Use Bright Colors in a World of “Neutrals”

Use Bright Colors in a World of “Neutrals”

by | Apr 8, 2025 | articles, barbara jacobs, blog, bright colors, color, color choices, color consulting, color design, commercial color, Commercial color design, Condo associations, decor, designer color palettes, exterior, Exterior color, exterior colors, fashion statement, historic color design, Interior color, Interior color, interior colors, interiors, neutral colors, paint color selecting, pick a color, professional, psychology of color, Residential color design, Selecting design materials, Selecting paint colors, Testing paint colors, Uncategorized, visualization

Getting it Right with Beautiful Brights
“Neutral” style color palettes are beautiful. No doubt about it. Soothing, practical, safe…”buyers love it,” and of course easy to furnish around. But here’s a thought: think of it as “food.” To be clear, I am not advocating a chaos of wildly colorful environments that you can’t live in or with. In fact, bright colors definitely have a place in sophisticated interiors.

Now that we have that bit out of the way, I wanted to share my more detailed thoughts about feeling confident and free in experimenting in finding the very best colors that you Will love to live In–and With.

The extensive collections I’ve created to show on Samplize.com include a variety of selected hues from all color families. Current collections you can get samples for right now include various Historic palettes in light, medium, and dark colors (use them for any house period), bedroom, and more. The featured colors are all from either Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, or Farrow & Ball. You might find, at a glance, that some colors seem similar. But, when you see the actual samples on various areas of the walls and ceilings, in different lighting times of day and evening, natural or artificial light sources, you will notice the differences.

logo for Samplize with a link to web site.


Flavor and Nuance
As with cuisine, nuance of seasoning is important to the best results. Sometimes we need a spot of bright energy in our world. At the risk of sounding trite, we could even call it a bit of “happiness.”
Take this idea into our interiors and even exteriors. While the important “soft and neutral” colors can create beautiful environments, there’s also a place for using some stronger—even darker—color. Whether our color decisions come from habitual personal preference or a stylistic trend, considering stronger colors can also be a happy surprise. You can see many beautiful examples of some strong, deeper hues, included in the other collections.

But for this specific group, think of the colors of foods, for example…winter squashes and pumpkins, tomatoes, eggplants, and of course all the greens. Then look at the brighter colors in nature—flowers, water, and more. Incorporating some of these colors, even in smaller amounts, can create more flavor and nuance in an already beautiful, harmonious neutral style menu of color.

For example, have you ever considered a pink – and – red living room? It may not be your “cup of tea” but I love this example from Farrow & Ball! 

Exterior settings can also enjoy…something a bit different.

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6 families were involved in confirming the above color scheme. They asked for something Bold, and Different.
(photo by Barbara Jacobs)

A more conservative exterior for this Victorian era home, that still enjoys a bit of Punch…
(photo by Barbara Jacobs)
The client reports this…

I lived with a drab house for close to 15 years. When it came time to paint my modest three-story Victorian I wanted something that popped. I called Barbara on the advice of a friend and immediately realized that she could see beyond color chips.

She considered the shape of the house, the number of windows, the colors and condition of the existing foundation and roof. She even considered the neighbor’s house. Things that weren’t on my radar. Barbara offered a color scheme I could dial up or down for drama or detail and when we were in the midst of painting and I had a quick question, she responded immediately.
Read more…6th row down the page, right side!

You might enjoy being completely enveloped in the energy of stronger, brighter colors; or you might enjoy them more when you include them as accents, trim, or special elements.

An example of unusual color in a bedroom…also consider elements like bookshelves, lighting fixtures, and artwork! Check out this color combination on a color wheel.
(photo and square artwork by Barbara Jacobs / oil painting diptych by William Saltzman)

A strong Yellow-Green is not a typical color, but this is a beautiful example. Also from Farrow & Ball.

Getting comfortable with ‘discomfort’
Personally, I love combining colors that are a bit “out of my comfort zone,” for the sake of a color adventure–trying new ideas for inspiration. In any case, I encourage you to consider some of these that cross multiple spectral hues. Because the painted sample cards from my collections on Samplize are repositionable, you can easily stick them up on any wall position along with your other selections.

The extensive collections I’ve created to show on Samplize include a variety of selected hues from all color families. Current collections you can get samples for right now include various Historic palettes in light, medium, and dark colors (use them for any house period), bedroom, and more. The featured colors are all from either Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, or Farrow & Ball. You might find, at a glance, that some colors seem similar. But, when you see the actual samples on various areas of the walls and ceilings, in different lighting times of day and evening, natural or artificial light sources, you will notice the differences.

That’s just one of the functional beauties of using actual painted color samples! These collections are just the beginning…many more color style collections are in the works! Be sure to check back on my typically monthly newsletter for notifications.

Three final tips for now
1.  Please to Not expect one paint company to accurately “match” a color from another paint company. It’s more reliable to just use the product that makes the paint color you want.
2.  Always view the colors on the surfaces you want to paint them! We often look at paint colors on a table, for example…but the right direction to view is what makes all the difference! If we’re not painting the floor, don’t view colors in that direction.
3. Enjoy the adventure!

As a professional affiliate, I do receive a small commission—at no chage to you—when you purchase from Samplize.

Put the “Fun” back into “Functional Color!”

Put the “Fun” back into “Functional Color!”

by | Nov 24, 2024 | blog, bright colors, color, color choices, color consulting, color design, color education, commercial color, Commercial color design, environmental, Interior color, interiors, paint color selecting

     What I call “Supportive color design”—meaning, using color to really help create the desired results—does not have to be boring. In fact, part of the “function” in the functional-color-focus of supportive color design will vary depending on the location and goals. 

It’s the word that skews the imagination. We’re aware that language, and words in particular, can really create an impression that precedes the experience. Paint color names are just on example, setting the mental stage for what to expect. Flowers, food, travel, history…just a few of the kinds of associations that come with paint color names and other types of marketing.

The phrase “functional color” sounds so Dry.  In reality and practice, however, the function of a space or place in general is the key to creating color palettes for paint and other materials that will help achieve the goals of the homeowner, architect, business owners.

It’s actually a very exciting process regardless of the size of the project.

     For example, the goal might be to create an environment that facilities study, quiet time, communication, comfort and security, celebration, relaxation, or energizing. In a workplace or business maybe it’s communicating elegance, authority, delicious food, efficiency, safety.

Health care spaces have their own concerns, the function being to create surroundings that will help with healing and create a comfortable and welcoming, ‘supportive” surrounding for visitors. 

Locations specializing in care for elders have their own unique set of additional concerns about how we are affected by colors as we age, and about designing spaces that focus on the needs of the particular people using the space—whether they are residents or visitors.

It’s always easiest to generalize about color use, like: “Blue is relaxing, Red is stimulating. ”  In a sense that’s true but the larger picture is to examine the specific goals, and architectural configuration of any space, to arrive at the choices of the best colors to apply in each material used, and how they will be used together.

That’s where the FUN of color design really enters in.

Orthodontist's office. What an enjoyable project to be involved with. All color and materials selections, and the design of reception desk, by Barbara Jacobs

Orthodontist's office-partial view. Custom Desk Design by Barbara Jacobs.

Orthodontist's office - reception desk detail

New construction allows for the most creativity. I’d call that “Fun” also. But what we did in this orthodontist’s office, that I enjoyed being part of, were all the elements.

This included design of the reception desk, paint colors, carpeting and lighting selections, and furniture selections.

The unique reception desk was challenging and exciting at the same time. Selecting the laminate colors for all the surfaces, and implenting the colors in the 3-d design, was a tactile, visual, and spatial experience.

A bit of creative “whimsy” was intended, yet wanting to be far from a childish space  since the orthodontic patients are of all ages. From the shapes to the color use, the enironment is one that welcomes vistitors with a smile, and that feeling of  “welcoming confidence” carries throughout the other areas.

Not all the spaces in this office are as whimsical as this area…some are of course more serious and focused, as they should be, while providing a space where patients of all ages can be comfortable.

I look forward to addressing the effects, “meanings,” and the use of specific colors in future posts.

If Your Walls Could Talk, it’s a Powerful Message

If Your Walls Could Talk, it’s a Powerful Message

by | Jul 18, 2024 | art, design,photography,people, articles, bright colors, color choices, color consulting, color design, Commercial color design, consulting, decor, digital imaging, new designs, questions, Selecting design materials, Selecting paint colors, Uncategorized, visualization

Ideas about color abound, and new ones come up all the time. If your walls could talk, they would tell an interesting and maybe even surprising story! But who are you? The powerful message includes minimalist, brave, shy, bold, extravagant, frugal, cautious, athletic, social…? The list can go on and you can add your own ideas in the comments!

What is “Applied Color Psychology?”
For now, I’ll offer a few ideas according to theories of “applied color psychology.” I’ll even offer a little “quiz” right here, for you to have fun with. When you think about your answers and how you match up the color blocks with the various descriptions, remember it’s not for selecting a house color or a room color. That’s a more detailed set of questions and personal considerations. And, it’s a topic for another time!

If this quiz image inspires you to share it–and I hope it does–please remember and respect that, as with all copyrighted materials, this requires permission to reproduce or share directly. Just share the post instead!

I look forward to hearing about your ‘answers’ and your ideas, in the comments to this post.

Where do our personal preferences come from?
It’s a complex and multi-leveled process…So from the bottom up, please consider these levels of influence:

    • Biology-Physiology: the lightwaves that make up all colors do have an effect on us, we’re just not usually aware of it.
    • Colors in Nature and materials: From plants and rocks, water, animals and more, we are surrounded by colors of nature
    • Colors as archetypes: Consider how a bee, if black-and-yellow, carries it’s own warning signs. We use these colors intentionally i our world also.
    • Social and cultural constructs: Different cultures assign a variety of important characteristics to various colors. Red, and white, being two of them. Opposite in one culture from another!
    • Fashion, politics, trends: I call it “planned preferences” when color trends take center stage. It’s about marketing and sales. But on the bigger and more fundamental level, these ‘color trends’ have a deeper beginning.
    • Personal life experiences: Do you have a color you Love or Hate, that was present in your youth or in a relationship or other experience? That carries onward as we get older.

    Adapting to client requests…Collaboration is the Key!

    I am often asked by clients to state my favorite color. My answer is typically something a question, like…For what purposes? or In what situation? or even more often, just stating that I don’t really have one single favorite color. Take yellow, for example…a color that is often difficult to use for interiors because it can easily become dominant–not connecting–and loud, too bright, and creating discomfort. (Clue to the above ‘quiz.’)

    Personally, “yellow” is not a color that I’d use in clothing for myself.
    Why? It doesn’t do anything positive for my appearance (!) BUT, I can use a chartreuse, a very strong green-yellow, in some cases. Then also, however, in a home there could be many wonderful places where a strong yellow color could be beautiful. Accessories, for example, are a great way to include a more “extreme” color to great advantage, depending on what else is in the room. Of course, a warm, pale type of yellow is often a beautiful color to be surrounded with.

    A client “case study” story…for an example
    For Exterior color for a Victorian style home in the Boston area, the client very strongly stated they wanted PINK. Ok it’s an unusual request. In that case, as with in other similar situations where a client felt attached to a particular color, I always try to be collaborative. I believe it’s important to always consider client wishes. I can be definite in my recommendations and am always happy to state the reasons for my choices that I consider to be in the best interest of the client’s stated needs. But I have no interest in being a designer-dictator, making it only my own way.

    What happened in “The Case of the Pink House” was that I created a few different color schemes with “pink” as the focus. While it would not have been my own, personal first choice, the goal was to find the Right “pink” that would satisfy the client while being in alignment with my professional concerns. So, in collaboration with this enthusiastic and happy client, the outcome was what you see in image #13 here, in the slideshow gallery, about The Pink House.