Before you start thinking about the specific color or colors I recommend that you define the type of look you ultimately want to create and the mood you want to set.
Sometimes this is easy. For instance if you’re painting your daughter’s room and she insist on pink and you insist on her being able to sleep you are well on your way to finding your perfect paint color because you know the color family (pink) and have defined the mood (restful, tranquil, dreamy) you want to create.
So if you already know the mood you want to create and have a color family in mind I say, “Great! You can jump on the fast track and go directly to Step 3! If you are not so sure keep reading.
I suggest that you start by thinking about the mood or feeling you want to create in the room. Is it a family room that you want to feel warm and welcoming? Is it a kitchen that you’d like to wake you up in the morning and energize you for preparing a meal at the end of long day? Or is it a master suite that both you and your partner wake up in feeling as pampered as if you were staying in a five-star hotel suite?
For every room you decorate you are setting the stage for the activities and interactions that make up your life. Close your eyes and see yourself or your family in the room. If you don’t already have a vision of the finished room this is one of the best places to begin. You don’t need to think about the color just yet. Just imagine how you want it to feel and and capture that feeling in your mind.
Once you have captured the feeling of the room you can begin figuring out how to create that ambiance with color. In the next steps we’ll talk about how to take your vision and select a color scheme that works with the furnishings you already have or the ones you plan to acquire.
I suggest that you keep a notebook or file of your design inspiration and ideas. If you haven’t already created one now would be a good time. It is an excellent place to keep track of everything from your paint swatches to pictures of those pieces you want to purchase.
You will want to have a visual reference as you create your color scheme. With so many things on flooding our minds don’t depend on your memory for recalling every detail when with a glance you can know the exact details.
Now find a few moments to envision how you want the room to feel and then meet me back here. The following steps in this series will be posted over the couple of week along with additional reference materials that you may find helpful in completing your interior decorating projects:
Step 1: Define the mood you want to create
Step 2: Determine the color family
Step 3: Select the perfect tint, tone or shade
Step 4: From color swatch to paint purchase
Step 5: Paint your room
Step 6: Show off the fabulous results!
See you at Step 2.
