Craving a cozy corner? Ready to warm up a decade of grey? Time for a change?
Wisconsin winters can feel dreary and cold, but you don't have to feel like you are living in an igloo.

See how this cool blue room instantly becomes inviting with Arizona Tan by Benjamin Moore. Like the glow of candle light, these comforting tones warm the space.

As a Milwaukee Paint Color Consultant and Interior Designer, I'll help you choose the perfect paint color to warm up your room.
This color was chosen to work with the new furniture I found to create a welcoming AirBnB.

Not only did a deeper hue show off the historic crown molding and architectural features, it created a sunny warmth in this Victorian home.
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Sheri Kaz is a trained color specialist in Milwaukee metro, serving Greenfield WI, Greendale WI, Franklin WI, Hales Corners, Oak Creek WI, Muskego, Mukwonago, New Berlin WI, Brookfield WI, Wauwatosa and Waukesha County.
Call 414-897-7741 to book your personal color consultation for your interior design and home renovation projects.

Warm and comforting, Redend Point invites us to relax.
Click to explore Sherwin-Williams

Cheerful and warm, Raspberry Blush brings depth and boldness to a space.
Check out the Benjamin Moore fun accompanying playlist and color trends.
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​Click read more to see Behr and Glidden Color Trends

Color has the power to make us feel whether we know it consciously or not.
For instance, for decades I have used this trick - when I’m feeling tired, puny or sick and need to act and look alive, I reach into the closet to find hot pink or fuchsia. You may argue that it’s psychological, and I would have to agree!

The color of art may draw us in like a magnet. Poppies in a field, a calm blue lake, a bold abstract make us feel. Not just the subject matter, but the colors the artist has chosen will either resonate with us, or won’t.

The hue of a room has the ability to lift us up, calm us down or depress us. Consider a cloudy day versus a sunny day. Lighting in your space is important to your mood, whether it’s natural or artificial light.

The psychology of color is proven and I can’t help but to wonder... has this glacial trend of gray, dominating the interior design industry, contributed to the depression of a nation?

Having come from a climate with 300 days of sunshine a year to the Midwest, I’m shocked and surprised by how many homeowners jumped on the grey bandwagon, only to create a drab space, without regard to undertones.

My prescription for seasonal depression, is color!
Choosing the right hues and tones can make a huge difference in your outlook and mental health.

What are the best Gray Paint Colors by Benjamin Moore?
Considering using gray in your home? There are things to consider and the best tip I can give you is to look for the  undertones.
You can look at 20 different swatches of gray all in the same tonal value. They are all a little different. The undertones you are seeing is what makes them appear different (unless you are actually colorblind) and you may wonder how they will look on something as large as the walls of your room.
More importantly -  how will it make you feel?

UNDERTONES MATTER
When choosing grays, understanding undertones can help you achieve the feeling you want in your space.
I've chosen examples from Benjamin Moore. Go to your nearest Ace Hardware and pull a few of these swatches to help you decide, as monitor colors may not be true.

Green is trending right now in interior design with so many beautiful options. If you are brave enough to go deep and bold, it will always be soothing.

My clients are art collectors, but the pale walls diminished their amazing pieces. With my  encouragement they understood how a deep shade of green would pop their prized collection.

The rich hues brought an elegant sophistication to the space, showing off their beautiful furniture and art.

When the host of the VRBO house double-booked our reservation for our trip to the “Garden Bloggers Fling” in Madison, Wisconsin, our only option was to stay in a hotel. Traveling with my dog, Missy, I looked forward to staying in a pet-friendly peaceful home. The stressful scramble to find new accommodations, turned out better than I could have imagined.
VRBO booked us in the Hotel Indigo at 901 E. Washington Street.

I feared this would be a stinky noisy college hotel, filled with party goers that would provoke unwanted barking. The entrance was tucked in the back with a well appointed patio sheltered from the noise of the busy street out front. Missy came bouncing in to meet her new friends whom greeted us with cheerful Midwest hospitality.

What? Wait, where am I?
This is wonderful!
There was a huge paint can on the backdrop of the reception desk. I wasn't sure if we were in the right place. Paint brushes, color swatches and memorabilia from the previous occupants lined the display shelves below creating a mini Mautz museum. Having worked in a paint store, I felt right at home!

Need to add some curb appeal or refresh your exterior paint? It's easy to go with the same palette and you might not be able to imagine anything different. Or maybe you're afraid to try something new. But, will the tried and true be the best choice for your house and neighborhood? 

Here's an example of a client that desperately needed a new paint job. White was her obvious choice for this little house. She just wanted the peeling paint to be restored, she sought my advice and here's how we transformed her exterior to add curb appeal. She was thrilled and so were her neighbors. Hiring a color consultant really can make a huge difference. 

Looking for kitchen remodeling ideas? The most economical way to remodel a kitchen, is to keep the footprint the same. Moving plumbing and electric can add costs to your remodel. If your kitchen functions properly, using the typical triangle, including plenty of counter space where you need it, you can affordably update your old tile counter top, dated back splash or add additional decorative lighting to give your kitchen a fresh new look. My client in Hartland Wisconsin was ready to get rid of the tired wallpaper and border. The black appliances were in great shape, so I tied them into the design with black accent tile and a black under-mount sink.

Oversized white subway tile gets jazzed up with a black border and a large scale mosaic pattern. An airy shade of silvery blue paint, softens the contrast and pops the wood tones, for a bright and airy freshness.

Black is a crisp neutral, giving definition and contrast to a space. The classic black and white theme of the hard surfaces will easily support new color choices, including appliances, paint or accessories. The new black light fixtures and barstools tie the entire look together.

I love finding the perfect lighting solutions! Using rainglass diffuses the light while adding interest and dimension to the large space. Not only is new lighting a great upgrade to functionality, it's the best jewelry for your space, adding beauty and mood. Previously, this kitchen was shadowy and dark with can lights on the high ceilings. By adding three new pendants over the bar, we have defined the space and featured the vertical depth in a long horizontal space.

Now that you've had extra time around the house to purge the clutter during the Covid19 lock down, you're probably tired of looking at the same walls and dream about adding some style to your space.

Several of my clients were anxious to transform their space during quarantine and we did remote consultations via Facetime and Zoom. Even before Covid hit, I've provided many remote color consultations and design services nationwide from Phoenix to Fargo.

One interesting remote design project was for clients in Sweden, who were turning their historic Denver landmark into an AirBnB. I helped them with space planning, lighting, paint colors, furniture and art sourcing and selection, and installation coordination and final styling. The home was originally owned by Buffalo Bills' sister and where he ultimately took his final breath. It was fun to research and add touches of the history in the home. Even though the clients were an ocean away, they were involved in the process and thrilled with the results!

Click to see the before and after pictures here.

Imagine building a new home, three states away with so many details to attend to. When it came to design choices and materials, my clients Jan & Mark relied on me to guide the vision and source products to create a custom home beyond boring builder grade.

Why do certain colors trend? Have you noticed, that you haven't been able to find a pair of hot pink pumps for decades? Want to replace that eggplant bath rug, but can't find that color anywhere anymore?  Color forecasting is done in advance and the entire manufacturing industry jumps on board, from fashion, to home decor, to print advertising.

Pantone is recognized worldwide, designers pay attention, The color forecasters gather and talk color, until they come up with the "Color of the Year". Decision by committee. Personally, I feel that the new blue is a bit heavy and depressing for the dawn of a new decade. Yes, we need to feel peaceful, but we also need to feel hopeful. If I was on the international color forecasting board I would block this conservative decision ;) More on Pantone

​Well, I did it!
I made the move from Denver to Wisconsin. It was a very Merry Christmas with family and friends, to be followed by a long stretch of bitter cold that has not ended. I’m happy to look for houses while sitting by the fireplace. Thank God for Zillow, Realtor.com and hot tea!
 
Of course I am excited to dive into the interior design community here in the Milwaukee area and start to get acquainted with new people, suppliers and vendors. In the meantime, as I browse through the real estate listings, I see that realtors and homeowners in the area could be greatly helped with a two-hour interior design consultation.
 
People generally think that interior designers are only for the extremely wealthy. Not true!  A $250 consultation can dramatically change the look of your space, and save you money. ​Many people prefer to do it themselves, but need ideas, guidelines and

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Working with a professional paint color consultant may seem extravagant to some people, until they actually do! I've had many clients who have tried to go it alone, ending up with multiple paint samples scattered all over their walls and call in frustration. Painting your home or office can be a time consuming and expensive and none of us want to make a mistake.

Sherwin Williams just put out this infographic about paint color. It's no surprise that millennials value the advise of an expert. They want their space to look awesome, and realize that it's tricky to get it right. Color is an art & a science!  Most people don't have the patience, experience or skill to nail it the first time. So why not call in someone who geeks out on color all day, every day?  Ultimately, by investing a few hours of time with a color consultant or interior designer, you can save time and money, and have a beautiful looking designer home that will wow your guests.

So, if you are considering investing in painting your space, I highly recommend investing in your vision first.

Sheri Kaz
Color Consulting and Interior Design

UPDATE: Click to see the 2023 Paint Color Trends

People always ask me, "What are the most popular paint colors?". Interior design trends come and go, taupe, beige, grey, greige. One year white cabinetry is all the rage, next year it will look tired. My advice is to choose colors that work for your home and your spirit. Yes, your spirit!

Color has a magical ability to speak to us. Color influences the products we purchase. Your paint scheme can portray a soft elegance or a vibrant environment. What does your spirit need and what colors are you drawn too?

If you want more energy in your office, consider yellow or orange. If you need your office to be calmer, greens, blues and deeper colors like a shade of brown may be soothing.

When looking for the best room colors you'll want to consider how the light plays in the room. Look at the natural light coming in from your windows as well as the lamps and overheads in your space. What time of day do you use this room, how do you want to "feel" in the space?

Just changing the color temperature of your light bulbs will change the way your paint color looks. A cream colored lampshade will make your paint look different than a white or black lampshade. Oh the magic of color and light!

Color is also affected by the colors surrounding it. In a house with large windows, surrounded by evergreens, any paint will reflect the green during the day. We can make adjustments looking at the undertone of a color to get the effect you ultimately want. (We'll explore more on the subject of metamerism later.)

If you are looking for the best paint colors for your home interior or business, give me a call. Paint color consulting is my specialty! We'll create the perfect palette for you to work, live and play in!

Sheri Kaz
Color and Interior Design

When the Delectable Egg called me to help them design their new restaurant, I was thrilled. The new space boasted a ratty beach vibe. As I began to learn more about the brand, I felt we had a huge opportunity to make the space fun, happy and memorable. I wanted it to sparkle.

This is a breakfast and lunch restaurant. The owners had never worked with an interior designer before, and I had never designed a restaurant before, but I had a vision!

SPARKLE!! From lighting fixtures and furnishings to paint colors and art, I was on a mission to find the perfect finishes that would brighten up their customers' day!

The Delectable Egg loves supporting artists and features rotating installations in the other restaurants. As a result, their walls were badly damaged and occasionally the show was too scary for a breakfast vibe!

I sourced fun artwork for their permanent collection and gave them a dedicated wall with a hanging system for their guest artists convenience.