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.

HOWEVER, we have a special treat for apartment and small-space dwellers today and also in our next blog of November 30th.  This fall “Rachel” called me for an in-home interior design consultation, and expained she lived in a tiny apartment. She said she really needed help to enhance it on a budget. She hated the all white walls and wanted to give some mood and style to the place. She also thought it appeared too cluttered. The apartment consisted of a living area, dining nook, and kitchenette all open and flowing into each other (plus a private bedroom & bath.)

First, we looked at the scale and amount of the furniture. The sofa was the main piece;  there was a coffee table in front of it, a side table on either side of it, and a console table directly across from it that held Rachel’s entertainment components. A  trunk sat under the side window that could also be used for seating. I asked Rachel if she really needed all 4 tables. She loved the coffee table with it’s convenient shelf underneath, and one table was near the entry door, where she could put things on as she entered. So we removed the opposite end table, found a floor lamp to put in it’s place, and created a more spacious corner. The taller floor lamp also better illuminated the room.

A larger sized piece of modern art on the wall, hung off center to create asymmetrical balance with the lamp, completed the wall. The openness of the artwork allows the viewer to see through sections of it, rather than having an overpowering solid piece in this small space. Taking out the area rug would have visually expanded the area, also; but the soft color and it’s large size gave definition to the “living” space. We decided to keep it. Notice how the accessories are mainly tall and thin, with vertical emphasis, rather than horizontal, which takes room space.

Next blog, we’ll tie in wall color (in a rented apartment!!) for Rachel. See you then! 

If you have an interior or exterior design problem, feel free to contact us. We are the Space Specialists that make YOUR space fit YOUR way of life like a favorite shoe. Look around your space  and ask yourself, “Does the Shoe…..FIT?”

Can you picture the lopsided room with lighter weight (and color) shelving on one side and heavy, large furniture on the other? The homeowner had accommodated seating for several, with positions to see the television. But the proportion of the seating and coffee table, coupled with the seating being one massive solid, overpowered the room. That sectional was like trying to fit the movie monster King Kong into the room.

Proportion is the biggest problem I see in our interiors. Don’t be fooled by the size of furniture as it sits in massive furniture store displays, with hundreds of other pieces.

Take the measurements of the piece and compare them with the size of your room. Do not bring King Kong home unless the room can accommodate the monster!

Had our hostess used a lighter looking sofa, with smaller arms and less mass, with a few side chairs (versus fully upholstered lounge chairs), putting one chair at the shelving for balance, the room would have looked infinitely better and been far more flexible. If we can further visualize this furniture in the room, using two small tables rather than 1 large coffee table, we have space between pieces, smaller sizes, and better balance.

Psychologically, we all become uneasy with tilting objects. Don’t let your room tilt!

Proportion and balance contribute much to an enjoyable space.