Almost everyone loves a shade of blue, which is no surprise considering we're surrounded with brilliant blue seas and skies. But sadly, we're left with relatively few earthly things in blue to admire, which might be why blue things abound in everything for home decor.
But blue enthusiasts, do be wary -- overzealous attempts with blue can make your home seem cold and uninviting. To the rescue is decorator and designer Susan Kneller, who says decorating with blue doesn't have to be difficult. "The colour blue can be a warm and desirable colour, and most blues provide comfort levels for people," she says.
Kneller shares her expertise with three shades of blue from the Pratt & Lambert line of paints (note the colours on your screen may vary slightly from the true paint colours.):
1 Pratt & Lambert paint colour number 27-26, Cerulean Haze
Comprised of predominately black, with red and blue, she says this warm blue is complimentary in a kitchen with yellow accents. "Cerulean Haze is so versatile that it works well in every room," she adds.
2 Pratt & Lambert paint number 26-22, Blue Fog
"This is a cold blue, and is best used in less travelled rooms where colour can not affect your mood or appetite, such as a bathroom or foyer," she says. Because of its cooling nature, Kneller warns this colour must be used with caution around the house.
3 Pratt & Lambert paint number 26-8, Daydream
The base for this colour is blue and red with no black tint. "It's a fanciful colour for a baby nursery or a child's room. You can accent it with a child's theme in any range of pastel colours," she says, but adds this bright and stimulating tone is not appropriate for spaces like a foyer.
A word about lighting
When choosing paint colour, Kneller stresses that lighting can make or break the room. "Halogen is your clearest whitest light showing the true tones of the colour. Fluorescent bulbs or tubing and chandelier bulbs will camouflage the natural tone of colour you have chosen. When choosing your colour, make sure the colour is desirable in natural light, adjusted for sunlight positioning and direction as well as extra lighting fixtures in the room. All of your hard work and your time will be lost unless you keep this in mind at all times," she says.
Interiors with Charm is the creation of Susan Kneller's Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario based interior decorating and home renovation business. Get to know Susan at www.interiorswithcharm.com.
