I received a mini-magazine in the mail called Classic Modern Life which is a supplement to Traditional Home Magazine. I wanted to let you in on the article, 10 ways to pick paint colors, because I think there is some great advice here. (I have revised this article slightly to note what I think is important & good advice. I have also added my two cents where I felt it was needed).
Tis the season to be painting....
Focus on the room's purpose. Some colors work perfectly for certain spaces but not for others. Match color to the room's purpose. Strong colors can make a kitchen feel cluttered, but white or pastels always work. For bedrooms, never use a dark shade - it's just not relaxing. For powder rooms, you can be fearless because they're such small spaces.
Start with favorite things. Use something you love as a jumping-off point to create a room's color scheme. For example, if you have a favorite cream-and-black toile chair, paint the walls cream and have ebony furniture & floors. If you have something really important, sentimental, or a painting you cannot live without -starting there for inspiration is almost always a good start because the chances that you tire of the color is slim.
Experiment with a new color. Paint is the most economical way to give a room a new look. When choosing a shade, go beyond what you think is right. Be dramatic. Aim for the WOW factor. If you think the color is too strong after you've painted, wait a bit. Fill the room with furniture and hang pictures. Once the room is put back together, the warmth of the objects may make the color work.
Try small doses. If you're hesitant about a color, try painting just one wall and keeping the other walls white or a neutral shade, such as a pale beige. The color becomes the focal point, and if the room is large, it will help ground the space.
Accentuate the details. If you want to use a bright tone but are afraid of painting a whole wall that color, opt for painting the room white and putting the bright hue on doors, moldings, and baseboards. You can reinforce the color through accessories.
Look out the windows. When deciding on a paint palette, think about the views from your windows. You can visually expand a space by bringing the colors you see outside your home, blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors and bringing the feeling of the outdoors in.
Match a color. One way to customize a room is to find a gorgeous flower, stone, or nearly any object at all, and having a color expert match it to a paint color for you. Using this method will give you a stunning color that no one else has.
Create Continuity. It's important that each room's color works with the next room. Paint hallways neutral shades then use fun hues for the rooms off of the hallway.
Hire a color expert. Having a trained eye lead you in the right direction is a priceless service. I try to let people know that with my color consultation service I don't just walk in and say, "paint this room orange". If all you're wanting is a color name & number, than you're probably right when you think it's not for you. Most often with color you want to know WHY...With my service I offer advice to tie together the entire house including tile, cabinets, carpet, furniture, window treatments and most importantly, answer the WHY. I help them understand how colors will change the psychology of the space and how to correctly relate their vision to those entering their home. Color truly changes everything.
(This is offered to local Atlanta residents or through our E-Services)
I love talking about COLOR! If you love color too visit this section of the blog :)
Happy Designing!
Heather
Rethink white. White walls give you more freedom to play with color in bedding, accent pillows, upholstered furniture, even art. There are hundreds of shades of white and they all have different undertones to them- from gray, to cream, and even bright undertones. White is not boring!
