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choosing colors and mixing colors and patterns
choosing colors
A good alternative to liven up homes is to fill the space with
color.
The use of strong colors on the walls, in furniture and in
decorative touches can often succeed in creating a new
atmosphere that does away with the former gloom and monotony.
Choose the colors you like best
There are no rules when choosing colors, so don't be afraid to
experiment. However, it is key to know what colors you like best.
You don't have to go too far from your favorite colors when
choosing colors--don't just choose what designers have set for
the season. If you need time to appreciate a wall color, it is
probably not for you. Think about your favorite colors found in
nature and how they work together. They will successfully apply
to your home decor. For example, a scene of autumn trees against
a stormy sky can translate into a light grey sofa graced with a
deep brown silk throw.
From the soothing character of blues to the energetic and
exciting power of reds
Although there are no perfect rules for choosing colors, your
choice will stimulate certain moods. For example, cooler blues
and greens tend to soothe your senses, evoking quiet and
relaxing feelings. Therefore, olive green, mint green, and ocean
blue are perfect for a bedroom and other personal relaxing
spaces.
Also think of the impact of the colors you chose on other
elements of your home decor. Shades of browns that vary from
reddish browns to grey-browns will add enough richness so that
all you need are a few additional colorful design accents. But
if you chose different shades of white for your wall, it will
definitely give you more freedom to stage your favorite
paintings and accents.
mixing colors and patterns
Mixing colors and patterns is an intimidating journey. But you
can achieve outstanding combinations by following one key rule:
take into
consideration the weight of the biggest elements in
your home decor.
The visually strongest components of a room are curtains, wall
treatments and bedspreads, along with big furniture such as
sofas or large armchairs. And the larger the area or item of
furniture, the more careful you need to be.
To avoid any faux-pas, you can choose to follow one of the two
rules: select a neutral color for the biggest items and sprinkle
colorful accents in your room, or select a dominant pattern or
color for the largest elements in your room and link them all
together.
The safest way is to stick to neutral colors for large pieces.
Furthermore, they are usually the costlier pieces, and choosing
a neutral color means that you will not loose interest and will
not feel the need to replace them too often. Consider colors
like light grey, matt silver, off-white or mocha colors. You can
then be as creative as you like and add splashes of colors and
creative patterns with cushions, throws, paintings and various
design accents.
The other solution is to give the room a visual flow, by
selecting similar patterns and colors for the largest items. It
is a bolder approach, but it can produce sumptuous decor! If you
choose for example a certain geometric pattern for the bed cover
or curtains, replicate similar patterns on the other largest
elements of the room. Then, pick the dominant color and use it
in cushions, throws and most design accents. You can also create
more contrast by adding a few items of a different color, but
make sure that they do not break the visual harmony of the
space.
About the author:
Damien Pfirsch is the managing director and editor
www.asiannouveau.com, an online showroom promoting contemporary
Asian decor accents and furniture producers and exporters. The
website gives Asian decor companies and designers exposure to
international buyers, interior designers and trend setters.
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