Given the chance, wouldn't we all love to raise our Color IQ?  Many of us have a great sense of style when it comes to home decor, but are still in search for the perfect palette.  The perfect paint and color choices can add that finishing touch every home needs to feel complete.  Choosing the right palette means weaving in the right blend of color, pattern and texture.  One of our readers, Meredith, sent in photos of her very well designed home that's missing just one thing-- Color!  What are your ideas for her?

Meredith home is gorgeous.  It's well-designed and thoughtful.  Take a look at her photos below.  Her classic contemporary style is accented by bold lines and symmetry.  It reminds me that many people are in the same boat-- a great eye for what they love and in need of the right color combination and paint choice to create a memorable room.

What works:  Meredith has created some great flow and continuity of design already.  She's used similar dark woods, white and off-white accents, and a similar framing style for all of her photos and art on the walls.  The rich stone fireplace is a great accent that adds some depth and she has loads of natural light coming in. 

Color Opportunities:  Some would say it looks great as it is, but I think Meredith is wise in her search for color.  Color can add layers of interest and a sense of a personalization that makes a space beautiful.  The right paint choice can protect your walls and be durable until you just get tired of the color!  

Since these rooms are open to each other, we certainly should consider the colors of the two rooms together, too.  With her neutral color palette as a starting point, the directions are endless, so we need a little direction from Meredith to understand what she would love to live with in her living room and dining room. 

When I'm looking at a space, I try to categorize what exists and what I'd like to introduce.  Here, we have repetition of style and color, contrast in a fairly dark and light palette, and nice architectural details.  By adding color to the walls, we'll bring the space alive and introduce depth and a bit of excitement, too!  I also think about how the space is used.  Do you need a paint that will take a beating and hold up well?  Are you mostly concerned with your indoor air quality?  Or are you just looking for decorative accents and specialty finishes?

What are your color or paint ideas for this project?  Le'ts raise our collective Color IQ together as we figure out the answer to this Interesting Question (IQ) from Meredith!  I'm going to work with Personal Color Viewer from Benjamin Moore and share my ideas tomorrow.  A clue from Meredith:  She's looking for the perfect gray and the "palest of blues" to create a look that's as classic as her taste.