Greetings, friends and color aficionados worldwide!

I’ve been meaning to do this for over a year now, but here below is a list of frequently asked questions and all of my answers about color consulting. Let’s dive right in!

WHAT IS A COLOR CONSULTANT AND WHAT DO YOU DO?

A color consultant is a professional who selects colors and harmonious color palettes for any number of situations and industries. Color consultants work in the fields of fashion, marketing, graphic design, corporate color specification, and in my world of architectural color consulting.

What is architectural color consulting? As an architectural color consultant, I aid in the selection of colors for ALL surfaces inside or outside of a home or commercial property. This includes paint, flooring, tiles and counter tops, bathroom fixtures, exterior roofing and doors and even landscaping.

My job as an architectural color consultant is to help you narrow down the thousands upon thousands of color choices you have, and to bring everything in your space into visual harmony. This is no small task!

WHO ARE YOUR CLIENTS?

I work in both the residential and commercial world, so my clients range from homeowners doing a new home build or remodeling their existing home to realtors, Airbnb owners looking to spruce up their spaces, builders, paint contractors, commercial architects and interior designers.

ARE YOU AN INTERIOR DESIGNER OR DO YOU WORK WITH INTERIOR DESIGNERS?

I am not an interior designer, as my work is specific to color: however, color and design go hand in hand, so I am happy to work with designers who want to outsource the color scheme development portion of their projects to a specialist like myself.

HOW DOES A COLOR CONSULTATION WORK?

Prior to a color consultation, I talk to all clients to understand the scope of the project and put together a package that suits their needs. We determine the surfaces (paint, flooring, window treatments, counter tops. metal hardware) to be specified and number of colors we need to complete the job. The preliminary call usually takes about 30 minutes.

During the color consultation, I do a complete walk through of the entire space to notate existing permanent elements in each room. For example, a kitchen has colors in counter tops, cabinetry and flooring, so I must account for that as I select paint colors. I may also be choosing from a variety of samples in back splash, tile, flooring and sink options for the kitchen when it involves a remodel project, so we review those during the consultation.

We walk room by room to select all predetermined paint and/or surface colors, and at the end of the consultation I draw everything up in a report. Your color report is delivered digitally and by mail in hard copy form.

WHAT PAINT COMPANY AND TOOLS DO YOU USE TO SPECIFY PAINT COLORS?

My preferred vendor of course is Benjamin Moore. I am equipped with large color samples of the entire paint line, which is comprised of over 3,500 gorgeous, pure colors. I also carry with me larger samples of 100 of our most widely specified Benjamin Moore colors broken down by undertones for easy color evaluation.

Why do I love Benjamin Moore? The paint quality is superior, the formulation is long lasting and the colors are pure and uniquely formulated. No other paint line can truly duplicate Benjamin Moore colors because of their proprietary ColorLock Technology in the formulation of those colors.

In essence, I only work with high quality paint, as I’m a high quality color consultant who prides myself on doing thorough, accurate work. That being said, I have worked with other high end paint brands such as Pratt & Lambert. I do this upon client request.

DO YOU WORK EXCLUSIVELY WITH OTHER BRANDS IN FLOORING AND OTHER SURFACE MATERIALS?

I don’t. I usually request that clients present me with samples of the materials they have found on their own. We make color determinations based on the choices they present to me.

If clients need my assistance in materials sourcing, then I am available to do so for an additional hourly fee.

WHAT DO YOU CHARGE FOR YOUR SERVICES?

My rates are commensurate with my experience and the scope of each project. Interior color consultations BEGIN at $175 and exterior color consultations begin at $300 for residential clients. Commercial project rates are determined on a case by case basis.

To determine my package rates, I look at square footage, number of rooms, number of paint colors needed, and the surfaces in addition to paint that I will be specifying. I find that it is more economical for my clients when we base my rates on the project scope, as opposed to an hourly fee.

For materials sourcing, I do charge an hourly rate of $150. I offer this for clients working on new building projects or complete remodels.

Please note that I charge a travel fee for appointments outside of the Houston area.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO HIRE A COLOR CONSULTANT?

The ideal time to hire me is at the inception or beginning of your project. Hire me when you are picking out those flooring and counter top samples. We can sit together and make a thorough and harmonious color palette selection for you.

Many potential clients make the mistake of contacting me two days before the painters are due to arrive, and that doesn’t give us enough time. I’m typically booked out about 2-3 weeks in advance.

DO YOU OFFER ONLINE OR DIGITAL COLOR CONSULTATIONS?

I currently only offer in-person color consultations, as I like to personally be in a space to make the best color choices. I AM working on an online solution for remote clients and will announce that offering as soon as it is available.

HOW DO I REACH YOU TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT?

You may email me at lauren@lfbcolor.com or call me at 281-989-4086. The preliminary call is of course complimentary.

Friends, please feel free to comment on this post and ask any additional questions you may have about color consulting and/or hiring me to help you on your projects.

Sincerely,

Lauren B