When the sun shinesvthe brilliant colors of the landscape come to life, casting a beautiful glow. But when it’s cloudy—oh, when it’s cloudy, it’s as though Mother Nature draws the shades in the sky, rolls up the rich green grass and casts a sleepy spell over everyone. You can even feel the gloom inside your home.
That’s why color is so important in interiors. Even if the sun doesn’t shine for three straight days, you can create a bright, cheerful space that will keep you in a good mood and in good style.
Interior designer Connie Turski (caturskiinteriors.com) likes to work color into her projects. She believes that anyone, even those who greet color with a bit of trepidation, can successfully blend dramatic color with his/her existing interior.
Turski suggests starting slowly, especially if this is your first time experimenting with new colors in a room. Try painting one wall in green or purple while leaving the other walls white, for example. You can “pump up the one wall in a gloss or sheen and use a matte paint for the rest of the walls,” she says.
You might also try playing up details in your home with color. “If you have a floor-to-ceiling column, you can paint it a very beautiful bronze, which will give it the look of metal,” Turski suggests.
Of course, you can add color without paint and without making drastic changes to your home. A red throw
draped across a beige couch immediately brings a room to life. Accent pillows can also make a big difference. Express your style by choosing pillows with floral, striped or geometric patterns.
And don’t forget accent pieces. A bright green vase on a side table or a collection of colorful sea glass in a bowl brings instant color to a room. A landscape painting on a wall or propped on an easel draws attention away from the lack of natural light and transports you to a sunnier and more cheerful place.
The colors you choose to enliven your interiors are up to you. The only requirements are that the hues work well within a given space and that you like them. “It’s fun when you can have something really dramatic going on in a room,” Turski says.
Remember that color reflects your mood, your passions and your interests. Turski offers insight into the
meanings behind a few popular colors:
Green: Nature. Green breathes life into a room; it recalls summer’s wispy blades of grass and sun-kissed leaves. To capture this feeling throughout the year, opt for one or more shades of green reminiscent of the natural landscape.
Red: Stimulation. Red is ideal in a space where you work, entertain or recharge your batteries. Remember that a little goes a long way when it comes to this color. You might want to paint one wall in cherry or brick and leave the other walls white, or decorate a neutral sofa in an assortment of pillows with red as the dominant hue.
Orange: Fun. A playroom might be an excellent spot for orange. The color just naturally lifts the spirits and boosts your sense of humor. Plus, if you’re a Browns fan, it’s one of your two favorite colors.
Purple: Regal. If you’re feeling like royalty, or if you simply like the passionate nature of purple, this is the color for you. Purple ranges from the soft scent of lilac to the stronger taste of plum; choose the shade that best suits your style and your personality.
Most importantly of all, have fun with color. Go to a paint store and check out the many hues available; then, think about how some of them might fit in with your current décor.
Let the sun shine in with color, and make everyday bright.
Author: Diane DiPiero
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