by JJ May
Simply said, some of us have it and some of us don’t. Just as there’s those of us out there who have the knack for dancing, the talent for singing, and the brains for being a surgeon; there are those who have the know how in choosing colours for the home.
That being said just like many of the other things I’ve listed this too can be learned. So, for all who are inept at choosing colour, here is your chance to gain some credibility with friends, family and co-workers.
Often colour choices come down to how colour will make us feel. The population is split into those who gravitate towards warm tones and those who gravitate towards cool tones. However our choices lie deeper than that. I often find that colours are reflective of a mood, event, moment in time ect…
Think of a time in your life that made you happy! A time with your family as a child, a great trip you took during your college years, the day you got engaged or married, or perhaps the day you had your first child.
Maybe you have memories of the best kiss of your life … where you were, what the mood was and how you felt? Many of these influences sit in our conscience and influence the way that we feel.
If I thought about times as a child, visions of greens and blue would jog my memory, as I spent my time on the golf course, at camp and cottaging with my family.
If I went back to a time during my college/university years when I was traveling, colours of white, lavender, blues, greens and even browns would float threw my memories and bring back my time of walking the seaside cobblestone streets of St. Tropez France.
However; a deep dark brown, soft yellow (mimicking to a warm glow), cream, charcoal grey and an amazing clear blue, are for me the colours that describe that moment in time where that one kiss just left me breathless.
It’s all about finding something that brings you comfort. Something that will bring you the inspiration you’re looking for or the calm you need/ want. When you reflect upon these moments you’ll remember the colours around you and more than often these are colours that will work together. However if you can’t see them all, if you don’t have the photographic memory of some, then pull out the most prominent colour from your moment. This is your starting point, the one colour that can start the design or redesign of your space. If you can find a candle, pillow or vase in this colour then this can be your go to in mixing and matching your colours & textures.
For me I’d start with the clear blue that stands out from my memory… something quite similar to PARA’ Cuff Link P5005-34D. The first decision, is this colour going on the walls or showing up as an accent in the space (couch, curtains, pillows, lamps shades)?
Maybe the colour you’ve chosen for your space is going on the walls and maybe it’s going on only one or two walls as not to overpower the space. When working with colour you always have to find that balance, however when you’re working with neutral colours (white, black, browns, taupe’s, greys & khakis) it’s also all about making sure you’re bringing the warm and cool colours in, just to give the space some life.
Knowing that I’ve started with a cool and calming blue (one with a slight grey undertone) I’ll look to some warm neutrals to envelope me in the space. For me I’m considering colours for a family room, if it were a bathroom a completely different story. With a bathroom the blue would hit the walls, however for a family room this blue I would use more as an accent (pillow’s, carpet & throw). Remembering the warm feeling from my memory I’m looking for a grey that will envelope me in the space. Grey can be a little tricky as more often than not greys are found in cooler tones. A fabulous grey that works with many colour schemes is PARA’ Digital P5255-62, this is a great neutral for almost any space. Two colours down, for some that’s where they’ll stop, however for many of us building blocks to a more complete palette. To complete this space a deep dark brown and a cream which will bring some openness. Try PARA’ Fresh Brew P5239-73 and Steamy Summer Air P5064-14 for colours reflective these tones.
Just remember if you go bold and loud on the walls you’ll want more neutral pieces for your furniture & flooring. However when you choose to use neutral tones on your wall(s) don’t be afraid to bring something bold in with the furniture pieces you’re choosing.
At the end of the day it’s all about you and what you want! If you’re leaning towards a lime green then go with it, just always look for a balance. Maybe you feel comfortable in choosing one or two of the primary colours you want but still need some help with completing the look.
That’s where you local paint store and their colour experts come in. Their years of experience and the numerous colour palette combinations they’ve seen will definitely lend to the look you’re trying to achieve. Warm or cool, modern or classic… your local paint dealer can help pull it all together.
