Costco Connection - July 2010

Valenti upscale style.

modern function.

Italian design accompanied by premium top-grain leather in a ;nely crafted sofa and chair.

• Heavy-duty elastic frame webbing • High-density foam for superior comfort • Solid wood and plywood frame construction

DIMENSIONS: 81.8 in. W x 36. 2 in. D x 33. 8 in. H {sofa}

37. 7 in W x 36. 2 in. D x 33. 8 in. H {chair} Item #372487 {sofa}; 402995 {chair}

send over pictures of things you like, things
you hate, ideas.’ I’m inspired by my home-
owners,” he says. “Without them, I don’t have
any guidance.”
Next, he determines the room’s focal point.
“Color is what makes the room come together,
but that’s not how I start,” he explains. “Actually,
I choose my colors last. I start with my archi-
tecture, I start with my feature wall, the thing
that’s going to make the most impact.”
His approach: “Think bold, think big,
don’t think in small scale. ;ink in terms of
structure, drama; go bold with your color.” He
challenges the audience with “Come on, kids!”
Incorporating bold color does not mean
you have to paint the whole room. Instead,
paint only the feature wall. Inexpensive ways
to inject color are with glassware accessories,
throws, ;owers and pillows, Bromstad advises.
“Buy tons of pillows in colors you think you’ll
like. Play with them. ;en take some back to
the store. You’ve heard of the return policy.”
;e objective for each project Bromstad
undertakes is to create an environment.
“Every room is just like a canvas,” he explains.
“Creating an environment is how you feel
when you’re in [that room]. How you are
transported by the colors, the textures, the
structure.”
For each Color Splash makeover, Bromstad
creates a unique painting for the homeowners
that carries through the theme of the make-
over—from an abstract that picks up the room’s
accent colors to a realistic bowl of mac and
cheese for a homeowner who wanted to get rid
of her textured yellow walls.

So when asked what three things every
room should have, he jokes, “A Bromstad
painting.” His serious answers: “Art, candle-
light and a really amazing rug.”
Bromstad challenged the Design Center
audience to trust their instincts. “If you ;nd
yourself loving di;erent things, if they look
good to you, then go with them.” He describes
his own style as eclectic and quirky. “I’m not a
trained interior designer, so I don’t know the
rules; that’s why I like to break them,” he says.

A;er six seasons, Bromstad’s show began
a new incarnation last month with the launch
of Color Splash: Miami, where Bromstad has
his home. He is also designing his own furni-
ture and doing more painting. “I spend every
spare moment, pencil in my hand, designing
for my next phase, designing for my next line,”
he says. “I don’t want to just be considered a
designer, or just a painter. I’m a designer, artist,
sculptor, creator. I want to do everything.”
How has he adjusted to his newfound
fame? He says, “I’m just a regular guy who has
an extraordinary job.” C