Do you ever wonder why you are attracted to one color over another? The effects of color on us are significant and yet subtle. Some colors excite us and others soothe. Warm colors such as the reds, oranges and yellows make a room feel intimate and cozy. Cool colors such as greens, blues and violets expand a room and make you feel calm and open.
Look at your own living room for example and see what the color of the walls and see what that might say about you! If you have a pink hue you are possibly someone who likes to experiment and is ready to try something new. Dark blue reveals that you are a dynamo that is positive and makes things happen in life and you are very social naturally.
What about black? You would think moody and depressed. But black, high gloss walls with white trim is very dramatic, formal and elegant. This combination makes quite a statement and if you dare to try this you definitely won’t be bored.
If you are not sure about using a bold color start with a small room like your powder room or an accent wall. Coordinate the color with something in the room like a furniture piece or artwork.
After you have picked out your paint color you now need to choose the right finish. Sheen levels impact both the aesthetic and functional aspects of a room. They affect the amount of light reflected from the painted surface, hiding or highlighting imperfections and influencing the color.
A flat or matte finish provides excellent depth of color and is ideal for imperfect surfaces. Flat is also the preferred sheen for ceilings because of its non-reflective qualities.
Eggshell sheen imparts a soft polished glow and provides an easy to clean surface that is perfect for high traffic areas.
A satin finish combines excellent durability with an understated sheen that is perfect for trim and walls where you don not desire the full sheen on a semi-gloss.
Semi-gloss is particularly durable and stands up to repeated cleanings which is a must for moldings and trim. Its smooth sheen provides a beautiful frame to a matte or eggshell wall.
When in doubt check with your designer to help you make these decisions.
The color wheel includes high-intensity, pure colors. You will no doubt not use many of the vibrant colors as they appear on the wheel but the principles associated with this wheel can help you create the effect you are looking for. The twelve colors in a standard color wheel are divided into three categories, primary colors, secondary colors and tertiary colors. When we speak of intensity of color we are describing the brightness or dullness of a color, while value refers to a color’s lightness or darkness. Add white to a color to create a tint. Add black to create a shade.