Colors have a way of playing tricks with our eyes, besides the fact that they are ever changing. The true blue color that we remember is now seen as different shades and not as true as we once remembered. When choosing colors for fabrics, furniture and even for your walls you must take into consideration the lighting. A color that may look one way in a store may look completely different when brought home.
photo credit: shaire productions
Below are some tips to take into consideration when choosing colors.
- If choosing color for fabrics or different textiles it is best to check it under a different light or different location if possible. Perhaps placing the fabric or textile on the ground or on a counter may give the color a different shade or hue. This is important to do in the showroom or warehouse before bringing home and being disappointed.
- Ask for samples or color swatches – many showrooms use fluorescent or incandescent lighting, which will affect the color. Ask for a sample to bring home and view the color in the sunlight as well as artificial lighting. By looking at the swatch in different lighting you will see the different shades that would not be evident in a showroom. Neutral or lighter shades tend to have a hint of other colors that may be intensified by a particular type of lighting.
- Some surfaces may also tend to give off a different shade to color. Surfaces such as wood, textiles and trims are some of the surfaces that will affect the color and make it different than what it actually may be. Glossy surfaces will give a lighter appearance where textured surfaces will make the color appear darker. When attempting to match a color, surface texture will be a factor in your success.
The tips mentioned above also apply to paint colors. It is best to purchase a small container of paint and apply the paint to several areas of your home to notice the how the lighting may effect the color and shade. Be cautious when applying the paint to textured walls because the tips from above will also apply.
photo credit: iboy_daniel
Technorati Tags: choosing fabric colors, color samples, color swatches, lighting, paint samples, Paint Swatches
You’ve decided to decorate your home or perhaps your home is due for an updated look, the first thing to decide is the color. Color will give the room a different look and feel. An important fact to remember is that dark colors will make rooms look smaller and lighter colors will make rooms look bigger and more spacious. This is important when determining the color combination for a room. If you have a small room that needs to be repainted or just a new look and you like the dark shades, you may consider a border.
photo credit: EraPhernalia Vintage (somewhat busy)
There are all different techniques that can be accomplished with paint. Borders can be painted instead of the usual wallpaper. By simply using painter’s tape, the lines can be determined and shaded in with paint for a unique look. The borders do not have to be on the top portion of the wall anymore, they can be placed in the middle part of the wall as well for a more 3 dimensional feel. If stripes or borders are not your style you may consider a mural. Painting a mural on a wall of a child’s room will give it character and keep the child’s imagination alive. For the sports fanatic you can use paint to decorate a room or recreation room with colors and symbols.
The possibilities of paint are endless. The first thing to determine is color and room you will be painting. Once that is determined you can apply different techniques such as sponge painting, faux painting, borders and murals and so much more. When painting your walls with designs it is best to take into consideration, first the room you will be painting, then the lighting, and of course the furniture and accessories. All these factors play a major role in how your room will. Something else to keep in mind is if you paint a mural for instance in your child’s room you will want to pick something they can grow with. Having bunnies on the wall for a baby is great but when they become toddlers and older they will not be as cool. A simple wall can be easily painted but one with a mural has not only color but invested time and energy that you would not have wasted.
photo credit: accent on eclectic
Technorati Tags: color combinations, paint color, painted border, wall mural
When considering color combinations we need to first learn a bit more about color itself. The spectrum of color is made up of the three primary colors, blue, red and yellow. Using these three primary colors we are able to develop variations in color combinations.
The colors can then be broken down into further categories.
Two Primary colors combined make secondary colors. Secondary colors are: green, orange and violet
- Green results from combining blue and yellow
- Orange results from combining red and yellow
- Violet results from combining blue and red
photo credit: neys
Two Secondary colors are combined to make tertiary colors. Tertiary colors are: slate, citrine, and russet
- Slate is a result of combining violet and green
- Citrine is a result of combining green and orange
- Russet is a result of combining orange and violet
Two Tertiary colors combine to make quaternary colors. Quaternary colors are: sage, buff and plum
- Sage results from combining citrine and slate
- Buff results from combining citrine and russet
- Plum results from combining russet and slate
photo credit: Yvonne (bijoux & crafts)
It is amazing to see where the true colors derived from. When looking at colors it is nice to understand what others colors may have been combined to make a specific shade. That is why you will see colors put in to categories of blue hues, red hues and yellow hues. Understanding those simple combinations will help in determining the colors that will match best in your home along with your personality. If you tend to enjoy more vibrant colors you may lean to the secondary color combinations. Whereas if you enjoy more natural tones, you may be attracted more to the tertiary colors. To obtain the best combinations painting the walls is only one way to achieve the color combination, accessories, wall fixtures, furniture and lighting place an important role as well.
Technorati Tags: color combinations, primary colors, secondary colors, tertiary colors
