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Rethink Color!

May 14, 2019 By Rachel Joye

Everyone knows that changing your home’s interior paint colors is the easiest and most cost-effective way to update and upgrade. Over the last few years, neutral choices have become the trend. Muted shades of earth tones such as grays, beiges, and creams, along with calm blues and soft greens are very popular in southeastern N.C. homes. However, after a few years of living with a neutral color scheme, some homeowners may be ready for a little more….well, color!

Interestingly enough this year’s “Color of the Year” chosen by the Pantone Corporation is Radiant Orchid. If you’ve ever stopped to think where paint color choices originate, the Pantone Corporation gets the credit for its matching system. It was developed by a chemist, Lawrence Herbert, in the 1960’s. For over 40 years, the Pantone Color Matching System has been used in the creation of fabrics, paints, and plastics. Knowing that, it is no surprise that the color analysts at Pantone are highly regarded for their trend setting predictions.

Radiant Orchid-2014’s Color of the Year, is described as, “An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.”

See it here.

Now if this choice sounds a bit extreme for your walls, remember that painting doors, window frames, trim, ceilings, bookshelf walls, mantles, stairways and banisters, are several excellent ways to introduce some fresh color into your home.

Although painting is an easy and economical choice, the tough part is choosing colors we can live with. If you are hesitant to make a decision and worried that your paint choice will lack staying power, please schedule an appointment with one of our paint experts. Just call 910-686-3067 to choose a time that works best for you!

Color Therapy

February 15, 2013 By Rachel Joye

Color Therapy or Chromotherapy is the use of color to help modify mood and emotions.

Color therapy, also known as chromotherapy, is the practice of using colors from the visible light spectrum to enhance moods, restore emotional balance and combat a variety of psychological problems. Although some critics argue the validity of this practice, others are more inclined to accept its theories.

While using colors to affect your emotions may seem like a silly theory, there may be some truth in this “pseudoscience” after all. For decades, advertising companies and corporate design teams have utilized color to trigger desired behavior in their customers or employees. For instance, the most common color associated with fast food chains is red. McDonald’s, Hardee’s, Chick-Fil-A and Arby’s all use the color red in their logos and packaging. This is most likely due to the theory that red is an attention-grabbing color that is sometimes associated with appetite. (This is also why red is such a popular color choice for home kitchens and dining rooms).

As another example, pink can sometimes be found in prisons, behavioral health centers or other types of places where residents may need to be confined or subdued. “Passive pink,” as it is called, is used as a calming color, though its effectiveness is often criticized by the scientific community.

As for homes, most interior designers will agree that color has a powerful effect on the overall mood and atmosphere of a room, which in turn will affect the mood of anyone who enters it. If you want to create an inviting space for guests to mingle and feel comfortable, a warm orange (think terra cotta, not traffic cone) may work well. If you’re an artist in need of inspiration, try purple – the color often associated with creativity and spirituality.

While most scientists will agree that color can have an effect on a person’s emotional state, most reject the notion that color has any effect on the physical or physiological aspects of health. While we at Colour Solutions consider ourselves experts when it comes to painting, pressure washing or wood staining, we aren’t exactly equipped to help our clients combat physical or emotional illness. If you find yourself experiencing any physical or psychological problems, you should contact your doctor.

Sources:

Color has a powerful effect on behaviopr – NY Times
Color Therapy for Designers Pt 1: The Meaning of Color – Smashing Magazine

Filed Under: Blog, Interior Painting Tagged With: choosing paint colors, color solutions, color therapy, interior painting, interior painting wilmington nc, paint colors, picking paint colors

Choosing Paint Colors as Part of a Home Remodel

February 8, 2013 By Rachel Joye

Choosing new paint colors is one of the most important aspects of a home remodel.

A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for a room. Whether you’re space is in need of some serious TLC or you just want a quick and easy way to give your room a makeover without breaking the bank, paint can be your secret weapon against interior design disasters. If you’re about to embark on a home remodeling project, be sure to give some thought to your color scheme and then choose your paint accordingly.

From building an addition to knocking down walls to installing new appliances and light fixtures, any home remodeling project can be further enhanced by incorporating a new paint color. When choosing your colors, it’s important to consider the setting. Depending on the room and what it is used for, you may want something bright and invigorating, or you may want something a little more subdued. For instance, lime green or fire engine red may work well for a kitchen or play room, where there is usually a lot of activity and creativity going on, but such a vibrant shade probably won’t work well in a bedroom or study, where things need to be quiet and calm. Something more along the lines of a soft blue or muted violet would be well suited for a serene atmosphere.

When in doubt, you can always stick with the tried and true neutrals – just don’t go stark white or jet black. Grays, tans and off-white colors like cream or eggshell are standards that offer versatility in design and decorating. But if you’re looking for something a little more fun, don’t be afraid to use color!

If you need help deciding on the perfect paint colors for your home remodeling project, we at Colour Solutions are happy to assist you. Just contact us at 910-686-3067 or request a quote online.

In addition to providing residential painting services, Colour Solutions is also proud to offer commercial painting services, pressure washing, light carpentry work and more. And rest assured Colour Solutions will work hard to ensure your project is handled professionally and to your satisfaction. Check out our testimonials page to see what some of our satisfied clients had to say.

Filed Under: Blog, Interior Painting Tagged With: choosing paint colors, color solutions, colour solutions, home remodel, interior painting, interior painting wilmington nc, paint colors, picking paint colors

Brighten Up Any Room with Vibrant Paint Colors

January 25, 2013 By Rachel Joye

Brighten Up Any Room with Vibrant Paint Colors

Introducing new colors into your decorating scheme is one of the most cost-effective means of revamping, updating, and upgrading your home. Although painting is an easy and economical choice, the tough part is choosing colors we can live with. If you are hesitant to make a decision and worried that your paint pick will lack staying power, the folks at This Old House have some suggestions. After reviewing hundreds of new options, they have narrowed it down to 15 shades that they predict will, “go beyond trends to perform beautifully in real rooms.”

Oranges – These edged out reds as a new way to add depth and drama. Pumpkin, copper, clay, and exotic curry, are a few to look for. The color consulting firm, Pantone, which selects their paint picks twice a year, have named “tangerine-orange” as one to watch.

Blues – Cool and peaceful, shades of blue never go out of style. They can impart tranquility or create a breezy, endless summer feel. Some new choices to track down are those with hints of gray, turquoise, and aqua.

Greens – Because it is a secondary color that relies on blue and yellow, green can go in several appealing directions. This Old House has chosen three new greens that bounce from apple to a true green right from the crayon box to tinted shades that are reminiscent of sea glass.

Grays – More interesting than stark white, selections in gray provide a great neutral backdrop. They are unobtrusive and can serve as a blank canvas for practically any accent shade that is deep, dark, rich, or bold, to generate instant drama! The This Old House article also noted that, “gray compliments Carrera marble, stainless steel, and nickel”, all popular in kitchens and baths. The ranges of tints for gray can make shades that are warm, soft, or stark.

Yellows – Here are the go-to feel good choices for sure. Sunny shades of yellow are at home virtually anywhere. Pale buttercreams are perfect in traditional settings, while brighter, deeper, lemony picks add oomph to more contemporary homes. From true sunny shades to more subdued, creamier yellows, these cheery hues are sure to brighten up any space!

Remember that painting trim, ceilings or pieces of furniture are several other excellent ways to introduce some fresh color into your home. For a little more information and some inspiration, here is a link to the entire article, complete with pictures of color choices.

For more ideas for brightening up your home, contact Colour Solutions for a free estimate. 910-686-3067

Filed Under: Blog, Interior Painting Tagged With: choosing paint colors, colour solutions, house painting wilmington nc, interior painting, paint colors, wilmington nc painting company

Interior Paint Colors can make a Room Seem Larger or Smaller

January 18, 2013 By Rachel Joye

Lighter colors can make a room look larger.

Whether you live in a small starter house or a three story luxury home, using space effectively is an important part of interior design. But did you know that the paint colors you choose can also have an effect on a room’s space? Well, truth be told, the color doesn’t actually add or take away from a room’s physical space, but depending on your color choices, a room can LOOK larger or smaller than it actually is.
The general rule of thumb is, the smaller the room, the lighter the color. Deep, dark paint colors are generally avoided in smaller rooms without much natural light. Of course, this guideline isn’t set in stone. Sometimes a dark color can add a dramatic effect to a small room, such as a guest bathroom or laundry room. Likewise, a house with several open rooms that connect to one another may be overwhelmed if a darker color is selected.

The best thing to do is decide what your goals are for your room (or rooms) and take into account the following factors:

Light – How much natural/artificial light does the room get? Remember that paint colors can look very different when exposed to different types of lighting.

Architectural components – Do you have crown molding you want to show off? What about baseboards or window frames? Will you choose to repaint these as well, or do you want to just find a color that complements the existing structures?

Flooring – What color is your floor? What type of floor do you have? Do you want to highlight your prized hardwood floors?

If you have questions, or just aren’t sure where to begin, give Colour Solutions a call. Dial 910-686-3067 today for a free estimate!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: choosing paint colors, interior painting, paint colors, picking paint colors, wilmington nc interior painting, wilmington nc painting company

Rethink Color!

Color Therapy

Choosing Paint Colors as Part of a Home Remodel

Brighten Up Any Room with Vibrant Paint Colors

Interior Paint Colors can make a Room Seem Larger or Smaller

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