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How To Create Great Color Combinations
by Kathleen M. Peters, www.KatieDidDesign.com
Do you sometimes have difficulty creating a great color scheme? Would
you like some guidelines to help you successfully combine colors? I'm
going to give you several easy-to-follow rules that will give you confidence.
Make sure that you're familiar and comfortable with
the color terms and descriptions that are discussed in my article on "Color
Basics." (link below) This article assumes you understand the difference
between a color's hue, clarity, and shade. So if you don't, read the article!
Please also make sure that you've gone through the process of "Finding Your
Style." (link below) Don't automatically assume that your favorite
color - or the colors of your wardrobe - are you're favorite decorating colors
as well. You need to know what colors you'll be comfortable LIVING
with.
Color Basics:
http://www.DecorDecoratingAndDesign.com/articles/colorbasics.shtml
Finding Your Style:
http://www.decordecoratinganddesign.com/articles/findyourstyle.shtml
The first and most important aspect to compare when you're
coordinating colors is their clarity. A usual rule of thumb is to make
sure that all the colors in your color scheme have the same (or almost the
same) level of clarity. Either use all muted colors or all clear or
bright colors, since it's difficult to combine the two. Remember that
either can be dark or light shades. For example, don't mix a clear
and bright blue with a muted pink or yellow - choose a bright pink or yellow
instead. And don't mix muted shades of pink with bright greens - choose
muted greens as well.
The next aspect of color to compare when you're
coordinating colors is the shade of the colors. YES, you CAN easily
combine both light and dark shades of the same or different colors.
The trick to making them look great together is to keep light and dark balanced
throughout the room. Notice that I said "balanced" and not equal.
You should use greater quantities of your light colors to balance smaller
amounts of dark colors, since dark colors "weigh" more visually. (More
complete information on balancing color is available in "Achieving Balance
with Color" - link below.) So you have three options to choose from
regarding color shades... either use all dark colors, or use all light colors,
or work to make sure that the light and dark colors are balanced. If
you want a quick rule to follow, then try to use at least three times as
much of your lighter colors as you use of your darker colors.
Achieving Balance with Color:
http://www.decordecoratinganddesign.com/articles/balance-color.shtml
The final color aspect to consider when coordinating
colors is the hue of the colors... the actual tint of (or in) the color.
I list this last because even though a color's hue is it's foundation, it's
hard to pinpoint an exact rule to follow when deciding what coordinates.
Here are some general do's and don'ts:
--- DON'T try to combine two hue variations of the same color (ie: yellow-green and blue-green).
--- DO stick to one hue or tint of each color in your color scheme.
If you want variation of a color, go with shade variations rather than hue
or clarity variations.
--- DON'T ignore the colors used in multi-colored fabrics you consider.
--- DO pay attention to those multi-color fabrics if you like the colors,
even if you choose not to use that particular fabric... you'll find that
they usually fit into these guidelines, so they might guide YOU!
--- DO use greens, whites, and earthtones... they go well with almost any
color - as long as you match their clarity to the clarity of the other colors
in your color scheme.
--- DO find examples in magazines to get a good idea of how different colors look when used together.
Those are the general rules that will get you started.
Of course these, like all rules, can sometimes be broken by those who "know
that they know" what they're doing. But these are a good starting point
for anyone who is looking for guidelines. As you successfully coordinate
colors into attractive color schemes, your confidence will grow, and you'll
get excited about your newfound ability. Have fun!
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This article Copyright 1999-2004 - Kathleen Peters, KatieDid Design. Reproduced with permission.
Kathleen Peters - 'Katie' - is a custom window treatment and bedding designer, and owner of KatieDid Design, her online shop. She is also the editor-in-chief of Decor, Decorating, and Design, a free bi-monthly ezine filled with articles, tips, and guidelines to help with your home decorating.
http://www.KatieDidDesign.com
http://www.DecorDecoratingAndDesign.com
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