Color palette slideshow
Virginia Young and Janie Lowe are self-described “color nerds.” As creators of Yolo Colorhouse—a combination of their last names—they’ve designed a paint palette that reflects the nature-oriented spirit of the Northwest. Their product has none of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in most commercial paints, and there are no lingering odors. “You can literally paint a room, sleep in it the same night, and not smell a thing,” says Young, who, like her business partner, has a visual arts background.
The Earth’s Color Collection palette—made in collaboration with Rodda Paint Company—consists of 40 colors in 7 categories based on natural elements, from earth to foliage. According to Young, all the colors are designed to work together for a harmonious flow throughout the house. Customers can buy giant paint swatches to try on their walls or coordinate with furnishings.
INFO: Yolo Colorhouse (www.yolocolorhouse.com or 503/493-8275) sells interior satin, flat, and semigloss finishes for about $35 per gallon and primer for $24 per gallon. Giant swatches are $4.99 each; a kit of 40 letter-size swatches is $80.
A seven-part paint palette
Yolo Colorhouse founders Janie Lowe and Virginia Young offer tips for using their nature-inspired categories, with the caveat that
a room’s exposure—which way the light enters it—affects how the color is perceived. The same hue can appear quite different in two rooms within the same house, so testing with swatches or real paint on the wall is essential.
