Painting & Wallpapering/Expert Profile

Cyndie Stefanik

U.S.
On Vacation
returns 01/31/2010
Expertise

Co-Developer/author of the patent pending "Color with No Regrets" Selection System. Just recently her Color Program was featured in Faux Effects World Magazine and a separate featured article for her virtual consultations in House Trends Magazine. Her Color with No Regrets online video Color Class is the first to earn IACET Certification with the Society of Decorating Professionals. Her specialty is the $199 whole house virtual consultation which is especially popular for new construction and remodeling projects all over the country. As a retired award winning decorative artist, she now donates her services on a regular basis to the Make a Wish Foundation.

Experience in the area

I began as a decorative painter/artist 15 years ago. My work has appeared in magazines from award winning designer show houses in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and Architectural Digest. Most recently I have spent the last 3 years creating, developing and patenting a numerical color selection system that takes the subjective nature out of color. Since it is numerically based, color can be chosen quickly and accurately. For the past year, I have conducted training seminars for the "Color with No Regrets" System to decorating professionals around the United States. My background in decorative painting/art, has given me real life experience of how color works but more importantly why it works based on sound color principles. I am also an authorized Aqua Finishing Solutions Distributor and a certified training instructor for the Society of Decorating Professionals.

Organizations

The Society of Decorating Professionals

Publications

Recent articles and showcase projects appear in Faux Effects World Magazine, House Trends Magazine, WJET-TV for decorative painting set design, as well as local publications in Western Pennsylvania such as Today's Home. I am a regular guest on Good Morning Erie, WJET-TV, an ABC affliate as the Princess of Paint, where I provide decorating, painting techniques and problem solving for viewers.

Education/Credentials

The Finishing School, NY

What do you like about this subject?

Selecting color is like finding the missing piece to the puzzle, and no puzzle is complete without color harmony and proper color ratio's. It's exciting to hear the customer say, "I never felt comfortable in that room, and now I know why. Something was missing,and I didn't know how to fix it. Now I love my room" Color is fun!

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I believe that if you work hard and provide a valuable service at a fair price, everything else will fall into place.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

That it's never about just ONE color but rather how that ONE color harmonizes with everything else in the room and adjacent rooms. Lighting also plays a big role in color, even a simple light bulb can dramatically change the look of the color in your space.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Color can be selected virtually because it's more of a science than an art. I have conducted several consultations where I have never seen the space in person. Now I have been getting several referrals for my customers neighbors. My customers are telling me that their neighbors can't believe this service exists online. Now, they want me to work my magic in their homes as well.

Average Ratings

Recent Reviews from Users

Read More Comments

    K = Knowledgeability    C = Clarity of Response    T = Timeliness    P = Politeness
UserDateKCTPComments
Richard07/29/0910101010Thank you for the advice!
IKat07/27/0910101010Thanks so much for your speedy reply .....
Lori07/03/0910101010thank you
Bob Jones06/17/0910101010 
Chris06/15/0910101010 

Recent Answers from Cyndie Stefanik

2009-07-25 How do I paint a room with vaulted ceilings and make it look good?:

Hi . If you're apprehensive about using the brown on the walls, how about using greenish color, similar to the color in the bedding on all four walls and possibly a tan on the ceiling. Then since

2009-07-24 Paint color:

Hi IKat, Since your apartment is small, I would use an analogous color scheme (3-5 adjacent colors on the color wheel) such as green, blue-green and blue. This will not create a great deal of contrast

2009-07-23 colors:

Hi Elisabeth, The red and green would look like a Christmas color story if the green's and red's are similar to those colors. If you have a sage green and combine is with a brick red, it would be

2009-07-22 Painting over 1970's plastic covered baseboards, etc.:

Hi Rita, I would use a bonding/primer available at any local paint store. Generally the best adhesion comes from oil based primer such as Kilz. Just be sure to do a test area because some solvent based

2009-07-21 Ceiling Beams:

Hi Lisa, To give the beam some dimension, I generally use a deep colored stain or paint to just give it some texture. 1. Mix a little glaze or water with some deep colored paint. I am assuming your

 

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