Think Green!
Instead of the typical yellow, use green instead! As an ASID Interior Designer specializing
in residential interior design, I simply love using the color green. Why? To sum
it up in a single word, "versatility". Not only can green be paired with
so many colors, there are so many shades and tones of greens to choose from. One
of my favorite shades of green to use is the color of Jalapeno pepper (Cathy's 076-6
Limeade is the perfect choice!). What I love about this rich shade is that its deep
yellow undertones not only creates a bright, warm interior, but also looks so amazing
with a myriad of colors, from pure white to eggplant and other citrus colors such
as orange and yellow. The color green, also adds a level of sophistication to an
interior especially when paired with other strong neutrals like white, black, and
chocolate brown.
Hurray for Orange!
Orange is my all time favorite color. In fact it is my "signature" color
that I sneak into nearly all of my designs. Orange to me is lively, sophisticated,
trendy, yet timeless at the same time. I also feel Orange is a happy color that
inst antly brightens a room. I especially love pairing orange with pure white. Looking
to use a rich, elegant shade of Orange in your décor? I suggest Cathy's Optimistic
(Color 100-5).
Consider Yellow
As an interior designer, I especially love using different shades of yellow and
pairing it with other citrus colors such as green or mixing it with chocolate, black
or charcoal gray to create a high contrast color scheme. One of my favorite shades
of yellow is a rich mustard, such as Cathy's Serengeti Sunrise ( 095-5) but if you
are feeling more bold, you could always go for Cathy's Citrus (083-6).
When it comes to yellow as well as other bold, vivid colors use different tints,
tones and shades of the same color. One example with yellow would be to introduce
a natural sisal rug into the space in order to bring in some rich mustard, caramel
yellow tones.
Layer your décor using different shades of the same color and carry it through
the accessories and furniture. Try selecting woods like walnut that have a lot of
yellow tones and then incorporating toss pillows or accent pieces such as pottery
or pillows. One of my favorite decorative tips for the table using yellow, is to
fill a tall vessel with apples or lemons, it brings in a wonderful burst of color.
The wonderful thing about yellow is that, like a great black dress, you can pair
it with so many things! Match it with warm colors to create a space that is cozy
and cheery or cool it down using shades like chartreuse and pairing it with grays
or black. From accessories to decorative elements such as pottery to artwork and
natural elements like woods and ropes, there are so many different ways to incorporate
yellow into your decor!
Trendy turquoise
Turquoise in the last few years has really been a popular color that is on trend
with a lot of designers. I love using turquoise especially in bathrooms as it reminds
me of the color of water. Turquoise also works well in living rooms when paired
with black, charcoal or brown. Looking for the perfect shade? Consider Cathy's Caribbean
(Color 045-4)
Use an accent wall
Afraid to paint a whole room a bright, bold shade; why not paint a single wall a
bold color. I use "accent colors" for a specific purpose, to incorporate
a bold color into a space without "over doing it" by painting every wall.
Accent colors not only add interest but can also help to define a space architecturally.
Accent colors can also highlight particular features of a space and serve as the
foundation of a color palette.
Stumped about which colors would make great accents? Think warm and inviting or
bright and bold. Yellows, Oranges, and Greens all make great accent colors and can
easily blend with lots of color palettes. Stay away from muted or pastel tones as
they do not make great colors for an accent wall and are best suited for all over
color. Accent walls should make a bold statement so that they stand out as opposed
to blend in.