Coordinating Paint Colors

<h2 style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt">Coordinating Paint Colors</h2>Trying to choose and coordinate paint colors can make even the most experience home decorators break out in a rash. After all, paint manufacturers seem determined to reproduce all 7 million different colors that the human eye can see. Who can cope with that many choices?The truth is, while the world may have 7 million colors, there are only seven colors in the color spectrum to deal with. All the rest are shades or combinations of these basic seven – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. To learn how to coordinate these colors properly, get a handy little tool known as a color wheel. A color wheel is a device that takes the seven visible colors of the spectrum and arranges them in order around a circle. The result is a tool that can easily help determine whether the colors you like for your rooms are going to harmonize or clash. Here’s a process for coordinating the colors in your home decor: Unless you’re moving into a completely new home, or blessed to be doing a complete makeover, it’s likely that some things are going to stay the same: furniture, carpet, perhaps window treatments. Use these elements are the basis for determining the color scheme of your decor. Don’t forget to include the color of any wood furniture or hardwood flooring in your color scheme. <div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/10b.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/10b.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div> Next, compare and contrast the colors of your "keeper" elements with the shades that you really like. It may be that you already have pillows or drapes in complementary colors to your upholstery that you just have to move from one room to another. Study your colors closely to determine the underlying tones of the existing colors. Now start gathering paint samples of matching or complementary colors, using your color wheel and samples of your colors as guides. Say you want to go with a monochrome color scheme to match your deep blue sofa and side chairs. Then gather up some blue paint samples, and compare them by looking first at the darkest color on the sample strip. If you’re comfortable with that shade – and if it matches your color samples from home – then you’ll probably be happy with light shades of that same color. Suppose your furniture has print upholstery. In that case, it’s probably best to choose wall colors that coordinate with the print fabric’s background color. Then you can use more saturated shades as accent colors. A traditional way to coordinate paint colors is to paint the moldings, windows and doors in white or off-white. However, a contemporary technique is to paint these architectural features in a shade that’s slightly lighter or darker than the color on the walls. The minor difference in color serves to draw the eye to the room’s feature and gives it interest. Most importantly, remember the basics about colors when coordinating paint. Light shades make a room appear larger, while darker colors bring the room closer. “Warm” colors such as red, orange, yellow and pink make a room seem lively and energetic. "Cool" colors such as blues; greens and violet have a relaxing, calming effect. When you finally think you’ve chosen your color scheme, buy a sample size or a pint of your chosen colors and paint a 4-foot-by-4-foot test patch on a wall. Look at the colors morning, noon and night under artificial light. Study them for three or four days to see how they look in different kinds of weather. If you still love the combo after this test period, then you’re ready to transform your room with coordinated color. Design consultant Scarlett offers a wealth of creative tips on selecting paint colors when decorating. She writes for the online place to go for <a href="http://www.houseofarearugs.com/Red-Rugs-p-1-c-37.html" target="_blank">red rugs</a> and other colored <a href="http://www.houseofarearugs.com" target="_blank">area rugs</a>.

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