Decoding Color!

Color can be complicated, but it doesn't have to be. I mean when did it become so agonizing? It was fun in elementary school, right? Didn't you just want to use every color in the entire crayon box?! So let's make it fun again! One of my favorite design tools is my color wheel. Whether you're hesitant in your approach to color or you're kicking down the paint store's door, you should have one. It helps the fearful gain some certainty and the bold to become masterful.  

When people think of color, for their homes especially, it tends to be one extreme or the other. It's either an overly saturated crayon box, or  it's colorless.  There is a whole beautiful, seemingly untapped, world in between.  So let's get to it!  

We'll start with Monochromatic color schemes, which are schemes consisting of various tones and shades of one color.  A great tool and example is a paint swatch. It typically shows a gradation of a certain color and it will help you to stay in the color family and pull off something great. Here is an example of a monochromatic room.





Inside-Outdesign.com

 

This violet scheme is successful because the violet is distributed in different values (light, medium, dark) and there is texture to add interest and depth, as in the wallpaper and fabric on the armchair.

 



Here is a room in blue. Don't be fooled by the white either.  It too has blue in it, but now we are getting far more technical than I intended. There isn't alot of change in value but there is an enormous amount of texture provided by the bold pattern mixing. From the pillows, to the drapes, to the artwork, this    monochromatic palette is wonderfully executed. (Photo courtesy of designtothenines.com)

Complimentary color schemes consist of colors that are directly across from eachother on the color wheel like red and green, blue and orange, and yellow and violet. Here are some examples of these schemes in rooms.



CountryLiving.com

 

Although this room is mostly green, you can see how the red stands out making this laundry room cheery and harmonious.

HGTV.com

These blue walls and drapes are the perfect backdrop for this lovely mid-century dining set.  Although there are accessories that bring in blue's compliment, orange, the tone of the wood is also orange.  This scheme would work just as well without the accessories.

Analogous color schemes consist of any three colors next to eachother on the color wheel. Such as yellow- orange, yellow, and yellow-green or red-violet, red, and red-orange. 



Amindondesign.com

 This analagous scheme is green, yellow-green, and yellow. This room, too, utilizes patterns and materials like metal to add visual interest to the space. Those little extras take the space to a whole nother level of sophistication.  

So the keys to decoding color are:

• Use a colorwheel to decide color scheme direction.

• Use various tones of the colors you choose; from muted to saturated (*a good rule is larger pieces, like walls and sofas, should be more toned down and smaller pieces, like vases and paintings, can be more vibrant).

• Add texture with materials, patterns, and artwork.  This extra layer will add dimension to the space.

•  Everything has a color, even wood and metal. So keep them in mind as you decorate as well.

•  Have fun!

Feel free to contact me with complex color questions.  I know it can be intimidating at times so fire away, and best of luck on your color journey!