When we simply plant things that appeal to us, where ever there is room, we often lack harmony, which is defined as all objects having a common trait. When a space has harmony, it gives us humans a sense of order and peace. After a full day we long to come into our garden for some relaxation, recouping some peace in our lives.  A variety of textures, colors, heights, shapes, etc.,etc. may be robbing us of this peaceful feeling.

Yet, if here isn’t some contrast in our garden, it may look boring. If an entire yard has nothing but white tulips, all the same height, all in neat rows, we don’t appreciate it as much as a sprinkling of groups of white tulips in various areas of the yard in groups (not rows) of 3, 5, 7, or 9 plants per group. These groups of pure white tend to harmonize the entire space. The varying number of plants per group gives a little interesting contrast to them.

Contrast provides a little spark to our garden. However, if we plant 1 shrub with a purple flower, one medium sized plant with tiny foliage, one small plant with large yellow flowers, one large leaved plant; as lovely as each of these are, there is no harmony to the group. There is no element that carries through.  Bjut what if we planted several of the large leaved plant around the shrub, with some tiny foliaged plants encircling or bordering the entire group? Or perhaps we have shrub, with large leaved plants, and tiny leaved plants intersperced through the space, but they all had flowers in the same color?

To help you achieve a beautiful yard or garden, give some thought to planning the harmony and contrast of the space before planting. 

And if you need a little help, contact us. We are the interior-exterior space specialists, and can make your yard fit you like your favorite shoe. Ask yourself…..Does the Shoe FIT?

The formulas, or templates, are:

MONOCHROMATIC:  One color throughout a room in both light and dark tones, and various intensities of that one color. This is a good one for a formal, peaceful, setting.

ANALOGUS: This is a bit more colorful, using three colors right next to each other on the color wheel. Examples are Yellow, Yellow-Orange, and Orange   or   Blue, Blue-Purple, and Purple.

COMPLIMENTARY: Two colors directly across from each other on the color wheel. Such as Purple and Yellow or Blue and Orange. Unlike the first two formulas, these colors are not related in any way! They will clash if one color is not dominate and the second subordinate.

SPLIT COMPLIMENTARY: Similar to complimentary except that you choose a Y shape on the color wheel. Take one color and go directly across from it on the color wheel–BUT, before you get there, vere off to the right and the left of that opposite color, thus traveling in a “Y”. Example: Purple, Yellow-Green, and Yellow-Orange. If color intimidates you, this may not be the best to try, as it is tricky–but lively and fun when pulled off successfully. The trick is to have a ratio where one color takes about 65%, one about 30%, and one about 5%.

TRIAD: The most exciting look–and most difficult to achieve. NOT for places of quiet refuge. One the color wheel, choose three colors that create an equilateral triangle, such as Yellow-Orange, Blue-Green (Aqua or Turquiose), and Red-Violet (Crimson). Again, the ratio for the three colors needs to be about 65%, 30%, and 5%.

If you have questions, feel free to contact me through this blog, or through private consultation. Remember, your surroundings should fit you like a favorite shoe. Ask yourself, “Does the Shoe….FIT?” If not, contact us; we are the interior/exterior space specialists.

Light, cool colors visually recede, creating a feeling of spaciousness in our smaller rooms. Warm Colors visually advance, helping those long and narrow rooms to seem in better proportion.

People have a feeling of intimacy in darker colors–good for our dining room, bathroom, bedrooms. It goes back to our prehistoric cave-dwelling days of dark interiors where we felt safe. In light cool colored spaces, we work more efficiently.The cooler colors, blues, greens, and purples, are great for un-stressing and quiet activities like sewing or sleeping or reading. Warm colors such as reds, yellows, and oranges put us in a social mood, and the warmer or more intense the color combination, the more the party atmosphere. Warm colors make us feel hotter in a room with western exposure.

So what is the function, shape, and sun exposure of your room? They are not all the same, nor do all people have the same functions, shapes, and sun exposure to the same rooms of their home. So how can color trends fit your individual needs? They can’t. They are groupings of pretty, compatible colors–but totally impersonable to YOUR needs.

Then how do you pick and choose from so many colors? Actually, there are 5 successful color formulas or templates that help you choose the best color combination for each of your spaces, once you determine the areas main function, shape, and sun exposure.

We will talk about these 5 formulas or templates in the next blog. Remember, your spaces need to fit you like your favorite shoe. Ask yourself, “Does the shoe…..fit?”  If not, contact us, Breay Design. We are the interior and exterior space specialists.

According to STIR, American adults are still very fearful of intense colors. When such colors are paired with gray, they become quieter, not so “in your face.” But gray does need special handling. Done poorly, it can give a space a heavy, even oppressive feel.

However, the color gray has alot of positives. It goes from very cool to very warm options, from taupes to blue-greens. It can be apart of a sophisticated, understated color scheme or a background color for an extremely lively, active color scheme.

What colors should YOU put with it? Actually, what colors should YOU use for your surroundings? Let’s take the next few blogs and discuss how to determine what colors fit YOUR need. Remember, your spaces should fit you like your favorite shoe. Ask yourself,  “Does the shoe…FIT?”  If you need some help, contact us. We are the interior and exterior design experts.

What do I do?  Well, I use a lot of my mom’s old techniques. I block some of the sunshine from coming into the house. It’s hard for me to live in a dark environment, but even simple sheers at the windows are a help. We have light-blocking top-down / bottom-up shades for the 6’ high bedroom windows, and set them to give us early sunlight only, while still having some daylight in the rooms through the entire day. It’s amazing how only 18” of opening in each window will give plenty of daylight in the summer.

Our mountain home doesn’t need air conditioning, but we do keep the hottest window exposures closed until evening. We’ve always planted or had a few shade trees in the yard, shading some part of the home. We save MUCH energy by these few tricks.

This is the time to get the cooler colored accents through the home, those in sky blues, ice blues, grass greens, mint greens, and purples and blue violets. Be sure to have live plants around, perhaps a water feature or two, and take the extraneous out of the space to give a spacious, airy feeling.

Have cooler-evening or under-shade-trees get togethers. Splash the table with bright, colorful summer prints and foods. Set a garden atmosphere. Again, have a water feature.

Summer is a wonderful time for enjoying our homes as havens of relaxation. Create the environment, and then give yourself a little down-time daily to enjoy them.  Remember–YOUR home should fit you like a favorite shoe. Ask yourself, “Does the Shoe….FIT?” And, give me a call if you need some help adapting your spaces to your lifestyle.

I look forward to your comments!–Sharon Breay, Breay Design   &   “Does the Shoe….FIT?” Workshops

 What does Happiness have to do with Design? Aren’t we referring to colors and furniture?  Well we are, but good design is much more than colors and furniture. Design is very much based on psychology. Applying our own personal psychology to a space can contribute greatly to our happiness. We do need to follow good design principles, but we must equally take into consideration the personalities of the inhabitants of the space.

 The other day my husband wanted me to look over his new website for his stamp dealership. The header had a large background of very deep gray that gradiated down the page. My personal opinion was that it looked gloomy, even depressing. And yet the graphics person working so closely with my husband apparently didn’t feel the same. I also thought back to a recent hotel stay where there were lots of coral colors, plants and sunshine. It gave me a feeling of being in the tropics, and made me feel very happy. What colors and things make you feel happy? What themes of rooms make you feel happy?

Lighting has much the same effects on our happiness. Very bright lighting throughout your home could easily make you feel tense, jittery, and grumpy. Yet soft colored, low level lighting would probably make you feel relaxed, even secure.

 One of the first steps in applying the Chinese philosophy-religion of Feng Shui (the placement of furniture & accessories to bring you wealth & happiness) is to eliminate clutter.  A harmonious flow comes from having only a few favorite items setting out. It seems our minds have quite enough to thing on.

Bring in natural light and fresh air. Have house plants that purify the air, such as fern and ivy.

It is not the trends and latest TV show designs that we need to follow. We need to follow our heart. Use good design principles, but don’t overlook your own personality. If you need to GET AWAY!–you may wish to address the happiness your own home design gives to you.  Think of your home as a shoe, and ask yourself, “Does the Shoe….FIT?”