Choose colors you
can live with
By Karen Booraem
There’s no doubt about it: color sets the mood for every room design. How often have you entered a room that just seemed “right,” and it immediately filled you with a sense of well-being?
Don’t be afraid to use color. It’s how you use it that really counts. Just think about the wonderful color palette Mother Nature spreads before us each and every day, especially here on Cape Cod: an awesome array of colors, shades and hues.
Because colors are frequently associated with our moods and emotions, the psychology of color plays a very important role in your color selection. Have you ever thought about how much of our everyday language is color oriented? We talk about being “in the red,” having “a rosy outlook” or “feeling blue.” We use color to express our emotions; it’s only natural that we all have very definite reactions to colors.
Here’s a listing of the most popular colors, along with the impressions they give:
Red: a strong, stimulating color. People who like reds yearn for the impulsive side of life. Red is the color of action, love and courage. If you like red, you are likely to be outspoken (on occasion) and athletic. First impressions really count with you.
Blue: a serene, cool and stately color. Lovers of blue tend to be capable, conservative and sensitive individuals. They are resourceful and know how to carry out responsibilities. While they enjoy life, they find it difficult to share their emotions. They also tend to be very serious, opinionated and a little stubborn.
Purple: a stately, impressive color. If you like purple, you’re an artist at heart. The mundane things of life are beneath you. You love culture, like to impress people and tend to surround yourself with talented people.
Green: a calming and restful color. Green lovers tend to be fresh, natural and friendly in nature. If you like green, you might tend to indulge yourself a little too much. You’re very active in community affairs, like to be social and yearn to have people like you.
Orange: a cheerful and warm color. If you like orange, you’re friendly, cheerful and able to get along with practically everyone. You’re social by nature and hate to be alone. Your greatest wish is that the world be a warm and mellow place.
Yellow: sunny and bright. Yellow lovers tend to be very intellectual by nature. You might be just a bit stubborn, but your character is profound and your advice sensible.
After all is said and done, please remember one thing: there is no such thing as a bad color–only bad combinations of color and personal likes and dislikes for certain colors. Color is like seasoning. It adds spice to your life!
Here are a few tips
on working with color:
• Limit yourself to two or three colors; fill in with neutrals.
• Choose colors for the largest areas of your room first.
• Color connects adjoining rooms.
• For a more spacious feeling, use lighter color shades.
• Bright, strong colors will create a warm, cozy feeling.
• Emphasize desirable architectural details with strong colors.
• Camouflage undesirable architectural defects with neutrals.
• Consider adding one exciting finishing touch with a splash of unexpected color.
A professional interior decorator has a trained eye for color, continuity and flow in a home. He or she understands the blending of furniture, window treatments and floor coverings. The colors in the home should reflect the lifestyle and personalities of the family members. An interior decorator has the ability to help you make harmonious color selections in paints, fabrics, wall coverings or furniture, creating warmth and balance throughout your home.
Isn’t it interesting how color makes such a statement without saying a word. It’s almost mysterious how it works, and yet so much fun! Before choosing your favorite color and charging ahead with an expensive room makeover, share your preferences with the family and with an interior decorating professional. Your outcome should be a pleasing combination of colors that you and your family can live with for many years to come.
Karen Booraem is owner of Karen Booraem Interiors by Decorating Den, a full-service interior design business she established in 1998 in Harwich. See www.decdens.com/kbooraem.
For a complete list of verified interior designers, please see our Verified Directory.
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