| Are you living in an "Oatmeal World"? That's code in | | | | -A strong vibrant color creates energy and is great for |
| the design industry as space that is unimaginative and | | | | playrooms or rooms with high amounts of activity. |
| off-white. Do you struggle with color? Have you found | | | | Bedrooms need softer colors that are more suitable |
| yourself adrift, pacing back and forth in front of the | | | | for relaxation for longer periods of time. |
| sea of colors swatches at the local hardware store? | | | | 6. What colors make you feel relaxed and which |
| It's a little overwhelming isn't it? | | | | colors give you energy? |
| There are a host of things to consider when | | | | -Softer colors will naturally instill a sense of tranquility |
| determining what colors would be suitable for each | | | | and make the room feel relaxed. Vibrant colors create |
| room and before you set a course on just any | | | | a sense of energy and movement. |
| random color scheme. First, lets do some homework | | | | 7. What are the colors of the any existing possessions |
| by asking yourself these very helpful questions to | | | | you wish to keep in the room? |
| narrow your color choices. | | | | -These pieces may be your biggest clue as to where |
| Choosing Your Color Scheme Quick Quiz | | | | to start in color selection, for example, by taking the |
| 1. What mood do you wish to create? (Light and | | | | colors found in the antique chairs you'll be keeping you'll |
| breezy or warm and cozy) | | | | have a natural starting point in selecting colors to either |
| -Is the bedroom, for example, to be lively or tranquil? | | | | coordinate with or contrast. |
| 2. Which colors naturally appeal to you? | | | | 8. What is the period/style of the room? |
| -What are your favorite colors? What colors do you | | | | -You may choose to stay with the "then fashionable |
| continually gravitate to while out shopping? What | | | | colors" of the period of the styleof the room design |
| colors in nature do you absolutely love? What colors | | | | reflecting its theme. |
| do you remember best from your childhood? | | | | 9. What is the lighting orientation of the room? (Does |
| 3. Does the size of the room need adjusting or the | | | | the room face north, south, east or west?) |
| proportions need help? | | | | -Different lighting through out the day will cause the |
| -You can make a ceiling seem lower if it is too high by | | | | colors in the room to change as will the time of the |
| painting it darker or by painting the walls a warm dark | | | | year. The sun in the summer months along with |
| color to create a cozy more intimate space. | | | | southern lighting will cast warm colors and in the winter |
| Note: Lighter cooler colors recede, making a room feel | | | | the natural lighting is cooler as is the northern light that |
| larger and more open. The warmer colors advance | | | | streams in through the windows. |
| and create warmer cozier spaces. | | | | 10. What color clues do you have in your own closet? |
| 4. What activities will the room be used for? (Work, | | | | -Take clues from your own closet. The colors you |
| Play, or Relaxation) | | | | wear are a great indication of colors you are |
| -In a bedroom you may find tranquil pastel colors more | | | | automatically attracted to. |
| acceptable while in a child's playroom bright primary | | | | Now that you have answered and passed your |
| colors will be more appropriate. | | | | Design Diva Quick Quiz, you are sufficiently prepared |
| 5. How much time will be spent in the room? | | | | and ready to select your color scheme. |