Online Color Consulting Services & E-Design

By Kylie

June 7, 2024

North America’s Top Color Expert – At YOUR fingertips!

Are you not quite sure if E-Design is for you? Are you wondering how on Earth we can live hundreds, if not THOUSANDS, of miles away from each other, and I can still come up with paint colors and decorating ideas that suit you and your home? It’s a miracle it happens at all. I’m just joking. It ain’t about miracles; it’s about experience.

Here’s what makes me so darned good at what I do (and modest, wink wink)…

My Decorating & Design History

I spent 15 years doing local, 2-hour in-home consultations (as well as larger-scale projects). These consultations were geared toward giving homeowners the info they needed regarding paint colors, decorating ideas, home updates, and product selection to get them off on the right foot REGARDLESS of their budget (approx 1700 in-home consultations).

In the past 10-12 years, I’ve focused on E-design, also called Online Paint Color Consulting, to reach even more people needing color help. As my business grew, so did my reputation, and as of this year, I’ve done well over 7500+ E-Design Consultations.

Cherry kitchen cabinets before painting, beige tile floor

Kitchen, beige tile floor, granite Giallo Ornamental, Santa Cecelia, off-white painted beige cabinets and walls. Iron Ore island, Kylie M Edesign

What does this mean? 

It means I’ve seen it all. Layouts, countertops, flooring, tiles, cabinets, exposures, fabrics, fireplaces – you name it, I’ve probably seen it and suggested a FABulous color for it.

I’ve seen the pretty, the ugly, and, of course, the pretty ugly

I’ve also experienced every type of client. The confident, the desperate, the excited, and the overwhelmed. The clients who have paint samples plastered on their walls, and the clients who don’t even know where to start. 

Kitchen island quartzite, gray quartz brown veins, pendant lights, Sherwin Williams Pure White cabinets, brass hardware, wood island, stools. Kylie M Online color consultant (3)

It also means that I’m on a first-name basis with hundreds of paint colors—they’re on a Rolodex in my brain. I know the inner secrets of these colors, which helps me make recommendations that suit both you and your room.

And let’s face it – I was born to do this.

So, how does that experience relate to E-Design?

Let’s start with your photos. Your photos show me the space, decor, and products that you’re living with. Having been in over 1700 homes locally and 8000 online, I’m bound to see features and challenges that are the same as or similar to homes that I’ve worked on in the past. That difficult wood tone? I’ve seen it (owned it). The outdated kitchen cabinets? Yup. The old stained carpet you can’t afford to replace? It’s all good – I got you.

Kitchen cream painted and glazed cabinets, warm cream and gold granite countertop, cream subway tile backsplash, dark greige painted island, Sherwin Williams,

Granite countertops and cream cabinets? Been there, done a lot of it! 

My extensive hands-on experience relates directly to my online work. I don’t get into the science of things; other gals do a GREAT job of that. I’m here to get you focused on your best paint colors with straightforward, user-friendly advice.

Your questionnaire. When I read your Questionnaire, I get a glimpse of your personal tastes and wishes – a little vision of your dream home/room. With my questions, you are invited to share with me what you like and, just as importantly – what you DON’T like.

Sherwin Williams Worldly Gray, White Dove trim and wainscoting, transitional modern farmhouse home decor and furniture, best greige neutral

And while there are always surprises and new challenges, I’ve yet to find a home that I can’t handle and won’t benefit from a little ‘KLC.’ Remember, there are thousands upon thousands of paint colors to choose from, and every room has specific needs. And while there is no way to pick a paint color that will look the same at all hours of the day (damn that sun), I can get you on the right track and help you narrow things down to those few colors that are just right for you and your home.

It’s handy having a little Ginger tucked in your back pocket. 

Still not sure? 

Try a STARTER consultation. See how things work, and feel the excitement when your personalized consultation lands in your inbox, full of color ideas and tips custom-tailored to you and your home. While it’s not as detailed and personalized as the SIGNATURE consult, it’s a fabulous and affordable way to get that paint roller rolling!

Or, just keep reading my blog, and learning on your own. My SEARCH area is waiting for you to explore and have some fun!

So, humor this crazy lil’ Ginger – I’d love to hear from you!

kylie m signature chat soon

Meet Kylie

Do you need help, but aren’t quite sure what ‘help’ looks like? Are you drowning in paint samples and decision fatigue?

Does every color you like at the paint store look terrible in your lighting or pick up a funky undertone? I’d love to help.

Hi, I’m Kylie

For over 24 years I’ve helped 12,000+ homeowners and renters make more confident decisions on paint colors and affordable home updates using real home examples and practical, experience-based advice. My goal is simple: help you love the home you have.

Do-it-yourself, the smart way

Grab one of Kylie’s guides

Affordable, downloadable shortcuts to the colors and combos I’d pick for you. Yours to keep, forever.

  • Homeowner’s Guide: White Kitchen Cabinets

    This isn’t another ’10 Best Cabinet Colors’ list, because there is no SINGLE best white for every home and every kitchen.

    Learn how to choose a white cabinet paint color that works with your countertops, backsplash, flooring, trim, lighting, and home—so you can rule out the wrong whites, sample fewer colors, and choose with confidence.

    158-page PDF – Instant Download

    $34.95
    More details
  • Accent Colors – And How to Use Them

    This isn’t about plastering your home in the ‘Color of the Year’ or following the latest trends (unless you really want to).

    It’s about finding accent colors that work with YOUR home, YOUR style, and YOUR comfort level.

    Because the best accent color isn’t one you love on a paint chip, it’s one that makes everything around it look better.

    118-Page PDF – Instant Download

    $34.95
    More details
  • Homeowner’s Guide: Exterior Paint Colors

    Painting your home’s exterior is a BIG investment and choosing a color based on a tiny paint chip, a trend or the house down the street can be an expensive mistake.

    Learn how to look at YOUR roof, YOUR windows, YOUR brick (or stone) and YOUR home as a whole so you can understand what colors make sense.

    The goal? Less guessing, fewer samples and a lot more confidence before gallons of paint go on your home.

    206-page PDF – Digital Download

    $44.95
    More details
  • Exterior Trim Paint Colors

    This isn’t a list of ‘the best trim colors’, although you’ll get a ton of links to great shades!

    You’ll learn how to look at your home and understand whether it needs contrast, repetition, connection, or a little visual peacekeeping to pull it all together.

    Because trim might seem like a small detail…but spread it around all four sides of your home on multiple surfaces and it suddenly has a pretty big job.

    118-page PDF – Instant Download

    $24.95
    More details

Comments

  1. Arlene Avatar
    Arlene

    Hi
    I am looking for paint suggestions a) Foyer and b) Kitchen and family room open space? Do I choose 2 packages to work with you ?

  2. Susan Bies Avatar
    Susan Bies

    I want to decorate my living room – what type of furniture to buy, layout, rug?, etc. Would I purchase the brainstorm package? What happens after I purchase the appropriate online service?

    1. Julie mcbride Avatar
      Julie mcbride

      Hi Kyie, you have a or of graeat tips, I want to paint my kitchen which faces east, I am stuck between Dovetail Sherwin Williams and Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore. Two totally different looks! Kitchen open to great room and nook! Help! I want warmth, my cabinets are white and island black with hickory granite hardwood floor!

      1. KylieMawdsley Avatar
        KylieMawdsley

        Hi Julie, without photos I just have to go off of what I know of the colous and of the 2, I am personally a Dovetail fan, as long as you have enough lighting to support it! both have their plus and minuses and it can depend on exposure too 😉

  3. Hardy Avatar
    Hardy

    I am wanting to do an exterior consult and am not sure if I need to purchase each item separate or the create your own exterior palette?

    1. Kylie Mawdsley Avatar

      Hi Hardy! If you need more than one thing, it will make the most sense to purchase the Create Your Own Exterior package for sure 🙂
      ~Kylie

  4. Molly Avatar
    Molly

    Kylie, I read your consult options and wonder what the “quick consult” is. What is included and how is it differrent?

    Thanks.
    Molly

    1. KylieMawdsley Avatar
      KylieMawdsley

      Hi Molly, thanks for your note! So, normally, the consultation takes 8-10 business days. I always aim for sooner, but it does depend on what my workload is. With the Quick Consult, it’s a guarantee that you’ll get your consultation within 2-3 business days from the time I get the completed questionnaire/photos back to me. And even then, I don’t like those to sit and wait, so I usually get at them even sooner. Hope that helps!

  5. Stephanie Avatar
    Stephanie

    Hi Kylie,

    I love looking at your designs. Our house was damaged during Hurricane Harvey and taken down to the studs. We’d just purchased it in May, primarily because it was in fantastic shape and decorated by a professional. Now I’m finding it overwhelming looking at paint, tile, flooring, windows, etc., as this is not my thing. The style was a bit dated so I don’t want everything the same as it was but also afraid of committing to colors that may be too trendy.

    Grateful for your blog,
    Stephanie in Houston

    1. KylieMawdsley Avatar
      KylieMawdsley

      Hi Stephanie, I’m sorry for the damage to your new home! I think you’ll find my blog really helpful and here’s some advice.

      Start with the hardest, most expensive things first and work OUT from there. This is usually countertops. Pick the countertop you love first (kitchens and baths) and then go to flooring (tile where needed), then backsplash. Paint colours will come at the very very very end. It’s okay to have an ‘idea’ of what you want for paint colours, but you want to pick the big ticket items first. Things like lighting, hardware and plumbing fixtures can also come later.

      Find the neutral colour family you are most comfortable with, such as ‘grays, greige’s, tans or creams’. Regardless of trends, listen to your gut instincts with regard to what you are naturally drawn toward. For a happy medium, greige’s are the most flexible as they can often accommodate grays/beige/cream should you want to mix things up a bit.

      Go onto Pinterest and create boards. Pin specifically, find countertops you like, find rooms you like and eventually you will see a common thread/style running throughout them. I find this MUCH easier to do with Pinterest than with Houzz.

      I hope that helps you on your way! It’s also given me inspiration to create some kind of blog post related to this. What kind of words do you think would relate well to the kind of help you’re looking for ie:
      ‘How to Design a Home from Scratch?’ or ‘How to Create a Whole Home Palette’??? Hmmmm….I’ve got my thinking cap on…
      ~Kylie

  6. Jill YEAGER Avatar
    Jill YEAGER

    I am in the exact same situation as Stephanie (I am sorry for your lost) . We had 4 feet of water inside for 8+ days – absolutely everything she just said is what I am feeling – overwhelmed. I need to choose everything from the slab and studs out – flooring, doors, trim, EVERYTHING!! I would love to work with you.

  7. Lynne Lew Avatar
    Lynne Lew

    Can you explain your comment of why you said SW 7012 “Creamy” was “borderline” for an East facing room? Is that because it doesn’t have enough of a hue and might read as shadowed or bluish with East light?
    Thanks!

    1. KylieMawdsley Avatar
      KylieMawdsley

      Hi Lynne! Yes, I do LOVE Creamy, but when my clients want a typical ‘warm and creamy colour’ (meaning more warmth/yellow) this one can fall slightly on the flatter side. It won’t go blueish or even grayish (having it in my own home in various exposures) but it does lose the more ‘obvious’ warmth. Hope that helps!

  8. Alison Avatar
    Alison

    Hi Kylie, I would like to purchase one of the packages for interior paint help but am not sure which one to choose… I have a large, open-concept first floor (spanning northern and southern exposures) that needs to be painted, including the foyer, dining room, living room, family room/kitchen/breakfast area, study, and powder. Family room and dining room need ceiling treatment paint too. I know that I want everything to be roughly the same tones (greige), and the family/kitchen/breakfast area needs to all be the same color. Can you please email me and let me know? Thanks!!

    1. KylieMawdsley Avatar
      KylieMawdsley

      Hi Alison, thank you for your note! It sounds like you need the ‘Open Layout’ package to cover the family/kitchen/breakfast and then the 5 room package for the foyer/dining/living/study/powder – with the ‘ceiling colour’ add-on. That should cover the bases for you!
      ~Kylie

  9. Jenn Avatar
    Jenn

    Hi Kylie,

    Looking to purchase the whole home color package- will you need all other selections to work up options? We are gutting a house and wondering what material items you like to know before choosing colors? Also do you have an interior+exterior color package. We need both 🙂

    Thank you

    1. KylieMawdsley Avatar
      KylieMawdsley

      Hi Jenn! Well, the more I know the merrier, so ideally, you’d know the countertops you’re looking at as well as flooring (and tile/stone). Some people use paint colour as the starting point, but really, it’s a LOT easier to choose the hard stuff first (counters/tile/etc…) and then the paint colours fall in place much easier 🙂 That being said, I’ve done consultations based only on the answers to the questionnaire!
      ~Kylie

  10. Jennifer Darbonne Avatar
    Jennifer Darbonne

    Hi Kylie,

    I’ve already chosen my BM paint color for my walls. Collington Gray, which has a LRV of 62, so it’s perfect for my living room and it’s obnoxious artificial and natural light. I wound like some help to choose the trim and ceiling color. Which package do I need to purchase for this?

    1. KylieMawdsley Avatar
      KylieMawdsley

      Hi Jennifer, bless your heart for asking! I do get a lot of requests for complimentary advice, so I’m just so pleased when someone makes a request like yours – thank you! And for that, I would look at BM White Dove, which is a warm white, but not too creamy. One thing you can do as well is add 4 ounces of white, which cleans it up a touch AND helps improve the coverage (as white generally isn’t great at coverage…)

      I hope that helps!
      ~Kylie

  11. Gail Collins Avatar

    I am not sure which package to choose. This is a new build so I do not have photos.
    I need to know which color BM white to use on my kitchen cabinets if I use Cambria Brittanicca Warm (new color) and use DXV Hillside sink in canvas white (a very very white sink). Paint on walls can be similar to SW Agreeable Gray, Anew Gray, and perhaps Mega Griege on island.
    Alas, I may need choose Cambria’s Brittanicca instead to change the palette (changes possible paint colors obviously) as Brittanicca Warm and DXV sink color may not complement one another; or I worry there is not a BM white for cabinets that will work with those two elements. Oh, my. I’m losing sleep over my kitchen cabinet color and feel so alone!
    1. Which package do you suggest?
    2. And if I insert two different countertops and want kitchen cabinet color, what package?
    Thank you.

    1. KylieMawdsley Avatar
      KylieMawdsley

      Hi Gail, I’d love to help! If you would like 2 full palettes based on 2 different countertops, then you would need 2 ‘Cabinet Colour Packages’…this way I can sit down and come up with solutions for both options… https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/product/cabinets-or-built-ins-paint-colour-kitchen-bath-or-built-ins/

      Hope that helps!

  12. Kim Gurley Avatar
    Kim Gurley

    Hi Kylie,
    Will you help me choose the correct package(s)?
    1. As you enter the home, you walk into a small foyer with the home-office on the left, a small hallway (with coat closet) on the right which leads to the powder room. So, 4 small rooms in a row, which I’d probably like painted the same color.
    2. Then, you go through the foyer and enter the rest of the home: dining, kitchen, family room; open concept.
    Thanks!

  13. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Hi Kylie,

    I’m super excited to have found you! I want to hire you through your e-design services but I am not closing on our new place until May (it’s a vacation home in another state so I don’t have access to it until we close). However, I wanted to get a painter lined up when we are there right after the closing so he can start painting.

    I have some pictures that I took when we first saw the place but I’m not sure if they would be good enough for you to do a design plan.

    Should I go ahead and purchase the design service, complete the questionnaire, and send you the pics I have to see if they are detailed enough for you to work with?
    Many thanks!
    Donna

    1. KylieMawdsley Avatar
      KylieMawdsley

      Hi Donna, thank you for the note! I can absolutely help and often consult for clients when they only have their original photos of the home or the realtors photos. If they aren’t good enough, we can go from there, but I bet I can make it work for you!
      ~Kylie

  14. Samantha Avatar
    Samantha

    Hello,
    I’m interested in either the 1 or 2 room package, but I am in a Canada. Does that change the pricing?

    1. KylieMawdsley Avatar
      KylieMawdsley

      You bet! Send me an email and let me know which package and I’ll invoice you in CDN for sure!

  15. Sarah Bliss Avatar

    Hi Kylie,

    I’m thrilled to find you! I’m a professional filmmaker and in an earlier incarnation, ran my own interior house painting business in Boston for about 15 years. We’re in the middle of a major construction project that will bring my filmmaking studio home, add one-floor living, and remodel our existing home. Painting of the new bedroom, bath and hallway was slated for this week, but has been postponed to late next week due to a construction delay. Which is a good thing bc I’m still agonizing over wall color!

    How quickly can you complete a consult with me and send color recommendations? The BR, Bath and Hall are fairly small so I’ve been planning to make them all the same color. I’ve been painting out some walls with options and am honing in on SW Shiitake, but am concerned about the green cast. The green is also amplified by triple pane windows that unfortunately cast a green light. So it’s tricky. I tried SW Repose (before I read your blog post about it actually!) but want something warmer, not with Repose’s blue/cool cast.

    Please advise about timing possibilities and if we can do a quick turn-around, how to proceed.

    Thanks kindly!

    Sarah Bliss

    1. KylieMawdsley Avatar
      KylieMawdsley

      Hi Sarah! If you check out my packages, I do have a Quick Consult option on several of them, which is a 3 business day turnaround – perhaps that could work for you? I would looove to help a fellow creative! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
      ~Kylie

      ~Kylie

  16. Janet German Avatar
    Janet German

    Hi Kylie,
    I’m building a house and have no idea where to start with paint colors. Can you suggest a package that would suit me best?
    Thanks !

    Janet

    1. KylieMawdsley Avatar
      KylieMawdsley

      Hi Janet, it depends on whether you want all of the rooms the same colour or different colours – it’s hard for me to say?!

      A lot of my clients want their main living areas the same colour (ie: living/dining/kitchen/hallways) and then they choose different colours for beds/baths/office, but it’s all so personal and can depend on the layout! Sit down with your floorplan and write out what you’re thinking, what your general style is (some people love a lot of colour, some people want only 3-4 colours). Maybe that will help you refine it down a bit?

      ~Kylie

  17. Danielle Eberly Avatar
    Danielle Eberly

    HI Kylie, I am building a new home and in need of color consulting. How does it work if I only have blueprints to work from?

    Danielle

    1. KylieMawdsley Avatar
      KylieMawdsley

      Hi Danielle, thanks for your note! It works very well, I do it all the time! You would fill out a questionnaire, letting me know your tastes and what not. YOu can also send me photos of any products you’ve selected (ie: countertops/tile/floor) and I can take cues from that. Then, I just look at your layout to decide how to layer your palette!
      I hope that helps 🙂
      ~Kylie

      1. DANIELLE EBERLY Avatar
        DANIELLE EBERLY

        Thank you! What else will you tell me other than what wall color to use?

        Danielle

  18. bvenit711 Avatar
    bvenit711

    I have a huge fireplace in my loft apartment that is now painted Black. I would like to paint it white but not sure what tone of white. Should I opt for 1 room with fireplace as my choice. The fireplace separates the living room from the kitchen (one long room) and color schemes are fine in both areas. I just had the entire apartment painted one year ago. Everything seems to work except the Black fireplace looks out of place. Help

    1. KylieMawdsley Avatar
      KylieMawdsley

      Hiya! I don’t have a package for that, but don’t want you paying for the full room and fireplace add-on. How about purchase the Single Room (entryway, which will cover the cost) and in the questionnaire, just let me know it’s the fireplace that you want me to focus on! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/

    2. bvenit711 Avatar
      bvenit711

      Thank you. I think I might need the full room because it will show when I send in pictures furniture on both sides of the fireplace. And on the side facing south the colors are soft whites and on the north side the furniture is brick color.
      Thank you, Beverly

  19. Angela DIBLASI Avatar
    Angela DIBLASI

    Hi Kylie tried to purchase a 1 room…sold out???
    need advice on South Facing (front window) and 1 west facing window, have shutters and trees so not too bright….the LR leads into kitchen that has cream/beige maple cabinets…thinking about White Duck or Edgecomb Gray?? thoughts? thankyou!

  20. Teresa Avatar
    Teresa

    Hi, looking to change existing hardwood floor color plus get rid of carpeting on the main floor adding wood floors.
    Also change oak color cabinets and paint colors in kitchen and dining room.
    We recently added quartz countertops and a stone backsplash so we need help matching to those
    What package would we need?

    1. KylieMawdsley Avatar
      KylieMawdsley

      Hi Teresa, thanks for asking! Right now I’m only offering paint colours services and not flooring/tile/carpet/wood – I’m happy to help with paint colours though!

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