Choosing Paint Colors and Paint Schemes!

Interiors and Exteriors are different concepts so we decided to give them each the attention they deserve!

The Interior!

          Some people like to be bold and utilize rich color, some like soft earth tones, still others say muted pastels are the only way. We've seen enough to know that "everything" is OK. When perusing the Spring or Fall decorating mags they'll all purport to tell you what colors, and decorating styles are in for that time of year. We say poppycock to that. Every person has their own unique since of taste and style. 

          Paint colors can help set the mood of a room from playful, to business, homey, to elegant. Colors, - tones, shades, hues, and tints, can make a room seem smaller (cozy/snug/intimate) or large (spacious/roomy/open). They can make them masculine or feminine, modern or classic. They can describe any era, mood, or use. 

Colors can accent a rooms strengths and hide it's faults.

          The best way to choose paint colors is to know what you like. Go to your closet and check the colors and patterns in there, look at your furniture, look at decorating magazines and see what attractions you have there. A "Paint Color Fan chart" is indespensible to you, as is a basic "Color Wheel Chart". You may pick up a fan chart where you buy you paint or your painter will supply you one, and a wheel chart from your local Hobby Lobby store.
          Colors can be broken down into 4 different types as listed:

Hues -  Bold Primary colors, they are the purest, and brightest colors. These would be described as Bold, Exciting, and Cheerful. They would be used for attention getting ads, and childrens toys. 

Tints -  Also called Pastels, are any color with white added. Tints are described as soft and girlish, they are found in baby's books, and little girls rooms, and female clothes. They are predominatly feminine. 

Shades - Shades are simply any color with Black added. They are predominately masculine and work well in Mens offices, on outdoor Decks and Fences, Pick up Trucks, Movie rooms and Trophy rooms.

Tones - Tones are achieved by adding both Black and White in differenting amounts. The most pleasing to the eye of all the colors. Described as complex, they can be mixed and matched to a greater variety of other colors. They are the pros favorites for Interior Decorating.

          To begin, we take into account 8 things,
Room size - Lighter colors make it large, darker shades maker it smaller. As a rule with higher cielings, you can use darker colors on the walls.
Existing Furnishings - Match to the largest items, or blend your color to match the predominate colors of the items in the room.
Lighting - Natural is the best, curtains open or closed. Accent lighting is reccommended for dark colors. 
Use - Who uses it, what is it used for?  
Design Style - Is it country, French provincial, Log Cabin, America West, Italian, Ultra modern, Why limit yourself - make up your own.
Cielings, white or colored - If it is white, as a rule you may use darker colors, if it is colored the walls should be no more than 2 colors up the color chart. Ceilings should always be lighter than the walls.  
Trim color - White, or one of the many white colors is standard. Colored Trim is fine. It can be considered Masculine or Elegant, and works best in larger rooms.  
Theme - Is there one? Sports, baby's, Gothic (Yes, Gothic, you never know with these teenagers) LOL!                                                         
          Begin by using the color wheel to pick either Complementary, near Complementary, or Monochromatic colors. Complementary Colors on a wheel chart will be found opposite each other. 
Some classics include the Red and Green Christmas colors, or Black and Orange for Halloween. Near complementary colors are just one removed from the direct opposite on the wheel chart. For example if the exact opposite is Orange shift to one space over and you may get burnt Orange. Monochromatic is the art of taking one Hue and repeating it in various Shades, Tints, and Tones. Monochromatic colors are often seen when painting colored walls above and below a chair rail, or when matching ceiling trays to the walls in a bedroom. When using the three methods of the wheel chart operation, you may use these colors for the same room or to carry you paint scheme throughtout your house. If your house is open then you will want to make sure you have transference from room to room. If it is a closed room you may go with any color scheme you like and won't have to be bothered with how it goes with any other room.
          When you've got it narrowed down to two or three colors, pick up some sample pints of paint and paint a 3X3 aquare sample on the walls. Two coats so it will look like a finished paint job. Look at it in the daytime and at night. Keep it there for a few hours, or days, whatever it takes to make your decision.        
          Above all make sure the colors chosen work for your home, not all of them will, and make sure you are happy. Good Luck!

We'll do the Exterior another time Thanks to all, and have a great day!