Color Theory
1. Introduction: Color in Your Home and How to Love It
Color can be overwhelming; no rules, but guidelines do help
Gain confidence and make decisions – it’s YOUR home!
Varying Repetition
Your Color Personality: Quiz
Comfort Zone v. What Inspires You?
Room: Mood & Setting
Neutrals and naturals in Montana interior décor
B. Color Theory: Using the Color Wheel
Isaac Newton – 1600s – using a prism, created the wheel
Primary (most vivid=3) Secondary (mix 2 primaries = 3)
Tertiary (mix prim/second=6) Neutrals= blk, wht, grey
Hue = color family (12 on color wheel)
Tint = add white
Shade = add black
Saturation = intensity & depth (bright v. dull)
Clarity = number of pigments
C. Basic properties of colors
Black absorbs; white reflects; red absorbes all but red – that is reflected
Warm/dark colors advance; rooms appear smaller and cozy
Cool/light colors recede; rooms appear larger & airy
D. Color Combinations
USE WHEEL
Complementary = opposites
Triads = equally spaced
Split complementary = analogous opposites; triangle
Analogous = wheel neighbors
Color family = different shades & tones (but use contrast)
Using Color in Your Home
A. Contrast
Rooms need contrast to have appeal and not appear flat
Think photographing your room in B&W – dk, lt, intermediate bridge
Defines depth – highlight features & creates focal points
Moves eye around – restful, easy
Lightens and brightens colors
Use dark & light of same hue or complementary opposites
Use contrasting materials
B. Texture
Texture and Surfaces: wood, metals, glass, textiles, prints
Textures needed for neutrals & simple color scheme
Contrast in textures visually interesting
Flooring, rugs furniture, pillows, throws, tiles, art, wall treatments, wall paper flowers & fruit
C. Using Neutrals
Quiet tones – greys, tans, beige, greens, wood, slate, glass, metal, stainless steel
Support & give relief from bold colors
All neutrals – no depth
Need textures; punches of contrast, even if all neutrals
D. Open Plans & Transitions
Multiple shades of a single color, color family (hue)
Ties large spaces together transitions between rooms
Focal point of areas – define with color/texture
E. Color Partners
Balance warm and cool colors (USE WHEEL: triads)
Can go bold IF…. Colors have equal presence and influence
Balance hue, depth etc
.
TIPS
Good way to start and narrow choices (limit of 5): 2 warms and a cool; 2 cools and a warm
Use three balanced and saturated colors: dark, light, intermediate [saturated, bright, delicate]
3 shades of same color; neighbors on color wheel
primary color 60%; secondary color 30%; accent color 10%
Dominance/Recurrence/Placement – where do you like you color?
How much of your room do you want to re-color? What is fixed? Pillows, walls, rugs, curtains, furniture, art, trim, lights, pieces
