What’s your advice for the colour shy?
“All white - the absence of colour – is as effective as the presence of
colour.”
– Bruce Wilkin
“Take a chance.”
-Kate Thornley-Hall
“White walls are never a mistake, and you can start with colour and pattern in the fabrics. Make a little collection of fabric swatches in something that is harmonious and cover one chair and a couple of pillows. Get some colourful lamps and hang some paintings or photographs up on the wall. You can start slowly.”
- Virginia Johnson
“It’s only paint.”
– Debbie Travis
“Shift into neutral. After all, neutrals are still colours. But be sure to vary the shades you use and have fun mixing several textures in your rooms to keep things interesting.”
- Margot Austin
What’s a common colour mistake?
“Going halfway and using colour in a muted way.”
-Kate Thornley-Hall
“Listening to your friends opinions rather than trusting your own eye. Choosing neutrals with the wrong undertones. Choosing a bright white when an off-white would be better (almost always). Choosing a bold wall colour but neglecting to tie it into the whole room scheme.”
– Margot Austin
A palette should have no more than four main colours in a room – yes or no?
“It depends on the look. A more calming space would require very harmonious soft colours. If you want something bolder, lots of colours can work together.”
– Virginia Johnson
“Break the rules.”
– Debbie Travis
“Like the saying ‘before you leave, look in the mirror and take one thing off,” same for paint colours - start with a handful of chips for consideration and then pare your choices down until the palette feels comfortable.”
–Bruce Wilkin
“Rules – I hate rules and can't abide by them.”
-Kate Thornley-Hall
“No, because I hate pronouncements like this. They make people so afraid they might get it wrong that they don’t do anything at all.”
–Margot Austin
“Three or five odd numbers work better, although it is not the colours you use but how you balance them.”
-Scott Yetman
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3 Comments
How to choose a house (outside) colour? 1950's sided 2 storey. Could be the nicest house on the block. Needs updated look but still style-suitable colour. It's a boring beige now. Yuk. What program can you download to try colours with a photo of the house? Thanks, KG
Your choice should depend on where you live and how often you are prepared to wash, clean, touch-up, refresh the paint job or repaint your house... for example: in Vancouver where the rain is omnipresent it tends to create a green "overlay" of algae on all and especially on most exposed surfaces of the houses... Hence my suggestion would be to keep it in the green hues or a dark shade of whatever colour you like. If on the other hand you live in the Prairies where dry climate and snowy winters prevail I would go with a brighter, more intense colour... It is hard to suggest a particular colour not seeing the form/character of your house and not knowing of what is around it - the situation, immediate vicinity is quite important! good luck any way! ikka pi
This is a friends house. All along I have envisioned it a sophicated green. It has fairly wide clapboard and the trim, windows, everything is a deep beige now. It is a 1950's suburban home in the Niagara area of Ontario. Lots of lawn in front and back. This family who bought it from the original owner have updated but kept its retro interior. I know they will never side it. Do you agree that you can't go wrong with the right shade of green. I think any natural colour goes well with landscaping and doesn't lose it's appeal.