Archive for Design Notebook
Painting with Color Series: Part 3 Considerations
Posted by: | CommentsNow that we talked about Color Terminology and Basic Color Schemes, we are on to What to Consider when Using Color. When planning a paint project, the things that should also be considered when choosing the perfect hue are:
Architectural Features: What features are you dealing with in an interior room? A fireplace, built-in bookshelves, cove ceiling, lots of windows, tile, cabinets, or wood trim could be contributing factors to the finished project. What style of decor is being used to compliment these features? Country, Modern, Traditional or Victorian? If you are doing an exterior application- what style of home is it? California Craftsman, Colonial, Cottage or Contemporary? The trim and color story to each of these styles is very distinct and recognizable.
Fixed Colors: The color of a room, home or entire building should be compatible with the “fixed” or surrounding colors. Those “fixed” items are things that cannot or will not be moved or painted. In an interior room, consider: carpet or flooring, furniture, window coverings, artwork, wood trim, tile or stone, and cabinetry. On exterior projects, consider: roofing, wood trim, brick or stonework.
Surroundings: When painting an interior space, take into consideration those colors not only in that room, but in rooms adjacent to it. This is crucial in establishing a harmonious color scheme. Ignoring this one “rule” can quickly create an amateur look in your decorating. For exterior applications- it is also important to consider the hues of your landscaping, any fencing or hardscaping, and even the homes and buildings nearby. (Painting your home green with a red house next door can spell disaster!) 
Color Restrictions: This rule applies mostly to those homes and areas that are in historic areas or preservation projects, but if you are trying to achieve an authentic look, you should learn about what your restrictions could be.
Optical Effects of Certain Hues: Did you know that a paint color can actually alter the dimensions of your room? It can’t literally do that, but it can visually alter how the dimensions are perceived. A light-colored paint will most often enhance a small space. A darker shade usually creates a more intimate, cozy feel to a room. Use this to your advantage, instead of to your room’s detriment. Ceiling too low? Raise it by painting a lighter color on your walls and wrapping it up onto your ceiling. (No there is NO rule that ceilings must be white!) Room to narrow? Widen it by painting the shorter walls deeper than the longer walls. (Just a shade or two deeper.) Faux painting and tromp’loi techniques use this perception to their advantage!
Range of Sheen Choices: The correct sheen or finish to a paint is both important visually and practically. Most brands come in at least 4 or more levels of sheen. Gloss paint reflects the most light: then in declining order of sheen are: semi-gloss, eggshell, satin, low-luster, and flat (with no sheen). Using gloss or sheen can make trim, ceilings or walls have more depth and are much more noticeable that a flat finish. From a practical standpoint, the correct sheen can help extend the life of a paint project. Higher sheen levels offer the most durability, while lower sheen levels offer increased hiding capabilities. Ex: a semi-gloss paint would be good for a mudroom, a bathroom or a child’s room; while a low-luster paint finish would be better suited to a dining area or master suite. So many of my clients have to repaint because the correct finish hasn’t been used in the appropriate space. Save yourself time and money by choosing correctly with each project.
WOW.. that was a lot of info! I promise tomorrow’s post will be shorter and even more fun, as we’ll talk about Color Psychology!
Let me know what your greatest challenge has been in choosing paint color…
Painting with Color Series: Part 2 Basic Color Schemes
Posted by: | CommentsHaving learned some color terminology (here), we are ready to move on to learning just a bit about Basic Color Schemes. It is a bit hard to go into great detail in a post, but I’ll just give you the highlights here…
When working with a color wheel, it’s possible to create virtually an infinite number of color palettes and schemes. And, there are no hard and fast rules for choosing a color system. But there are certain color schemes that are most appealing to the human eye.
Those schemes are generally pulled from one of these Categories: 
* Monochromatic: Uses only a single hue, but in different values. It is the easiest of all color schemes to understand and master. It produces a classy, timeless look.
* Analogous (or Adjacent): Combines 2 or more colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. Ex: blue-green, blue, and blue-purple. One of these hues is usually dominant. The added hues can make this scheme even more striking than a monochromatic scheme.
* Complementary: Combines 2 or more colors that are opposite of each other on the color wheel. Ex: blue and orange. Again, one of these hues is chosen as the dominant one. Because of the contrast nature of these colors, this scheme can be a stimulating one.
* Split-Complementary: Essentially a complementary scheme with one additional hue. Ex: instead of blue and orange, use blue and the two colors next to orange, such as yellow and red. This choice provides one more color to accent or highlight features with.
* Double-Split Complementary: Basically, this scheme is a complementary one with two additional hues. Ex. Instead of blue and orange, use the two colors on either side of those colors, such as shades of purple and teal with yellow and red. Again, more color options to accent with.
* Triadic: Uses three hues that are in a triangle on the color wheel- such as yellow, red and blue. Once again, one hue is usually most dominant.
* Neutral: These are made up from black, gray and white, which do not appear on the color wheel. That’s because they are technically not real colors. They are called “neutrals”, instead. In addition to their importance in creating tints, shades and tones, neutrals like black and white are almost vital in creating contrast in any of the above color schemes.
Now that our “technical” information is covered, we will move on to things we should consider when choosing a color. See you back here tomorrow… remember, I will be answering any questions that you leave in the comment area too!
Painting with Color Series: Part 1 Color Terminology
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I get so many questions about using color, I thought I would post about it. This first Color Series will be on how to use the color wheel and some tips on using the color wheel when selecting paint colors. Additional color posts will be about actually decorating with color, once we learn some basics.
One of the most powerful ways to create change in our environments is the use of color. It can whisper, it can shout, it can brighten, or even fool the eye. Color can set a mood, a tone, or a style.
It’s exactly because color can do so many things that choosing color can become confusing or even overwhelming. It’s important to consider many things when selecting color. But first… I want to familiarize you with the some Color Terminology.
HUE: The technical term for what most people refer to as color. For example- light green, medium green, and dark green are all the same color or hue- green.
Hues are rarely used in the pure form in which they appear on the color wheel, because of their intensity. In their pure state, they have a tendency to appear too bright or raw. Softer or muted tones appeal to our human eye more than the pure hues. Typically, lighter or darker variations of these pure colors are used.
Those variations of color are achieved by adding white, gray, or black to a hue. When this is done, it’s value changes.
VALUE: This simply refers to the lightness or darkness of a hue.
TINTS, SHADES & TONES: By adding white to a color, the result is a tint of that hue- which is lighter in value than the pure hue. When adding black to a color, the result is a shade of that hue, which is darker than the pure color. By adding gray, the result is a tone, which is a muted version of a pure hue.
So, with hues, values, tints, shades and tones, endless colors can be created. Oh my!!
So, stop back tomorrow to learn more about using color. Oh, and if you’d like a specific question answered about color… leave it in the comments and I will answer them too!
Have a “Colorful” evening…
Butter, Mushrooms and Mustard… A ColorWay
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Snap-Shot of a Design in Progress:
Just wanted to share with you this lovely elegant colorway I put together for a client. We are designing a comfortable, family-friendly, yet entertaining ready, living area. The fabrics are all durable, kid friendly fibers, that will wear well with daily life for this busy family’s lifestyle, yet let the adults in the space feel welcome.
The track arm sofa will be done out of the tweed style fabric that subtly incorporates all of the colors in the room. It will be accompanied by darker mushroom traditional style gray leather chairs. The softer butter and mustard prints, along with a mushroom linen, will make up the window seat cushions and assorted pillows. The updated linen damask print with gray, cream and soft mustard will be made into roman shades for the windows. A creamy ultra soft micro-suede will give the round, tufted ottoman with over-sized nail heads, durability with a luxurious touch.
To add character to a non-descript room, the room will be wrapped on 2 sides with built-in bookcases, cabinets and window seats all in a very soft buttery cream. The fireplace will be a chunky, yet slim stacked slate in soft warm and cool neutrals. The wood floor will be warmed by a vintage look tapestry rug. Other elements in the room include: creamy damask linen wallpaper, muted sienna wall color (for a bit of a contrast), and painted wainscoting near the built-ins.
To keep the room from being too formal or traditional, the accessories and art will have a clean simple modern look, along with the tailored track arm on the sofa. Accessories will include artwork, family photos, modern pottery, and a mix of distressed bronze and antique brass lighting with drum shades. A few surprises will be thrown in- including a few vintage items, some mercury glass candlesticks, forsythia bush twigs, and re-purposed burlap coffee sack pillows to keep things from looking too styled and decorated. 
I design my client’s rooms to represent their personalities, their stories and their lifestyles. Adding a few unexpected elements gives a lived-in, collected feel to the space. It shouldn’t feel like a decorator has been there, it should feel like them.
Does your home feel like you?
Does it work with your lifestyle… does it fit your personality? Tell me about your space…
Updating a Dining Space:
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Would you like to update your eating area and create a special dining space? Are you longing to bring that open-concept living area a bit more formality? Is entertaining something your dining area isn’t up to? If you envision a dining space that is simple enough for family dinners, yet special enough for entertaining or a romantic dinner, here are some tips to get your dining space moving in the right direction.
1. Lighting is Key: Make sure your lighting is on dimmers, harsh lighting feels like you’re eating in a cafeteria. Candlelight is even better!
2. Slipcovers: A great way to add some design to your space is to slipcover a few of the chairs. Don’t do all of them, chose a combo to make more of an impact.
3. Panels: Add some drapery panels. Fabric absorbs sound and creates a cocoon-like feel, making the space more intimate.
4. Centerpiece: Create a centerpiece that sets the tone for your space. It can be a large floral, a rustic tray with a seasonal arrangement, or a candle menagerie. Think simple with “wow” factor.
5. Color: Don’t forget the backdrop- color defines your space and your design. Whether it is a warm chocolate, a romantic coral, or a earthy green, let color shape your design.
A few simple changes and you could be on your way to a whole new space to enjoy your dining experience. Some of these spaces use color as their defining statement, others use texture, and others use a unique focal point, but all have a specifically defined style that isn’t boring.
I love how the slipcovers blend the styles of chairs, I love how color can make one piece pop, I love how vintage pieces can create that gathered over time feel. Adding a modern or clean-lined piece can make the space less formal and less expected as well.
Don’t fall into the trap of purchasing a dining set from the store and bringing home every piece in the collection. Your room will quickly look like an outdated store display and will not feel personal or unique. If you already have that situation, make some of the changes above to start defining your space. Consider breaking up the set, or even painting some of the pieces to make it your own.
Whatever you do, have fun with your dining area. Dining should be a lingering experience, a time to savor the food, the ambiance, the conversation, and the company. Enjoy it. Celebrate it.
(Photos from Coastal Living, Southern Living & House Beautiful)
