Articles By Syndicated Columnist
Dan Thomas
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Improvement Inside And Out
Choosing
Colors
Even those who decide on white walls and ceilings can be
overwhelmed by the many options
among " white " paints. Color is mood
setting. A creamy white will be softer than a blue white. Red yellow and orange
shades are bright warm and cheering. Blues, silvers, and whites are soothing and
cooling. To select color, you need to think about the mood and atmosphere
you want to create, along with the colors in furniture and carpets and the light
in your rooms. Fluorescent light changes color. If you are in doubt at the paint
store, take the paint chip outside to examine the color.
Color is much more intense on four walls than on a small 1 inch paint chip.
Choose a lighter shade of a color you like or have the paint mixed to one half
of the color.
Bring home paint chip samples and look at them in various kinds of light.
If you are in doubt about a color, buy a quart of paint and paint one wall.
Wait until it dries and look at it in various lights to make sure it is
what you want.
Color can saturate your eyes. When mixing paint. Look away at a white
surface for several minutes to allow your eyes to adjust so that you can
judge the color accurately.
A darker color on the ceiling will make a room with a high ceiling seem
more in proportion.
In a long narrow room, paint the end walls contrasting colors for a
striking effect.
A favorite painting can be the inspiration for the color scheme of a
room Select one dominant color and several toning shades to create a
pleasing combination.
Warm a cold north facing room with cream colors and warm pastels such as
peach and rose.
Tone down a south facing room with cool colors such as blue and violet.
