“It’s only paint!” can be a motivating adage when one needs a fresh, revitalizing look to existing tired, dull looking space. Color is amazingly emotional and personal. Within us we all have color preferences as specific as our DNA. Color can calm us down; tranquil shades of light blues and greens sending spa-like cues for us to relax, become interiorly settled and quiet. Vibrant orange, red and yellow speed us up and keep us moving quickly. (Ever notice fast food spaces: the vibrant yellows of McDonalds, intense reds of Wendy’s, or the oranges in Burger King’s interior and marketing signage?)
Selecting a paint color can be daunting if you “think too much”! Be true to how color affects you.
Selecting a paint shade that complements an existing room is easier than you know. The “right” shade can literally “finish” your room. A design principal to be aware of is that everything lives in relationship to that which is near. If the wall palette chosen is similar to fabrics, upholstery, rug, even accent pieces in a room, you achieve a monochromatic effect…the space feels bigger since the color hues are similar. Conversely, choose a color which contrasts those items and you get higher contrast. Think of artwork framed. The frame alone makes the scene stand out. Place matting around that same scenery within the frame. The matting color selected around the scenery highlights that similar color in the scenery.
I’ve been a Benjamin Moore girl for years. I love their product and its performance as a former interior painter. The American & Historical palettes endure and compliment most interiors. Open their 2015 Color Trends for wonderful possibilities. http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/welcome-to-benjamin-moore?utm_source=eblast&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=trends15_ad_us&sp_rid=Mzk5NTA3OTYyNgS2&sp_mid=47337291
Recently, I did my bedroom in Guilford Green HC-116. This is the last hue prior to my sleep and first to wake come mornings’ light. Smiling and still loving it!
-DM
