Meet Michele Ballinger, Dunn-Edwards In-Home Color Advisor

Michele Ballinger, Dunn-Edwards In-Home Color Advisor, brings color expertise to Long Beach. Since joining the team in 2023, Michele's deep experience in design—especially her refined understanding of color—has made her an invaluable resource for customers seeking guidance and inspiration.

Her journey began in 2006, when she earned a degree in interior design from the Sheffield School of Design (now known as the New York Institute of Art & Design). Shortly after, she launched her design career as an in-home consultant for a design showroom that offered a full spectrum of products: furniture, accessories, textiles, wallpaper, and, of course, architectural coatings—better known as paint. It was in this role that Michele uncovered her true passion and talent for color, which she considers the foundation of any successful design project.

Driven by this passion, Michele went on to establish her own design firm, which she ran for 12 years. During that time, she educated and empowered her clients, helping them understand the transformative power of color and the value of thoughtful design.

One recent project in Rancho Palos Verdes stands out to Michele. Her client—who had just moved to the area with her daughter—was struggling to choose exterior colors for her Spanish-influenced home. The home's original paint color was a gold-yellow that she disliked, and after trying to solve the problem herself without much progress, she booked a consultation with Michele. During the pre-consultation, Michele noticed the client's emotions around the project. "Sometimes it's not just about the color," Michele says. "Sometimes there's more going on."

As they looked through inspirational photos, Michele explained how different hues would influence the mood and feeling. Together, they decided on colors to create a fresh, balanced look. During their meetings, the client opened up about health challenges in her family, giving Michele a deeper understanding of her client's situation. What began as an overwhelming decision became a moment of calm and clarity. "When you can take stress off somebody and help them with something you know about, it's a good feeling," Michele shares.

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Michele has traveled extensively across the Middle East, Europe, Central America, and the Caribbean—experiences that have expanded her global perspective on design and color. Today, settled in Long Beach, Michele enjoys quiet time, beach walks, and spending time with her rescue cat. When it comes to her own color preferences, she is drawn to deep hues, like her favorite Dunn-Edwards color, Cover of Night (DE6329).

For homeowners in the West LA area ready to choose colors with confidence, book an appointment with Michele to get started.