Choosing a color scheme can be a nerve-wracking business. For instance, I anguished over the colors to paint the exterior of my Victorian house, I ordered every book on old house painting that I could find, and I discovered that they all contradicted each other on the basic "rules."
Finally, the color scheme came to me. I would paint the house with my favorite colors! I love amber and red, so, fair gold and burnt red it became, along with temple green, dark-shutter green, dark amber, white, and black outlined windows.
Temple green paint for porch ceilings, believed to keep out evil spirits, is a historic Southern superstition and tradition. Even our local historic art museum had the electrical junction boxes painted in this color. Black outlining of the muttons and mullions (the wood window dividers) highlighted antique glass and added depth to the windows. This type of paint outlining is like eyeliner -- a makeup enhancement. The flat front edge of the window trim is painted in the sash trim color.
Traditionally, Southern porches were painted gray, but I like to feel grounded, so we painted our porches a deep green. This color anchors the porch floor to the green lawn, and during hot summer days, dark green is cooling. When the grass is brown during winter, green porches offer the promise of a green spring and relieve our gray days. Dark green paint with some black pigment mixed in gives a richer appearance than common green.
Grouping Colors for Harmony
Monochromatic color schemes, using varying shades, tones, and tints of the same color, give the impression of different colors and provide variety and interest. A single color scheme gives a unified, peaceful, and harmonious response. Monochromatic colors effectively establish an overall calming presence while tying things together, but can become boring or dull because of the lack of color contrast and liveliness.
The analogous, or side-by-side, color scheme adds depth, energy, and visual appeal. Using two or three related colors next to each other on the color wheel, analogous combinations are both flexible and attention-grabbing. The relationship of the related colors brings harmony to the setting. One problem with this type of color scheme is that inadvertently adding a fourth color spoils the effect. Analogous color combinations of yellow, red, and orange, although full of life, constantly heat up the space whereas, blue, teal, and green always visually cool a space.
Complimentary, opposite, or contrasting color combinations come from opposite sides of the color spectrum. A warm color, combined with a cool color, creates an interesting combination, such as yellow and purple, red and green, or blue and orange. They are also visually pleasing to most people. Because the two colors contain all three primary colors, the color scheme is complete and well-balanced.
There is a great body of literature devoted to color schemes, but if you're like me, the more you read, the more confused you can become. In the end, it's sometimes best just to do like I did with my beloved Victorian home, and begin your deliberations by thinking about the colors you personally like best.
(c) Copyright 2004, Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.
Professor Jeanette Fisher, author of Doghouse to Dollhouse for Dollars, Joy to the Home, and other books teaches Real Estate Investing and Design Psychology. For more articles, tips, reports, newsletters, and sales flyer template, see http://www.doghousetodollhouse fordollars.com/pages/5/index.htm
Interior remodeling can have an amazing impact on the look... Read More
Are you ready to starting building your dream home. House... Read More
Remember the old Calgon commercial-"Take me away Calgon!" There's only... Read More
The workshop is a great place for reusing items formally... Read More
In bathroom terms at least, bigger doesn't have to be... Read More
There are several ceiling texture choices to choose from when... Read More
Would you steel your appliances? That is a question many... Read More
1. Know your sinks How durable are these sinks? These... Read More
The Ins and Outs Of Choosing Online Custom Home Plans!... Read More
For Paint Manufacturers worldwide, there has come a radical new... Read More
Your house doesn't have enough storage space, bathrooms, or counter... Read More
A child's dream backyard includes a play structure complete with... Read More
Motion detectors are in use all around us in both... Read More
Since it's one of the places people spend the most... Read More
This report is about taking a house and restoring it... Read More
There are many styles of picnic tables on the market,... Read More
The cost of energy is on the rise, so if... Read More
Many of us avoid home improvement projects due to their... Read More
There are a few things you can do to take... Read More
Refinishing your hardwood floors yourself can be time consuming and... Read More
Steel building kits are a comprehensive set of all the... Read More
When you read a great inspirational book, prayer, or article,... Read More
Waterproof consultants perform a wide variety of functions. Why should... Read More
Planning a bathroom remodel? Each home project of this nature... Read More
As a qualified duct cleaning contractor I have discovered that... Read More
Thread count is the most widely referred to term when... Read More
"The doors we open and close each day decide the... Read More
Buying a home is usually a stressful experience. So much... Read More
There is a perception amongst most folk that every house... Read More
Roofs are an integral part of the house. The design... Read More
There are many things in life that are worth protecting.... Read More
Ok, you are ready to build a log home. If... Read More
You are visiting a friend that has just had a... Read More
Not everyone is aware of how to deal with contractors.... Read More
The bathroom in your home is the one room that... Read More
A Complete manual on how to install a Ceiling Fan... Read More
Window coverings serve an important role in your home, giving... Read More
Last week I told you how to measure your wood... Read More
Standing tall and big are the stately grandfather clocks. They... Read More
According to the National Candle Association (NCA), most US-manufactured candle... Read More
Power tools are one of the greatest conveniences for getting... Read More
The purpose of a home ventilation system is to maintain... Read More
It turns out your mother was right after all --... Read More
Have you ever thought about fixing a broken window in... Read More
Want to bring your hardwood floors back to their former... Read More
Commercial steel buildings are prefabricated and custom-designed for use as... Read More
Feng Shui describes the communication that takes place every day... Read More
Are your beautiful hardwood floors not so beautiful anymore? Maybe... Read More
A beautiful kitchen is the heart of any home (even... Read More
This week we are going to talk about the process... Read More
Some of the most common mistakes to avoid made by... Read More
1. Shutters have proper louver tensionThe shutters louvers should be... Read More
There's no doubt that blinds add the finishing touch to... Read More
Thinking about installing a home theater system? You're not alone.... Read More
In my previous article, "planning for a new deck," I... Read More
The roof has had many different innovations in regards to... Read More
A clock is simply a device that measures time. Typical... Read More
Creating a Designer Home With LightingTraditionally, spring is the time... Read More
Why replace your single-glazed windows with double glazing ? For... Read More
Let's say you're tired of those old wood windows, and... Read More
The cost of energy is on the rise, so if... Read More
Log Cabin Homes: They have come a long way. Here... Read More
"The doors we open and close each day decide the... Read More
Does the coming winter chill remind you how much you... Read More
High quality residential and commercial mailboxes are available in styles... Read More
Basements are the most common location for dehumidifiers. Because of... Read More
Home Improvement |