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.

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.

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.

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