Color Psychology, My Favorite Color & How I Used Both

We've all heard how certain colors should be used in certain rooms, i.e. red for kitchens and dining rooms to stimulate appetite and conversation. I thought about this when it came time to paint our master bedroom.

Photo courtesy of Dennis Design Group

I had found a jacquard fabric I loved on eBay in a blue gray color (the seamstress who made my drapes called it a "blue grass"). I had stationery panels made for the windows and decided to paint the bedroom a dark teal and the adjoining sitting room/closet combo a light teal. I was looking for a relaxing, spa-like feel to help us leave the stress outside and be able to fall asleep.

The sitting room/closet color came out great and I was very happy with it. However, the dark teal really looked a bit aqua, which was not what I was going for at all. I actually felt unsettled in the room with this color, like I should be constantly moving or doing something. After doing some checking around I found a color that seemed to fit what I was looking for ~ Sherwin Williams' Martha Stewart paint called Milk Pail. This time I did a paint sample on the wall. I still loved it.

So began the repainting of the room. It has been about 3 years now and I am still so happy with this color that when we down-size to another house, I have told my hubby I am planning on using this color in our master bedroom there too. He likes it as well (a major plus for me). I always feel relaxed in this room now and it is very soothing and conducive to sleep. Waking up is not jarring, as the color is so soft on the eye.

Here are some "before" and "after" pictures.

The only problem is Sherwin Williams doesn't carry the Martha Stewart paint line anymore. I do have some paint left over and will most likely have to have it color matched. That's okay by me, as long as I get the relaxing, stress-free, spa-like color I've been enjoying in my current home.

Copyright 2009 Kathy Passarette, Creative Home Expressions - content and pictures.

March Special ~ Paint

Painting a room is one of the least expensive things you can do in your home that will make a big difference. Color can affect how the room looks, our mood while in that room and whether the room exudes a “warm” or “cool” feeling.

*SPECIAL* - for the month of March, save $25.00 off of our Color Consultation service. Color Consultation clients will receive a large size paint sample (typically 5x7 or 8x10) as well as 25% off Sherwin Williams paint. Contact us for details or an appointment today!

*Applies to in-person consultations only. Paint samples and 25% off coupon apply to clients who contract with us for our services. Contract must be signed by March 31, 2009. Please visit our website at http://www.creativehomeexpressions.com/ for further information.

Fall Into Color ~ Trends for 2008

If you’ve started receiving your Fall/Winter clothing catalogs, you are already ahead of the game when it comes to the color trends in interior decorating, says Kathy Passarette, of Creative Home Expressions, a Long Island, New York interior decorating firm. “The colors from the Fall fashion lines transition to the colors we see as trends in home décor. It is not unusual to ask a client what colors they feel good wearing, because you can translate those same colors used in clothing lines into the home.”

Color is an emotional choice and chances are if you are happy wearing certain colors, or think you look good in certain colors, you will surround yourself with those colors in your home.

Some of the color trends we will be seeing in paint, wallpaper, fabric, bedding, accessories and furniture for Fall of 2008, and into 2009 are:

Reds will be split between the strong blue based and yellow based hues.

Orange continues to show up with brown-downed shades, but also include a brighter tangerine and an updated coral.

Yellow will range from bright to antique golds.

Green continues to be widely used, in all hues, taking its influence from nature. Greens create a cool, calming feeling and give you that outdoor connection.

Blues are a constant. While robin's egg blues are declining a bit, there are softer tints of blue along with bold bright blues. The newer versions of navy are considered on the formal side.

Purple as more of a red based raspberry like hue, as opposed to the blue based purples that have been previously popular.

Brown is getting a little bit lighter with sand and tan colors. As with the greens, the nature inspired browns are still being used.

Long term, the trends are forecasting neutrals, the spa-like blues and nature based greens, although they are grayed-down and earthy. So, if you want to be a trendsetter in home décor, just check out the fashion catalogs - the color of that sweater you like so much may wind up being the color on your walls.

For more information and tips, please visit http://www.creativehomeexpressions.com/.

copyright 2008 Kathy Passarette, Creative Home Expressions