Color Help: Choosing Color Combinations
Choosing a color scheme can be a nerve-wracking business. For instance, I anguished over the colors to paint the exterior of my Victorian house, I ordered every book on old house painting that I could find, and I discovered that they all contradicted each other on the basic "rules." Finally, the color scheme came to me. I would paint the house with my favorite colors! I love amber and red, so, fair gold and burnt red it became, along with temple green, dark-shutter green, dark amber, white, and black outlined windows. Temple green paint for porch ceilings, believed to keep out evil spirits, is a historic Southern superstition and tradition. Even our local historic art museum had the electrical junction boxes painted in this color. Black outlining of the muttons and mullions (the wood window dividers) highlighted antique glass and added depth to the windows. This type of paint outlining is like eyeliner -- a makeup enhancement. The flat front edge of the window trim is painted in the sash trim color. Traditionally, Southern porches were painted gray, but I like to feel grounded, so we painted our porches a deep green. This color anchors the porch floor to the green lawn, and during hot summer days, dark green is cooling. When the grass is brown during winter, green porches offer the promise of a green spring and relieve our gray days. Dark green paint with some black pigment mixed in gives a richer appearance than common green. Grouping Colors for Harmony Monochromatic color schemes, using varying shades, tones, and tints of the same color, give the impression of different colors and provide variety and interest. A single color scheme gives a unified, peaceful, and harmonious response. Monochromatic colors effectively establish an overall calming presence while tying things together, but can become boring or dull because of the lack of color contrast and liveliness. The analogous, or side-by-side, color scheme adds depth, energy, and visual appeal. Using two or three related colors next to each other on the color wheel, analogous combinations are both flexible and attention-grabbing. The relationship of the related colors brings harmony to the setting. One problem with this type of color scheme is that inadvertently adding a fourth color spoils the effect. Analogous color combinations of yellow, red, and orange, although full of life, constantly heat up the space whereas, blue, teal, and green always visually cool a space. Complimentary, opposite, or contrasting color combinations come from opposite sides of the color spectrum. A warm color, combined with a cool color, creates an interesting combination, such as yellow and purple, red and green, or blue and orange. They are also visually pleasing to most people. Because the two colors contain all three primary colors, the color scheme is complete and well-balanced. There is a great body of literature devoted to color schemes, but if you're like me, the more you read, the more confused you can become. In the end, it's sometimes best just to do like I did with my beloved Victorian home, and begin your deliberations by thinking about the colors you personally like best. (c) Copyright 2004, Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved. Professor Jeanette Fisher, author of Doghouse to Dollhouse for Dollars, Joy to the Home, and other books teaches Real Estate Investing and Design Psychology. For more articles, tips, reports, newsletters, and sales flyer template, see http://www.doghousetodollhousefordollars.com/pages/5/index.htm
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Buy Area Rugs on the Web? What a Site!
After spending hundreds of dollars on your favorite Picasso print, the idea of buying it online, anticipating its delivery, tossing it on the floor and going for a stroll seems unimaginable. But there is a form of art that you can walk all over: the area rug.
Building a Home Addition
Besides providing your home with more living space, a home addition can be a terrific investment. However, before embarking on such a project the homeowner should first consider several important items. These items include: home market values in the neighborhood, financing, size and scale of project, architecture, timetable for completion, personal disruption/inconvenience threshold and the sweat equity commitment level.
Heated Driveways: Who, What, Where, When, Why, & How
What are heated driveways? The obvious answer is, "a driveway that is heated," but what actually heats the driveway? The best driveway heating systems are radiant heating systems, similar to indoor floor heating systems. There are primarily two methods for heating, electric and hydronic. Electric systems use a line-voltage cable, while hydronic systems generate hot water then pump it through plastic PEX tubing. The heating elements are embedded in the surface and use resistant heating to heat the surrounding area. Most systems incorporate an automatic sensor that detects inclement weather to activate the system. Electric systems tend to be more efficient, require less maintenance, and heat surfaces quicker. Hydronic systems are usually slightly more expensive to purchase and install, but the operational can be lower depending on their local fuel rates. Both systems have their advantages, however, the electric systems are gaining a lot of interest due to their price, ease of installation and threatening future of the cost of fuel.
Be Cool and Comfortable While Saving Money
The cost of energy is on the rise, so if you want to have better air quality and feel more comfortable, you must be prepared to pay for it. People in homes and businesses are looking for ways to save money and still remain comfortably cool. Purchasing a portable air conditioner is one way to lower your energy costs. Central air conditioning an entire home is expensive. The portable model will cut down on the cost by only spot cooling the room you wish. Ceiling fans help circulate the air while a dehumidifier takes the moisture out of the air. These two work in tandem with portable air conditioners creating totally comfortable surroundings. Your sunroom might be the warmest room in the house or your bedroom might be located on the second floor.
Electrical Savings System; Save up to 40% on Your Electric Bill Every Month
Once a month there's an electric bill coming in the mail with your name on it. For the next week, it's telling the kids to shut the lights off when you're done, And most of the time, you turn them off yourself. Right? Meanwhile downstairs there's the TV, stereo, lights, computer, and a play station going. You have to give them credit for their talent to do all this at one time. We are all guilty of it.
Top Ten Air Purifier Questions
1. Do I really need an air purifier in my home?
Kitchen Cabinets are The Soul of Your Kitchen
Kitchen cabinets reflect the heart and soul of the homeowner. The cabinets you have in your kitchen have the greatest impact on a kitchen's look. They come in many shapes and sizes as well as in a rainbow of colors. Only your imagination and your bank account limit the color and design of your cabinets. You can buy cabinets pre-made at your local home supply store or have them custom built.
Can You Buy Luxury Home Brands Online and Save - Worry Free?
Are you frustrated with the high prices you've been quoted for luxury home decor?
Deck Building Basics
In my previous article, "planning for a new deck," I outlined the steps for planning for a new deck. This article takes the process one step further. We'll look at how to get started actually building your deck. By this time, I will assume that you have your building permit in hand, a good set of plans, and a materials list. If you don't have a material list, simply take your plan to your nearest home center or building supply store and have them create one for you. Most lumber yards can actually arrange for delivery of all your materials at one time including all the nails and
screws are you will need. This can be quite handy on large projects or if you don't own a truck or a trailer. The lumber yard will bring all the parts and pieces you will need to build your new deck.
Bathroom Vanity Cabinets - Considerations Before Buying Bathroom Vanities Online
Bathroom vanity cabinets are an essential component of any bathroom and can add drama to your design and decor. Bathroom sink cabinets provide countertop space, a place for the sink and faucets and great storage below. It's amazing how often bathroom cabinets and storage are left out of the planning process. It's important to have a place for everything in your bathroom that is easily accessible to everyone. Bathroom vanity cabinets and storage provide home organization and reduce clutter. You never can have too much bathroom storage!
10 Common Uses for Baking Soda
Baking soda is a great household cleaner. Here are ten ways to clean your home with baking soda:
Building a Garage Addition to Your Home
One of the most rewarding home improvements I made to my house was to build a garage addition. For years I contemplated building a garage addition while I scraped the ice and snow from my cars and waited for them to warm up during the winter months. About 5 years ago I finally made the decision to build a garage onto my home.
How To Identify A Quality Interior Shutter
1. Shutters have proper louver tension
When Is It Time To Call The Professional?
For most Do-It-Yourself (DIY) home project managers, the most difficult decision is to know when to give the professionals a call to come complete a task and when to complete it yourself. The reason we like to do our own home upgrades or an addition is always a pretty internal and selfish reason. We want to save money and we want to be able to say, "I did it myself." How many times have you been to a friendly dinner party and the topic of home improvement projects come up? Ultimately, it becomes a barrage of sentences that all contain these simple statements, "I did it myself." or "We did it ourselves." I must confess that I am also guilty of this. This is why we always have the more informative conversations with people at the local hardware and supply stores. Both parties in the conversation understand the need to DIY and the communication process flows without any issues.
The Benefits of Radiant Heat, Comparison
What are the Benefits of Radiant Heating and how do they compare to other heating applications?
Gel Candle Safety: What You Should Know Before You Buy
A lot of attention has been focused on gel candle safety in recent years. Irresponsible (usually foreign) candlemakers have flooded the shelves of dollar stores and discount retailers with poor quality and at times unsafe container gel candles. As a result, gel candles have gotten a "bum rap" as being hazardous works of the devil, rather than being viewed as an alternative decorating option for candle lovers. Following the guidelines here will help you in choosing safe gel candles for your home or gift giving needs.
The Organized Move: Preparing Your Home for the Publics Eye
(This is the first in a series of three articles on "The Organized Move")
Home Remodeling: Colors and Temperature Perception
Colors contain underlying psychological meanings and evoke particular feelings when we see them. All of us have preconceived notions, learned from childhood memories and family customs concerning colors.
Buying the Right Garage Door Opener
If you have recently built a new garage you might be having a difficult time deciding on the right garage door opener. It is certainly something that seems simple at first. Once you start looking around you will find there is allot of choices. Here is a buying guide to help you along.
Save Money with a Solar Pool Heater & Cover
Heat your pool with a Solar Pool Heater and save the heat with a Solar Pool Cover. Solar pool heating systems are very simple in terms of engineering and application. The basic principle being: run enough water through enough black stuff on the roof and the pool gets warm.
|
