Color is important. Our creator gave us color for a reason. It cheers us, calms us down, stokes our appetite, and plays with all of our emotions whether we realize it or not. All colors have their place and their purpose. Of course, there are all manner of shades and tints of a color to choose from. Color can be classified as warm or cool or just plain neutral. There are monochromatic (shades of one color), analogous (similar or side by side on the color wheel), triadic colors (three color combinations) and complimentary colors (opposite of each other) on what may be referred to as the color wheel.
Color trends come and go. If you are old enough to remember the retro colors of pinks, turquoise, and the blacks and whites of the fifties or the harvest gold, avocado green and coppertone from the sixties/seventies, then you understand what I mean. Each decade had its favorites. Some were long lasting and some were fleeting. But whatever the trend, if there are particular colors you love and enjoy, they or shades of them can be tastefully worked into your plan.
Primary = red, blue, yellow
Secondary = green, purple/violet, orange
Tertiary = mixtures of primary and secondary colors
Neutrals = black, white, brown
Metallics = silver, gold, copper
Tints = a color with white added to it
Shades = a color with black added to it
Intensity = how bright and strong or dull and weak a color is
Value = the degree of lightness or darkness of the color. Adding white to it raises the value because it is the lightest value. Adding black lowers the value because it is the darkest.
Tone = the result of adding and equal amount of white and black to a color to "tone it down".
Ideally, there is no such thing as two colors that "clash". All colors can be blended with each other, if done so tastefully and in the correct proportion. The "clash" occurs when care is not taken to blend them proportionately causing the eye to see only chaos and overkill.
Most successful color schemes use no more than three different colors in a room, and/or a neutral added for unity. A good color scheme in decorating incorporates 60% of the main color, 30% of a second color and 10% accent color. Repetition in color helps to pull it all together. Small rooms are best done in light colors to create a more spacious look. Keep it simple. Dark colors make a large room appear smaller and more intimate.
Neutrals are the “go with everything” color and are good choices for the long term. You can always change accents by adding a splash of any additional color.
Metallics also make wonderful accents to highlight any color. They add emphasis and elegance.
More on the importance of color in our lives later.
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