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GLORIOUS TECHNICOLOR
Wendy Darke, designer at Design Inspiration sheds some light.
Red, Yellow and Pink and Green,
Orange, Purple and Blue… we can
all remember the song, but today
the choice of colour is seemingly
endless with more sophisticated
names such as, Ruby Medallion,
Indian Sand and Azure Fusion.
We all know the feeling of putting on
a coloured sweater or adding a dash
of lipstick to make us feel brighter.
Well the same can be said of the use
of colour in our homes, but it is how
we use them and the combination of
the colours that is key to achieving a
successful scheme.
As interior designers, we know how
to use colours effectively to create
the right look in each room. Using
tricks of the trade described in this
feature you too will know the secrets
of combining, contrasting or toning
colours together, to get the look
that’s right for you.
Certain colours work better in
different environments, red for
example, in its strongest form, can be
very dramatic and successful and can
work extremely well in a dining
room, to create a warm, intimate,
ambience, by toning it with gold it
creates a more classic look and
teaming it with neutrals and whites
can soften it for use in a bedroom.
When painting with red you may well
require more than two coats to get
the depth of colour required. If you
are not confident of using red you
could always start by adding red
accessories to a more neutral scheme.
Other colours evoke different moods:
blues are restful and although not
always cold they can make walls
recede and are often better used in
well lit rooms with a southerly
aspect, they are ideal for smaller areas
to create an illusion of space.
Deeper tones of blue can be
sophisticated and regal whilst azure
tones with white are bright and clean.
Green is a peaceful colour associated
with nature, and can be fresh when
using apple shades teamed with
whites. But watch out for artificial
lighting on grey/greens as the colour
can be drained, green tones well with
almost any other colour and are great
mixed with natural textures.
Yellows are sunny and cheery, very
successful for under lit areas such as
corridors and hallways, gold
derivatives are classy and look
fantastic combined with creams.
Orange is currently popular and is
zinging and zestful, softer tones of
this such as peach and deeper tones
of terracotta have also been in fashion
in years gone by, a warm colour full
of energy, but be careful and use
orange sparingly.
Violet, although a soft pretty shade,
needs a complementary colour or a
warm cream to make it feel more
inviting and not so cold. Violet is a
soothing, relaxing colour often used
in spas. Harmonised with purple it
can be very sumptuous and opulent.
A rule of thumb to remember is that
darker colours, used in large areas,
can bring the walls in, so in line with
popular decorating, a feature wall in a
stronger colour could add the
dramatic effect required to a room,
whilst toning down the other walls
and by adding complementary
accessories in smaller quantities, this
will tie the scheme together and
bring a balanced look to the room.
To make a long narrow room feel like
it has square proportions try
colouring the opposite two narrowest
walls in a darker shade to shorten
them.
Hot Tips!
Research – it’s important to spend
time getting your ideas for the room.
Use magazines for inspiration or if a
scarf, candle or piece of pottery is the
perfect colour, use this as your
starting point. Collect samples and
create a mood board and live with
them in the room before embarking
on your project. Time spent now will
save expensive mistakes.
Remember, paint samples are a good
way of testing colours before going all
the way. However when painting the
whole room they can look slightly
different than the tester. Check in all
light situations.
Using three colours or shades can
work best. A good idea is to divide
the room up into floors, walls,
upholstered furniture and soft
furnishings by using your main colour
on only 70% of the room, 20% in
the complementary second colour
and 10% on you accent colour.
With accessories, you will achieve a
balanced and professional look.
If in doubt, employ the services of an
interior designer who will be only too
pleased to put together a scheme
that not only suits you, but your home
and your budget too. That way you
are sure to get it right! |
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