Color in design is very subjective, it can set the mood, it can enhance the function of a room, it can make the room larger or smaller, or can make the room warmer or cooler. Different light sources - natural light, florescent bulb and incandescent bulb will make the same color look different. Color from a ceiling light will look different from a table lamp. Surrounding colors can have an impact on the wall color. Natural light can be either sunlight - light coming directly from sun, or, … [Read more...]
Color Harmony
Color Harmony - Harmony is something that pleases the eye. Color harmony is a common term used in interior designing that helps designers chooses colors that don't clash with each other. A successful color combination begins with understanding the color schemes and using them appropriately. I have explained various color schemes and have examples that illustrate them. nature - look to nature and take inspiration from nature - look at butterflies, peacocks, fall colors, water falls, … [Read more...]
Ceilings – Your 5th Wall!
Ceilings are often ignored. White Ceilings gives an illusion of space, it can make the ceiling appear closer in a room with a low ceiling, yet will also make the ceiling seem farther away in rooms with high ceilings. White or light tints of white ceiling can brighten a dark room by bouncing light back into the room. White is the ultimate neutral color, which means you ceiling will go with any wall color. Color on the ceiling tends to add more character and can even be highlighted as a focal … [Read more...]
60:30:10 Rule in Designing
An old designer's rule called 60-30-10 which when applied will always be harmonious - 60% of a dominant color; 30% of a secondary color; 10% of an accent color. This rule guides you in choosing the right amount of colors to make the room balanced and cohesive. To blend a variety of colors best is to choose a neutral wall paint otherwise pick the color scheme from the largest pattern in the room. Repeat the largest color palette a few times in the room to help connect everything together, but … [Read more...]
Paint Options
matt or flat finish paint is usually used in the interior walls as this does not reflect lighteggshell finish paint is similar to matt but adds a bit of luster and easier to clean compared to matt satin finish or semi-gloss paint reflects sunlight and are easy to clean priming your walls is a very important step in getting your walls ready to paint, especially, if your surface is not flat, unfinished, never painted before, or painting over a glossy surface. primer is formulated to adhere … [Read more...]
Color Zoning
Color Zoning is a technique where color is used to define areas in a room. This technique can be very effective in a room that lacks distinctive architectural features. It can also create a focal point along with adding a new function to the room. See my examples below, where turquoise blue is used to define the dining room, green color defines the bedroom, and fuchsia wall defines the desk area and also as a focal point. Green beam below adds an architectural element in the room which otherwise … [Read more...]
Understanding Complementary and Split-Complementary Color Schemes
complementary colors a.k.a. contrasting colors are 180° opposite to each other on the color wheel and they always go well. In the blue color room, note how beautifully the shade of red adds intensity the room. Interestingly, mixing complementary colors creates a variety of brown shades. contrast circles: http://rjohnhowe.wordpress.com/2010/02/08/color-in-oriental-rugs-and-textiles-part-1/ yellow wall: … [Read more...]
Understanding Stripes
vertical stripes on the wall can make the room look taller, see examples below: source: decorpad source: http://www.shelterness.com/25-ideas-to-decorate-walls-with-stripes/pictures/6379/ source: http://02eb09c.netsolhost.com/WordPress/?p=2794 green kitchen: http://houseplansandmore.com/resource_center/designing-small-kitchens.aspx similarly, horizontal stripes can draw eyes around the room black stripes … [Read more...]
Understanding Monochormatic Color Scheme
Monochromatic color scheme is when various shades of one single color is used. This scheme is very easy on your eyes and looks balanced, but if not designed carefully lacks color contrast might not turn as vibrant as the complementary scheme. Check out Candice Olson's stunning monochromatic bedroom design which is very calming. Other examples below illustrates this scheme as well. white bedroom: … [Read more...]
Understanding Harmonious Colors
adjacent or harmonious colors - in this scheme, one color is used as a dominant color while others are used to enrich the scheme. Examples here illustrates this scheme: green and yellow: http://decorati0ns.net/decoration/category/interior-designs/page/15/ brown and orange: http://blindsandshutterblog.com/?p=101 green living room: http://www.positivelybeauty.com/27-examples-of-successful-colour-schemes/ … [Read more...]
Furniture
match the common elements in furniture's material and blend the common theme in upholstery such as stripes or paisleysofa looks the best on the longest wall of the room with art work or large mirror above the sofa to draw attentionplace the largest piece of furniture first, and the rest should balance fairly easily understand the traffic flow before placing the furniturelarge furniture will appear small if they match the wall colorpick your furniture first before you pick the wall … [Read more...]
Lighting
niche pendants: http://www.nichemodern.com/black pendants: www.menards.com/ http://www.menards.com/main/lighting-fans/indoor-lights/pendants/metal-shade-14-pendant/p-1374717-c-6357.htmhttp://www.menards.com/main/lighting-fans/indoor-lights/pendants/metal-shade-8-pendant/p-1374723-c-7245.htmhttp://www.menards.com/main/lighting-fans/indoor-lights/pendants/metal-shade-7-pendant/p-1374724-c-6357.htm both functional aspect and the visual aspect should be addressed in the form of direct and … [Read more...]