Color Wheel 
...the circular rainbow
Color comes first. Whether it's in the first impression or the final analysis of what makes a room work, color is the key to successful decorating. Without it, even the loveliest furnishings go flat. Conversely, color can turn everything, even eyesores, into visual pleasures. Color works magic, too, by visually stretching or shrinking space, raising and lowering ceilings, and even altering moods. Add the fact that color is inexpensive and you'll see whey it's such a decorating asset. If you've never been brake with color before, take heart. Courage comes from understanding how color works. On this page I'll show you how to scheme you way to success!
Color Wheel ...the circular rainbow
Color is the easiest way to create harmony from one connecting space to another, even if it is merely a neutral color that is in common. However, when two rooms are virtually within the same space, it will feel more comfortable if they also have at least one common pattern or accent color. Begin with an inspiration piece for each room/space, such as a terrific piece of art, area rug, or fabric. Then unify adjoining spaces by emphazing the common colors of these items.
Understanding the color principles is the key to creating beautiful rooms, because the beauty of color is literally in the eye of the beholder. Scientifically, color is a property of reflected light, not a fixed quality of objects we see. When light hits an object, the object selectively absorbs and reflects wavelengths. Without light, we see blackness, but brighter light levels stimulate the eye's color receptors and we see color. Decorating schemes succeed if you, first, learn to speak color language!
The color wheel provides reliable and fascinating ways to explore color schemes. You can link color families to take advantage of thier contrasting qualities. A simple approach is a monochromatic color scheme that uses one hue in various tints and shades but provides enough contrast so as not to appeaer dull. Using harmonious colors - colors that are next to each other on the color wheel - is another method, either combining various tones or different ones. A combination of blue, blue-violet, and violet illustrates a harmony of colors.
You can even us the primary colors on the wheel for wonderful possibilities. While the intensity of the pure hues may be too strong for you, you could subdue the yellow to gold, the red to claret, and the blue to navy; the primaries take on a whole new feeling. Another triangle of colors - the secondaries of violet orange, and green - might work for you as well.
Complementary colors are pairing of colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel, such as red/green, orange/blue, or yellow-green/red-violet. Sometimes the more receding color (the cooler color) is given dominance the more advancing color is used as an accent. Think of a drapery in sage green and trimmed in a muted red. The colors are modified to lessen the visual contrast.
Finallly, there are color schemes that provide the maximum visual contrast. There are contrasts of tones such as black and white, black and yellow, or white and dark blue. The use of this stresses the dark to light tones.
To learn more about color and the Color Wheel...Click Here
...can do wonders!
Not only is paint the fastest and easiest way to redecorate it also changes a mood of a room more quickly and cheaply. If you use the same color, you will instantly brighten up any room. If you change colors, you will change the entire feel and atomsphere of the room. Rich, warm colors can make a room feel exactly that...rich and warm. Pastels can also be effective for subtle color and less drama. For small rooms, use light, bright pastels and shades. For large imposing rooms, you can use darker shades.
The color of the trim work around the windows, doors, and baseboards can make another significant difference. With a contrasting trim, you can create a visual effect that will accent the rooms' architectural features. With similarly-toned trim and accents, a calming or serene atmosphere is maintained. By painting the ceiling to match the walls, the utmost feeling of intimacy can be achieved.
Wallpaper
Pick your wallpaper to enhance the size and color of your room. In large rooms, you can use a bigger pattern and bolder colors. A large living room or dining room will accomadate large scale patterns, while a power room or smaller living area needs a scaled down version of patterns and colors. Wallpaper comes in a huge selectionof colors, prints, patterns, and styles.
Return to "Interiors by Caroline" Page
� 1998 [email protected]