C. L. Design Services Home Staging includes paint color consultations in many of our projects.
The color wheel is a common and handy tool for understanding the relationship of colors. They are easily found for purchase at crafts stores. Some are set up differently-but on all are twelve colors arranged in wedges from the center. Primary, secondary and tertiary colors fill the wheel. Black, white, gray and chocolate are not on the wheel.
Here are some terms to help keep your color discussions clear:
Hue: a color
Tint: a color mixed with white
Shade: a color mixed with black
Value: The lightness or darkness of a color
Warm colors: Reds, oranges and yellows (great for dining rooms)
Cool colors: Greens, blues and violets (great for bedrooms)
Complementary colors: Colors that appear opposite each other on the color wheel
Analogous colors: Colors that are adjacent on the color wheel.
Monochrome: Featuring only one color
There is no need to become an expert on color theory. Designers and Professional Stagers who are adept with color know it is all about creative talent.
Have a colorful day!! Cathy Lee
Hi Cathy, though I studied art in school that eventually evolved into Film, I forget these terms and they are useful in explaining color to clients without being and expert on color theory! Very cool and thanks!
Great reminder for both the navice and the professional. Even for those who "know" colors sometimes need a refresher course ;) and I LOVE that pumpkin color on that wall!
Cathy- love your explanation! Isn't it interesting how there's a science to color and how much the right or wrong color can affect us.
Hi Cathy, Nice clear concise explanation for all of us me, I still mix up tint & shade.
Hey now I'm interested in what films that rascal Russell did in schools, lol.
Yummy colors in dining rooms stimulate appetites and conversations, although mine does not need any stimulation!! hee, hee
So is "value" a tint or a shade? Or both? hhmmm ;)
Great explanation of color terms, Cathy -- thank you for sharing it with us!
Cathy - great reminder. I often refer back to the colour wheel. It's fool proof. I also love the orange in that dining room!
Shar-it is both!
Thanks Maureen and Sally..that paint in the dining room in Ben Moore Orange Parrot.
Thanks, CL: I'm working on a design project now and I'm trying to integrate indigo blue and terracotta. After that quick look at your color wheel, I feel much better about it - even excited! Julie
Love the Orange Parrot you used!!!! Great use of color!
Julie
I never would have chosen that Orange Parrot, but I love it! Thanks for the inspiration!
Julia-love the colors you are working with-fun!!
Julie and Sharon-orange is one of my favorite colors!
Cathy, Thanks for the clear, understandable post.
Hey congrats on your feature Cathy! I actually printed out your blog out because I mix up tint & shade to this day, holy moly.
So happy to help, Linda and Cynthia!
Great blog ....very clear and easy to understand.
Generally I stay away from bold colors for my staging work. It's only when I run into something special, like the aubergine tiles, that I really need that color wheel.
This makes me want to pick up the paint brush again. An easy way to remember is by remembering the vowels(the teacher in me ;) white and tint, black and shade, both and tone. The both would be by adding gray which is a combo of white and black. The way to explain value is different. You can add value or depth to a color by making it richer with a touch of black, but the best way to explain it is like this... have you ever had to do a second coat for the same color. Dark, bold colors need strong value and depth. Or, take a pencil and scribble hard on a piece of paper, then proceed to lighted up your pressure as you bring it down. The darker gray from the pencil has more value than when you lightened up. Does that make sense? ;)) I think the hardest part for some homeowners is when you are looking at tones. That is why "taupe" can be so many different tones when gray is mixed with the warm colors like brown. Brown can be comprised of several different combinations. So you really need to know if it is a red taupe or a yellow taupe. Such a colorful world this is ;)
This is perfect, will use it in my work. Simple explanation and anologies.
Hi Cathy - color makes such a HUGE difference doesn't it? I think it's the single most defining character of any space and those who understand how to use it reap big rewards. Thanks for the reminder!
Cathy Lee,
When I studied color theory at Rhode Island School of Design, I was amazed at how dramatically colors changed AGAINST other colors. All colors are in relation to the colors that they are up against. That is why it really helps to hire someone who is savvy about color and how it is affected by light, other colors,etc.
Marianne
Virginia-I love those tiles!!
Lori Kim-what a great explaination/teacher!!
Michelle-I like to keep everything simple!
Tessa-can't imagine the world without color!
Marianne-So very true!!!!!
Great post and so informative, I am highlighting this for future use...thanks so much for sharing...
Hi Cathy,
I love the way you explain color because it makes so much easier for clients to understand - It's short, sweet and to the point. I will be printing this as well. Thanks so much for your post! : )
Mary and Claudia-Nice to know you can use this in the future.
Claudia-you do such beautiful work! I love, love mid-century moderns!!
Thank you, Cathy. You are too kind : )
I absolutely adore mid century architecture and have met many of the legendary architects that designed these homes, and that thankfully, are still with us.
If you have any questions about this period, architecture and/or lifestyle, feel free to give me a call.
All the best!
Cathy,
Great simple way to explain the rocket science of color. you to0 Lori. Not formally schooled, good old white has saved my fanny once or twice:) That's a beautiful dining room wall.
Ana