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Design Solutions
Going to School on Color
The right color selection can be even more important in large rooms.
by Sharon L. Anderson
CHALLENGE: I read one of
your recent articles on great room decor using deep colors for large
areas. I am working on a 22- by 18-foot great room that has 14-foot
high walls and the ceiling peaks at 20 feet. There is a floor-to-ceiling
stone fireplace on one wall with windows on either side. One wall
is 14 feet high by 24 feet.
I have read that you should go two to three shades darker on the
ceiling than the walls on rooms with high ceilings. Can you shed
any light on this subject?
SOLUTION: Color has fabulous
effects on a room when it is the right color choice!
The dimension of color, referring to value, intensity and temperature,
will affect a room’s outcome. Darker values such as deep orange,
which is a shade of the original color, may affect a room by giving
it a warm and inviting touch. Warmer shades are known as advancing
values, in other words a room appears closer to the individual.
As you walk into a room with warm hues, it will not feel cold and
uninviting. This room size definitely will take the warmer hues
well.
As for the ceiling, there are two schools of thought. The first
subscribes to the Rule of Continuity. Here you would paint the ceiling
tints of your chosen room color—in this example, orange. Depending
on the value of the orange you may be using, three to four steps
lighter than the wall color might work. Always test your two choices
first, either applying paint to a large piece of drywall or heavy
poster board to see if the combination works for you, personally.
Color can be very personal and individual choice will affect your
color selections.
The second school of thought would be to go with a safe choice,
as in a neutral such as beige. This color will add some contrast
and brighten up the room a bit. I would suggest perhaps using one
of the shades found in the stone used for the fireplace, or pick
up one of the surrounding colors in the room or an accessory that
has beige as part of the design.
For the window treatments, I might suggest blinds manufactured in
a warm wood product.
The home you are working on sounds beautiful! I would stay with
these shades and tints if possible.
Editor’s note: This is a continuing series of articles written
by Sharon L. Anderson that will answer some of the many questions
we receive at Draperies & Window Coverings as well as questions
Anderson has encountered in her own business. If you have a question
you would like Anderson to address, please send it along with a
photograph, if possible, to:
Design Solutions
c/o Draperies & Window Coverings
1724 E. Grand Ave.
Lindenhurst, IL 60046
Fax: (847) 356-9013
E-mail: DesignSol@dwconline.com
 Sharon
L. Anderson has more than 20 years experience in the residential and
commercial areas of interior design. She is currently a faculty member
at two Southern California colleges. Anderson has been featured in
numerous books and publications. |
