Posts Tagged ‘Colour Combinations’
Revealing Ceilings
During a home colour consultation, after we’ve chosen colours for all the rooms the question is often asked, “What colour will we paint the ceiling?”
More times that not I immediately say “White” as I’m definitely a white ceiling girl. And now I’ll explain my reasons and the exceptions, because as you know there are always exceptions to every rule.
A white ceiling will give context to the other colours you have chosen for the walls.
This is especially important when the wall colours are neutrals or off whites. The walls will just look white unless there is a whiter white adjacent to it.
White ceilings also assist in bouncing light around the room. If your room is dark or doesn’t receive much natural light, a white ceiling will help to lighten the room.
I have seen many times, in recently bought houses, the same colour on the walls as on the ceilings. This is an easy way to paint as there’s no cutting in and it probably saves money and time for the previous owner. The problem with this look is that the ceiling tends to look dirty. Even if the ceilings are painted a half strength of the wall colour the ceiling will still look dirty.
The only time I would take the wall colour up onto the ceiling is if the ceiling is raked and the lines between walls and ceiling are blurred.
The angles seem to disappear and the room appears bigger as everything is the one colour. That is of course assuming that the colour is a light neutral colour.
The room above does not have any mouldings between the walls and the ceiling so it has made sense to carry the wall colour above the picture rail onto the ceiling. It would be much easier to paint and as the colour is lighter than the wall colour it works.
The ceilings need to be quite high if you do wish to paint the ceiling a colour. A darker colour on the ceiling will make the ceiling advance and appear to come down on top of you so it really needs to be in a room where the ceiling is at least 2.9m high.
It can look very effective in rooms where you look at the ceiling – like the bedroom or in a room that needs some drama like an entry or a dining room.
So what do you prefer? Coloured or white ceilings?
If you would like assistance with choosing colours for the interior of your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
Walkin’ the ‘hood
Whilst I am technically back at work, many of my clients and some of my suppliers are still on holidays so I can enjoy a slower pace. However, I am enjoying my walks around the suburb each afternoon and watching the houses changing colours.
I live amongst Californian Bungalows and Federation homes in Sydney’s North Shore and many of them have undergone renovations over the last few years to accommodate the families that have moved into the area.
It’s interesting to see the colour palette moving towards grey rather than brown which is what the colour forecasters have been predicting.
Most of the houses subscribe to my 3 colour formula and I must say, I think the homes look smart with a light, medium and dark colour.
It’s a shame this homeowner hasn’t read my blog or decided to spend a nominal outlay on a Colour Consultant to get the overall look just right.
This was the house before via Google Street View and I really think it would’ve benefitted from a dark colour on the barge boards (they’re the wide boards at the top of the gable). Alternatively, the shingles could’ve been painted a colour between the dark grey and the white.
Remember a Colour Consultation is the cheapest part of repainting your home but will make all the difference.
If your home is brick then the brickwork is considered a colour so you only need to choose two colours. What do you think – two colours or three?
If you would like assistance choosing exterior paint colours for your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
It’s official – the hottest colour for 2012 is Orange
Pantone have announced the Colour of The Year for 2012is Tangerine Tango – a vivacious, reddish orange.
Orange is a friendly colour as well as being warm and energising and that’s just what we need to buoy the economy back to life.
Each year when the Colour of the Year is announced I like to look at how the new colour will work with past colours.
Orange and Pink (2011) looks great in girls rooms.
Orange and Turquoise (2010) has that electric zing.
Orange and Yellow (2009) is a very retro, mellow look.
Orange and Purple (2008) can have a certain sophistication about it.
So orange could be the colour for all seasons. Will you be decorating with orange?
If you would like assistance selecting colours for your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
Colour Trends for 2012
St Ives Shopping Village is a local shopping centre on Sydney’s North Shore. For the past few years I have been writing the Home article in their bi-monthly magazine, Village Life.
The latest issue has just been published and the article is on Colour Trends for 2012. The article was compiled with the help of Dulux and Resene colour predictions.
The magazine promotes the stores in the shopping centre and I’m always keen to see what illustrations they have used to go with my article. They add some great visuals to my words.
If you would like assistance choosing colours for your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
It’s not orange
As I tear through the shopping centres on my quest to complete lists before Christmas, I have been noticing a plethora of orange.
It seems just about every shop window features an orange item of one shade or another.
Pumpkin, Amber, Coral, Clay, Tangerine, Peach, Melon, Splice, call it what you will, but it’s all out there.
I know that once a colour appears en masse in the fashion industry, we can expect to see it in the home industry very soon thereafter.
I don’t mind touches of orange in the home, in soft furnishings, feature walls or even wallpaper, as long as it is in moderation.
However, I am really worried that we may return to that time in the ’90′s when everyone was giving their home a Tuscan makeover by laying terracotta tiles and painting the walls apricot.
Frances Mayes has a lot to answer for!
What about you? Are you a fan of orange and it’s many tints and shades?
If you would like assistance choosing colours for your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
White Hot
An all white room usually leaves me cold. But I did a double take when I saw this study recently.
The all white room has been punched with colour bursts making the room so much more friendly and fun.
What about you? Do you like all white or loads of colour?
If you would like assistance choosing a colour scheme for your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
Jonathan Adler in Australia
I was very excited to learn that a selection of Jonathan Adler furniture and pottery is now available here in Australia.
I love his quirky style and bold use of colour and pattern. The house he decorated for the Barbie’s 50th birthday party was sensational.
Visiting one of his stores was high on my list of shops to see when we holidayed in America this year.
His two books Happy Chic Colors and Happy Chic Accessorizing are full of Adlerisms on the lighter side of decorating. And now we can enjoy some of his products here.
If you would like assistance finding quirky furniture and accessories for you home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.
Particularly Partial to Purple
It seems that I everywhere I turn I see purple.
Which is not a problem for me as I’m particularly partial to purple.
Fortunately my clients like it too.
What about you? Are you partial to purple?
If you would like assistance choosing colours for your home, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

























































