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Jan 25 2018

Decorating with colour

When standing before an infinite selection of tones and colours, how does one choose? Well, professionals in design tend to refer to the chromatic wheel of colours (developed by Newton) in developing harmonious colour combinations that just work.

Decorating with colour

With the goal of demystifying the technical jargon as well as giving you added confidence, I will share with you tips so you can succeed in using the different colour palettes available to you. I will also show you great spaces so you can visualize all the styles and colours to find the option that fits your personal style!

The Analogous colour palette

The Analogous colour palette

Fabric and wall-covering from Versa Style Design.

The Analogous colours are the ones right next to one another on the wheel. This living room, for example, is composed of blue, blue-green, and greens. Our eye perceives the familiarity and easy blending due to the fact that they are so near to each other in the colour spectrum.

In creating concepts, designers often use the analogous palette to create great colour schemes because of their similar or common denominator colours. The spaces just end up being super coherent with a unity and flow throughout. If your desire is for a serene and calm mood then choose the cooler side of the colour spectrum, that is the side of the blues. If, however, you prefer a warm and dynamic space, then consider yellows, orange shades . You can greatly influence the ambience and feel of a room in this way.

The Analogous colour palette

The monochromatic colour palette

The monochromatic colour palette

The monochromatic color scheme uses variations in lightness and saturation of a single color. If you isolate anyone of these colour strips, you will find yourself with a perfectly harmonized monochromatic colour palette provided by the paint manufacturer. The foundation or true colour is the centre one, with either white or black added to create varying intensities towards a lighter tone or a darker shade.

This scheme looks clean and elegant and the colors go well together, producing a soothing effect. The monochromatic palette is very easy on the eyes, especially with blue or green hues. The primary color can be integrated with neutral colors such as black, white, beige or gray. However, it can be difficult, when using this scheme, to highlight the most important elements.

The monochromatic colour palette
The monochromatic colour palette

The advantages: You can’t go wrong; the manufacturer provided a fool proof selection process for the monochromatic palette. Also, the monochromatic scheme is easy to manage, and always looks balanced and visually appealing.

The challenges: The space may be too bland, missing that ‘WOW’ factor unless some contrasting tones are integrated such as the white that was added in this kitchen.

Blue decreases the pulse rate, and lowers body temperature. Blue also causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is great to use in rooms where relaxation is desired. People are also more productive in blue rooms, so if you need a little kick in the pants, try blue for your home office.

The monochromatic colour palette
The monochromatic colour palette

It is clear that the monochromatic palette is far from being limited in the options it offers to the homeowners who are ready to make a bold statement as well as to the more reserved types.

A good place to start would probably be to evaluate which pieces you would like to hold on to, and use them as a foundation for building up the rest of the concept or design. Ex: If you already own a blue sofa or armchair, why not continue with more blue like this gorgeous living room?

Complimentary Colour Palette

Two colours opposite each other on the colour wheel are a ‘Contrasting’ or a ‘Complementary’ scheme. This scheme delivers an exciting interplay of colour. Depending on the strength of the selected colours, the look may range from playful to dynamic. Areas that are most suitable to this scheme are entry areas, living rooms, children’s rooms and kitchens where you wish to create a more spirited interplay of colour.

Complimentary Colour Palette

Area rug, lamp and artwork from Versa Style Design.

Complimentary Colour Palette

Wall-covering, accessories and lamp from Versa Style Design

If you still lack a bit of confidence, contact us. We will effectively evaluate, on sight, the existent natural and artificial light which greatly influences the intensity of a colour. This will prevent surprises or disappointments as well as provide you with some pretty handy colour tools that you can take along shopping for items and choosing paint colour.

You would like to adopt some of these ideas in your own space but you don’t know where to start?

Contact us to transform your home or office according to your style, your budget and your specific needs. By discussing your project we can provide you with relevant information concerning our services, the process and our design fee.

Click here to contact us.

Written by Lucie Pitt · Categorized: Decorating with color · Tagged: analogous, color, colours, monochromatic

Mar 26 2016

The Best Colour Combinations for Your Home

There are many outstanding design classics that never go out of style. It may be an iconic chair, a stone counter top or a sensational piece of fabric. There are also classic colour palettes that go above and beyond popular trends and stand the test of time. Everybody instantly loves them and they can be adjusted to any style; whether rustic, modern, traditional or eclectic. They just seem to harmonize perfectly and always get along.

Here are the ones I tend to recommend the most…

Navy, white and red

Navy, white and red

Not for the faint-hearted, this dynamic trio is a fast-track to a statement scheme. Hits of tomato red stand out against a soothing navy background, and splashes of white add a clean and nautical twist.

White, black and fuchsia

Think black and white is dull? Add a sharp pop of pink. Start with a scheme that is mostly white, add a couple of black accessories, then choose a statement piece of furniture or a single accent wall in daring fuchsia for a bright injection of colour.

White, black and fuchsia

Dark blue with hits of orange

Dark blue with hits of orange

Take inspiration from this complementary palette and create a harmonious mix of colours and styles; velvety fabrics create an inviting area for lounging or entertaining. Give your scheme an edge with bright bursts of orange. Add accessories with hits of blue and orange to bring it all together.

Grey and yellow

Stuck in a grizzly grey rut? Cast your eye over this versatile pairing. From statement furniture to delicate accessories, sharpen up soft grey with bursts of zesty citrus for a fresh look that packs a punch. It’s a match made in colour heaven!

Grey and yellow

Teal and mustard

Teal and mustard

Not just for hot-dogs, a dash of mustard quickly adds depth to a room’s scheme. Team this moody colour with teal for a Seventies-inspired look that has plenty of character.

Charcoal, white and brick

Warm up a cool neutral scheme by teaming a rich charcoal gray with bold brick hues. Opt for grey-white furniture and stone-coloured walls, and then add accessories in bold shades of brick and terracotta for an earthy, but fresh mood.

Charcoal, white and brick

Grey with wood furniture and floors

Grey with wood furniture and floors

If you want your wood floors and furniture to stand out, don’t pair them with beige, but rather pair them with blue-greys or greys. Trust me; you will love your wood even more, regardless of your personal style.

Crisp navy, white and green

This palette is fresh and summery, and it is great for kids, for women as well as for the guys, especially if you go with a nautical theme! Don’t be afraid to go with navy on at least one wall.

Crisp navy, white and green

Black with anything

Black with anything

Black is no longer a taboo shade when it comes to home design. In fact it has become very popular. Frankly, every single colour seems to really pop out with a black background. Try to keep the clutter to a minimum so it remains sophisticated.

This is a dramatic choice so I usually suggest that my clients first try it in a powder room, vestibule or bedroom because they spend less time there.

Black with anything

White and sand

White and sand

Because of the low contrast, this palette is gentle and easy on the eyes. It will never go out of style. Make sure you add textures so the space isn’t bland but rather visually interesting and inviting. In this living room stone is mixed with an animal skin rug, wood lamp and textured linen fabrics. Usually it is best to have a little more white than sand.

White with a hit of bright green

If you want a dynamic feel to the room then crisp white paired with bright green is a great choice. It is very important to make sure that most of your accessories are white to keep the look clean and pure. This space needs to remain clutter-free so if you aren’t up to the challenge, you should probably choose another palette that is more forgiving.

White with a hit of bright green

To conclude

More than any other factor in home design, it is colour that establishes the mood and ambience of a room; Choose colours that make you feel excited and alive, or serene and elegant. Also, wall paint is the most economical way of making a dramatic change in any space. Go with a palette that is harmonized to what you already own, pulling it all together.

Colour must be chosen in the room itself, with a variety of paper samples hung on the walls so you can evaluate how they look with the changing light. If you would like these convenient samples, contact us for a home colour consultation.

All of the furniture, lighting, ancestral stone, wallpaper, rugs, couches, beds and paint colours are available through Versa Style Design.

You would like to adopt some of these ideas in your own space but you don’t know where to start?

Contact us to transform your home or office according to your style, your budget and your specific needs. By discussing your project we can provide you with relevant information concerning our services, the process and our design fee.

Click here to contact us.

Written by Lucie Pitt · Categorized: Decorating with color · Tagged: color, colour, colour combinations, cuisine versa style, trends

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