Going Bold With Just Enough Color
If I could write this ideabook in color, I probably would. Color almost always captures the mood, the personality and the energy of the space you are creating, and even more that of the creator. You can tell a lot about people from the way they dress, the color of their shoes or the print on their shirt. A house is no different — color both inside and outside the home will provide you with a glimpse of the type of person who lives there. After all, what we wear is a reflection of who we are, and how we use color in our homes most certainly reflects what we want our houses to be.
So what do you want to tell the world? And how much color should be used? Well, the amount of color depends on what mood you are trying to set or what personality you are trying to convey. Did you know that red raises the energy in a room, while green and blue are restful, serene and relaxing colors? Or that purple is associated with sophistication, drama and luxury, while black is the color of authority and power and, at the same time, stylish and timeless? Color is an individual preference and will not always be universally liked, and too much of a color can have the opposite effect of what you are trying to achieve. The tips below will show you how to use color with restraint to create a beautiful home.
Color in anticipation. If you were walking down this hallway toward these double doors that are open, there is no doubt you would be drawn into the room. The interior designers at Destination Livingvery cleverly showed restraint with their color palette. The soft blue of the walls, in contrast with the white color scheme, beckons you inside in anticipation of what lies beyond. Choosing only one color can be so difficult; however, I have no doubt that the mood the designers wanted to create by using only blue was one of peace and tranquility.
Colors that are opposites. They say that blue and green should never be seen next to each other. Someone forgot to tell Greg Natale! This color scheme shows the sophistication and skill not onlyof Natale but also of the homeowner, who showed great faith in the designer to capture a particular mood.
From the soft blues of the dining room walls to the soft greens of the kitchen cabinets that sit on a black and white checkerboard floor, this look transports me back to my childhood in the ’70s, when this color scheme adorned my own home, but not in such a dramatic manner. You just want to walk through those doors to see what else is happening.
Color to make a statement. Hand in the air if you would ever dare paint a room a single color — not only the walls and ceiling but also the architraves, trim, door, cornices and ceiling medallion. Oh, and that color is black. Even the hydronic heater and marble fireplace are black.
The interior designers at Mr. Mitchell not only showed remarkable restraint in their use of color, but they have told us a lot about the homeowners.The color black provides a backdrop for all of their worldly possessions and makes a statement about who they are.
Remember in my opening paragraph when I mentioned that black is a color of authority and power? The interior styling of this room helps reinforce the use of the color black to tell a story, from the bold timber period desk and leather chair to the world globe and horse racing prints on the wall, to the prized winner’s cup on the fireplace mantel. Finally, far from using a period pendant, the designers have chosen what looks like a contemporary design: a light fitting made of antlers.
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Going Bold With Just Enough Color
