It's all about color - How to create your color scheme like a professional

Working as a faux finisher and decorative artist,  I have learned that  some of us are afraid of color, although color is the most important aspect of interior design. Choosing the right colors doesn't have to be difficult. Here are some simple  rules you can apply and hopefully you will be able to step out of the color la, la land.


My last blog  tried to get you started in the  color selecting process. Now I am trying to explain the next steps, so you will be able to make the right color decisions. After all, our homes are full of color and we want to feel comfortable in our homes.

Beside warm and cool colors we differentiate in tone in tone(monochromatic), analogous, complimentary and split complimentary color schemes. To make thing less confusing, I only will discuss the main and most important (IMO) schemes. 


Monochromatic: Use tints, shades and and tones of the key color. Tone in tone or monochromatic is balanced, quiet and visually pleasing. No high energy level in this  color scheme.

Monochromatic, tone in tone using shades, tints and tones of the key color

 

All Images of Paula Grace Designs

 If the quiet simplicity and soothing effect  of the tone in tone color scheme is letting you fall asleep during day, step it up a notch to the analogous color scheme.


Analogous:
The analogous color scheme uses colors which are adjacent to each other 

Analogous cool design

Analogous warm design

Analogous warm design

The analogous color scheme uses one dominant color with punches of sumptuous richness. This scheme is not as vibrant as the complimentary one and one must be careful not to overdo it with lots of hues of too many colors. This color scheme looks much richer then the monochromatic one.

I hope that these tips on color design  selections  make your life a bit easier. Stay tune, more to come soon.


All my Best,

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It' All about color - Creatinng color schemes- Where to start

A few hours ago, I posted the Pantone's color palette for 2012. Immediately, I received some e-mails with the obligatory question " How do I select color schemes for my home"?


For some of us it may feel like a daunting task, but it really isn't, if you follow certain rules.I would suggest that you invest in a color wheel, which you may buy in any art store. This color wheel will proof to be a valuable tool in all your decorating efforts.  I can promise, that this tool will take away any of your fears and will allow you to look at your color scheme with the eye of an interior designer. So, not to worry, invest in this inexpensive tool.With the correct color scheme you are able to set a mood, make a statement or just be energized or if you have lots of stress in your life, you can use color to sooth your soul.

 First, decide if you want to have a warm or cool environment. You may also intermix warm and cool colors


Warm colors ( reds, oranges, yellows) seem to be advancing, moving towards you; thus decreasing the size  and space of a room.  However, if you want to create a warm, comfortable and cozy design style, use warm colors, intermixed with a few cool accessories.

Cool color hues ( blue and greens )tend to recede, they move away from you, visually suggesting a larger and open design style. Consequently, if you are dealing with a small space, use cool colors, intermixed with some warm accessories.

 

Cool Blues 

I hope  that you have gained a little insight into the world of color, and that it will be  easier for you now to select the "mood" for your home.


Stay tune, next blog will be about  how to choose your colors from a color wheel.

All My Best,

xoxo












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It's all about color.... New trends for 2012

In March of this year Pantone, the world renowned color authority,  published nine color palettes. Nine distinctive palettes, each with a much thought about name. Don't ask me how they dream up these names or in what relationship they stand to each other, because I just don't know.

Every year I am excited when the new color trends are published by Pantone. I was raised in the fashion industry, so color always has played an important part in my life. For me it's all about color, style and fashion. If you want your home to be trendy, all you have to do is look at fashion fabrics. I guess, I am fashion forward because my PJ's fit the 2012 Pantone "Back to Fuchsia" palette

Courtesy of "Nidhi" Pattern, Colors and Design

My "Fuchsia" PJs

and my blue PJs match the "Indigo Effects" palette.

My Indigo Pj's

Personally I love the "Resilience" palette. Possibly because I always had to be resilient.

Resilience 

The Oil Yellow, subtle and quiet and the peaceful Oasis green are really  fulfilling my color sense. Resilience or stress free? Who knows? All I know is that I felt compelled to buy some blouses in exactly these colors and I am raking in compliments.  

Subtleties

Transcending

Reflection

All color palettes are courtesy of "Nidhi" Pattern, Colors and Design
Maybe you will be inspired with these new colors and are ready to add some to your home decor. You always can pick up a few accessories and change the look of your home.


Until next time.


All my best,


xoxo 

Color is the most powerful way to change and coordinate the look and feel of your home.  

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Color Me Turquoise

A few days ago, I posted some insights about the new trendy colors. As an decorative artist and an interior design buff, I always try to be ahead of schedule. Being raised in the fashion industry, I take my color inspirations exactly from that industry. Colors are very important to me, I have many "favorites" all depending on my feelings and energy at the time..



The color Turquoise:
I never considered turquoise one of my favorites.. However, recently I seem to be drawn to this calming and soothing color. Turquoise, a semi-precious stone, also known as "sky stone" was  a piece of jewelry I could do without. Turquoise as an interior  color,  has become one of my favorites. Now I have an excuse to hunt for   turquoise accessories.

Look at this - these  colors together are absolutely GORGEOUS

I love the symbolism and history of every color.  I would like to share some of these beliefs and myths. Following what I have discovered  about  this semi-precious stone from Turkey.

  A  mix of blue, green and aqua, this "cool" color: represents

water and sky, thus "sky stone". It is believed that turquoise represents

• Youth
• Communication
• Generosity
• Love
• Healing
• Emotion
• Feelings 
• Creativity

and it is a color of feeling and creative expression  rather than rational thought (seems to be the right color for me, need I  say more?)

For your inspiration  I collected a few images that you might like and appreciate. Maybe you even feel inspired to use this soothing color in your home.

Courtesy of Drake Design Associates

Courtesy Of Girl World Decor

 Let me know what you think

 

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Through My Crystal Ball... Not really!!

Color Me Happy!

Courtesy of  Living In Color

 I was MIA for the last few weeks. Simply, because I am in the midst of  that awful  "writers block" My brain seems to be on overload,  having  difficulties to focus on what I would like to say.


In my personal life  "stay in the here and now" is working; however, in my business life that would spell failure. I have to look into the future, create reasonable forecasts and lastly be aware of any new trends. 2010 is flying by and almost gone. Looking into my crystal ball, or more accurately, doing some on-line research, I discovered some of the new interior color palettes and interior trends.. It seems that we are ready for

• Renewal
• Optimistic Outlook
• Global interest
• Simplicity
• Escape
• Balance

Although it's impossible for us to constantly change our interior color palette, it is possible to add some colorful sparkles of the trendy color palettes.  Here are some color splashes  I absolutely love. Of course, I will be scouting stores to catch some of these colorful accessories and I will weave them into my interior spaces. Maybe you can do the same.


Happy hunting, 


xoxo

 Heidi .. Plays with Paints

 

Tomato red

Sunny Coral

Verde de Gris

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It's all about color

April 9, 2010

The Color Palette through the Ages...... 
Create A Color Palette 

From prehistoric times, we artists have left and our imprint of our paintings for the rest of the world to see, First our artwork was used as a road map to a source of food, a way to mark our territory or  tracking a location for other homo sapients. In these times we used pigments like red oxide, bone black, carbon black(vegetable black),6500B.C - 2010 A.D.

also called charcoal. BTW this BC is used nowadays as a toner for printers and copiers. 
In this Renaissance painting you see clearly that carbon black was used as first glaze. 

April 4, 2010

I was born with a paint brush in my hand.
However, it took me 27 years, to finally act on it. Moral of the story: Don't ever let anyone tell you " you are not good enough" because "You are good enough"

Do you love color? I hope that you do you do. Colors make or don't make a faux painting technique.

Here is a little story about one of my favorite faux artist and friend. C.E.

Many moons ago, I met Crystal on my message board. This awesome faux painter called herself the "Powder Room Queen" meaning that she only was able to get powder room commissions. I had a gut feeling about what was wrong, but never told her until she won a free class here at the Faux Academy. One look and I knew. Her colors were gorgeous; however not suited for anything but powder rooms. They were strong, beautiful and awesome. But you must think "neutral" for common areas in the home. You or your client can always accessorize withe color. Long story short result... we changed her portfolio and "the rest is history". I believe that's what one says her in America about someone who is extremely successful. Crystal has been and is a welcomed team member on any of my VIP commissions.

Crystal, you go girl!!!!

Here is something what color does for you. Have FUN.

PR: wait... I: wait... L: wait... LD: wait... I: wait... wait... Rank: wait... Traffic: wait... Price: wait... C: wait...

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