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.

I created a page to give you a quick look at general responses to colors based on research, historical significance of color and word association studies.

Of course people from different cultures may react to colors differently and your own personal associations with color can change how you might respond to certain colors but this will get you thinking about how most of us respond.

A Glimpse into the Meaning, Symbolism & Psychology of Color

Leatrice Eiseman shows you how to discover your true decorating colors and this book is a helpful reference to use when choosing color schemes.

She provides ways to identify your responses to color, looks at color’s use in creating a mood, and provides different settings that can help inspire color choices.

See “Colors for Your Every Mood” at Amazon.com

See books on all topics related to color on my website

I have lots of yellow kitchenware from the 40’s and 50’s. I started collecting Harlequin dishes and Hall pitchers when I was in college and still enjoy them.

The Harlequin teapots are my absolute favorite and I have them in 9 or ten colors. I just love the pointed handles and bright colors.

The Harlequin water pitcher is also an item I like and have in many colors.

I have several Fiesta pitchers but parted with my other Fiesta pieces. You can only collect so many things.

The yellow in this style Hall pitcher is a much lighter and more muted yellow. Do you get the idea I like having the same items in lots of colors?

The same is true for my wardrobe. When I find something fabulous that fits well I often buy it in more than one color.

This yellow ice cream scoop reminds me of some fun times at my grandmother’s house when we would make ice cream sundaes or root beer floats.

As you can see in the background above and in this picture stripes are another favorite especially in these vintage glasses and pitchers.

When we lived outside of Boston my son and I would go to the Cranberry festival each year. We would scoop up the bright red berries right out of the water that flooded the bogs and eat them on the spot. They were so delicious and not at all like the ones you buy in the store. You know an eight year old wouldn’t be gobbling them down if they were too tart or sour.

Pocahontas wears a yellow dress on this vintage cranberry crate label. I have five different cranberry labels all from an old factory on Cape Cod.

You also get a glimpse of my roman shades that are gold, terra cotta, green, with a hint of black.

Contrary to what you might think I usually use white lights for my holiday decorating rather than the multi-colored lights. However, I do have a place in my heart for the colored lights that decorated our tree when I was a child and have dozens of antique Christmas tree bulbs. Here I pulled out a variety of yellow ones.

My duvet cover has yellow, gold and teal on a cream background. I love this color combination and snagged the cover and two matching pillow shams last summer on sale as Pottery Barn.

It’s hard to see in the picture but I have this two-tone gorgeous silk quilt in teal/gold but didn’t even think about these two pieces working so perfectly together until I got home.

We all seem to have color combinations or color schemes that we are attracted to over and over again. Gold/teal is one of those for me.

This is an antique hand colored botanical. I started collecting these prints just after college so I was able to buy quite a few before they got popular…and pricey. I wish I was as good at spotting stocks to invest in.

So thats a bit of the yellow that shines with optimism, enlightenment, happiness, and inspires creativity in my home.

Is it any wonder that sunny yellow makes me smile so easily?

Speaking of which it’s a absolutely perfect sunny Spring day here in DC so I’m going to put on my yellow espadrilles and head outside and enjoy this beautiful afternoon. I’ll see you back her tomorrow.

P.S. If this post hasn’t quenched your thirst for yellow you can always see ‘Yellow mellows on the table’ on Live In Full Color or  ‘All about the color yellow’ on my website.

Shanghai wallpaper from Jaima Brown Home

Red creates the perfect accent for any space when paired with timeless neutrals like brown or cream.

In the 18th century red garlands and scarves were part of cultural wedding ceremonies. Chinese brides wore a traditional Kwa; a heavily embroidered formal wedding gown in red and Greek brides wore red veils, which is still customary today.

In ancient history, wearing a red painted amulet, ruby or garnet supposedly made one invincible. Red signifies love, fertility, strength, good fortune, and happiness. We often see red front doors on the outside of homes across America, instilling the influence of Feng Shui.

Persia wallpaper from Jaima Brown Home

RED demands attention, revitalize your home with the dramatic allure of color and pattern through the magic of wallpaper using a design like our lively Shanghai and Persia designs.

Find inspiRED wallpaper and home accessories at Jaima Brown Home online