Configuring Space with Colour
Configuring space with colour You can affect the perception of
your space using colours. In fact, knowing the effects of colour is
essential in matters of decoration. Decorators often draw liberally
from The seven contrasts of colour by Johannes Itten, painter and
colour theoretician, who wrote Kunst der Farbe, studienausgabe (The
Art of Colour) in which he explains his concept. You'll find a
summary of Itten's ideas in About Colour, in the Coluor Theory
section.
Illusions of Space
Illusions of space To create the impression that a room is
larger than it is, paint it in a pale or cold colour. Pale colours
seem lighter and more distant than dark colours. As for cold
colours, such as blue, green or lilac, they always appear more
removed than warm colours. Use these decorator effects to make a
room seem larger and airier. The illusion of space rests on
warm-cold, bright-dark and quantity contrasts.
Intimate Effects
Intimate effects If your are looking for a warmer ambience,
choose a warm or dark colour. Tones of orange, brown and red warm
up a room and contribute to making it friendlier while darker hues
give it intimacy. The intimate effect rests on the warm-cold and
quality contrasts.
Ceiling Effects
Ceiling effects If the ceiling seems too high, lower it visually
with a darker, warmer hue or one that is more unsaturated than that
of the walls. As a bonus, you'll find the room more intimate.
If the ceiling seems too low, paint it in a lighter, colder or
more saturated colour than the walls. This will create an illusion
of height. The effects that make a ceiling appear higher or lower
rest on warm-cold, light-dark and quality contrasts.
Architectural details such as mouldings, window frames and
ceiling ornaments constitute assets you should not neglect. To set
them off, paint them in a colour that is lighter than that of the
walls, and in a paint that is glossier that that of the walls. This
way, they will better reflect light. The setting off of
architectural details rests on light-dark contrast and on the
contrast that arises from the juxtaposition of different
finishes.
If a room includes architectural details that bother you, such
as crannies that are too numerous in a small room, paint the entire
room in the same colour. If the ceiling is the culprit, do not
hesitate to paint it in the same colour as the walls. This way,
disruptive elements will stand out less. This is a case where you
must avoid contrasting effects.
Open Areas
If you live in an open-plan house, try using a chiaroscuro, a
palette made of a single colour used in different hues that are
more or less dark or more or less saturated. This way of working
your colour scheme allows you to create an integrated ambience and
a smooth transition between rooms that connect directly.The
resulting impression will be more uniform than what you would get
from a multi-coloured palette.
You can also create a chiaroscuro with any hue, as long as it
harmonises well with your furniture, carpeting and other decorative
elements. The chiaroscuro relies on light-dark and quality
contrasts and on the use of different hues in the same colour, such
as a blue-green or a navy blue.
Finding a Colour Palette for the Entire House
If you are planning to redecorate the entire house, you will
need to find a palette that is restricted enough to unify the whole
décor, but complex enough to underline the unique personality of
each room. Our Trends section suggests magnificent palettes that
can address both these needs marvellously well. Most are made up of
two to three colours within the same family, and accent
colours.