February Hue Correspondent/Christina Wieselman: The Luxury of Aging
02/06/2008 12:25 PM by Gretchen Schauffler
Christina Wieselman is our HUE correspondent for DEVINECOLOR magazine’s March issue posting this Friday.
The Luxury of Aging.
It is a great luxury to age. Not many of us take it to heart, but I find as I do, age that is, it is a wise thing to embrace it in oneself, and then really, really reach out and appreciate in the world around us. I find my photographic inspiration in the architecture and natural wonders of the world at large. In their unique colors, lines, textures, shadows and light, buildings, rooms, vistas and faces reveal themselves and their history – and their story.
My husband and I took what was initially to be a quick business-only trip to central Mexico in January. In a last minute turn of events, our four days of interviews turned into four days of adventure, exploration and discovery. In many ways, our time proved to be a microcosm of a life well lead. We landed in Mexico City and headed out by car, to Morelia, about three hours North West. It is another few hours to the beaches, but a world away from the resorts found on the coast.
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The architecture in the region is rich in the influences of the Native Indians, the Spanish and even the Chinese. Spanish Colonial is neither solely Spanish, nor Indian, it is a fusion of the two and has resulted in an architecture of warm colorful hues, striking patterns, and elaborate yet immensely functional structures.
The door in the photo sums up this idea of the luxury of age. It’s unlikely that in its 250 year history it has been repainted on whim, even more doubtful that it was updated to follow any particular trend in design. In all likelihood, it was maintained through pride and respect. The softness of the wood, the pitted and peeling plaster, the pebbles below all contrast with the stoic lines of the door, the blocks framing it, the stoop, the wrought iron fence and the stately tree growing within its safe confines. There is a strength imbued by the materials and the permanence in their well constructed use. Much like a beautiful woman, the gently peeling paint and subtle cracks in the plaster show a fine history and the myriad of colorful directions which life has taken. So many fabulous examples of grace, beauty and age laid themselves before us in those four short days. We enjoyed fireworks on Fridays exploding over the spires of a regal old cathedral, colorfully dressed, indigenous Indian women and their children sitting with us on their daily boat ride back their island in the midst of one the regions grand lakes, the best fish tacos I have ever tasted from a tented market in the middle of a town without a name, and gracious hospitality from each and every person we met.
We found a thousand doors like the one in the photo. Each one revealing a history of its own. Each one a little worn. Each one colorful, inviting, gracious and with tremendous fortitude. We found a surprising and beautiful corner of the world, not unlike a thousand other corners of the world. There was no need to look beneath the peeling paint to find the masterpieces underneath – each home, each doorway, each grand old church was a masterpiece waiting to show herself in just the right light.
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I really need your help. I have a small galley kitchen. Stainless applicances, lighter grain wood floor, gray brown silestone counters, gray and white slate like tile back splashes. Maple spice cabinets. I used Paprika with it, and latte and paprika in ajoing room. Living room is latte as well. The paprika is too dark for me. Blends very nice, but I just want something lighter or more fresh. Can you please suggest something for me? I got my son to paint his house in the straw, ale, gold and a touch of paprika. BEAUTIFUL but doesn’t seem as dark in his house. Would straw work for me?? Just trying to find something that would blend with the stainless and the adjoining latte rooms. HELP!
P.S. Have written before and your suggestions with Blade and Cafe in the bedroom were right on. THANK YOU!
— Gail 05/12/2008 04:06 PM #
Hi Gail:
As you can see, one color in a room will behave totally different in another room. This is because colors form relationships that change and affect each other. So with that in mind, I would look at Devine Dust, Devine Toile’ and Devine Mesa if you want to stay with those reds….or…what about swimming at the other end of the pool, like Devine Cabernet, Bordeaux or Damask?
g
— gretchen Schauffler 05/27/2008 12:43 PM #
We have a large sunken living room with dark walnut stained beams running horizontally across a cathedral type ceiling and one long beam running the length down the middle. We don’t have much wall space. Two walls are blond brick (one with a fireplace and hearth out of same brick), one wall is almost all glass facing south with a view of trees. The remaining wall has a large built-in bookcase (also walnut stain). There are also 2 doorways leading into the room from the front entry and dining room. They both have gold colored flagstone floors and the living room floor is wood parquet oak with gold/brown tones. Our fabrics are very neutral with browns, golds, greens and just a touch of red on a few pillows. I am thinking of painting the limited wall space Spice and the ceiling (between the beams) Persian or Cafe. I am leaning toward Persian because of its richness. Would either of these be ok for this type of ceiling between the walnut beams and would they go well with the Spice? I like earthy colors. The rooms adjacent to this one are painted a green similar to your Green Tea. I like the richer colors, but with all of the dark wood and furniture, I am not sure how dark I should go. I also like your Steamer and I do have just a little blue in the sofa. Thank you so much and I am looking forward to trying your paints!
Jane
— Jane 11/14/2009 05:28 PM #
Jane:
Your combo sounds lovely. Because of all the yellow in the brick, I would not do Devine Steamer as it might read too blue in relationship to the yellow. Think of doing an accent behind the bookcase if you can paint it…like Devine Sarsaparilla or Clover. Like you said, you don’t have a lot of wall space so make it striking! I recommend the Delicate Wall Finish to balance the wood, glass and the brick.
Thanks so much and let me know if we can help you further!
— Gretchen Schauffler 11/16/2009 02:36 PM #