first post, How Maria Saved my Paint Life, started to tell you the story of how meeting Maria at one of her True Colour Expert Workshops changed the way I see and specify paint colours.

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How Maria Killam Saved My Paint Life – Part 1 of 2

bedroom

This is the first of a two-part guest post written by my Design Associate, Irene Hill. It describes how we met. . . read on and find out that you may have a lot in common with her! Brown (with a green undertone) fireplace.  Pinterest "I have a confession. I have been a designer for a long time – in both residential and developmental… Continue reading

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Vancouver Colour Consultant: How to Mix Yesterday with Today in Your Renovation

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The best money-saving advice I give my clients every single day is dedicated around the correct way to introduce finishes from today into your dated, 20-30 year old (or more) space.

For example, recently I consulted with a client who had plans to rip out everything in the bathroom except the one-piece shower/tub. She sent me some images in advance of our consultation of some combination sink/vanity units she planned to purchase to replace her existing vanity. Continue reading

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Vancouver Colour Consultant: How Light Affects Paint Colour

lighting

I am getting lots of questions about lighting and how it affects paint colour. I'm including this one to start off this post because it's even more complicated than the usual one I receive (and it's a great question, thanks!) source "Maria, do you know of a seminar that would delve into the more technical aspects of colour: how do… Continue reading

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Vancouver Colour Consultant: Spring Training is Here!

living

As I mentioned in my Apartment Therapy interview on Friday, when I started my design business, it was one call by a potential client that started me on my journey to get colour right. She said, "I'm trying to pick colours for my house and I see all these undertones but I can't figure out which one is right, can… Continue reading

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Maria Killam eBook Launch: Read the First Chapter

gift

I am so excited to announce that my eBook is finally here and my store is up and running. Before you buy you can download and read the first chapter! As my gift to you my eBook also includes the list of my top 50 colours included in the purchase of my large colour samples as well as an additional… Continue reading

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Vancouver Colour Consultant: The Fundamental Key for Colour Specifying (Not for Everybody)

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My eBook is finished (next comes design layout), Irene and I have been working hard on it for months. I know many of you are waiting for my webinars to launch but this book will be the foundation and required reading for everything else. It's really good and I can't wait for you to see it! I am hoping it… Continue reading

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'Must Have' Tools for Colour Consulting

In my True Colour Expert Workshops I always ask "Who here thinks I have some kind of magical ability to see colour?" Everyone always looks at me like they're thinking 'Really? Is she that arrogant?' Two or three might raise their hand. Blue gray Calcutta marble countetops, slightly pinky Crema Marfil Tiled Floor & roman shades (source) But here's the… Continue reading

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Do you Understand Neutrals? Take the Bathroom Test

source I have lost count of the number of times I have been hired to help a homeowner 'correct' a colour issue created by a designer who chose finishes without knowing how to combine the undertones of the colours and neutrals of the tiles or granite they had selected. This bathroom of one of my on-line clients is typical of… Continue reading

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What Colour is the Best with Crema Marfil?

Photos by Maria Killam I arrived in Atlanta on Monday night and Tuesday, during set-up for my True Colour Expert Workshop, I popped over to Chadwick Lakes for a consultation.  Fran has a gorgeous home in this gated community and you'll see more of it in my next post.  This one is about her master bathroom.  She had recently renovated it… Continue reading

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