Colors speak louder than words, especially when it comes to the language of decorating. A cliché? Not at all! A properly matched hue has a power of transforming an ordinary interior into your favorite room in the house. Knowing the difference between warm and cool shades will give you a sense of confidence when choosing colors so before you get to the task, take a moment to look into our little guide.
Meet the Color Wheel
If you are about to have fun with some decorating, make sure you do it like a pro. The way in which you arrange your abode will affect your everyday life to a larger extend than you may imagine. As widely known, proper preparation prevents poor performance – in case of color choosing, proper preparation means getting acquainted with the color wheel first. You will notice that the circle is divided into (more or less) two groups of colors: warm colors and cool colors. Reds, yellows, oranges and beige or cream colors belong to the category of warm hues, whereas blues, greens and grays are commonly known as cool colors.
Color theory has described perceptual and psychological effects to this contrast. Warm colors usually advance or appear more active in a painting, while cool colors tend to recede. Used in interior design or fashion, warm hues are said to arouse or stimulate the viewer, while cool colors calm and relax. Most of these effects, to the extent they are real, can be attributed to the higher saturation and lighter value of warm pigments in contrast to cool pigments. So there is actually something to it 😉
Images via Pinterest
Warm Hues
Vibrant, stimulating and spicy, warm colors work best in more “common” parts of the house, such as a living room, a dining room or a kitchen. If you like saturated colors, best opt for energetic, citrus shades such as lemon, tangerine and fuchsia. On the other hand, if you prefer a more subtle but still warm look, take a peek at the darker end of the warm spectrum. There, you may discover some really chic shades, like mulberry, dark orange or mustard. Warm colors are perfect for darker rooms with north-facing windows, as they enhance the lighting quality and add a touch of vibrancy.
Images via: residencestyle.com, dwellbeautiful.com
Cool Hues
Serene, tranquil and quiet cool wall colors will most certainly help calm your emotions and soothe your senses, making them ideal for resting, relaxing and gaining energy. You can go for sea bubble blue in the bathroom to create an impression of a lagoon (we also love cobalt, ultramarine and translucent sea color) or decorate your home office with tinted lilac shades to turn it into an oasis of tranquility. If your rooms face south and are well sunlit, try to balance the light with cool colors such as pine and sea blue.
Images via: Pinterest, laurenconrad.com
Warm Neutral Hues
Pleasant to the eye, warm neutral colors create the impression of discreet elegance. If you dream of a cozy sanctuary and a peaceful sleep, try painting your bedroom with a combination of warm neutral colors such as soft truffle, warm honey and milk chocolate. Pale shades create a calm vibe while the deeper tones give a sense of luxury. Emphasize the cozy atmosphere with soft blankets in shades such as oyster and nutmeg.
Images via: winkinteriors.com, genovesatelier.com/
Cool Neutral Hues
Soft and gentle, cool neutral colors perfectly balance and stabilize the room. To create a modern and elegant interior, look at shades from the darker side of the spectrum, such as tin, smoky and dark gray or charcoal. To provide a softer and gentler mood, choose colors that are closer to white, for instance pearl and almond, or powder gray, pigeon gray and steel. At Doris Leslie Blau we are crazy about colors. Various shades, just as different patterns, constitute an incredible, symbolic layer in the realm of rug weaving. Inspired by the unprecedented influence which color has on our lives, we’ve decided to organize a very special event to celebrate the two things most important to ourselves – rugs and hues.
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Doris Leslie Blau Color Theory SHOW!
The unique Color Theory Show starts May 16th at 306 East 61st Street. A special opening reception on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, from 5 to 8 p.m., will focus on the use of color in design schemes. That’s not all. The centerpiece of the evening cocktail party will be a conversation between Donald Kaufman and designer Carey Maloney of M(Group). The two men will discuss the characteristic of carpet color versus paint color, how the color of a room relates to the color of a carpet and where tonal depth in carpets comes from. Every design aficionado should already be over the moon 😉 Make sure you don’t miss it!
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