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While the weather in Texas might not *quite* reflect the fall vibes we’re all waiting for, that doesn’t mean we can’t start decorating, right?

If you’re like most of the homeowning population, you have some version of a neutral color palette in your main living area. Take advantage of this! Fold up your throws and pillows and replace them with some festive colors and patterns. Plaids are perfect for this time of year, exuding a sense of comfort and warmth. Go for deep shades of orange, yellow and red to remind people that even though it might not feel like fall outside, it sure feels like it inside. (Hint: smells achieve this almost just as well…check out our favorite fall spice scent)

Everyone knows a good fall wreath soothes the soul. Whether you decide to go the DIY route or storebought, the way you hang it can make all the difference. Even if the wreath you picked up doesn’t come with a hanger, you can purchase any color coordinating thick ribbon to give it the pop it needs.

Firefly lights seem to have a place in every DIY project nowadays. Well, it’s time to re-purpose them, again, with this cute fall decorating idea. Arranging a strand of these lights in a mason jar with your choice of dried moss, leaves or any item from your front yard that gives the illusion of fall makes for an adorable piece for the coffee table. You can create it in different sized jars on a tray amongst something small like acorns or branches, making for a nice centerpiece in the dining room. The possibilities are endless with this one…get creative and have fun with it!

After a long and hot summer, fall cannot come soon enough. Even with the school year routine and busyness starting up, there’s just something about those warm colors, cool winds and approaching holidays that gets us excited. While the weather here in Texas might not follow suit, we’ve got a trick to help you transition from summer to fall, no matter the temperature outside.

Smell is proven to affect our mind and mood, with it being our most memorable sense. Can you guess what we’re suggesting? And no, it’s not spending all day making homemade pies…

Here are a few of our favorite recipes for stovetop scents that are sure to bring all your favorite fall memories to the front of your mind. For each of these, start with 2-3 cups of water in a small saucepan. Once all the desired ingredients (depenidng on your recipe selection) are added, bring to a boil then reduce to low heat. Add more water as necessary.

Citrus:

1 Orange, Sliced
1 Lemon, Sliced
Cranberry Bliss
1 orange
½ lemon
1 cup cranberries
2 cinnamon sticks
1 tablespoon cloves

Rich Spice:

2 Cinnamon Sticks
½ tablespoon Whole Cloves
1 Whole Nutmeg
Lemon Rosemary
1 Lemon Sliced
3 Sprigs Fresh Rosemary
1 Cinnamon Stick

Apple Pie:

2 Apples, sliced
2 cinnamon sticks
1 lemon slice
dash of vanilla extract
Vanilla Spice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cinnamon stick
4 cloves

Choosing a paint color is a big commitment. Paint jobs can be expensive, time-consuming and exhausting…and that’s just the first time around. The process of coming to a decision on a color can seem ambiguous, quickly bringing you to the mindset of, “I just need to pick one!”

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a method to the madness?

Consider what elements of your home you’re trying to effect. This is often a combination of things you need to stay the same and things you’re attempting to change. We’ll look at what we consider the three most important categories: decor, lighting, and mood.

Decor:

The more decor you already have or have picked out, the better. Your paint color should tie everything together without distracting from what you already have. And no, a neutral shade isn’t the only way to do this. Focus on the busiest textiles or accessories you’re incorporating and work from there.

Lighting:

Ceiling fixtures, lamps, and daylight all play a huge role in your paint color. If you’re trying out swatches on the wall, it’s smart to try it on more than one. Consider where any window light is entering the room and the different angles at which it will hit the wall. Typically, you can accurately test this with just two walls, depending on the layout of the room and placement of windows. Also, remember to move around your lamps and other artificial lights to see the way it affects the hue of your walls. You will need at least 24 hours to see your paint in *literally* every light.

Mood:

This may seem obscure, but there’s actually quite a science behind the mood and vibe you’re trying to create with your paint color. You know the basics…light colors create airy, open space while dark colors are warmer and more intimate. We won’t go through each individual color but consider the groupings below.

Comfortable: Who doesn’t want their home to be comfortable? A broad term, however, we’re thinking light and airy pastels when this word comes up. Paired with other light colors and natural light, this makes for a beautiful, soft and comfortable space.

Coordinated: Somewhere in between comfortable and confident, coordinated is a safe bet when it comes to your space. Earthy and natural tones make up this palette,  making for an easy space to add your decor to.

Confident: This more describes what colors you’re pairing in your space, but think bold. Black and white paired with orange accessories. While some might not find this idea inviting, if done correctly it can make quite a statement.

You’ll also want to consider the rooms surrounding the space you’re painting. Obviously, you don’t each room to look the same, but there should be effort put into the “flow”. Too many drastic and different designs close together makes for an overwhelming space.

While most of this blog discusses paint color for four walls, the ceiling is often something forgotten…but that’s a whole other blog.

Summer is here and let’s be real…even if you’re not in school, there is a certain excitement that surrounds this time of year. Maybe it’s having the kids free from homework every night or simply knowing that your weekend will be spent by the pool. Regardless, it’s definitely a reason to celebrate. To appropriately ring in this season of freedom, bring your close friends together and display your beautiful home while having a memorable evening. You heard me right…throw a dinner party!

Environment plays a huge role in every party, so let’s talk about ways you can make everyone comfortable enough to enjoy their time spent in your home.

• Establish a theme. When considering a theme, think more along the lines of a feeling rather than a place or thing. When you’re throwing a party to celebrate the season, it doesn’t take much to run with for favors and decor. Play off of the themes you’ve already instilled in your home! Don’t take away from the projects you’ve been working on this year, the color scheme you so carefully selected, and the feeling you’ve worked on creating within your walls. Words like rustic, modern or elegant might describe your current decor…go with it!
• Define the areas around your home. You need 2-3 spaces that are easily accessible for guests to eat, drink and conversate. Check your RSVP list and ensure that you have an abundance of seating. If you have the space, try to arrange your couches, benches, stools, and chairs in a way that allows for groups of 4-5 to gather comfortably. Don’t hesitate to bring furniture from other areas of the house, but remember to stay true to your theme! Once your seating is established, define a clear space for serving food and for engaging in the actual meal as well. Keep in mind the direction people will naturally flow and plug that information into where you place drinks, utensils, etc.
• Introduce new decorations. Since we encouraged you to stick with the current theme of your home, you might be asking what more you can do to decorate. The answer is…make it flashy, but not too flashy. These will be items that you wouldn’t keep out permanently, but they will elevate your home just enough to make it special. One easy way to set the tone is to eliminate the need for overhead lighting. Anywhere you can put a lamp or string of lights to brighten the space while still adding ambiance and not just a glaring fixture overhead, do it. This separates your “regular” home from the environment you’re creating for the party. Another easy option is to incorporate some sort of florals or greenery. You can make vases out of anything these days…do some research online and see what you come up with! If you’re lacking a pop of color, vases with small flower arrangements make for a great addition. If you need something neutral to balance out your existing color scheme, greenery is almost always a nice touch. You can do this in vases as well, or simply laid out in multiple areas. Who knows, you may end up liking some of these elements so much you keep them out all year!

Don’t forget to have some background music playing. Queue up a playlist that you know your friends will love, without distracting too much from conversation and company.

Lastly,  make these changes at least day in advance so you can do a test run the night before the party. Have dinner in your “dinner-party ready” home, keeping in mind the areas your guests will be drawn to, and see if you’ve created the environment you were hoping for.

Happy summer and good luck celebrating!

Paint is our thing. It’s literally in the name. So we understand the gravity of color and quality when designing any space. The tones and finishes you choose have the power to completely change not only your mood, but the mood of the room and even the rest of your home. No pressure but…that’s a lot riding on a seemingly small decision.

There are plenty of ways to make sure you choose the right color before you get too deep in the paint, but we’ll save that for another blog.

Today, we’re revealing a secret weapon you don’t want to pass up. Something other than the color on those 4 walls that is of equal if not more importance when you’re aiming for a specific environment. Hint: Choose wisely or it will be looming over you for some time…

It’s the fifth wall! The hidden gem! What makes the structure you live in a home…the ceiling. You’ve probably neglected it until now. It’s hard to reach, painfully white and traditionally goes unnoticed. You can’t expect a ceiling to stand out if you don’t give it the tools to do so (and white paint does NOT count). So what can you do? If you’re not planning on redoing the whole room, you are tasked with finding the option that complements what’s underneath it. Obviously, this is directly related to the color on your other walls, but also to your floors, color palette in the room as a whole, textures throughout, lighting (natural and artificial) and more depending on the room.

Think about your goal for the space you’re considering. Does it need an added element of warmth? Is is it a small space, relying on arrangements to make it appear spacious and open? Or maybe it just needs a bold statement to keep things interesting. Let’s talk options.

Shiplap. The hype surrounding this simple trend right now is crazy. So if you haven’t heard of it…keep reading to find out what you’re missing. Shiplap, by definition, is just wooden boards fit together in a way that they overlap at some point, usually by making a rabbet. One of the perks of using shiplap on the ceiling is that it generally looks best in white, neutral, or a natural wood stain. Shiplap goes well with farmhouse-style decor, but for a ceiling, you don’t want that being the only element you have. You might consider incorporating it into a headboard, shelving, or even covering the whole room.

Contrast. When most people hear the words “bold” and “ceiling” in the same sentence, they freak out a little bit. But did you know that in a big space, a bold color choice on the ceiling can make the room seem much more cohesive and cozy? It’s true! And if you just can’t bring yourself to go all in, try utilizing white beams to break up the color. Paired with crisp light-colored walls, this design move can really transform your space while only actually changing one thing. Stay away from glossy finishes on these darker shades, especially with a higher ceiling.

Light, bright and airy. Don’t think white…think shades of white. Especially if your other 4 walls are a darker hue, a thoughtfully planned ceiling color and finish has the ability to reflect light, making the space seem larger and balancing all of those tones really well. In general, the lower the ceiling, the glossier finish you’ll want to go for.

Give Spear Paint a call and let us help you decide which look is right for you. We’ll treat you and your home with the respect you deserve. 713-664-5150.