We all love the qualities and experience of Light, Bright, Spacious…but what about the almost-forgotten Deep, Dark, and Delicious.
One comparison… Just for a comparison, let’s start with this off-white room, “before” color and artwork is added. (To be clear, I have masked the artwork in this image, you will see it in the next one).
I personally believe that the same space with deep color is not feeling closed in, but warm and comforting—even with the cooler wall color.
There’s a lot to be said for the idea of using darker colors, even if it’s less “popular” and often creates aversion to what the words seem to imply. It requires a slight change of mindset, and a close look at the details of your space.
So, to start, let’s consider these…
A warm “nest”whether large or small
Sanctuary space
Cozy retreat
Meditative
Mask surface flaws
Use darker colors as accent features
Does not have to be the entire space
Less ‘visual noise’
Glamorous
Make artwork a focus
Sophisticated
Corporate lobby or other specific areas (consdering the use, of course)
Unusual
Romantic
Now, think about the colors that could so beautifully satisfy those needs, both physical and aesthetic.
You will see some are “almost-black,” and others have distinct other color attributes. Just remember that screen colors may differ a bit from actual paint.
What is the Down Side of using Deep Colors for Interiors?
How about when “Down” becomes “Up?” It can happen. Every color has its strengths, and possible detriments also. With dark colors there are a few important considerations for both physical space and your emotional responses.
Consider your personal preferences “Cozy” can become “Closed In,” so consider the scope of your own personal preferences.
Size and existing lighting of the space
How much time will you occupy the space
What time of day will you typically use the space
Architectural detail in the space Consider appealing ways to use dark colors and still highlight interesting detail like classical moldings. For example:
Flat or Matte wall finishes look softer and more elegant
Use a satin or even semi-gloss finish of the same darker color on architectural trim, moldings, and doors.
Or use a slightly lighter color on these accent areas.
Do not forget the floor! Wood, Carpet, or other materials…lighter floors can create an interesting balance to dark walls.
Lighting Careful testing and selection of lighting is extra important. You might want “more” lighting sources in a darker space. At least, consider lighting color, for example the difference between these 2 examples:
LED lighting tends to be cooler–like daylight
Incandescent lighting will be warmer–like candle light
Do you want to use ambient / overall lighting?
Or focused lighting, like chair-side, desktop, or bedside lamps
Specific wall washer detailed lighting for artwork
Furnishings and Artwork Deeper colors offer a good opportunity to consider actual styles and colors of furnishings and artwork.
Stronger colors and shapes will have more presence in a darker-colored space
Bolder art pieces can provide excellent focal points and help create the vision you want to enjoy.
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.
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.
] 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.
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.
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.
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.
I am often asked by clients to state my favorite color. My answer is typically something a question, like…For what purposes? orIn what situation? or even more often, just stating thatI 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, aboutThe Pink House.
Focus on detail of this multi-owner condo group, a typical type of structure: Triple-Decker in Boston
So you Want to Paint Your Home? First Step – test your colors!
Q: If you’re a homeowner… Are you about to make decisions about paint color?
Q: If you’re a builder or design professional… Are you about to recommend paint colors for a client?
Q: What are the best ways that you can… Make high quality color test samples to help you make your color recommendations and decisions?
You are Not Alone! Color Overwhelm is A Common Experience!
Are you a homeowner who is overwhelmed by the thousands of color choices available? If so, you’re not alone! In fact, even building professionals, who have been asked a thousand times “how will it look?” can sometimes feel like there are just too many colors out there to sort through to provide clients with something unique yet suitable. Either way, how much time and diligence do you have, to test a lot of color swatches and come up with the very best answer?
Whether you are doing this yourself or perhaps even suggesting that your client do it and let you know what they want to use (and some people will actually want to do this), I’d like to share a few tips that you can recommend, or even use yourself if they are new to you. It’s not “rocket science,” we all know that. But as with many things that seem simple and yet become overwhelming, there are proven methods to help.
The approach is similar for interior and exterior color testing.I recommend starting with the premise that color looks different in all types of lighting and of course throughout the day—and evening—on different surfaces. Color changes in corners, also, as it intensifies where two walls of the same color meet, and it changes in other ways depending on the actual lighting and also when two walls or surfaces (ie: wall and ceiling) of differing colors meet. It’s the angle that does it – whether the typical 90 degrees or something else, as in a vaulted ceiling, and the reflection of light causes the colors to affect each other.
Test the color in the sheens you want to use.
Therefore, the following apply 1. Make the paint test on a moveable and reposition-able surface. Something that can be affixed temporarily to any wall, ceiling, or even floor (when you are painting a floor).
Note: do not use your blue tape on the edges of this! Tape the back side only.
2. Make the colored surfaces in proportion to each other, for example: Trim colors will usually be narrower than the wall or siding color surfaces.
3. Be sure the surface you paint the test on is primed, or at least under-painted with a color similar to what you’re testing. For example, you can of course use poster board but since it’s paper, it must be oil-primed so it does not warp. Personally I like to use a flat-finish, fast drying low odor product for this. You can also use one of the available professional quality paint testing surface products. “Mighty Boards” at 18″ x 24″ is the best, does not require any preparation –just paint them–and they have smaller sizes also.
Don’t paint your tests right on the wall.
Note to professionals I’ve typically prepared up to 20 or so poster boards with a fast drying, low odor, matte surface oil primer, to have ready to go in advance–and easy to use at a moment’s notice–when preparing color tests for clients.
Roll on 2 coats of your finish (test) color, making the application as close to what you intend to do on the final surface. Use a roller or brush similar to what you plan to use on the job.
Use a stable surface with a texture similar to the wall or surface to be painted. IF the target surface is textured, it’s worth it to make a replica since color reacts so differently with the light falling on textured or smooth surfaces.
Be sure to do the test with the same finish you’ll be using on the actual surface (Flat? Eggshell? Semi-or-high-gloss?)
Label your sample cards.
Size: even if you have to create a few boards to make up each test color, try to end up with at least 4 square feet of new color. You can configure it in any way that they fit for your house view.
For exterior color testing, paint an area about 5’x5’ minimum of white, right on the house, so that when you test your new color boards you are not influenced by the existing house color. If this is not possible, hang up a white sheet on the side of the house (Pin, or even staple it to the siding) and put your test color boards on that. Be sure to include your new or existing trim color in this method.
Compare…
Image 4: Testing 2 colors right on a colored wall is confusing.
Using the white background: Can you tell which of the 2 colors in image 4 this one matches?
Using the white background with another test color: Can you tell which of the 2 colors in image 4 this one matches?
What about materials? I mentioned using wood, (smooth and primed, of course), poster board and foam core (oil prime first), and you can use other substrates like gator board, or drywall (also prime).
Interior or exterior, the same process applies. For exterior work you might want to have some siding pieces available that are at least very similar to the house, if not the exact same thing. Doing more than just one “strip” (minimum 4 to 6 strips high, of clapboard style) will give a more accurate view of what the shadows will do at various times of day. Remember to make trim samples also, in the same widths as the actual trim and casings or other details.
Further Guidance
Block the other colors by hanging a white sheet, using white paper, or painting a white primer background.
Note: Using a roller is best to get the most solid coverage (yes, apply two coats) and no streaks. The point is to replicate the actual color appearance of the final surface.
Placement is important—Try to place your siding sample color strips next to the window or door casings, for the most accurate view of the colors and how they relate to each other.
Patches are confusing—use one color at a time. This is a useless waste of time, money and emotion.
What if you would like to see what your house or other building would look like with new colors…BEFORE it’s painted? That’s possible, and I can help!
Digital Color Views! Check out Designer Color Palettes on this site. For any interior and exterior projects, there is one more thing you can offer, that some painters have even used as their palette application guidelines: You can order a digital rendition of what the house will look like (exterior) with the various colors on the different parts of the house. That’s a great way to show a couple of color options in an overall visual. The output you receive is in .jpg or .pdf format. We can even show up to 50 different color areas on each image we prepare for you, if needed! Any detail can be included in the views. Just ask me about this service.
So, you might ask, why go to all this trouble, anyway? The main reason is: Minimize confusion, and make the color choices easy. Stripes and color patches on the walls – and that includes exteriors – look messy and are visually confusing. You can’t see the specified colors next to each other on a large enough surface because there is just too much going on and the existing colors will inform the appearance of the tested colors.
To review, and illustrate a few notes about color testing…
Testing color strips right on the building is confusing and you can’t move the colors.
Instead of painting one or more “new” colors right on the house body, be sure to put the test colors on a moveable surface as described. It’s confusing to test multiple colors on the same surface (Note in this picture the blue is above, yellow is existing, and the brown is another test color.
Narrow strips for testing trim and detail colors should be placed right where they will be used.
Testing colors in proportion to their use
Make narrow strips proportionate in size to the overall area when testing detail trim or other accent colors.
The privilege of color consulting comes with another attribute: it’s about being helpful. That means helping you out of a dilemma that causes stress.
A frequent situation happens when a client is overwhelmed by the sheer volume and number of color options. And of course each paint company has their own versions of “dove white,” and so forth.
One part of this situation is often keeping things simple in the midst of a renovation process. That can even mean painting one small room! The temptation for you as a homeowner is to choose too many colors, just because you might love them.
Which brings me to the related subject…”Love!”
Does “loving” a color—having a Favorite color—mean that it’s the best color to be surrounded by, or immersed in?
Then there’s the other side of “Love…”—the interpersonal part. How can two or more people get along with making and selecting and being happy-enough with their choices? How about a group of condo-owners who also have HOA restrictions?
And wouldn’t it be great to be able to have a pretty close idea of how your home or other building would look with the new color selections as if they are already painted? Designer Color Palettes is a unique, optional part of my color consulting service in which I can present you with views of your interior or exterior spaces demonstrating new colors, including paint color notations for you to follow up on.
You can read a few client testimonials here, and see just a few examples of “loving color” below.
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! 
