How to Correctly Use Color Theory in Design

Maybe mood rings were never an exact science, but there is some truth in the relationship between color and mood. 

Color affects how we see the world—whether it’s through our own emotions or what a color may represent to us. We associate black with funerals, yellow with sunshine, and red with anger. 

That’s why color psychology plays a huge part in how we decorate our spaces. 

“The color of a room changes the very essence of a room,” says local interior designer Tera Janelle, owner of Tera Janelle Designs. “Many times, homeowners consider how they want their home to look, but a better question to ask yourself is, ‘How do you want your home to feel?’”

Knowing where to start when painting or decorating a new space can be overwhelming, but Tera says not to overthink it. 

“Worry less about what color a room ‘should’ be painted and more about how you want that room to feel,” she says. “Look for inspiration rooms that evoke a feeling you love. What colors are present in that room and how are they used?”

According to Tera, a great resource when beginning is a paint deck or fan deck—a collection of all the paint chips from a particular manufacturer or designer—which allows you to look at a wide range of colors without multiple trips to the hardware store. 

“It can be difficult to read the undertones of light colors on a single-color chip, resulting in a room mistakenly painted light purple instead of light gray,” she says. “Instead locate that paint color on a paint deck that shows the color in a line of its shades from light to dark. The darkest colors on the strip will reveal a color’s undertones.”

A way to bring cohesiveness throughout your home is to consider establishing a color story, bringing together each room without having them look all the same. 

“Consider how the colors in your home work together as a whole,” Tera says. “Focus on creating a color through-line throughout the home. A home’s through-line color might be blue, showing up as French blue on the dining room walls, navy on the kitchen island, and a pale robin’s egg blue in a bedroom’s bedding.”

But Tera says it’s important not to take a color story too seriously in order to allow for creativity—especially in places like your kids’ rooms. 

“Feel free to allow kids’ rooms or creative spaces to deviate from your whole-home color story,” she says. “Worried to introduce the ‘grape purple’ your child loves for their bedroom? Try eggplant or a soft lilac on the walls for a neutral grounding, and introduce grape purple in the bedding, stuffed animals, or art.”

“The key to using color is to exercise control,” she continues. “Avoid painting every room a different color. Instead use different hues of one or two colors to provide an interesting overall color story.”

When you first select a paint color, Tera says to apply your paint samples to multiple walls in a room and make sure to review them during different times of day before deciding on a final color. This will save you time and money in case a color doesn’t work in that space. But it’s also important to consider artificial light as well as natural light. 

“A lightbulb’s color [measured in degrees of Kelvin or ‘Kelvin temperature’] dramatically affects color in a room,” Tera explains. 

For example, her preference is 2700K (or 3000K at maximum) for a soft glow that feels equally inviting day or night. Tera says she avoids daylight bulbs or bulbs of 3000K+ because they cast a cool blue light that can make colors in a space feel cold and sterile. 

While Tera says there’s no great place to experiment with colors or patterns, there are easy hacks to try different things without overwhelming your space. 

“If you are looking to experiment with paint color, such as a darker trim with lighter walls or a saturated wall color that feels like a risk, avoid open concept rooms and instead choose a room that can be easily repainted, like a small bedroom or powder bath,” she says. 

Using decor that can be easily switched out such as bedding, pillows, napkins, or towels is also a great way to experiment. 

But color palettes aren’t always black or white. 

“Neutral colors include more than white and beige,” Tera says. “If you are scared to dip your toes into color, earth tones are a low-risk way to introduce color. Earth tones such as mocha, olive, blush, camel, blue, and khaki are also neutrals.”

Using neutrals as anchors in a room can also allow you to be more expressive.

“Neutral anchor pieces such as cabinetry, sofas, and rugs allow you more freedom to play with color in other elements, such as the art, wallpaper, and accent fabrics,” she says. While it may seem overwhelming and intimidating, Tera says don’t be afraid to trust your gut and take risks.

“Even seasoned interior designers use their own homes as design laboratories,” she says. “The practice of playing and experimenting teaches the most valuable design lessons. And we do not always get it right the first time! Instead embrace the pivot. The best designs are fluid.”  

How Two Brothers Turned A Family Farm Into A Winery

Not a hobby, a passion. 

That’s how brothers Ed and Paul Gerhardt describe owning and running Burnbrae Vineyards in Forest. 

It’s a “blink and you’ll miss it” type of place. Tucked off Cottontown Road, the road to the property is marked by a tiny sign. Looks can be deceiving, however; once you pull further down the gravel road, visitors will find themselves at a little wooden cabin on a sprawling green lawn where it isn’t abnormal to see wildlife around. 

The property has been in the family since the 1930s after it was purchased by a great uncle. You could find sheep, pigs, cattle, and horses—but no grapes. 

“It became a lot for our father to take care of on his own,” Paul said. “For a long time, he and his siblings ran it but after they got older, it was just him.” 

Paul and his brother, Ed, purchased it from their father and cousins, but they weren’t sure what they would do with it. The Lynchburg natives both had careers—Paul, a lawyer, and Ed, a surgeon—away from the area. 

A vineyard wasn’t their first thought for the property. They were more concerned with preserving family history and memories they had on the farm. Besides, growing grapes is no easy process. It requires extensive consulting and research to see if the property could even sustain grapes. If it can, it takes a year for grape vines to arrive and another three years for them to be mature enough to be harvested. 

But the brothers decided it might be worth it to have a study done on the land to see if it was even possible. 

“We looked at three different spots on the property before we settled on this one,” Paul said of the ridge where their grapes reside. “You need something with a little higher altitude to protect crops from frost.”

That turned out to be the easy part. Once the grapes arrived, it was time to plant them. It was an endeavor that the brothers took on with the help of friends and family. 

“If we learned anything that first year it’s hire people,” Ed said with a laugh. 

While the original plan was to just grow the grapes, the brothers wanted to do something more. 

“While exploring what more we could do, I ended up at this winery that I had never been to before,” Paul said. 

And the wine stood out. Paul called up Ed and his sister-in-law Lori to get their opinions. They all agreed: it was good. 

The Gerhardts ended up meeting the winemaker who expressed an interest in helping them create their own wine. From the petit verdot, sauvignon blanc, merlot, cabernet franc, and petit manseng varieties grown on the farm, they produce 14 different wines. 

“My wife said, ‘I thought this was going to be a hobby,’” Paul laughed. 

It had become more than just that. Ed and Lori decided to retire and moved full-time to Forest where they live on the property as caretakers. 

“We just retired and changed career paths,” Lori, a former nurse practitioner, said.

 When asked what the biggest adjustment was, Ed said, “a different call schedule.”

“I definitely get more texts from him now,” Paul mused. 

“It was the perfect activity during COVID,” Ed said. “You got to be in the field all day with a seven-foot distance between the rows. You didn’t encounter anyone.”  

Over the last few years, new life has been breathed into the property as the business continues to grow. They renovated the 19th century cabin into a tasting room, which opened in 2022. The winery has seen visitors from as close as Bedford County to as far as Utah. There’s even an option to ship wine to 41 different states. 

“We’re not trying to do all the things,” Paul said. “We’re a small property. Every winery is a little different. We set out to make good wine and have an oasis for people to enjoy it. 

It has also allowed them to connect with old friends from childhood—and new ones too like a couple hiking the Appalachian Trail or a group of friends on their yearly girl trip. 

“This place has always been special to us and now we get to share it with the community,” Paul said. 

If suddenly you’re inspired to start your own vineyard and winery, Paul said there’s a lot to consider.

“I recently sat down with a guy who wanted to chat,” he said. “I asked him, ‘Well, how much time do you have? How many acres do you have? Have you accounted for the employees you’ll need?’ If you’re going to do it as just a weekend thing, try it, and see how you do. Explore it. Maybe start with one or two varieties. Keep it small, unless you have a full business plan. You can do a lot of things if you’re willing to study and learn.”  

Burnbrae Vineyards is open Monday through Friday 12-5 p.m. by appointment only and from 12-5 p.m. on Saturday and Sundays (reservations recommended). 

Retail therapy has a different meaning to Jessica Bishop

Bishop is the owner of JBohnBishop Mercantile, a boutique store located at Smith Mountain Lake that sells clothes, shoes, gifts, and accessories. 

But if you told her several years ago that she would become a boutique owner, Bishop probably wouldn’t have believed you. 

“I felt like I always needed this self-assurance [growing up],” Bishop said. “I would constantly ask my mom how I looked.”

However, what was once an insecurity has now become a ministry as Bishop uses her store— and her passion for cute things—to help women feel confident. 

Bishop is no stranger of Smith Mountain Lake. Born and raised in the area, Bishop serves on the Board of Directors for the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce and has been a big advocate for helping other local businesses succeed. 

While Bishop has been in the social retail space since 2013, she never expected to have a physical location. 

“I moved into this 10 by 10 space in 2021,” she said. “It was really supposed to be my office, but we kept building relationships with people.” 

From that space blossomed three locations: a main location at Halesford Center along with a location inside Gills Creek Marina & Lodge, and a market space in partnership with Evie’s at the Lake featuring local vendors from the area. 

“I’ve really been just following God’s direction,” she said. “Having the Mercantile has brought me a lot of joy and we’re bringing a whole new vibe to the lake.”

When describing her store, Bishop jokes that it “definitely feels like it’s owned by a millennial.” Many of the clothes and accessories are fun, bright, and bold to help people express themselves through what they wear.

“We have the trendy items, but we also have staple pieces that anyone would love in their closet but also some options that can help people branch out to try new styles,” she said. 

When she first opened the shop, Bishop knew that she wanted to fill a gap that was missing at the lake while also not taking away from the other businesses.

“Smith Mountain Lake has been mostly a retirement community,” she said. “We’re starting to see the demographic change, but we wanted to bring more people in to shop.”

But Bishop wanted it to be more than just another boutique. She wanted to make sure no one felt excluded—whether it’s a 25-year-old or retiree. 

Bishop also wanted to make sure she was bringing in great plus-size options, something that stores seem to struggle with. 

“It can be really hard to find cute plus-size clothing,” she said. “But I’m doing my research and trying to bring the best options because people want to feel confident in how they look and feel.”

Bishop said being more confident in her body is something she’s had to learn in this process. After gaining weight during the pandemic, she’s also juggled with her own insecurities. 

“I am probably the heaviest I’ve been in my life,” she said. “But I can look back at pictures from when I was skinny and see how unhappy and miserable I was. It’s just amazing to see how God has turned it around and how I can encourage women.”

Bishop eventually was diagnosed with OCD, anxiety, and depression. She went on to start therapy and medication. The process helped show her how much God could turn her journey into something that could glorify Him. 

“After I was diagnosed, my mom said she was sorry that she didn’t see that I needed help sooner. I always told her I felt like I was sick. Before I started the healing process, I don’t think I would have been able to do this,” she said. “But [with healing] I’ve been able to let go. Having the store is honestly like a celebration of how far I’ve come since one of the darkest seasons of my life.”

Healing has also helped Bishop become more hands-off with her business too. As a marketer and creative, Bishop said it can be hard to feel like you can let go of something that you’ve poured your heart and soul into.

“In marketing, it’s all about your reputation,” she said. “But I also know that I have the right people on my team to make sure I can go on vacation. I want my team to feel confident that they can make decisions without consulting me on every little thing.” 

Letting go of the little things and not focusing on perfection is also the advice she’d give anyone who may want to open their own small business—or whatever they may be passionate about.

“Start with a brain dump,” she says. “That can be the best kind of therapy. Get everything out in the open that you’re scared about and ask yourself why. When you approach it that way some of these things become less scary and help you see that you can do it.”  

Lynchburg resident aims to keep ice cream history alive

If it wasn’t for the mob, Strawberry Shortcake Bars and Chocolate Eclairs might not have been everyone’s favorite summer treat. And what’s a visit from the ice cream truck if you can’t get one of those to help you cool off?

That’s just one of the facts ice cream enthusiast Robert Jacobs (or Pops) loves to share when people spot him around Lynchburg with his authentic 1967 Ford Good Humor ice cream truck. 

“It’s a neat story,” he said. “The mob demanded that Good Humor pay protection money and [their owner] refused. So, they blew up the factory that housed the trucks in Chicago and [the idea of an ice cream truck] gained national attention after that.”

After surviving a mob hit, it’s no surprise that the Good Humor brand has been around for more than 100 years. What started as an idea by Harry Burt in 1920 has turned into a multi-billion-dollar delicious empire.

Burt had come up with what he believed was a competitor to ice cream: a chocolate coated frozen treat. There was just one critique from his daughter: good, but way too messy to eat.

It was Burt’s son who first suggested the idea of adding a stick. That way, people could avoid getting their hands sticky or dirty. From there came more than 50 options of treats for customers to choose from. 

But today only about 100 models of the Good Humor trucks remain—with one making its home in Lynchburg. 

“Who Doesn’t Love Ice Cream?”

For Jacobs, the ice cream truck has always reminded him of great childhood memories. 

“With five kids we didn’t really have a lot of money,” he said. “But when the ice cream guy came around it was a treat.”

It only made sense to eventually buy one as an adult. 

“I had looked at several of them and finally did get one,” Jacobs said. “I figured it could be something I did once I retired, but I didn’t really do anything with it and ended up selling it.”

But after moving to Lynchburg to be closer to family several years ago, Jacobs decided to try again. 

Finding an authentic one was not an easy task. While the trucks were once abundant, Good Humor sold its fleet in 1976 to focus on selling their ice cream in grocery stores. Many were lost, scrapped, or repurposed into other trucks like Mr. Softee. 

Thankfully, Jacobs found another one and got it working once again. However, he didn’t stop there. If Jacobs was going to keep true authenticity of a Good Humor truck, he wanted to do it right. He invested in the starch white uniform and even the triangle hat. 

“Starting out, ice cream was considered scary because it wasn’t sanitary,” Jacobs said. “That’s why, when you see photos of the uniform, it’s white because [Burt] wanted it to remind people of a doctor—which meant safe and clean.”

Being a Good Humor Man though is more than just a nice uniform. According to Jacobs, truck drivers had extensive customer service training they were required to do. Because of that it was considered a good job back in the ’30s and ’40s. 

“That’s why they would come around and hand out ice cream from the curb,” Jacobs said. “It was about the personal face-to-face experience. In more modern ice cream trucks, someone hands you ice cream through a window instead of coming out of the truck.”

Jacobs said he found videos and articles online that helped him get the etiquette down. Then it was time to get it out on the road.

“We live in Boonsboro so I would just go up and down the block,” he said. “But it’s hard to hear because it doesn’t have a speaker with music. It just has a little bell that I ring instead.”

Now you can find Jacobs around at parks, special events, car dealerships, and even
house visits. 

“People have always come up to me and told me what good memories it brings back to them,” Jacobs said. “I had this family call me and asked me to come to their house so their six-year-old could see the truck with his grandparents. So at 10 a.m. I pulled up to the house and they all came out and took pictures. It was really special.”

Jacobs said he never expected the response he’s gotten.

“It all started when someone posted a photo of me on Living in Lynchburg [Facebook group] with the truck,” he said. “I think it got about 300 shares and it blew up. People wanted me to come to their neighborhoods.”

This year Jacobs said he’s working on getting his two trucks up and running for the summer. 

“It’s a labor of love,” he said. “The cost can quickly add up. But I love doing this and hearing about people’s good memories.”

So if you see Jacobs out with the truck this summer, the real question is, what should you order?

“Creamsicles, Strawberry Shortcakes, Chocolate Eclairs—those are my big sellers.”  

A hobby and passion become a business for one local woman

Photographer. Writer. Modern day treasure hunter.  

Those are the words that describe Lynchburg local and vintage enthusiast Kelly Whitmore. But unlike some treasure hunters, Whitmore is more than happy to share her finds with the world.  

As she watched her house fill with vintage finds over the years, Whitmore opened her Etsy shop and business, Golden Eclectic, where she sells curated goods that she finds at estate sales and thrift and antique stores. 

“That’s why I went with the name,” Whitmore explained. “Not only does it represent the ‘golden era,’ but eclectics are more than just one type of item. It’s a hodgepodge of things.” 

Whitmore started her business back in summer 2021 and sold her first piece on eBay.  

“It was a [vintage] La Choy bottle in this beautiful emerald green,” Whitmore said. “I even had the original stopper with it, which was extremely rare, and I sold it to a collector who was looking for one in that exact color. I was so nervous shipping it because it was my first sale.” 

Luckily the glass made it safe and sound—with the collector even commenting on her great packing ability.  

But looking for vintage items is more than going from store to store. According to Whitmore, it also includes hours of research.  

“The amount of time you spend looking up a certain piece depends on what it is,” she said. “If it’s something more common, it won’t take me long to look something up online. But sometimes with a certain piece, there won’t be anything on it.”  

To Whitmore, it’s a learning process. Over the last few years, her sales have connected her to experts and collectors that have knowledge she can glean from.  

“I’m definitely not an expert,” she joked. “When I see something that I love, I usually buy it on the spot and do the research later. But I’ve always loved history, so I love trying to find information on something.” 

Whitmore says she’s drawn to glass objects, especially swung vases.  

“When it comes to my favorite era, I’m torn between the art deco era and mid-century,” she said. “Really I just love a piece that I think is beautiful.” 

And sometimes, those beautiful pieces happen to be worth something. At an estate sale in Roanoke, Whitmore fell in love with a $6 cubed fractal. 

“The estate sale was actually for the man who was Debbie Reynolds’ ex-husband,” she said. “He had lived in Vegas and had all these interesting pieces he had collected over the years. I went home and found out the fractal was worth [hundreds of dollars]. And I only paid $6 for it.” 

But for Whitmore, the true value of an item is the story it tells.  

“When you go to an estate sale, you see what people have collected over the years and spent their time building a collection,” she said. “It can be sad sometimes, but in a way their legacy gets to live on.” 

What she loves most about thrifting is not only finding unique items, but also that it helps encourage sustainability. 

“I love that Gen Z is bringing thrifting back to the forefront,” Whitmore said. “We have mass produced as a society…but [thrifting] can be a great resource where you can find a great piece, but don’t have to add more to our environment.”  

If you’re getting inspired to hit the local Goodwill, Whitmore offered some tips for those looking to start thrifting. 

“Start with what you love,” she said. “Research the era you want to focus on. See what certain companies made and it can help start a pathway to finding great things. Support your local antique stores. Sometimes things may seem expensive because they’re being sold at market value, but you can still find some amazing, affordable pieces.” 

As she continues to grow Golden Eclectic, Whitmore plans on posting to her Esty and social media accounts as well as hitting local markets. But her eventual goal is to focus on thrifting as a full-time gig. 

“As an artist, I love this as a creative outlet,” Whitmore said. “I’m single with two dogs so I have the space to fill my house with all kinds of antiques. I would love to spend my time traveling around the country and filling up an RV going to estate sales.” 

Whitmore also encourages others to explore their passion and creative endeavors because you never know where it might lead. 

“Imposter syndrome is very real,” she said. “Admit you’re not an expert but give yourself grace [when starting something]. You’ll never be as great as you want to be, but you will be greater than you think.” 

You can find Golden Eclectic on Etsy at www.etsy.com/shop/GoldenEclecticCo or on Instagram @goldeneclectic.