No Rules!
The is no fixed rules about colour. It pays to forget all those old adages, such as blue is cold, red and orange clash, blue and green should never be seen without a colour in between and so on. The finished look is affected not just by the colour, but by the shape, texture and amount of colour used, as well as the amount and type of lighting.
When selecting colours consider lighting, what the room is used for, who spends the most time using the room, adjacent room colour schemes, whether you want to change perceptions of the room size, what kind of mood you want to create and any existing furniture or furnishings that will be part of the finished colour scheme. When developing a colour scheme, collect pictures of rooms that you find appealing and a good range of samples. Experiment with them to determine your final selection and the appropriate accent colour or colours.
When it comes to finding inspiration for colour there is no strict rules either. However, the more knowledge you have about colour and its influence on your living environment, the better place you will be to choose colours that will be right for you. Colours usually work best when related to their surroundings, with the final result of a successful colour scheme being in harmony, visula order and a feeling of continuity.
There is generally some exisiting feature that either dictates or can be used as an inspiration for the basis of a colour scheme. This may be a view from a window, a work of art, nature, carpets, soft furnishings, stained glass, art books and magazines, a fashion or Resene colour charts. Unless you have the luxury of decorating from scratch, your starting point for a colour scheme is likely to come from something you already own - a sofa, curtains or even a favourite painting.
Always keep in mind when developing a colour scheme who will be using the space the most. There is no point suing bright orange because it is in fashion if your entire family dislikes the colour. The best homes are decorated with the owner's personality. Nature lovers may prefer greens and blues to bright reds, while a vibrant owner may prefer bright and bold feature areas that reflect their bubbly personality.
Don't forget, always try colours out using a test pot, it's paint has hundreds in stock, in the area you plan to paint before you start your painting project - that's the best way to confirm the colour looks right before you start painting. And if all else fails get an professional opinion.
Contact Finishing Touches by Janiene Murrell on 0410337856