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Tuesday, July 4th, 2017
(The First of a Six-Part Series)
Cynthia Rowley’s Rivington 3-Over-3 Sofa together with the most colorful decorative elements to adorn a living room.
Adding color to your home – or at the very least, conceptualizing how the hues will make your habitat more amazing – is also a way to add more color to your life. Yet there are a lot of questions as to what paint color to use in a home as well as color predicaments like whether to pick gray or blue.
Of course we won’t be able to send you paint swatches just so you know how to begin your color 101 journey. What you can do is to read this series of color and paint basics that will teach you how to shop for the best colors and to effectively use them in your home.
This first of a six-part series will teach you about color fundamentals – this is more like a crash course to reading the color wheel and how to harmonize hues.
Matching and mixing colors is no easy business, though. Don’t get the idea that everyone can do this without any knowledge of color fundamentals, don’t feel, insecure in pairing unique hues, too. It’s all about learning the science and the art behind it all and being comfortable in using it in your own home.
Decorating with Hues
It is crucial to keep the color theory in mind when it comes to color decoration. Before you start thinking if it’s complicated or not, here are the basic principles –
Color theory also creates logical color structure. For instance, you could have a bunch of vegetables and fruits. Color theory would dictate that you would organize these based on their color relation. The oranges would sit next to the lemons while the lemons would be right next to the green apples which sit right next to the blueberries, and so on.
Don’t fret, it is not as complex as it seems to sound. You just have to, primarily, orient yourself to the color wheel. This is a tool, a handy helper of sorts, which will guide you in picking the specific colors – even down to the specific shades – that you want.
The color wheel comprises 12 basic colors which are –
When dealing with paint, remember these terms –
Shade means any pure hue fused with black.
Tone is a hue mixed with gray.
Hue is any pure color with the exception of white or black.
Tint is a color mixed with white.
Here are the fundamental color harmonies that you need to keep in mind –
Analogous hues are three hues that sit side-by-side on your color wheel such as green, yellow green and yellow.
Note that every hue outside of these already come from a mixture of hues to varying degrees.
Use the color wheel and these basic color guides so you don’t go wrong. Also, make it a point to look at Mother Nature for color inspirations. Just imagine a red flower encircled by green and yellow leaves. All these, the color of the leaves, the flowers and grass, all are inspirations for your color palette.
What about you, what are your color inspiration sources? Look around you – the possibilities are actually endless.
Tags: color 101, color basics, color choices, color combination, color fusion, color options, color palette, color schemes, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Color 101: Using the Color Wheel, Choosing and Matching Hues
Wednesday, April 6th, 2016
Living Room Uttermost Altair Red Console Cabinet 24404 is vibrant, attractive and one-of-a-kind.
Many designers casually use the terms tint, hue, shade or tone when referring to colors. But do most homeowners actually understand the meaning of each? Or are they just different names for the same term? The painter has to know the difference in each so he will be able to communicate effectively about color mixing and his painting job in general. As a homeowner, perhaps, it is about time to get to know the terms often used when it comes to paint and color schemes.
The term hue is far from being complex. This is a reference to color more specifically the colors found on the color wheel. If you are familiar with the color wheel, then you’d know that there are three primary colors which are red, blue and yellow. The secondary colors are violet, green, and orange. The tertiary colors are those that fill in the gaps between the primary and secondary hues.
Have you noticed how black or white is not considered a color? And have you wondered further where they should be located in the color wheel? You won’t have to worry about these two because you won’t
Canadel Dining Room Arm Chair CHA5040TF has a sienna washed colored fabric.
find them on the color wheel. What you need to study are how shades, tones and tints can be variations of different hues that are found on the color wheel once black or white are mixed with any of them.
Canadel Dining Room Arm Chair CHA5040TF has a sienna washed colored fabric.
Hello New Colors
You probably love colors but very few people are familiar with the most exotic hues used in interior design. There are literally hundreds of colors that you need to become familiar with if you want to be well-versed in color knowledge. For example, there are hundreds of blue shades. Most of the time, there are even histories involved in the creation of a unique color.
Why not be the first one in your group to extensively discuss these new hues?
For the first example, there’s smalt.
Smalt is a deep blue shade that is often used in ceramics. Literally, this is glass that is made when cobalt salts a11re mixed with molten glass. This mixture creates purple undertone that is barely distinguishable. It offers a luminescent quality which is why it is best used on statement walls.
The next new color on our list is byzantium. This is a lively purple shade that is sometimes interchanged with fuchsia. Byzantium is derived from purple while fuchsia comes from pink.
Byzantium looks great with gray, black, yellow or blue.
Cordovan is a rich hue of brown or burgundy. This is often associated with leather, mostly leather sofas. The name came from Cordova city in Spain which is famous for its manufacture of fine leather.
Sienna is one of the more famous colors on this list of unique hues. It is reddish brown and is often used in earthy themes. Its name comes from Siena, Italy and is also used in reference to clay that contains manganese oxide and iron oxide.
Vermilion also comes with a bright red hue. It can also be reddish orange at times. This is a classic shade that is used on many gorgeous lamps and lacquer ware.
‘Ever heard of gamboge? This is that deep mustard yellow color that got its name from the gamboge tree. This tree secretes a mustard yellow sap, hence, the name. Imagine having a pair of sofas in the gamboge hue. It’s sublime.
Pavo is another shade of blue but it is electric blue that is closest to the colors of peacock feathers. This can be best described as the marriage of deep turquoise and royal blue. Try pavo as the color of your sofa throw pillows.
Lastly, there’s aubergine. You have probably heard of this deep brownish purple hue before. This is just like the color of eggplants. Add this to a shade of turquoise or gray and you’ll achieve a unique color mixture that will catch people’s attention.
Tags: adding colors to a home, bold, bold color palette, bold design, bold interiors, bold statement, color choices, color combination, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, unique interior design colors
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
Saturday, March 26th, 2016
The Thomasville Living Room Margeaux Chair 1185 15 will be sublime in a colorful backdrop.
A client who wants to consult a color consultant is someone who might have already taken multiple trips to a paint store. She must have a collection of paint swatches, she might even have samples already used on the walls yet she still cannot make up her mind regarding what to do. These are the kinds of people who might think that they do not have an inkling about what to do but all that their minds need to do is to visualize and have the confidence to carry out their vision.
Do you need a color professional? Don’t fret because it is not difficult to find one. Just type the keywords – color consultant – online and you should be able to find a list in no time. There are also other professionals who might already be working in your home. Just look at those painters, architects and contractors. They might know a number of color consultants that could meet your color requirements.
The Color Consultant – Who Is He?
Uttermost Accessories Vintage License Plates Clock 06675 is a colorful addition to a neutral room.
Interview several candidates before considering someone. You would want to establish a working relationship with this person so there’s gotta be chemistry. Ask also for their references so that you will know what past projects they have made, especially those that are similar to yours.
Color proficiency also requires the color consultant to provide what you think is a wonderful hue. Getting a sense of what the client actually wants and the duration and scope of the project are the things that they want to grant.
The consultancy could be as short as a single session or the consultant might ask for several meetings. This all depends on the process that is about to be undertaken and the complexity of the painting project.
It is wrong to think that the color consultant will tell you what to do. He may be an expert but he can only give some advice. You still are the client so your preferences are given priority. Hourly rates can range from $85 to $200 USD. To get an average approximation about the color consultancy, the three to four bedroom home can be given an expert advice in about three to four hours. Of course, this time varies depending on how indecisive the client is.
Uttermost Accessories Vintage License Plates Clock 06675 is a colorful addition to a neutral room.
There are also color consultants who charge for a flat fee. This fee already includes the follow-up visits. Initial visits are often just a walk-through the home that is about to be painted. The consultants then envision what kind of color scheme would work during this first visit. It can be difficult for some clients to envision things using mere paint chips. The consultant, therefore, has to be able to offer 50 draw-downs in various neutrals.
The neutrals can be shown in their finishes such as the flooring or the countertop. Here, the client will be able to see which works and what shouldn’t be given much time. After this walk-through, a brainstorming session usually follows. The color swatches are then brought out by the consultant and held up against the walls. The client should have an idea about the decision that she will make by looking through the samples.
Most consultants ask for their client’s most-used or favorite room. To the perennial workaholic, this could be the home office; to the foodie, this is definitely the kitchen or the dining room.
No consultant will force his favorite colors on you. What they want to achieve is a happy customer and they are only able to do this if they personalize the rooms in a client’s home. They would only recommend colors that can endure the test of time and those that will work well when you begin furnishing the rooms.
The color consultant is there to help should you start feeling dizzy around the swirling color suggestions of family and friends. It’s time to rely on his proficiency.
Tags: color choices, color combination, color consultant, color in interior design, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Color Schemes, The Interior Designer | No Comments »
Monday, January 18th, 2016
This neutral-colored bed from the Bergman Bedroom Collection of Jonathan Louis is perfect with yellow curtains, that yellow chair at the foot of the bed, and yellow-striped bolster, and other yellow accessories.
The color yellow is a wonderful hue. It is intense, it is bright, and it can even evoke the strongest emotions. Yellow is an attention-grabbing color yet it can also become abrasive should you make the mistake of overusing it. This color can appear bright and warm but in the wrong hands, it can also be visually tiresome.
Yellow can cause eye fatigue because of the high amount of light which it can reflect. The use of this color as a wallpaper on computer monitors can cause eye strain, even vision loss for some. Though this is the case, it can also be used (in moderation) to grab people’s attention. This is why yellow is used mostly in most roadside advertisements.
Lamps and Lighting Uttermost Oratino Burnt Yellow Lamp 26476 at McCreerys Home Furnishings. This fascinating lamp comes with a crackled ceramic. You will love the burnt yellow glaze as well as the rust bronze detail.
The Sunny Color
Using yellow in interior design means you are ready to stage warm and happy feelings inside your home.
Color therapy makes use of this color to evoke feelings of happiness in people. In interior design, it creates coziness and feelings of warmth. This is quite a popular color for wall paints.
Splashes of yellow can be used inside your home through golden carpet hues, warm room furniture, and yellow lighting fixtures. Accessories in yellow can also make a rather dull room appear more exciting.
Yellow is a highly recommended color for decorating rooms. This is the color that can brighten up any dark, gloomy room. Painting the walls light yellow, creamy yellow or any yellowish tint on wallpapers is great for small and dark rooms.
Mix decorative items of yellow and colors that match this lovely hue. If you have used yellow as paint or wallpaper, then find a neutral color for your ceiling and floor. This should balance the looks of your interiors while also creating a pleasant atmosphere.
Yellow can be so many things – it can be juicy, subtle, even dimmed. The living room walls can be painted with this juicy shade. If used as a tint, it can be mixed with brown, cream or brick red. Speaking of duos, what could be considered as the marital pair for yellow is the color green. This is a combination that is typically used in kitchens and children’s bedrooms. Bright accessories can be a fusion of two colors: red, coral, blue, orange or turquoise.
If you want to use yellow inside classical interiors, then have it combined with white. This is a great mixture for dining rooms, offices and living rooms. These two colors can make any room look larger, clean and bright. If you used the color combination as a backdrop, then be sure to use moss-colored, terracotta, or burgundy accessories. Wooden oak furniture will also look great inside such interiors.
If, on the other hand, you decide to use yellow and white furniture and accessories, then be sure to have a more exciting ceiling to floor colors such as lilac, green, or shades of blue.
It is also safe to experiment with yellow and chocolate. You will never go wrong with this combination as it offers a warm contrast to the usual sunny feelings that yellow evokes. Mix the same color with red and you will instantly bring life into a room.
Purple is also a great combination for bright yellow. Children’s rooms often come with pastel green with purple accessories. This is never irritating to the eye.
All in all, yellow can be used in different shades and can be easily combined with many different colors. Just learn to put balance these awesome colors by knowing their limits. Just remember this – too much of anything can always annoy.
Yellow lemons – in this case oranges – can add a unique tinge of yellow on your dining table. This wooden masterpiece is from FFDM’s Sunset Collection available at McCreerys Home Furnishings.
Tags: bright colors, bright hues, bright paint colors, brightening up rooms, color combination, color fusion, color psychology, contrast, guidelines, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, tint, tips, warm colors, yellow, yellow color palette, yellow in interior design, yellow interior design, yellow interiors
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
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