Classic Color Combination

White and Black Rooms

Back in the spring I decided to redecorate my living room - time for a change. I wanted more seating and a surface to serve coffee from when girlfriends came over. A couple of pieces of furniture would need to remain - my great grandmother's Duncan Phyfe sofa and my large cupboard - but other than that the sky was the limit (as long as I didn't spend more than $1000). I came across a pair of amazing chrome director's chairs on Craigslist for $50 and the transformation began. A cool mid-century square coffee table, and a simple English chest of drawers came next

and then... nothing. I had a creative block!

Sadly, my family has been living with a mismatched mess while I unlock the block. However, I think I am onto something - a white room with black accents, modern mixed with traditional and texture.

Check out a some of my inspiration pictures.

I am hard at work, painting, purchasing fabric,, pulling items from the garage...

Hopefully, soon I will reveal my new white living room with black accents!! My family is certainly hoping I will.

Color Schemes with Wood Molding

Colors that Work With Medium or Dark Moldings

I love creating posts about color - the right color in a room can really change the way you feel about your home, and it is a relatively cheap and easy fix!

I have done several other posts about color. However, all of the palettes I discussed were paired with classic white molding.  What if you have wood molding? In Washington DC, row houses with dark chestnut molding are not uncommon. The molding has a beautiful pronounced grain and was originally stained dark. Today I am going to talk about colors that work with both the dark wood molding and those that coordinate with the wood molding when it has been stripped and returned to its' natural color.

Colors That Coordinate with Dark Wood Moldings

There is always an important caveat when it comes to color - LIGHT! How much light a room gets will dramatically effect how a color looks. If you have dark moldings pair them with light colors to avoid an oppressive environment. Also, make sure the paint is a flat finish. This balances nicely with the sheen on the dark moldings. All of the colors I use are by Benjamin Moore unless otherwise specified.

The Best White - Ballet White, OC-9

      

This color lends itself to dark browns and blacks. It has enough depth to insure it is not boring.

Gray - Gray Cashmere, 2138- 60

   

This gray has a strong green undertone. It is also looks great with black.

One more gray - Revere Pewter HC-172

   

This gray is darker than Gray Cashmere and has nice tinge of brown, very sophisticated.

 Cream - Bone White INT. RM  

   
The name may say white but this is really a very light yellow. It looks great with dark mahogany and walnut wood tones.

Colors That Coordinate With Yellow Undertone Wood Moldings

Natural Chestnut moldings have a yellow undertone and a very different look from the dark stained moldings. While neutrals look best with the dark moldings, the natural chestnut lends itself well to cool colors that balance the yellow undercurrents.

Light green - Guilford Green HC-116
   

Gray/Green -Misted Green 2138-50
   

Blue - Quiet Moments

      

In homes with natural wood moldings, these moldings are a dominant feature. Choosing a paint palette or color scheme that compliments them can be difficult. Remember to take the amount of light your rooms receive into consideration and lean toward colors that have a gray undertone, not pure tone colors. Pure tone colors tend to compete with the natural wood moldings.

Mixed Greens and Basil Pesto

Sheldon's Pesto

This pesto is my dinner solution on those nights when I am running behind and I have leftover greens (spinach, arugula, and/or cilantro). It takes approximately 20 minutes to make, including cooking the pasta! It is also a favorite of our family's young friend Sheldon. I appreciate that he even likes my "quick" meals.
To make this into a heartier dinner, you can add chicken or shrimp.

Makes 4 servings

1 cup lightly packed basil leaves

2 cups lightly packed greens (mixed is fine) - arugula, spinach and/or cilantro work well

The juice from one lemon half

One clove of garlic, quartered

3/4 tsp sea salt

1/3 cup toasted pine nuts

1/2 cup finely grated fresh parmigiana, preferably Parmigiano-Reggiano 

1/4 cup olive oil

1 box thin spaghetti

1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
1 lb. shrimp (optional)
Kalamata olives (optional)

Fill a  quart pot with water, add 2 tsp salt, and place on the stove on high.

In a food processor, combine the basil, greens, garlic, lemon juice and salt, processing until the garlic is diced. Scrape the sides of the processor bowl. Add the pine nuts and parmigiana. Process again. Scrape the sides once more. Replace the lid to the processor bowl and press start, drizzle the olive oil into the food processor bowl while it is on. the result should be a bright, creamy green color

Once the water is boiling, prepare the thin spaghetti according to box directions. Drain the pasta. In a bowl toss approximately half of the pesto with the pasta, save the other half to be served table side. Garnish with shrimp, chicken and/or kalamata olives.

This Pesto is a great way to use up those handfuls of arugula, spinach and cilantro that often end up going bad - and it is delicious.
ENJOY!