<![CDATA[Color Smith

<![CDATA[Color Smith - Blog]]>Sat, 21 Mar 2026 06:58:15 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Creating a Home Buyers Fall in Love With]]>Sat, 21 Jun 2025 20:28:53 GMThttps://www.colorsmithabq.com/blog/creating-a-home-buyers-fall-in-love-withWhy I Stage Every Home: A Realtor and Decorator’s PerspectiveStaging a home isn’t just about making it pretty—it’s a powerful strategy I use to help buyers fall in love at first sight. As both a realtor and a decorator, I’ve seen firsthand how the right styling can transform a house into a space that feels just right. It’s not about personal taste—it’s about creating a home that invites buyers to picture themselves living there.
First Impressions Are EverythingWhen buyers walk through the door, they make judgments within seconds. That first impression is powerful—and it often sets the tone for the entire showing. According to the National Association of Realtors, 82% of buyer’s agents say staging helps buyers visualize a property as their future home. I see this all the time. As a realtor, I know how crucial that connection is. As a decorator, I focus on the small details that create an emotional pull: light, layout, and lifestyle cues.
It Doesn’t Have to Be All NeutralWhile many people think staging means everything has to be beige, I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all design. If a home calls for color, we use color! Staging should reflect the home’s architecture and energy. Whether it's a Mid-Century Modern with bold lines and vintage hues or a Southwest-style home that begs for warmth and texture, I design to honor the home’s character and appeal to the right buyer.
Working with What You HaveOne of the biggest misconceptions about staging is that it requires renting all new furniture. Not true. I often work with my clients’ existing pieces, thoughtfully editing and rearranging to bring out the best in each space. Sometimes, just removing a few items or swapping out art and accessories is all it takes to create a completely refreshed look. I make it approachable, budget-conscious, and impactful.
Depersonalization Without SterilizationOne of the first things I do is help clients depersonalize—not to strip the home of personality, but to make space for buyers to project their own lives into the home. Removing personal photos, overly specific decor, and anything that might distract buyers helps create a neutral yet welcoming backdrop. It’s a balancing act—keeping it stylish, warm, and relatable without feeling too lived in.
Furniture Placement That WorksStaging isn't about filling a room with furniture—it’s about showing off the space. I often rework layouts to create flow, balance, and function. Whether it’s removing a bulky sectional or setting up a cozy reading nook in an awkward corner, every decision is intentional. Buyers need to feel like the home is spacious and livable.
Highlighting the Best FeaturesEvery home has standout features—whether it’s a stunning fireplace, expansive windows, or a fabulous front entry. I make sure those focal points shine by arranging furniture and décor to draw attention, not distract. It’s about enhancing, not overpowering.
Lighting Changes EverythingNatural light is a major selling point, and I always aim to maximize it. Clean windows, open curtains, strategically placed lamps, and light wall colors can all make a big difference. I want every room to feel bright, open, and welcoming.
Don’t Forget Curb AppealThe exterior is the buyer’s first impression—sometimes even before scheduling a showing. I help clients boost curb appeal with simple updates like potted plants, fresh mulch, or a pop of color on the front door. The goal is to set a welcoming tone from the outside in.
It’s About Selling a LifestyleStaging isn’t just about the look—it’s about the feel. I love creating little moments that tell a story: a cozy throw and a book on a chair, a tray set for morning coffee, a welcoming entry table. These details help buyers imagine their life unfolding in the home.
Staging Pays OffAccording to the National Association of Realtors, staged homes sell faster and for up to 10% more than their non-staged counterparts. Whether I’m helping a seller declutter and rearrange their own items or bringing in additional décor to fill in the gaps, the return on investment is real—and it’s something I always offer to my real estate clients.
The Realtor-Decorator AdvantageBecause I do both, my clients get the benefit of a strategic marketer and a design eye in one. I understand what buyers are looking for, and I know how to style a home to highlight its strengths while staying true to its architecture and personality. My goal is to help my clients sell faster, for more, and with less stress—and staging is one of the best tools I have to make that happen.
In today’s competitive market, staging isn’t just an extra—it’s a must. And I love being able to offer it as part of my service.
]]><![CDATA[2024 Colors of the Year]]>Tue, 14 Nov 2023 16:37:32 GMThttps://www.colorsmithabq.com/blog/2024-colors-of-the-yearEach year my favorite paint companies release their color of the year. I choose paint colors from any manufacturer but my top three are Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, and Dunn Edwards so I am featuring them here. Keep scrolling to see the predictions for 2024. (I hope you like blue!)

Sherwin-Williams Upward

Used as an accent or all over, in classic coastal or casual Nordic styles, the airy, misty-hued beauty dwells where the fairest-weather blue finds just a hint of silver lining. Additionally, the commercial appeal of pale blue hues resonates widely, manifesting in furniture, lighting, textiles, and accessories in ranges that seamlessly blend aesthetics and functionality.

Blue Nova by Benjamin Moore

This rich, grounded blue works just as well on an accent piece as it does covering a color-drenched room. The color was chosen to represent the blend of modern and traditional styles that are popular in home interiors right now. “Blue Nova is an alluring mid-tone that balances depth and intrigue with classic appeal and reassurance.”

Dunn-Edwards Skipping Stones

is a serene and steely blue with hints of green and gray and is meditative and energizing like the sea. As we move into 2024, Skipping Stones lets you capture the feeling of dreamy nostalgia blended with a future of unlimited possibilities. Skipping Stones evokes the meditative tranquility of the sea, inviting us to pause and find moments of stillness in our fast-paced lives. Its calming influence encourages optimism and embodies the essence of coastal serenity.

]]><![CDATA[Colorful Cabinets & Doors]]>Wed, 11 Jan 2023 22:34:06 GMThttps://www.colorsmithabq.com/blog/colorful-cabinets-doors
Color is a tricky thing. Some people don’t like any color and just like to stick to whites or neutrals. Some people prefer cool colors, while some prefer warm colors. Most people feel comfortable with neutrals and pops of color through their accessories or the aptly placed accent wall or colorful piece. And then you have those bold, artistic people who want lots of color!

This fun couple who had just purchased their home in a Del Webb community felt the white cabinets, and the all-white house was too sterile for their liking. The wife shared that this is the last home she will live in, and since she is not concerned with reselling, there is no thought of what someone else may like.

She wanted earthy and southwest but didn't want a brown. She opted to paint her cabinets and all her doors and trim in Sherwin Williams Copper Mountain and the walls in shades of aqua and apricot. Jennifer also helped choose her backsplash, hardware, carpet, and window coverings and worked with the other subcontractors while Steve painted the doors and cabinets.

We can't wait to see it furnished and the artwork on the walls!

Here is what she had to say about Jennifer, "You are a terrific business person - you keep many plates spinning, have great customer service & to top it off, you are immensely creative, direct, & succinct in summarizing where we are in each project. I spent 35 yrs of my life coaching district managers & CEOs how to show up in life like you do."

]]><![CDATA[Choosing Exterior House Colors]]>Tue, 28 Sep 2021 19:14:41 GMThttps://www.colorsmithabq.com/blog/choosing-exterior-house-colorsAs a realtor and color consultant I constantly observe and critique houses as I walk my neighborhood or as I arrive in any neighborhood to meet clients. I hate to say it but, in my neighborhood alone at least 50% of the houses could have done better choosing their roof or body color.
In this blog I share a few of the mistakes I have seen and the remedies.

The Problem: Top Heavy Roof

This client called me after purchasing her house. It had a brand-new roof chosen by the previous home owner. Unfortunately, the very visibly large roof with the light-colored brick, trim, garage door, wrought iron, trim and shutters felt like it was weighing down the house. It wasn’t in the budget to repaint the bricks or replace the roof so my suggestion was to add some dark where we could to balance out the weight of the color of the dark roof. Another issue was the light green color on the house was not appealing to the current owner.

The Solution:

We painted the trim to match the garage door thereby raising the height of the walls rather than adding a dark color which would have given even more space to the roof.
To add some visual weight to the house, I chose Urbane Bronze from Sherwin Williams as the color for the shutters and wrought iron.

These next two houses are not my clients but houses I pass by frequently. In my opinion they could be improved by a color change.

2. The Problem: Roof Doesn’t match the House Color

This is a definite “don’t do this”. The creamy white/light yellow brick of the house as well as the red shutters are very warm where the roof is a very cool gray. It doesn’t work at all!

The Solution:
Either choose a new roof color that has warm undertones or repaint the body of the home a cool color.

3. The Problem: Roof Doesn’t match the House Color
Although it’s not as bad as the previous home, this house that has wonderful curb appeal could be improved by applying the same principle of matching warms with warms and cools with cools. The green and yellow with the very warm bricks works so well in this case I would change the roof color to a warmer tone.

4. The Problem: The Garage Door Color and Garage Door Trim are Accentuating the Smallness of the Garage Door

The Solution:
This is a case of color placement as well as the color. This house (also not my client) could make their home more harmonious by not accentuating the one car garage. Whether you like the blue of the trim or not is not the issue. The issue is using the blue trim around the one car garage.

When you use a trim color around the garage door that is different from the house color or the garage color you automatically make it appear smaller and bring the eye to it. In this case it’s already small so the goal would be to make it flow and disappear into the body of the house. In order to do that I would:

Paint the garage door similar to the body of the house. I would use the color strip that the house color is found on and either go slightly darker or slight lighter than the body color. The front door color appears to be an example of this.
Paint the trim around the garage door the same color as the garage door to give the illusion a larger garage door.

The only way I would use white on the garage door (as they have done) would be if white was used elsewhere. In this case if the trim, the windows, the shutters and under the window (everywhere you see blue) were white then the garage door and trim around it would make sense to be white.

As always it is my pleasure and passion to help you with your home needs! If you are picking colors, a new roof or wanting to buy or sell a house please give me a call. I am here to serve you!

I was recently featured on Redfin offering the same suggestions. Their question to me was "what are the best paint colors for selling a house?" As you probably have gathered from this blog there is much more than just picking a color you like. You have to look at the other colors used already, the landscape, and the architecture before offering an actual color. Although I didn’t offer any color suggestions some others did so take a look. You can read the article here: “The Best Paint Colors for Selling a House in 2021” Redfin blog

]]><![CDATA[2021 Colors of the Year]]>Tue, 20 Oct 2020 16:56:51 GMThttps://www.colorsmithabq.com/blog/2021-colors-of-the-year*Each year our favorite paint companies release their color of the year. Keep scrolling to see the predictions for 2021!

Benjamin Moore

Aegean Teal 2136-40
Take a moment to reflect and reset. Intriguing, balanced, and deeply soothing, the Benjamin Moore Color of the Year 2021, Aegean Teal 2136-40, creates natural harmony. Nourish the spirit with the comforting, sunbaked hues of the Color Trends 2021 palette, including Aegean Teal 2136-40.

Celebrate the simple pleasures—think the faded rumple of linen sheets in the morning and perfectly ripened fruits on the windowsill. The twelve hues in the palette radiate warmth and wellbeing. These are colors that make your home feel even more like home. Settle in.

Sherwin Williams

Urbane Bronze SW 7048
Tap into nature with a hue whose warmth and comfort breathe down-to-earth tranquility. The Sherwin Williams 2021 Color of the Year, Urbane Bronze, captures that simple sophistication every space is searching for.

Find Your Sanctuary

Now more than ever, our homes have become the backdrop to our lives, reminding us that the moments worth cherishing have always been right in front of us. As we're looking to create the ultimate retreat for reflection and renewal, we're turning to a hue whose natural simplicity and nature-inspired energy cultivate a sense of calm from the ground up.

Rooted in Nature

The trend for biophilia continues to shape our spaces, proving that nature is never far away. Urbane Bronze might be a color rooted in nature, but it also has a unique ability to ground a room through organic appeal. Whether it's accentuating window trims or accent walls, this warm hue draws from nature for a feeling of relaxation and serenity. It also works well with other biophilic elements including, light-filled spaces and foliage.

Dunn Edwards

Dunn Edwards October Color of the Month: Rosewine

Fall is well on its way come October and as the weather cools, our tastes naturally turn to more saturated, darker tones. Tones that envelop us in their warmth. October’s color of the month Rosewine (DE5019), continues the exploration into fall’s drama and depth, which began last month. As rose blossoms in the garden have given way to darkened rose hips, so too have our sights shifted from pinker hues of summer to velvety plums and reds reminiscent of the season’s impending wine harvest.

*All content taken from respective paint companies websites.

]]><![CDATA[Mid-Century Vibes]]>Tue, 10 Mar 2020 18:06:36 GMThttps://www.colorsmithabq.com/blog/march-10th-2020Who doesn't love the class and feel of mid-century design? Not only are these houses charming but the construction is solid and they have great mature trees! My friend and colleague just listed this gorgeous home in the NE Heights. I had the honor and fun of doing the colors. This mid-century house was completely remodeled and staged perfectly to get that mid-century modern feel. I'll let the photos do the talking. Sherwin Williams paint colors used include: Wordly Gray, Intellectual Gray, Anonymous, Sensible Hue, Grizzle Gray and Snowbound. ⠀

]]><![CDATA[Before & After of Color, Paint & Redesign]]>Fri, 01 Nov 2019 19:00:18 GMThttps://www.colorsmithabq.com/blog/before-after-of-color-paint-redesign

I’ve been choosing a lot of whites recently which has me so excited!This recent color and redesign project is almost complete, other than waiting on a new white leather couch and chair.

I get asked a lot about what are the best whites simply due to the various undertones and overkill of what seems like hundreds of shades to choose from. She, like many of my do it yourself clients, had several white squares painted on her walls (see before photo below) which most times only serves to confuse more as the color is skewed by the existing, surrounding color. This is what led her to ask around and ultimately be referred to me.

When I visited her she had already selected a couch from Tema so she had the white leather swatch to show me. Based on her the swatch, her flooring, her lighting and what she wanted, I specified Sherwin Williams Snowbound for the walls which is a very clean white but not a stark blueish white. We still wanted a slight contrast between the walls and the baseboard and doors so I chose High Reflective White- one of the purest, brightest whites Sherwin Williams has with a lovely undertone. I also specified a different sheen from the walls.

She wanted to keep an accent wall so I suggested we change the wall to a different wall than her original accent wall.

I chose the selected wall for several reasons:
1. It’s an open floor plan in the entry way, living room and dining room. The wall I chose is next to her dining table so it gives the feeling of a separate section.
2. When you enter into the living room from the entry way you see only white walls so it’s sleek and her artwork is the main focus.
3. Anytime I do an accent wall the question is, is there something to accentuate? The original purple accent wall didn’t need to be accentuated.
4. The additional purple wall around the back door was on the same plain as the fireplace wall and at one time had been a corner that was a small reading nook. Without that nook it served no purpose as an accent wall. As a matter of fact it chopped up the look and drew your eye away from the fireplace and brought attention to the outside door instead.

She wanted a blue accent this time so I spec’d a beautiful, elegant blue from Sherwin Williams called Granite Peak. She ordered a blue chair from Tema.

Phase 1- She did bot hire a professional painter so I specified the type of paint to buy. She and a friend and a handyman did ALL the painting.

Phase 2- She and I went shopping for furniture and artwork.

(The current after pictures shown are the white leather furniture but when it came in she felt it was uncomfortable so she will be returning it.) We found a beautiful and comfortable white leather tufted couch and chair which are now on order from Tema.

The artwork and buffet are from Ethan Allen.

I love “shopping” in other rooms to find the perfect accessories while keeping on budget -so the metal artwork I took from her hallway and switched up with some other artwork from her office.

Lastly, the metal vases and off-white statues on the buffet were regrouped.

More photos to come when the new furniture comes in!

Before Photos

]]><![CDATA[Shades of Gray Part 3]]>Thu, 18 Jul 2019 20:45:04 GMThttps://www.colorsmithabq.com/blog/shades-of-gray-part-3In the third of a three-part series, we are sharing some photos of some of the more popular grays and how different they can look according to the lighting and what surrounds them, like other walls, counter-tops, furniture and flooring. (Disclaimer- unless otherwise noted these are our own amateur iPhone photos from our jobs. We are great at choosing colors and painting, not necessarily photography!)

Sherwin Williams Argos (Photo credit Calvary Albuquerque)

Sherwin Williams Argos

Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray

Sherwin Williams Aloof Gray

Sherwin Williams Modern Gray

Sherwin Williams Skyline Steel

The next two colors are actually more of a greige than gray.

Sherwin Williams Shiitake

Sherwin Williams Megagreige

]]><![CDATA[Shades of Gray- Part 2]]>Thu, 28 Feb 2019 18:11:36 GMThttps://www.colorsmithabq.com/blog/shades-of-gray-part-2In the second of a two part series, we are sharing some photos of some of the more popular grays and how different they can look according to the lighting and what surrounds them, like other walls, counter-tops, furniture and flooring. (Disclaimer- these are our own amateur iPhone photos.)

Gauntlet Gray

Shown here: Anew Gray, Keystone Gray and Warm Stone

Drift of Mist and Modern Gray (Wall in reflection is Parisian Patina)

Gauntlet Gray

Agreeable Gray (ceiling Gale Force)

Anew Gray

Agreeable Gray (Ceiling Brainstorm Bronze)

Skyline Steel (Cabinet Gris)

Mindful Gray and Gauntlet Gray

Chelsea Gray and Anonymous

Intellectual Gray

Floor- Felted Wool

Modern Gray

Aloof Gray

Dovetail

Gris

Warm Stone

Modern Gray

Anonymous Gray

Agreeable Gray

Skyline Steel

If you need help choosing the perfect gray and/or the perfect light bulbs for your space, contact me.

During a color consultation I look at your fixed elements and choose the right color(s), lightbulbs and sheen according to undertones, temperature, and light reflective value (LRV). I work with Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore and Dunn Edwards paints.

]]><![CDATA[2019 Color Trends]]>Thu, 06 Dec 2018 20:35:27 GMThttps://www.colorsmithabq.com/blog/2019-color-trends

2019 Colors of the Year
Each year our favorite paint companies release their color of the year. Keep scrolling to see the predictions for 2019!

Sherwin Williams
CAVERN CLAY

"A warm terracotta color with ancient, elemental roots, Cavern Clay, is Sherwin Williams 2019 Color of the Year. Cavern Clay is a nod to midcentury modern style, but with the soul of the American Southwest, which together creates a desert modern aesthetic.

This warm, earthy hue is both casual and refined. It can be the backdrop of a playful, welcoming dining room or kitchen when paired with bright tiles, warm stone and sculptural greenery. Complementary materials include leather, simple woodgrains and indigenous cacti in contemporary, sleek gardening planters.

Cavern Clay is an easy way to bring the warmth of the outdoors in. Envision beaches, canyons and deserts, and sun-washed late summer afternoons-all of this embodied in one color."
Sherwin Williams

Benjamin Moore
METROPOLITAN

"Calm, composed and effortlessly sophisticated, Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year 2019, Metropolitan, exudes glamour, beauty and balance."

"Metropolitan AF-690 emanates nuance, harmony and extravagant ease. Always adaptable, it softens to matte or shimmers with sheen. It's neutral. It's understated. It just is. This is color, off-duty."

-Ellen O'Neill, Benjamin Moore & Co.

Dunn Edwards SPICE OF LIFE

"Dunn-Edwards 2019 Color of the Year, Spice of Life , is inspired by a celebration of what makes life interesting and exciting. It's warm, inviting, adventurous and life-affirming. This strong, enticing, spice-market blend adds a complex, flavorful seasoning to design palettes. The elements of orange in the hue give a grounded, substantial feeling to design.

This strong, full-bodied and intense hue, full of passion and life, can look organic and natural or appear moody and sophisticated. In its organic and natural world, Spice of Life represents a colorful expression inspired by global crafts. When playing subtle and stylish, this lush, refined hue is eternal - historic, yet youthful."
Dunn-Edwards

Pantone
LIVING CORAL

"Vibrant, yet mellow Living Coral embraces us with warmth and nourishment to provide comfort and buoyancy in our continually shifting environment.
In reaction to the onslaught of digital technology and social media increasingly embedding into daily life, we are seeking authentic and immersive experiences that enable connection and intimacy. Sociable and spirited, the engaging nature of Living Coral welcomes and encourages lighthearted activity. Symbolizing our innate need for optimism and joyful pursuits, Living Coral embodies our desire for playful expression.
Representing the fusion of modern life, PANTONE Living Coral is a nurturing color that appears in our natural surroundings and at the same time, displays a lively presence within social media."
Pantone

]]>