Press: Reddington Designs in Print
GET COLOR SAVVY - Page 2
MIX AND MATCH
Set limits: “Color schemes work well in threes,” says Leatrice Eiseman, renowned color forecaster, author and executive director of the Pantone Color Institute in Carlstadt, New Jersy. Choose a dominant color first, a secondary color next, and an accent color last.
Balance: When picking patterns, remember that opposites attract. Your largest and smallest scale patterns should be opposites, says Highland Park interior designer Stephanie Wohlner.
Equalize scales and shades: When using several patterns or hues in a room, “remember the concept of positives and negatives. Ground very light colors or subtle patterns with stronger ones or vice versa, to maintain a balance in the space,” says Wohlner.
Create unity: You can use a variety of patterns or colors on upholstered pieces in a room, yet give them unity by welting them all with the same contrasting color, says Stephanie Wohlner.
PUTTING CONCEPTS INTO PRACTICE
These large- and small-scale patterns in similar shades of blue give this bedroom balance and unity.
Do trial runs: Colors change with the light throughout the day, affecting everything in the room. Try out a large sample of the color you want to use before making any commitments – never rely on those tiny color cards!
Give patterns a grace period: Apply the same principle to pattern by getting a large swatch of your wallpaper or fabric and putting it in place for a few days. If that’s not possible, “take snapshots of the patterns you want to use and put them together to see how they work together,” says Salb, who uses the same tactic with pieces of furniture before making purchases. Either strategy helps you see whether small patterns seem to disappear into a single blob of color, if busy patterns make your eyes swim, or if large patterns drown out everything else in the room.
Consider the size and shape of a space: Color and pattern change the way a space feels. In general, stronger colors and larger patterns will make a room seem intimate, energetic, and rich. While lighter and subtler ones can amplify a space, neutralize it, or make it tranquil and airy.
Keep room usage in mind: You can be more adventurous in rooms where you don’t spend a lot of time. Bold domineering patterns and colors often work best in dining rooms, foyers and hallways. Or, try them in small or plain spaces that need visual interest – powder rooms, for example.MH