The Journal

Writing on design.

A decade-plus of Kimberly's essays, how-tos, color crushes, before-and-afters, and dispatches from the road. Search by topic below.

Walls & Surfaces

Benjamin Moore Paint & the Distinction of Full Spectrum Colors

Benjamin Moore Paint & the Distinction of Full Spectrum Colors Recently, I attended Maria Killam’s workshop, True Colour Expert in Atlanta ,Georgia. As part of receiving my…

Walls & Surfaces

A Fun Tool for Choosing Paint Color: HB Paintbrush

A Fun Tool for Choosing Paint Color: HB Paintbrush My last several blog posts have been all about how to choose a color and each of the critical components involved with doing so.…

Walls & Surfaces

Benjamin Moore Paints Appearing in Kravet Showrooms

Benjamin Moore Paints Appearing in Kravet Showrooms If you read last week’s blog posts, you may recall that I am a huge fan of Benjamin Moore paints. The company’s exclusive…

Walls & Surfaces

Cozy Spaces (Part 1): Sloping Attic Walls

Cozy Spaces (Part 1): Sloping Attic Walls A Beijing "pod" apartment. Photo from Apartment Therapy. When I first began thinking about what I wanted to blog about this week, I could…

Walls & Surfaces

Creativity in Interior Design: Chalkboard Paint

Creativity in Interior Design: Chalkboard Paint Chalkboards were once reserved exclusively for classrooms, and the color options were limited to boring blacks, grays, and greens.…

Walls & Surfaces

Interior Design Dilemma: Look up! What to do about your Ceilings

Interior Design Dilemma: Look up! What to do about your Ceilings Have you ever considered that ceilings take up as much space in a room as floors? While we spend much time,…

Walls & Surfaces

How to Pick a Paint Color with Confidence

How to Pick a Paint Color with Confidence How can you pick a paint color from a one-inch square sample? As a designer, I am adamant that rules don’t always apply in the realm of…

Walls & Surfaces

If These Walls Could Talk…. (Part 3): MY TOP 1 FAVORITE WALLCOVERING

If These Walls Could Talk…. (Part 3): MY TOP 1 FAVORITE WALLCOVERING I know that I often give you TOP 5 lists of things that I recommend or tips that you can use to “fablitize”…

Walls & Surfaces

Interior Design Alert: Shout It From The Rooftops (or Walls) Wallpaper is In!

Interior Design Alert: Shout It From The Rooftops (or Walls) Wallpaper is In! Wallpaper used to be something that dated a room. Not anymore! With this month being “Make Me Over…

Walls & Surfaces

Interior Design Tip: Don’t Forget About the All Important Ceiling

Interior Design Tip: Don’t Forget About the All Important Ceiling Ceilings are an important part of a room’s design. I consider ceilings a valuable design element of the room. In…

Will a dark color on my walls make my room feel smaller?
Walls & Surfaces

Will a dark color on my walls make my room feel smaller?

Will a dark color on my walls make my room feel smaller? Source A question I get from clients all the time is “will a dark color on my walls make my room feel smaller.” The short…

Walls & Surfaces

New Year | Fresh (coat of paint) Design, Part I

New Year | Fresh (coat of paint) Design, Part I When planning your New Year’s resolutions, consider creating a fresh new look for your home’s interiors. Many of us strive for…

Walls & Surfaces

Tip of the Week: Do it yourself project (Part 1) – Wall Framing

Tip of the Week: Do it yourself project (Part 1) – Wall Framing NOTE: If you are having problems viewing this video via subscription, click the video title to play. NOW, GO HAVE…

Walls & Surfaces

Tip of the Week: Do it yourself project (Part 2) - Wall Framing

Tip of the Week: Do it yourself project (Part 2) - Wall Framing NOTE: If you are having problems viewing this video via subscription, click the video title to play. NOW, GO HAVE…

Walls & Surfaces

Wall Collages of Pictures

Wall Collages of Pictures Yesterday’s post was all about wall collages of plates, and today is all about wall collages of pictures (and other objects!). Rather than arranging your…

Walls & Surfaces

Wallpapers… We’ve Come a Long Way, Baby! (Part 1 – Damasks)

Wallpapers… We’ve Come a Long Way, Baby! (Part 1 – Damasks) Photo from House Beautiful. Many of my interior design clients are surprised to learn that I am a HUGE proponent of…

Walls & Surfaces

Wallpapers… We’ve Come a Long Way, Baby! (Part 2 – Texture)

Wallpapers… We’ve Come a Long Way, Baby! (Part 2 – Texture) Many modern wallpapers now give the appearance of a textured finish. Some of the finishes that were once reserved for…

Walls & Surfaces

What’s UP?!: TOP FIVE Ways to “Fablitize” Your Ceilings

What’s UP?!: TOP FIVE Ways to “Fablitize” Your Ceilings Ceilings are generally one of the most overlooked locations in most homes. However, a blank ceiling provides the perfect…

Walls & Surfaces

Whimsical Wallpaper for Powder Rooms!

Whimsical Wallpaper for Powder Rooms! Powder rooms are the perfect place to be a bit fun and adventurous in your design choices. They’re usually smaller spaces that won’t require…