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Color Match Technology with Ace Hardware

Have you ever had an item you love – say, a favorite tee or art print – color matched to paint? When we choose colors for our home, you’ve probably picked up on the fact that, more often than not, we rely on classic colors: white, black and navy. So when Ace Hardware asked us if we’d give their color matching technology a try at their Paint Studio, we really wanted to go for it and go bold!

The problem became that every piece of furniture waiting to be saved in our home – which, side note: we have a scary little room in our house that has been adequately dubbed The Scary Room for its ability to contain all the scary salvaged stuff – has a future in either being 1) refinished in its natural wood state or 2) painted black. Or navy. You know, our usual.

Rather than fall back on a safe choice, we put our feelers out in the universe, and we asked our neighbors if anyone had a household item that could use a makeover, and if so, we’ll do it for you! Bonus points if they were open to anything. Within minutes, I had a text thread going with too many yes-es, and a clear winner for the refresh:

color-match-01

This credenza lives in our neighbors’ playroom for their two sons, scored at a flea market years ago. It had already been painted matte black when it came to them, and we think at some point the top must have gotten ruined, causing the previous owners to flip the whole unit upside down. There’s a new-ish plywood bottom (and when I say bottom, I really mean the old top) to replace whatever had been damaged, which is why the louvered doors are also upside down.

Scott and I debated flipping the doors around, but it began to create a whole mess of issues, as the magnetic closures aren’t centered on the doors or the unit. In the end, we decided to leave well enough alone, and instead, we took 30 minutes to level up the doors, spackle the chipped areas and sand things smooth.

But on to the color! We chose this bright blue jacket from their son’s room, and the friendly folks at the Ace Paint Studio didn’t bat an eye when we asked them to turn this blue into paint:

color-match-02

Having loved the ease of the Amy Howard One Step paint, we opted for the same this time around, too (although you can get as creative as you’d like; they’ll match to any brand in any finish). The color matching technology gave us a code unique to our item, so check out Italia Blue!

color-match-03color-match-04

A tip to keep in mind if you’re color matching a reflective surface like our jacket: Once scanned, it read the darkest blue within the jacket. The color in the can was very, very vibrant, and although I knew it would dry down a bit, it ended up darker than we had in mind – a good 3-4 shades darker, easily. After the first coat, I’ll admit that neither Scott and I were loving it (see below), but after the second coat, it came into its own. Note: We followed this same One-Step paint method as before, all the way down to the clear wax finish.

color-match-05

I’m glad we hung in there, because three and a half coats later (the previous paint kept sucking up the new color!), we had a bold, punchy blue – still funky enough for a playroom, but a color that the boys won’t outgrow in a few years!

color-match-06color-match-07color-match-08

Let’s dive into the before and afters! Here’s the credenza when we picked it up from their playroom last week…

color-match-09

… and after painting it over the course of Saturday, it was back in their home by Sunday, ready to load up! (While we were at Ace, we picked up a handful of clear storage bins to keep things organized inside the cabinet as well!)

color-match-10

If you’re looking to color match a favorite anything of yours, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Your item needs to be at least the size of a quarter
Choose something opaque, as it will get the best color reading
One part of the item needs to lay flat in order to fit in the color matching instrument

Okay, ready to create a color of your very own? We’d like to help! Together with the Ace crew, we’re giving away a $100 Ace Hardware gift card to one lucky reader!  The giveaway runs through Monday, November 30th until 5pm CST; simply enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. The winner will be announced within this post by Wednesday evening. Good luck, happy entering and have a fun holiday weekend!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

We’re happy to be collaborating with Ace Hardware as a part of their Ace Blogger Panel! Ace has provided us with compensation and the materials necessary to complete this project (hey, thanks, Ace!), and all opinions are our own. See all the blogger projects on the Ace Pinterest page.

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  • Cathy Zheng11.24.15 - 6:53 AM

    Wow, love the makeover! It’s amazing what paint can do to transform a piece. I too am pretty safe when it comes to paint colors but am dying to try something outside of my comfort zone now that we have a baby in the mix. Kid’s rooms are a great excuse to explore and go a little crazy with colors, don’t you agree? ;)ReplyCancel

  • Danielle11.24.15 - 7:22 AM

    Wow — I can’t believe what a perfect match that is to the jacket! I wonder how close they could do a match off of a photograph?ReplyCancel

    • Kim11.24.15 - 8:32 AM

      It’s worth a shot! It will create a unique code just for you. I’d ask the guys at the Ace paint counter!ReplyCancel

  • Haley11.24.15 - 7:40 AM

    love that blue! I think I’d color match a coral jacket that I have. It is the PERFECT coral.ReplyCancel

  • Cair11.24.15 - 7:42 AM

    Why don’t my neighbors ever make an offer like yours?

    I love this makeover and really like the final color. I’ve wondered how those paint readers work with not totally flat colors.ReplyCancel

  • Nate11.24.15 - 7:51 AM

    I’d color match to one of my sport team’s colors…Beale St Blue or Memphis Tigers BlueReplyCancel

    • Kim11.24.15 - 8:30 AM

      Love that. We’d choose Pittsburgh black and yellow, haha!ReplyCancel

  • kristin11.24.15 - 8:04 AM

    I love that bright blue. With all the whites and neutrals becoming more and more popular lately it’s refreshing to see someone else who loves color (and especially POPS of color) like I do!ReplyCancel

  • ellen ross11.24.15 - 8:16 AM

    I would really like to color match the mini end table in our foyer to our throw pillows which have a nice light blue in them!ReplyCancel

    • Kim11.24.15 - 8:29 AM

      Yeah, color matching comes in so handy for home decor!ReplyCancel

  • Jill11.24.15 - 8:17 AM

    i’d color match from a favorite wallpaper! Love the blue you used!ReplyCancel

  • Molly W11.24.15 - 8:26 AM

    I love the way this color brightens up the blue the family already has on their walls! Excellent choice!ReplyCancel

  • Rebecca11.24.15 - 8:44 AM

    It’s beautiful! We have a brand new ACE close to us in Bridgeport, and my husband is loving it for quick projects. We are renovating an old Chicago 3 flat also, but leaving it as 3 separate units!ReplyCancel

  • Laura C11.24.15 - 8:45 AM

    Looks great, but 3 1/2 coats sounds like a royal pain.ReplyCancel

  • Jess S.11.24.15 - 8:57 AM

    I have no clue what i’d color match, but it looks fun!ReplyCancel

  • Anna C11.24.15 - 9:12 AM

    Love the color!ReplyCancel

  • Alexis11.24.15 - 9:15 AM

    I’d color match these coral curtains I have!ReplyCancel

  • Christy G.11.24.15 - 10:01 AM

    Love the color…especially for a boys room!!! I color matched a beautiful blue for a desk. Ace did a great job with that as well.ReplyCancel

  • Alex11.24.15 - 10:06 AM

    i would color match from a tablecloth that i love!ReplyCancel

  • Mami2jcn11.24.15 - 10:30 AM

    I’d color match burgundy curtains.ReplyCancel

  • Scrubber11.24.15 - 10:39 AM

    Wow, I wouldn’t have thought that color would work, but it does. I would probably color match a little green bowl that I got in Japan — I love it and I think it would be a wonderful wall color.ReplyCancel

  • AnnMarie11.24.15 - 10:41 AM

    Hmm…I don’t need to paint anything at the moment, but I’m going to file this information for future use. With my OCD-ness, I know it’ll come in handy some day!ReplyCancel

  • Brynne@TheGatheredHome11.24.15 - 10:43 AM

    I love that blue! I wouldn’t have thought I would want so bold a color in my home, but now I’m looking around to see where I could use a little punch of that amazing blue!!!ReplyCancel

  • Natalie11.24.15 - 10:59 AM

    Interested in this paint more each time you guys use it…ReplyCancel

    • Kim11.24.15 - 11:10 AM

      It really is great! This time around, it took more coats – likely due to the paint finish that we were covering. Even still, we also bought a can of black One Step paint to always have on hand. Because of the super flat finish (if you don’t use the wax), it almost looks like a powder coated finish. We love it.ReplyCancel

  • Bethany Wellman11.24.15 - 12:14 PM

    My husband has a collection of vinyl records that have the greatest album artwork. Would LOVE to pull some colors from those for his “man cave”.ReplyCancel

  • Tanja11.24.15 - 12:41 PM

    I would color match my college colors and paint a new console for my family room. It’s a darker room and a pop of colour would really help it.ReplyCancel

  • Anna Kristina11.24.15 - 12:54 PM

    We picked up some ceramic bowls in Amsterdam (our big 5 year anniversary trip a few years ago) and I’d love to get those colors somewhere else in our house!ReplyCancel

  • shaunie11.24.15 - 1:04 PM

    I would have to say that my favorite (and only) yellow purse that I owned for some time to match dresser drawer and table.ReplyCancel

  • Sharon Flasche11.24.15 - 2:00 PM

    Love that color, it matches the coat perfectly.ReplyCancel

  • Wendy11.24.15 - 2:28 PM

    Such a fun color!ReplyCancel

  • Stef11.24.15 - 3:27 PM

    This is really cool! I think I would color match the green of my high school letter jacket to paint a night stand in my son’s room. He loves green and I love the green of my jacket!ReplyCancel

  • Cheryl11.24.15 - 6:39 PM

    I’m getting rid of a huge & heavy sleeper sofa – but want to match the upholstery first – it is a silvery blue that makes for a very calming background color!ReplyCancel

  • Molly11.24.15 - 6:51 PM

    I’d match an ad from an IKEA catalogue that I’ve been saving for JUST THIS purpose.ReplyCancel

  • susan11.24.15 - 7:04 PM

    That blue is perfect for a playroom, and I love that piece even with upside down doors. Nice job, and thanks for the give-away.ReplyCancel

  • Cassie11.24.15 - 7:13 PM

    They have really perfected this technology! Go Ace! I have a planner that’s the most beautiful pale pink and I can’t find the color ANYWHERE! I want to paint a wall in my bedroom this color, so this would be great! Great advice even without the cash tho :) thanks!ReplyCancel

  • arli11.24.15 - 10:25 PM

    Love the blue! I would color match my white kitchen cabinets. Would love the very small amount of wall space to blend right in.ReplyCancel

  • Angel11.24.15 - 10:39 PM

    My daughter’s room is currently a beautiful yellow called Tigger’s Tummy. She wants pink. We’d have to use this to find a pink we both like!ReplyCancel

  • Melissa Arnold11.24.15 - 11:04 PM

    Wow, that is a gorgeous blue!!!ReplyCancel

  • erica11.25.15 - 1:04 AM

    What a great idea. I would color match this beautiful vase, that I’ve been keeping for my kitchen inspiration.ReplyCancel

  • Haley11.25.15 - 6:40 AM

    I’m not sure what I would color match because a lot of the things I love are not flat and a 5×8 rugs would be hard to drag to the store. Know that I think of it, maybe the agua canvas cover to a basket I have. I want to paint the basement a light and bright agua.ReplyCancel

  • Kristin11.25.15 - 8:34 AM

    I would color match sports team colors for corn hole boards I’m making for a Christmas gift.ReplyCancel

  • Sarah Matthews11.25.15 - 12:31 PM

    BOOM. Greatest invention of the 21st century. Too many things to count that I could use that for in my house! Ace is amazing. :)ReplyCancel

  • Stacy Z11.25.15 - 12:57 PM

    I am in shock what rock have I been under….Amy Howard at Ace. Found your blog through another’s interview. Hooked. And match…hhhhhmmmmm Well probably something sweet from the quilt my mom is making me. :)ReplyCancel

  • Kristin11.25.15 - 1:22 PM

    There are so many choices and I am like you guys and I have a very limited paint palette, white, gray, and black here although I have crawled out of my neutral shell and I am currently in the middle of painting our laundry room a soft light green. Alright…on to the next coat. We shall see how I feel about it soon :)ReplyCancel

  • John @ PADL11.25.15 - 7:56 PM

    I’m amazed not only by how well the colors match, but how vibrant that blue is! Totally stunning!ReplyCancel

  • Lisa Brown11.26.15 - 5:56 AM

    I would color match a dove grey shade to paint the legs on an old kitchen table. Thanks for the chance!ReplyCancel

  • Jackie11.26.15 - 11:22 AM

    I’m not sure yet what I’d color match this time, but definitely something that already makes me smile :)ReplyCancel

  • Lori11.26.15 - 5:34 PM

    I want to be your neighbor!ReplyCancel

  • Katie Richards11.27.15 - 1:57 PM

    I’d colormatch my favorite lumbar pillow, a lovely greenReplyCancel

  • Trilby C.11.27.15 - 2:58 PM

    We’re planning a re-do/update of my younger son’s room later this winter. We’ll color match a couple of the shades of blue and green from his bedding for the accent walls!ReplyCancel

  • Nicole V11.27.15 - 5:58 PM

    I would colormatch my favorite purse for the perfect shade of mint green.ReplyCancel

  • Gina M (Wild Orchid)11.27.15 - 7:38 PM

    I would love to color match my favorite green sweater!

    Entered the Rafflecopter as “Wild Orchid”

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT comReplyCancel

  • David11.27.15 - 8:22 PM

    We have some tiles on the backsplash of our kitchen that are a nice royal blue color, so I would color match that so I could paint the trim and baseboards to match.ReplyCancel

  • Jennifer Renda11.27.15 - 9:43 PM

    If I could get a color match of anything… I have lego dimension, and honestly the portal color is VERY nice. Nice enough that I am thinking of color matching it so we can do the walls of our living room in it.ReplyCancel

  • Elle P.11.28.15 - 11:30 AM

    I would color match a rug in my house that I love.ReplyCancel

  • Ro osborn11.28.15 - 1:48 PM

    What a fun post. I would color match a painting I have so we can paint the chest in the nursery to match :)ReplyCancel

  • Ansonia L.11.29.15 - 2:28 AM

    I would color match my anniversary ring! I have a project planned for my living room.ReplyCancel

  • KathleenC11.29.15 - 9:31 AM

    We have so much painting to do I’m not sure where we’d start! But our patched and spackled bedroom wall is certainly high on the list… I’d match one of the blues in the existing wallpapered accent wall (original to the 1959 house).ReplyCancel

  • Holly11.29.15 - 10:02 AM

    I’d color match the pretty blue hue from my favorite thrift store score painting :)ReplyCancel

  • Linda11.29.15 - 8:23 PM

    I’d color match a watercolor painting.ReplyCancel

  • Tina W11.30.15 - 2:54 AM

    I would color match my favorite orange pots.ReplyCancel

  • Nathan11.30.15 - 10:40 AM

    I have never colored matched anything, but would love to do some touchup paint of the current colors we have inside and outside of our house. I think this might work well!ReplyCancel

  • DONALD SIBLE11.11.16 - 10:18 AM

    I would like my local ACE Hardware store to be able to match the color of my house paint, but so far they have not matched the two different color samples I gave them. Now I have two gallons of the wrong color.ReplyCancel

    • Kim11.11.16 - 10:30 AM

      Hi Donald, have you brought the paint back to the store to show them? The color matching works if they’re able to scan the color into their system. Are you able to bring in a small piece of your home’s siding for them to scan? That would probably do the trick!ReplyCancel

      • DONALD SIBLE11.11.16 - 3:41 PM

        I took actual samples of the paint on my house the first two times. Again this morning I cut a small portion of the paint on the siding of my house, glued it down to card stock and cleaned it prior to returning to the local ACE store for another attempt at matching the color. This time the color is near the correct value, however it is a cooler brown than the original.ReplyCancel

  • Gustavo Ramirez Jr7.6.20 - 2:51 PM

    I bought paint at ace…it looked ok at the store but at home i noticed it was lighter than the original..i took it back so they would fix color a little darker.The store employee said they cant help me once i buy it..saying that they don’t wanna add more paint to the gallon that it might be too full and cause a mess..That sounded to me like he just didn’t wanna bother with helping a customer…so was this store policy not to fix paint color or he just doesn’t wanna bother and make a mess?
    Any other paint store will help you matching your paint no problem..and for the price customers pay for paint..you would think that service after the sale proves the integrity of a good store.So if it is Ace Hardware Policy then don’t buy paint at Ace..and if it was just this particular employee that just had a attitude..then he should be fired.. Either way..im stuck with a gallon of 45 dollar useless paint just cause Ace didn’t wanna bother to help.Ace just lost this customer..and hopefully many more that read this.Just lookin outReplyCancel

    • Kim7.6.20 - 4:21 PM

      It’s a bummer to hear this! We’ve had great experiences with Ace, but I would encourage you to try and talk to another individual who would be able to assist you with this issue.ReplyCancel

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