Finding Your Colors II

Again we have a pretty safe combination as it is very neutral. This color scheme is great for those who like a very traditional style, and understated elegant look. It is a very relaxing environment.

Notice how the lightest color has been chosen for the walls in the picture on the right. Much smaller amount of the other two colors are used for the upholstered chair and pillows and art. Don't use more than 4 colors in a room. Here there are 3.

Let's go a different direction into the blue/purple vein. When you select a darker or brighter color as a dominant color, the room will take on a much more dramatic look. See the picture on right below. Be careful where you place these brighter, bolder colors as they will attract a lot of attention to that spot. Make sure it is a spot you want to highlight with strong color.

Sometimes people choose high contrasting colors, or bold, bright colors and place them on parts of the room that shouldn't be emphasized, like doors or window frames, crown molding and so forth. Why do I include crown molding? Because it's at the ceiling. The eye should be drawn to the center of the room, not the ceiling, unless you've got the Cystine Chapel as your home.

Orange has been one of the trendy colors of late and blends beautifully with other warm colors. See the banner at the top of the page for examples of this color scheme.

Whatever the color scheme you choose for your home, start with colors you love, regardless of whether they are "in season" or not. You will live with them for a very long time, so it's important to love your colors or choose a different direction.

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Barbara Jennings is author of 10 decorating books: Decor Secrets Revealed, Rearrange It, Home Staging for Profit, Home Staging for Yourself, Arrange Your Stuff, Advanced Redesign, Pro Art Consulting, Where There's a Wall - There's a Way, The Art of Hanging Art, Great Parties! Great Homes!