Who’s Afraid of Color?

A Note From Nicholas After a summer packed with sun and outdoor fun, we’ll be spending more time indoors. But that doesn’t mean our environment has to be any less cheerful.  One of the easiest ways to change the feeling of a room and add outdoor freshness is with color. A bit afraid of choosing the wrong color? Not after you read this month’s feature article.  Also check out the color of the month.  Yellow is a sure way to add sunny warmth to a home. It’s a great time to add color to your home... and your life!

Who’s Afraid of Color? Color Dos and Don’ts Color is such an important part of making a home feel great. But it can be a bit scary to make color choices – unless you know a few simple tips. Avoid these common mistakes and learn several tricks, and you’ll feel confident about choosing color for your space. DON’T... ...choose colors in a paint store. Colors change drastically depending on the light, so they can look very different in your own home. When deciding on colors, make sure to look at them in the space they will be used. ...forget the ceiling. A white ceiling may be the best choice, but don’t just leave it white by default. A room looks much more finished when the ceiling is deliberately painted to coordinate and harmonize with the décor. ...ignore accessories. While paint is the most common way to add color, don’t forget that incorporating pillows, fabrics, area rugs, and other accessories is a great way to add splashes of color – and unique personality. DO... ...understand the psychology of color. Colors evoke reactions in our bodies and affect us physically and mentally. When you understand how colors shape your feelings, you can choose ones that help you feel wonderful in your home. ...create flow from room to room. In most homes, you can stand in one room and see other rooms, so there needs to be a smooth continuity. Not all rooms should be painted the same color, but the colors need to work together. Carry elements of one room into another. The easiest way to do this is to paint the moldings all the same color. ...use inspiration. If you have a large piece of furniture or a treasured accessory, let it awaken your color creativity. The background color in a piece of art can become your wall color; a favorite antique can inspire the color for pillows; a lampshade can become the molding hue. The most important thing to remember about color is that it should make you feel good. So be courageous and pick some color!

Color Of The Month - Yellow The cheerfulness of yellow has made it a popular choice for clothing and interiors, especially this time of year, when the days are getting shorter. There are so many shades and tints of yellow that it can be used in almost any room. A soft shade of yellow can bring cheer and light to a dreary room. But beware of bright yellows - except in small amounts. The intensity can be overwhelming. A room that is painted all bright yellow can cause turmoil, anger, agitation, and hostility. Small doses of bright yellows added to a room with accessories add punch, cheerfully catch the eye, and make rooms feel lively. When using the color yellow, think of natural sunlight . Soft, warm rays have a soothing and uplifting effect, while bright, hot rays can cause discomfort and disorientation.