Home Color Part Three

Use Color to solve an architectural challenge.

Color is frequently your best tool when the architecture of your space is less than perfect. Here are just a few examples of architectural challenges that can be softened with color choices.

1) CEILINGS: If the ceiling is too low, paint it white or several shades lighter than the wall color. If it is too high, and you want a cozier feeling, paint it the same or slightly deeper than the wall color.

2) WALLS ARE CHOPPED UP WITH TOO MAY DOORS: Paint the doors and trim the same colors as the walls to help them disappear.

3) THE ROOM IS TOO DARK: Use receding colors on the walls such as strong, brights or light colors. But do not use soft, pale colors which will not "read" in a dark room

4) THE ROOM IS FILLED WITH SOUTHERN EXPOSURE WINDOWS AND IS TOO HOT:

Use cooler colors (such as blues and greens) and trim with fresh white trims. These rooms have the option of the softer colors.

5) THE ROOM IS TOO LONG & NARROW: Paint only one of the shorter walls a deeper or brighter color to bring it forward. Of the two shorter walls, choose the one that is most important for this accent color.

6) EMPHASIZE HANDSOME DETAILS: By painting details such as a fireplace and/or moldings or nicely proportioned windows and doors a contrast color to emphasize them.

One of the first things I make note of, when visiting a client's home for the first time, are the architectural assets and the challenges of the room. Then together, we can develop a color plan that emphasizes the strong points of the space, and de-emphasizes the less than perfect.

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