Color Help: Choosing Color Combinations

Choosing a color scheme can be a nerve-wracking business. For instance, I anguished over the colors to paint the exterior of my Victorian house, I ordered every book on old house painting that I could find, and I discovered that they all contradicted each other on the basic "rules."

Finally, the color scheme came to me. I would paint the house with my favorite colors! I love amber and red, so, fair gold and burnt red it became, along with temple green, dark-shutter green, dark amber, white, and black outlined windows.

Temple green paint for porch ceilings, believed to keep out evil spirits, is a historic Southern superstition and tradition. Even our local historic art museum had the electrical junction boxes painted in this color. Black outlining of the muttons and mullions (the wood window dividers) highlighted antique glass and added depth to the windows. This type of paint outlining is like eyeliner -- a makeup enhancement. The flat front edge of the window trim is painted in the sash trim color.

Traditionally, Southern porches were painted gray, but I like to feel grounded, so we painted our porches a deep green. This color anchors the porch floor to the green lawn, and during hot summer days, dark green is cooling. When the grass is brown during winter, green porches offer the promise of a green spring and relieve our gray days. Dark green paint with some black pigment mixed in gives a richer appearance than common green.

Grouping Colors for Harmony

Monochromatic color schemes, using varying shades, tones, and tints of the same color, give the impression of different colors and provide variety and interest. A single color scheme gives a unified, peaceful, and harmonious response. Monochromatic colors effectively establish an overall calming presence while tying things together, but can become boring or dull because of the lack of color contrast and liveliness.

The analogous, or side-by-side, color scheme adds depth, energy, and visual appeal. Using two or three related colors next to each other on the color wheel, analogous combinations are both flexible and attention-grabbing. The relationship of the related colors brings harmony to the setting. One problem with this type of color scheme is that inadvertently adding a fourth color spoils the effect. Analogous color combinations of yellow, red, and orange, although full of life, constantly heat up the space whereas, blue, teal, and green always visually cool a space.

Complimentary, opposite, or contrasting color combinations come from opposite sides of the color spectrum. A warm color, combined with a cool color, creates an interesting combination, such as yellow and purple, red and green, or blue and orange. They are also visually pleasing to most people. Because the two colors contain all three primary colors, the color scheme is complete and well-balanced.

There is a great body of literature devoted to color schemes, but if you're like me, the more you read, the more confused you can become. In the end, it's sometimes best just to do like I did with my beloved Victorian home, and begin your deliberations by thinking about the colors you personally like best.

(c) Copyright 2004, Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.

Professor Jeanette Fisher, author of Doghouse to Dollhouse for Dollars, Joy to the Home, and other books teaches Real Estate Investing and Design Psychology. For more articles, tips, reports, newsletters, and sales flyer template, see http://www.doghousetodollhouse fordollars.com/pages/5/index.htm

---

Google News Updated : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:51:44 GMT Favre's heir? With backing from mates, Rodgers waits patiently - USA Today Bleacher Report Favre's heir? With backing from mates, Rodgers waits patiently USA Today - 4 hours ago By Matt Ludtke, AP By Larry Weisman, USA TODAY He no longer sounds like a retired player after seemingly passing on the opportunity to lead a talent-laden Packers squad. Video: The Rift Between Favre and the Packers AssociatedPress Finding new home for Brett Favre won't be easy Chicago Tribune Minneapolis Star Tribune - Kansas City Star - The Canadian Press - Tampa Tribune all 512 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:06:18 GMT Billionaires Back Antismoking Effort - New York Times Boston Globe Billionaires Back Antismoking Effort New York Times - 27 minutes ago Bill Gates and New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced their antismoking initiative on Wednesday in New York. By DONALD G. MCNEIL JR Bill Gates and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced on Wednesday that they would spend $500 million to stop ... Video: Gates, Bloomberg Pool Riches to Fight Smoking AssociatedPress The $500 million war on smoking Minneapolis Star Tribune BusinessWeek - eFluxMedia - Bizjournals.com - FOXBusiness all 471 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:23:48 GMT Christian Bale's lady sidekick: Sibi Bale - Los Angeles Times ABC News Christian Bale's lady sidekick: Sibi Bale Los Angeles Times - 4 hours ago Like the Dark Knight/Bruce Wayne, Christian Bale is a real-life man of mystery. Averse to personal publicity, he is well-known for not wanting to discuss his private life. Christian Bale, Wife "Solid" at Knight's Spain Premiere E! Online Bale's family feud led to scuffle The Star-Ledger - NJ.com People Magazine - New York Daily News - Boston Herald - Variety all 2,386 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:10:31 GMT Discovery may boost statin safety - BBC News InjuryBoard.com Discovery may boost statin safety BBC News - 7 hours ago Scientists have pinpointed a gene mutation as a major cause of a rare side effect of the cholesterol-lowering drugs statins. They hope the discovery could lead to a simple test to identify patients at increased risk of myopathy - severe muscle pain and ... Gene May Predict Cholesterol-Lowering Drug Risk, Study Says Bloomberg Genetic Cause of Statin-Related Muscle Pain Found Washington Post U.S. News & World Report - Reuters - The Associated Press - The Star-Ledger - NJ.com all 172 news articles Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:14:24 GMT Karadzic lived the good life with wine, song - Reuters ABC News Karadzic lived the good life with wine, song Reuters - 2 hours ago By Ivana Sekularac BELGRADE (Reuters) - Radovan Karadzic lived the good life while hiding from justice for 11 years: he watched his diet, fell in love and hung out in a small bar where hardliners gathered to sing about his wartime exploits. Video: Karadzic's arrest sparks clashes - 23 Jul 08 AlJazeeraEnglish Karadzic's secret life enthralls his fellow Serbs The Associated Press Reuters UK - euronews - New York Times - Voice of America all 5,771 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 04:05:33 GMT Zimbabwe Parties May Sign Unity Deal Soon, Business Day Reports - Bloomberg ABC News Zimbabwe Parties May Sign Unity Deal Soon, Business Day Reports Bloomberg - 28 minutes ago By Carli Lourens July 24 (Bloomberg) -- Zimbabwe's ruling and opposition parties may sign a power-sharing agreement soon as they have already agreed on a wide range of issues, Business Day reported, citing people it didn't identify. Fearsome Zimbabwe militias are afraid Los Angeles Times Delayed Zimbabwe Power-Sharing Talks Seen Beginning Thursday Voice of America BBC News - guardian.co.uk - AFP all 3,609 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:23:06 GMT Rapper 50 Cent sues Taco Bell over ad - New York Daily News ABC News Rapper 50 Cent sues Taco Bell over ad New York Daily News - 36 minutes ago BY THOMAS ZAMBITO The rapper - real name Curtis Jackson - is suing the fast-food chain for using his hip-hop persona to tout its tacos. 50 Cent sues Taco Bell over ad campaign The Associated Press Rapper 50 Cent says Taco Bell stole his endorsement Reuters E! Online - MTV.com - CNNMoney.com - KWCH all 187 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:15:09 GMT Add RSS Feeds To My Web Pages Increase Search Engine Traffic

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Deck Decorating

On my blog, I once wrote about life on the... Read More

Age Old Question: Buy New or Remodel Existing Home?

Your house doesn't have enough storage space, bathrooms, or counter... Read More

Is a Hot Tub for You? Top 5 Questions You Need to Answer

As a way of relaxing, more and more people are... Read More

How to Deal With Contractors (So You Wont Go Mad!)

BE PREPARED -- Building a house is lots of fun,... Read More

Choosing a Furnace Humidifier

While everyone longs for a white winter, the problems associated... Read More

Installing a Home Theater System

Thinking about installing a home theater system? You're not alone.... Read More

A Few Simple Facts About Gas And Electric Heating Systems

To make your home more energy efficient, you need to... Read More

Whats So Special About My Front Door?

"The doors we open and close each day decide the... Read More

Deck Building Ledger - The Secrets to Successful Deck Construction

The Deck Building Ledger holds all the secrets to successful... Read More

Single Pane Window Glass Repair in an Aluminum Frame

Let's suppose you still have those old aluminum single pane... Read More

Save Money On Home Improvement Projects

Many of us avoid home improvement projects due to their... Read More

Creating Your Joyful Home: Inspiration to Make a Home Planning Journal

If you are planning a home makeover or remodeling project,... Read More

Light Up Your Life

A house or any particular room can be carefully planned,... Read More

Choosing Window Frames

There are three main types of material used to manufacture... Read More

Planning Permission Tips UK - Trees and How They Can Affect Development when Applying for Planning

Like most folk, I believe that more can be achieved... Read More

Conservatory Planning Permission in the UK

It is quite unusual in the UK for a new... Read More

Key Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

One of the simplest ways to start planning your bathroom... Read More

Making Space for Sacred Space

When you read a great inspirational book, prayer, or article,... Read More

Selling Houses: Payback of Window Treatments

If you're planning to show your home mainly during daylight... Read More

Work From Home and Make Money from On-line Rewards and Incentives Programs

You'll be amazed at how much free money you can... Read More

Hardwood Floor Refinishing - For The Faint of Heart

Are your beautiful hardwood floors not so beautiful anymore? Maybe... Read More

Choosing the Right House Plan

Now that you have made that bold decision to build... Read More

Air Sanders: Forget Electric, Go Air!

An air sander is a common air tool often overlooked... Read More

Building Permits and Inspections

Probably the most intimidating part of building your own house... Read More

Homeowners ? Here is a Step by Step Guide to Help You Hire a Quality Home Improvement Contractor

Before talking to any contractors the first thing to do... Read More