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How to Create a Color Scheme Continued

8. Some things to remember when selecting interior finishes:

  • Remember the scale that you are working with. You are generally selecting from small swatches, they will look quite different in larger pieces.
  • A paint swatch will look darker when painted on the wall.
  • Patterned fabric will look more intense when it is gathered and hanging at the windows.
  • A small pin dot upholstery fabric can look lost on a large sofa.
  • If selecting numerous patterns, ensure that there is something that ties them together for example a color or design.
  • Always visualize your ideas in 3D, and view the samples as you would see them, for example view the carpet on the floor, not a table, the wallpaper - hold it up against the wall don’t look at it on the table horizontally.
  • Remember that cool colors recede and warm colors advance. Dark colors look heavy and enclosing, light colors make the space appear larger and lighter.

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  • If you want to “ground’ your scheme, select a dark flooring.
  • If selecting a monochromatic scheme, ensure that you select items with texture or your design will look flat and boring.
  • It is important to keep balance in a room, therefore never group a color or pattern in one area only, and distribute it around the room in varying proportions.
  • Try and have a dominant color for the main theme and accent the other colors around the room.
  • If using accent colors / patterns make sure that you use them more than once so they harmonise with the room.
  • If you have decided to theme your space, ensure that you have done your homework and researched the period. Then make sure that the fabrics, wallpapers, fabrics, furniture, lights etc can be sourced to enable your theme to be successful.

 

9. Have a look at the samples in the new environment, checking that they work with the current light, because as we know, this is how we read color and what looks great in our office may not do the same in the space we are designing.

10. Collate them all – write up your schedule – assemble a color board and present the ideas to the client.

Here is an example of the finishes schedule for the room we looked at earlier.

Item/Area Substrate Finish

Color

Entrance      
Ceiling Plasterboard Semi Gloss Paint Finish Dulux White
Cornice Plaster Semi Gloss Paint Finish Dulux White
Walls – General Plasterboard Acrylic Low Sheen Paint Finish Dulux Gold
Dado Rail Timber Stained and Varnished Sand Back and apply 3 coats of clear polyurethane satin finish.
Below Dado Rail Pressed metal sheet Lacquer paint Dulux Gold
Skirting Timber Stained and Varnished Sand Back and apply 3 coats of clear polyurethane satin finish.
Floor Carpet (timber floorboards under) Remove carpet and underlay Sand Back and apply 3 coats of clear polyurethane satin finish.
Features - Ceiling Rose Plaster Painted Enamel Semi Gloss Paint Finish Dulux White
Pendant light fitting Brass and glass Remove and replace with frosted glass pendant no 12345  
Turkish Rug Wool Blue & Red Hues To remain

11. There are often minor alterations / fine tuning to be done at this stage.

12. You have now completed a color scheme.

13. Don’t be afraid to make decisions. As long as you can justify what you have selected and why, you should feel confident presenting your scheme.

To return to beginning of How to Create a Color Scheme......

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