Do Color Right! Top mistakes to avoid.

Design professionals can't make mistakes in selecting colors.  The impact of a poorly chosen color scheme or patterns is costly and frustrating. When you're looking for ideas on what to do for your home, keep these tips in mind: 

1. Don't go on instinct. 

Test all colors in the room in which it will be used with its existing lighting conditions and surfaces (floors, counters, cabinetry).   Keep in mind that testing a color in an empty room will not be that useful. You should  have an idea of which furniture/fabrics are going into the room first. Choosing color without inspiration makes decisions difficult.  Once you select fabrics and surface materials,  your color options for walls are limitless. Going the other way is difficult and frustrating.

2. Keep options simple rather than go overboard.  

There are many 'overdone' walls and rooms - kitchen and baths in particular - with glaring colors and surfaces that leave their owners gasping in dismay.  Rather than add a flashy glass mosaic to an older bathroom, keeping the elements simpler and colors appropriate for the period or style of the home, will be more enduring.

3. When soliciting professional advice, use it.
Designers and colorists know the correct color(s) that will work with your interior or exterior.  An understanding of undertones is key to specifying the right color, and working with fixed and/or furnished elements often matter more than a color you "just love".  

4. Know which element is the most important and which to ignore.   Every interior is different and requires a custom solution.  Ignoring standout pieces and selecting colors that fit just some of your furnishings or surfaces would be a mistake. Knowing how to mitigate fixed colors  (floor tile, architectural elements and even a view) is of utmost importance in ending up with a satisfying result. 




5. Don't follow trends for your exterior.  
Painting your house the current 'hot' neutral will disappoint you when trends change. Instead, look at the era of your home, the architectural style, how your interior fits those elements, and use color choices that works all around. 


Take a look at our other color related posts at www.designfromca.blogspot.com

How to select exterior paint colors.

1. Keep History in Mind. If you own a home with a definable architectural style like Victorian, Cape Cod, Craftsman, etc., pay attention to colors in that genre.  Using a designer helps to identify the period and how to select colors to treat each element on the house. At Touch of Tradition, we specialize in period color selections so don't hesitate to contact us with questions.

   

   Sea Pine & Antique White - Trim Horizon Gray - Body of houseAutumn Brown - Accent Trim Benjamin Moore

   2. Consider the neighbors.  What works in your neighborhood?  Think of your neighborhood as fabric, and your house as one thread in that fabric.  Will the colors you are leaning towards fit with the overall feel of the neighborhood? Can you be unique without being an eyesore?

   3. Structural Harmony with Rest of the House  Consider your house's whole. What color is your roof? Is it slate, aluminum, copper, cedar shakes? You don't need to match your paint to your shingles but all colors should fit together. Consider the landscaping and natural elements around the house to suggest color families that will guide your exterior paint choices.

   4. The Inside Affects the Outside  Don't be afraid to pull the colors for your home from an inspiration piece or those colors used inside your home. It adds a sense of harmony and integrity in design. When you enter the home, the exterior serves to guide you as to the style and the feel.

   5. White is The Color of Tradition  White is classic and traditional with stately appeal. With the right complementary touches--eaves, window casing, door trim, etc.--white can be a fantastic exterior paint color option.  Here, this contemporary interpretation of a Mission style home is set off from the greenery and expansive skyline with an all-white stucco finish.

   6. Details Should be Darker.   Darker colors are great for drawing the eye to architectural details you don't want to be missed. If you have an archway or trim, or any particular feature you want highlighted, draw attention with darker colors. They're a great choice for recessed panels. If you have features that protrude from the wall surface, highlight those with lighter colors as they will stand out more against the darker shade. The bold colors in the stucco below, required deep trim and door colors to have their details stand out.

   

   
   

   7. Consider the Number of Colors  On some style homes you will see as many as 8-10 different colors but requires the keen eye of a professional designer to make this work. The number of colors used depends on the simplicity or complexity of your home and the scale, architecture and elements. Adding too many colors to a home can make the home look garish. Look for homes with similar architecture and see what others have successfully done.

   8. Take Advantage of Color Tools  Pick up a color wheel or fan deck. Most paint stores have samples that you can bring home to make decisions. Most professional shops have pint-size samplers available that you can take home and test on your exterior.  Exterior paint colors do look different in person than they do printed on samples and the paint will take on a different hue depending upon the time of day.

Tips for outdoor living.

When you have an outdoor space that's comfortable, you are more likely to use it. Extend your living spaces by moving your indoor style outside. Here are my favorite ideas from the shop.

1) Get comfortable seating.  If you don't dine outside, don't get a dining set. Make the chair or sofa comfortable so you WILL use it. 

2) Add lighting. To extend the space and the time you will enjoy it, be sure to add portable or permanent lighting. Solar fixture and low voltage fixtures can be installed. String lights can be temporary and easy or made permanent.

3) Dress up the table. A set table is inviting. Use a tablecloth than can be washed. Set out dishes and silverware...mismatched sets work well for many styles.  Add flowers or a plant.  Place candles for ambiance.

4) Use color. Have your dishes stand out from the table.  With a redwood table, add some bright yellow flowers to your white dishes. Use a red and white classic table cloth and add blue dishes. With our selection of dinnerware and unique serving pieces that work as well outdoors as indoors, you can create the ideal look.

5) Surround yourself with interior items.  Don't overlook pillows, accessories and art. An outdoor area rug can make a space feel more inviting.  Some colorful or comfy pillows or cushions will dress up a picnic table. Iron and resin pieces work well outdoors in nearly any climate, and add a finishing touch to an outdoor room.