It sometimes seems that the single biggest source of fear and angst for homeowners when they are decorating is how to select paint colors. It’s a reason why so many homes are painted white or off white there’s a fear of getting it wrong and having to live with the mistake. Pity, because paint really is the least expensive part of a home’s interior, especially for DIY types. In fact, the biggest mistake people make is not the actual color selection, it’s starting with the paint color first. Perhaps that sounds a little counterintuitive, but it’s not.
Our homes are made up of a lot more than the color on our walls. There are floors, furniture and window treatments to consider. And, of course, in the kitchen and bath, we have cabinetry, counter surfaces and appliances that play an important role. The most successful color schemes require that we consider the whole and then determine the details.
The
COLOR Toolbox
Color is fun and nourishing for the soul. And the best part? It’s easy to figure out a great color combination, if you have the tools.
The Takeaway on Color Trends Following trends can be a tricky business. Each year, the color forecasting experts at 2011 Pantone release their “color of year” pick. This is the color that they’ve predicted will be the hot color in products, fashion or home interiors. Lots of time, effort and money goes into these predictions and major manufacturers spend top dollar gaining access to this information so that when the time comes, their products will be right “on trend” to catch the consumer’s eye. And so, each year with great fanfare, the color of the year is announced. If 2010 you follow fashion news and trends, you might be well aware of all of this. But, does it mean you should run out and re-paint your living room to be on trend? Clearly, the answer is no. Unless the color of the year is one you love, in which case, paint away. But, it’s never a 8
good idea to slavishly follow a trend in home decor - it’s simply too expensive. Naturally, a 2009 throw pillow here or a new area rug there can spice things up, but in general, it’s always best to stick with what you love and ignore what you don’t. It’s also important to note that these color predictions are just that - predictions made well in advance with no guarantees that the colors will take off. It’s a gamble. While 2010’s Turquoise 2008 continues to be very popular, 2011’s Honeysuckle will only appeal to a limited audience. 2009’s Mimosa yellow barely made a dent while 2008’s Blue Iris, seems to have presaged a return of jewel tones into our interiors. And the takeaway? Trends are fun, but only in small doses.
::Surroundings:: Guide to Decorative Living