Color Consultations Decomplexified

Color Consultations

Decomplexified

Copyright© 2008 by Interiority Complex

A 7-Step Guide to Overcoming Chromaphobia,

Paint-aholicism and Fear of Color Committment

1

Master the Basics

Color Basics


Color Basics

• Terminology

• The Color Wheel

• Color scheme basics

2

Hue

• A color name (i.e.

“blue” or “red”.)

Copyright© 2008 by Interiority Complex 3

Value

• A scale of light-to-darkness of a hue or neutral

• For example: “A lighter value of blue.”


Tint, Shade, Tone

• Tint – a hue with white

added.

• Shade – a hue with

black added.

• Tone – a hue with gray


• Tone – a hue with gray

added

5

Saturation

• The percentage of a

hue in a color.


Saturation vs. Desaturation


Fully Saturated Desaturation of color

7

Primary Colors


Secondary Colors


Tertiary Colors


Purchase a Color Wheel!


Review of Color Schemes

• Complementary

• Split

Complementary

• Analogous• Analogous

• Triads

• Tetrads


Simple Color HarmonyAnalogous Color Scheme


Complementary Color Scheme


Know the Nuances

of Color

• Color is subjective

• Metamerism

• An eye for color can be learned


• An eye for color can be learned

• Lighting: Incandesecant, Flourescent & Full Spectrum

15

Color is subjectiveD

• “Color belongs to the

mind, not to the

object.” – Sir Isaac


object.” – Sir Isaac

Newton.

16

Human color vision


Colors stimulate different emotions

for different people


Metamerism


Lighting

• Color Temperature

• Incandescent

• CFL’s

• Fluorescent• Fluorescent

• Day light


“In order to change a color it is enough to change the color of its

background.” – Michel Eugene Chevreul, French Chemist, 1786-1889


Same red? Different red?


Warmer Hues Advance


Saturated or Intense colors

advance, dull colors recede.


Avoid these False assumptions

• White makes a room look larger, so paint

a small room white.

• You must paint the ceiling white.

• The trim/ moldings must always be white.


• The trim/ moldings must always be white.

25

Paint: Colors for Dwelling

vs. Colors for Selling


Tools for a Successful Paint

Consultation

• Get a Designer’s Paint

Kit.

• Bring Scissors.

• Cut a swatch for you AND • Cut a swatch for you AND

for your client file.

• Make notes on the back

of the swatches.

• Use our paint

consultation template.

• How much to charge?


Try it first!


Colors for Dwelling

• Helping your client

to choose a color


palette.

• Trend Spotting.

• Pulling together a

color scheme that

works.

29

Composing a color scheme

• Harmony

• Flow


• Flow

30

Variation

Rhythm in:

• Value

• Intensity


• Intensity

• Saturation

31

Inspiration


Encourage Your Client to Explore

Their Personal Style


Are you sleek, stylish and

contemporary?


Worldly in your dress and décor?


Southwestern Spirited?


Traditional through and through?


Is your style dramatic and formal?


Dor laid back and casual?


Maybe even wacky & whimsical!


Explore your style through clip

inspirationsD


Clip, clip, clip away using magazines,catalogs,

advertisements and photos.41

Gain inspiration from other

professional workD

If you fancy the décor

of a particular

restaurant or hotel,

make a mental note


make a mental note

(better yet, take a

photo) of the qualities,

features and colors that

appeal to you.

42

Learn from the pro’s -- tour area

model homesD


Pay attention to what you DON’T

like, too!


Take into consideration personal

passions


As you’re exploring style, a color

palette will become apparent.


After conducting your color scheme “field

research”. Put the swatches, samples,

photos and other sources of inspiration

clippings into your folder.


How to Use Your Fan Deck


Try it first!


Real Estate Staging &

Colors that Sell

• Colors that sell


• Too many colors can

vibrate and distract

• Deeper shades of

neutral can add

drama.

50

Help Your Clients Understand

• The objective of

staging.

• Compliment their

choice but explain choice but explain

the objective.

• We must avoid the

two B’s.


Strive for Harmony

• When striving for

color harmony, it is

helpful to begin with

analogous colors.


• Analogous colors are

neighbors on the

color wheel.

52

The Rule of 60-30-10


Take into account budget!


A Word About Ceilings

• Think about budget

• Assess the needs

of the space.

• What will best • What will best

highlight or

downplay features.


Painting Cabinets

Before After


Things You Should Know

• “Looking at color must be one of the cheapest forms of pleasure available. The only cost is time.” - Elizabeth


is time.” - Elizabeth Hilliard, Paint: The Big Book of Natural Color

57

Why a High Quality in Paint Means High Value


How Paint Ingredients Affect Quality


Sheen Guide

• Flat: A high hiding, completely flat finish.

• Matte: Just a hint of sheen for a durable finish.

• Eggshell: A very subtle, soft finish.

• Eggshell Plus/Satin/Pearl: A velvety finish with a smooth sheen.


a smooth sheen.

• Semi-gloss: A lustrous, beautiful sheen for extra durability.

• Gloss: A brilliant, striking finish for maximum durability.

60

Go Green!

• Low VOC

• No Voc

• Green Guard

(Aura)(Aura)


Educate Yourself

• Learn to SEE color

• Pay attention to color

wherever you go.

• Spot and study


• Spot and study

trends.

62

Conduct Field Research


Color inspirations come from

everywhere.

The grocery storeD


A nature walkD


ArtworkD


Fabric & Upholstery


If you have a particular piece you love and want to

incorporate into your newly decorated room, then

use that as your inspiration for colorD


A word about color trendsD


Continue Your Studies:

Be sure to visit our online bookstore!


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