And now with advanced dyeing techniques making it possible to color almost any material, even the simple practice of buying a blender becomes an exercise in color matching – should you pick cobalt blue or cherry red to go with your bright yellow kitchen?
Color is a personal choice and no one can tell you which colors are right and which are wrong. If red makes you feel strongly and flaming orange gives you a kick, it doesn’t matter much that these colors make your room feel a tiny bit smaller. These are bold colors for modern rooms.
Don’t forget to consider all the practicalities of your living space. Always be sure that your colors are appropriate for the function of the room. A lemony yellow kitchen will always be more appealing than a turquoise one because it suggests an appetizing flavor, just like a bedroom works best in soothing shades rather than a vibrant yellow that might contradict sleepiness. No one is exempt from the natural associations of colors, especially bright shades, so keep these in mind when matching up colors to specific rooms.
Remember to try out all colors before you start redecorating. Live with a test patch of paint on the wall for a couple of weeks, drape a fabric sample over its future frame, lay a carpet sample on the floor and see how you like it. My mother was the master of this, and I can remember sitting on fabric that was pinned to the sofa for months before she decided it was suitable to be more permanently attached. Of course nothing in our home was ever permanent, but rather a constant flux of samples, replacements and endless accessories that either worked beautifully or were banished to Goodwill without a single regret. I try to remember this when I’ve made my own decorating miscalculations: Just about anything can be fixed, switched or instantly re-done in the quest for the perfect color scheme.
The first step in converting anti-color roommates is to get them used to vivid color by bringing home fresh cut flowers in a selection of bright shades. Slowly but surely you can add dashes of color with small accessories, working your way up to something more permanent like a sofa the color of a taxi cab. If you are suffering from the brownish result of the compromise between your tangerine dreams and your roomie’s preference for an earthy terra cotta, try adding a dose of the complementary color. Again start with something unassuming like a vase of irises to make the orange tones stand out in contrast to the blue. The easiest way to turn up the volume on color is to pair complementary colors together; and the more equal the proportions, the bolder the colors will appear.
If your colors still seem dull or tired, consider turning up the lights. Adding a spotlight is the fastest and most obvious solution to making colors sing out; pointed at a brightly-painted wall, an intense light allows more color to be reflected. Finally, don’t limit your favorite brights to the walls. Color can be added anywhere, from floors to ceilings, over windows and inside closets and on anything that can tolerate a coat of paint. In fact, it might be a good idea to keep a pint of your favorite paint color on hand for that flea market find that would be fabulous if only it was a little more colorful.
If your color is not at all how you imagined, there are a couple ways to quickly fix this without starting from scratch. Before you decide to re-paint your walls with the requisite three to four coats for coverage, try to come up with a quicker solution that relies only on a basic knowledge of color mixing. (If you don’t trust your finger-painting memories you can always practice with toy store craft paints and watercolors.) Keep in mind that color interaction, as well as lighting, will affect our perception of the shade. Consider a hot pink wall; on the sample it may have seemed vibrant and daring but in relation to your red leather Barcelona lounge, it seems a bit weak. For a quick fix, add some accents of lime green or white to draw out the color. In contrast to its complement or a tone that is drastically lighter, most colors will sing out. If you had imagined the shade as warmer or cooler, pair it with a color that implies these properties. Hot pink next to orange will seem warmer, while a deep indigo will bring out the blue undertones. Alternately, you can try different lighting levels and light sources to see which will bring out the desired appearance.
One thing to remember about this kind of color interaction is that our perception of the color is changing, not the color itself. If you can’t be fooled by the sensation of warmth with the addition of some red pillows or incandescent lighting, it may take a more measurable effort. Color washing is a good way to slightly alter paint colors that are not working. Darken or lighten colors with tints of white wash or a veil of black-based wash. For warmer hues, add a translucent yellow color wash over the existing paint. For cooler colors try adding a blue wash but be careful not to wash a color with its complement or you will get a muddied effect.
For paints that don’t work because the finish is all wrong, there are glazes and clear coats in every gloss level. High-gloss lacquer paints can be overwhelming at times. When done correctly, red lacquer on kitchen cabinets can look like a racecar but on surfaces that aren’t slick like rough plaster, shiny surfaces only call attention to the imperfections. Glossy paint can also be too reflective and cause eyestrain in areas with lots of light. Before starting over, try coating these surfaces with an eggshell glaze, though some sanding may be required depending on the kind of lacquer used. The reverse steps can also be taken to add sheen to an overly matte finish that makes bright colors seem dull and lackluster. If none of these options seems appropriate, there is always the possibility of starting over; with so many boldly bright shades of paint, it seems a shame to live with a color you don’t love.
There are a hundred ways to fix a color palette that seems to have taken a wrong turn along the way – this is the most important color lesson to remember. No color or color combination is permanent; there is always a can of something to cover up a bad decision or overexcited vision. So the final problem to correct is the fear of color being too much. Unlike the minimalist, industrial-gray-loving anti-colorist, the problem of color shyness has a simple solution: Get over it!
The number one reason to not be afraid of decorating with bold, bright color is that it is a guaranteed mood lifter. The second reason not to be timid is that the statement made by a brightly-colored interior is one that is daring and unforgettable. And finally, if you hate it, you can always change it. But, if you love these colors – love wearing them, photographing them, or planting them – the chances are you won’t hate living with them. If your fears are still there, then start small and work your way from room to room; instead of wrapping a room in brilliant turquoise, color one wall at a time and add accents bit by bit.
Finally, be sure to pick colors that you love and are used to. If you never wear red and think it looks bad on you, certainly don’t paint your bedroom that color. By choosing colors that you wear or carry or accessorize with, you will insure that the decor matches your personality and makes you feel good. It’s your home – why would you care what anyone else thinks of your color choices? Be bold, be brave and you’ll show your real colors!