COLOUR 101
Helpful hints for choosing colours
With Lynn Fenwick B.I.D. Fenwick
and Company Interior Design

    Our long summer days in the sun are almost over, the lawn chairs are being put away, the garden is being readied for the next year and our focus on being outside is now turning to where we will be spending most of our time in the winter- inside the home.

    We are surrounded by colour in the summer, all the various greens and the bright vivid colours of flowers, and are teased even more with the intense colours of autumn. It is no wonder people panic at the thought of spending a long grey winter in a house with beige walls.

    The question I am most often asked at this time of year is "How do I get colour into my space?"

    Many people desire more colour in their homes, but when it comes down to actually using colour, they sidestep it. Why are most people afraid of colour? Some reasons may be that putting colour into a large piece of furniture can be a big investment, and what if you don't like that colour anymore after a few years of living with it? Or, "I like colour on the walls when I see it in a show home or magazine, but what if I choose the wrong colour, or what if I tire of it in a very short while?"

    Colour, especially in our climate, can change our mood. It can cheer you up, excite you, or calm you down after and intense day at the office. We use colour in our clothing to express ourselves. With careful planning and research, you can also express yourself in your home .

Where do I start?

    It is a good idea to get a feeling of what you can live with as far as colour.

    Start with a self discovery approach. Ask yourself these questions: Which of these colour environments do I like best? A spring garden with it's fresh palette of pastels, a shadowy forest with it's deep, rich natural shades, an Arizona desert with its softly muted hues, a street art fair with its brilliantly bold colours.

    Let your mind wander to a favorite room. It might be in your home or in a friends, a favorite restaurant or a room from your childhood. You may have seen it in a showhome, a magazine or a display in a store. Describe the colours in the room using fairly specific terms: lemon yellow, sky blue, woodsy brown. Now describe the mood of the room you are recalling. Was it serene, or stimulating, formal or informal, cozy or open?

    Look in your clothes closet. What predominant hues do you see? Earth tone naturals, pastels, bold colours, black/white/ gray neutrals or a mixture?

    Develop an at- home personality sketch that reflects you and your family best.

Is your family home:

A. Action-oriented with something always going on. Your tempo is busy, bustling. Your . house is full of all the neighborhood kids and you appreciate a house full of fun and laughter--vivacious active people often are partial to red. They like strong colours or strong contrast.

B. A special place where you can "get away from the world". Peace and harmony are the moods you like to have prevail in your home. You enjoy a sense of contentment about yourself and those around you. You may prefer the colour blue or green or a composition of cool hues with warm colours limited to accents. Or a combination of neutrals using textural elements such as rattan, textural fabrics and wood pieces with interesting grain patterns for visual interest.

C. A lighthearted and lively place. Usually a cheerful place with people who have lively imaginations and are outgoing, but also appreciate moments of quiet and privacy. Yellow may express lively and lighthearted, or maybe a low contrast, monochromatic colour scheme would appeal to you, with variations of one colour - perhaps pale buff to sunny yellow to orange.

    You may see your home as one of these or somewhere in between those capsulized above - or you may lean toward a little of each. The point is to research your family needs and determine a theme that reflects emotions to a colour scheme.

    Finally, take a survey of each family members colour preferences and have them list the following colours in order of preference: red, yellow, blue, orange, green, purple. Combine all your research to determine colours that reflect you and your family. You have now developed a blueprint for action. The next step is putting your colour scheme together.

    Start with something you love. It could be a picture (artists are experts in colour combining), your favorite china or pottery set, an area rug, a fabric, a pillow. Analyze the use of colour. Pick out the main colour and two other colours that reflect your previous choises. This can be the beginning of your colour scheme. You can use more colours, but three makes it easier to successfully accomplish a harmonious scheme.

    Some points to consider: Consider the colours you already have in your home. There are possessions that have importance and can not be excluded. At the same time- Don't base your colour scheme around something that has a time line. A sofa that is already ten years old will probably be replaced in a few years. Unless you absolutely love the fabric, don't let it totally influence your selection of colours. It can be recovered or replaced.

    Choose a colour scheme you can use through the entire house. The colour balance in each room can be different. For example, if you use three colours as your basis for your scheme, each room can pull out a different colour for its predominant colour and secondary colour. Colour continuity will unify your spaces and create harmony.

    Do not try to balance all three colours equally in a room. Use one colour predominately and the other two as accent. Remember accent is the cherry on the sundae, the jewelry and shoes on the dress. A little accent goes a long way.

Accessories should relate in colour and enhance the scheme.

    Consider your room orientation. North facing rooms do not get a lot of sun and therefor feel cooler. They may need warmer colours. Likewise, South facing rooms may need cooler colours.

    If your are changing flooring or cabinets or anything that is costly to replace, consider using a neutral colour. Your tastes may change before your budget allows you to replace these items. Upholstery wears out, and painting is relatively inexpensive. Use colour in less costly items.

    With these tips in mind, you can set forth on your colour adventure! If you are still unsure of your colour choices, keep in mind, you can hire a designer to critique your selections before you invest in anything. Sometimes designers act as a sounding board for you to confirm your ideas or express your concerns. There are times when a designer will help you avoid costly mistakes. The hour or two you invest in a designer may ensure the success of your successful renovation.

    Colour is the essential key to creating self expression in your home. Now you have the tools to open the door to your world of colour!