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NATALIE PATERSON

Choosing Paint Colours

Updated: Nov 7, 2022

Here are...


Here are my top 5 tips for painting a room: Note: the choice of colour should be influenced by the conditions within the space - how it functions, its architecture and when its used


1. Depending on the size of your room, follow this ritual: light colours maximum space and darker tones enhance small areas and feel more intimate


2. The most restful houses tend to come from the same palette throughout, choose based on that concept, for each room room


3. Always paint samples onto card or paper not on the wall against the original colour of the walls, this will completely distort the paint colour you’re wanting to choose **always apply 2 coats


4. Accent colours and feature walls should be behind where you sit or behind your bed if in a bedroom so that you don’t feel ‘squeezed in’


5. Ceilings - everyone opts for Dulux white, but choose a tone of white that is similar to your wall colour (a bright white can actually make it seem darker)

for more tips, read more on our blog post - link in bio

**references from Farrow & Ball

COLOR FOR ROOMS:

  • The most restful houses tend to have the same palette throughout (from the same family) and is easier to choose decor from that, with commercial spaces this is completely dependant on what the space is used for

  • Hallway - darker creates more drama and also makes entering the house feel glamorous

  • Dining room - you can afford to use strong colours because of candles and fireplaces softening the space

  • Kitchen - lightest space as the hub of the home (walls and woodwork the same excluding units and islands)

  • Bedrooms - soothing and calming colours - neutrals, greens and blues, tones that reflect nature

  • Spare rooms - wallpaper can be used here to be more flamboyant, you can be more daring with accent colours

  • Bathrooms - mirroring is of course essential in a bathroom, as is lighting, therefore the use of colourful tiles and interesting feature lights are perfect for it


SAMPLING:

  • Put your colour cards next to your decorative pieces if you are using a specific element to match it

  • Always look at colours in high light or next to candlelight



DECORATING: BASICS

  • Light on dark - woodwork is light and the walls are darker

  • Dark on light - trim darker than the walls such as doors/ frames and architraves

  • One colour throughout - tranquil and chic, best for showing off art


FLOW OF COLOURS AT HOME:

One colour or one group of neutrals

One ceiling colour - can use kitchen colour on all the ceilings or use an ‘off-white’

One woodwork colour

Tone on tone colour - start with a darker colour and as you look through the house go lighter and lighter (same tonal family)

Several colours

A unifying hall colour - moles breath, skimming stone from farrow & ball



SHAPE AND FEATURE WALLS:

Strong colour on a short wall - squarer in shape

Warm colours: yellows, reds make a room feel cosier as they look closer to you

Cooler colours - make a room feel bigger




CEILINGS:

  • For very high ceilings - darker tone on the ceiling than the walls

  • Same colour for both is great if there’s no mouldings


HOW LIGHT AFFECTS COLOUR:

North facing - wall colours look cooler and harsher - strong colours

South facing rooms - warm light - pale tones, soft blues and off whites for a warmer feels

Eat facing rooms - bright in the morning - greens or blues as by the end of the day they are darker - fresh in the morning and warmer in the evening

West/ east facing rooms - warm tones incl. pink especially if west facing, greyer neutrals also

modern emulsion is easy to clean as well as scud and stain proof (has the flat look)



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