Are you White-Knuckling "Inspiration Pieces"?
It's time for my Process of Coloring Series right here on Color Noodle
Step away from the inspiration pieces and *mood boards* and no one gets hurt
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We will be discussing what it means to:
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"Why can't I pick the right paint colors?"
Don't even know how many emails I have received over the years about this topic -- I lost count. In response to questions about how to successfully choose paint colors, I have typed the following paragraph eleventy million times:
"You have to define expectations, identify tolerances,
evaluate proportion of space, observe natural light,
inventory artificial light, and LASTLY consider
permanent, semi-permanent, and
transient elements that reside in the space."
My color point of view is more inclusive than most and I firmly believe that you don't HAVE to have an inspiration piece in order to properly fit a room with color.Logically, the question to pose to those white-knuckling the staid philosophies of color scheming and ye old inspiration piece is: If it works so darn well, then why are there so many people -- professional and DIY alike -- out there struggling hard and falling flat when it comes to choosing paint colors.
My tried and true mantra is as follows: before considering anything as the one piece of inspiration around which you intend to color and build an entire atmosphere, you need to at least define expectations and identify tolerances. Otherwise, you are floundering in a sea of commercialized and bastardized color concepts. Just because a piece of fabric has a colorway running along its selvage doesn't mean it's a good choice for what you're trying to achieve. Just because a _____________ (fill in the blank) has a *color scheme* doesn't mean it's a good one -- or the right one.
The notion that some arbitrary piece of inanimate "whatever" can be the key to coloring an environment in which humans have to function and live is a little short-sighted... pun intended.
Link to recent decorating forum post: Garden Web "How to Use a Paint Wheel" Post from 12/ 20/ 2008
Old theories don't work. We take approach to color selection. Please take a look at www.genopal.com
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Sivam, www.genopal.com looks interesting! Best of luck with that endeavor and thanks for popping in.
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Well put, Lori!
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Thanks, Rachel. Feedback from a pro blogger like you is much appreciated! Be sure to check out Rachel's most awesome color blog here: HUE
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Will you be elaborating on these concepts, Lori? I'm very intrigued! What do you mean by defining expectations and tolerances?
I went with my gut choosing colours for my office, our TV room and my daughter's room: I'm happy in all of these rooms!! Didn't have the big elements chosen for these rooms beforehand either - just looking for a certain colour to evoke a mood and found paint chips that made my heart sing.
I chose the wall colours for our living room, entry, hallway, dining room and kitchen from the colour scheme based on the big pieces in the rooms. Guess what? I'm not happy in any of these rooms.
Right now, I'm working on our master bedroom and one RL paint chip keeps calling my name. No furniture yet but I've decided on white bedding. I think I'll follow my gut again for the wall colour. Mind you, the colour that's making me smile is a very light, light blue (almost white) so perhaps it's a safe (versatile) choice, but based on my limited experience, I don't think I should care anyway.
Looking forward to reading more of your blog!
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Hi Suzanne:
Thanks so much for sharing your colour success stories! Yes, I will be elaborating on what it means to define expectations and identify tolerances. My Color Process Series will take us through February and maybe into March. Breaking it up and keeping it simple is my objective.
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Thank you for your reply, Lori. It's your inspiration piece entry that made me realize how I'd chosen the paint colours in my home. I never made the link before and now that I have, I feel a lot less stressed about making a "mistake" choosing a colour. It's very freeing to realize that so far, my gut has steered me right for wall colour. Now, if it could only work on the rest of the room elements...
So, a big thank you for your blog. Really looking forward to learning more about the process.
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