The Design District

Posted By Rachel DeSchepper on 01/28/2008

In our January issue, we wrote about how to choose the best paint color for the wintry, gray Portland skies.

While I was researching the story, I went to the launch party of Allison Smith Color Seasons, a new paint line by Portland-based interior designer Allison Smith and manufactured by Benjamin Moore.

I wasn’t able to include Allison in the story, but I was curious about her new line and what she meant by Color Seasons. Really, I’m interested in any new line or tool that helps people (um, me) choose the right paint colors. It’s more daunting than it should be! But Allison has thankfully done a lot of the work for the color-challenged among us. She’s created a quiz to narrow down your color personality, then once you’ve decided your “season,” you only have to choose from four palettes (bold, bright, subtle and soft) in that season. Plus, she’s published a Paint and Design Handbook, which includes swatches and color samples, which basically makes all the hard decisions for you. Seriously, it couldn’t be easier.

I asked Allison a few questions about how she came up with the line and how it’ll help regular Joes and Janes like myself who can’t seem to settle on the right paint palette. And, if you have specific questions for her, please comment below, or email designdistrict AT portlandspaces DOT net. I’ll pass along the questions; it’d be great to get a good question-and-answer session here for any and all of your design quandaries.

How important is color to you in your overall design philosophy?

For me, color is the most important thing in overall design. Especially the wall paint color, which is the canvas that the rest of your design elements complement.

There seem to be two schools of thought with wall paint colors. Do you feel you should keep your walls neutral and let accessories pop, or do you recommend letting your walls come alive with color?

Both of these concepts are valued, depending upon the architecture of the home and a person’s personality. Walls speak loudly of the architecture, as well as a person’s character, so determining on both those levels, I choose a fine balance between what suits a person and what suits a house.

Is choosing a paint color always a large problem for your clients?

This is the largest problem for almost all my clients, commercial and residential, since they don’t usually understand that paint colors should be in the form of a palette to harmonize well with the established design. Paint palettes anchor and provide the foundation—you can then make choices from there.

How do you help solve those problems?

Using my personal palette concept, I’ll identify your personal color, which helps to take the guess work out of your ambivalence in color. For example, I’ll look at your eyes, your hair, your personality and lifestyle, and come up with three or four similar choices that I know will complement you. I have yet to have this not work for me and my client.

When did you get the idea to start your own paint line?

Five years ago, after designing many million-dollar mansions as well as modest bungalows, it occurred to me that choosing color is painful for everyone. I wanted to simplify the process for the do-it-yourself designer. There are just too many choices, and too many paint chips for you to choose from! My first thought was to write a handbook that would help people make confident choices in choosing a color palette. As this concept grew, it just made sense to provide the palettes and show how to use them.

What was your ultimate goal with Color Seasons?

It would tickle me fancy to see the do-it-yourself designer feel confident in choosing their paint palette, and I love providing an opportunity for them to enjoy experimenting with their own homes.

If we don’t have you there to help determine our own color season, how does the collection help us figure it out?

In my handbook, there’s a simple quiz to help establish which paint palette is suited for you, based on your own personal coloring (hair color, eye color), tastes and preferences. These palettes are reflective of the four seasons, Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Then, each season has a four separate palettes of four colors: soft, subtle, bright and bold. Each four-color palette has a predominant color and three accent colors. The quiz gives you an easy way to choose a palette from the 64 total colors that reflects you personal style.

What are some unique tips for do-it-yourself-ers like me for choosing the right paint colors for our entire home?

The most common mistake I have noticed is that people tend to choose color based on each room separately. I call this “design isolation.” Really, the important thing is to stay consistent. Using a palette, rather than individual colors, provides the best painting solution. Consider your entire home when choosing a palette.

What’s YOUR color season?

I am attracted to Spring Bold in my Color Seasons line, for two reasons. I love the bright colors in this palette, and I live in a 120-year-old Victorian row house, which complements the vibrancy of this color palette.

Allison Smith Color Seasons paints and book are available locally at Kaleidescope Paint, 909 SE Salmon St, 503-236-6919