More Painting & Wallpapering Answers
Question Library
Ask a question about Painting & Wallpapering
Volunteer
Experts of the Month
Expert Login
Awards
About Us
Tell friends
Link to Us
Disclaimer
|
| |
|
|
| |
| | | |
About Rebecca Bushner
Expertise
Specifying paint/coating colors or materials for interior or exterior of buildings including residential and commercial spaces. I also do graphic design & color marketing. I'm the current immediate-past-president of the International Association of Color Consultants/Designers North America (IACC-NA), a former Color Marketing Group chairholder, and an award-winning fine artist.
Experience
I've been officially a color consultant for 7 years, a designer and researcher (tableware design) for about 10 years. I have my own color consulting/graphic design business in Arizona.
Organizations
IACC-NA: International Association of Color Consultants/Designers, North America.
Publications
NAFEM (North American Association of Food Eguipment Manufacturers, Ceramics organizations.
Education/Credentials
BA in fine art, MBA, and have taken the full International Association of Color Consultants/Designers seminar course and oral exam.
Awards and Honors
Past-President of the IACC-NA
| | |
| |
You are here: Experts > Style > Interior Decorating > Painting & Wallpapering > warm vs. cool neutrals
Expert: Rebecca Bushner - 10/25/2009
Question
I have a two-part question. I want to do my entire home in neutral wall colors. My living room furniture is transitional, pale yellow(slightly darker than a stick of butter) with dark, almost black tables, and pale blonde/gold hardwood floors. This is a north-facing room and somewhat dark. It is adjacent to a south-facing, light-filled dining room with the same hardwood color (no furniture/fabric as of yet). I need to paint the living room dining room neutral color(s) that is light reflective that also blends harmoniously between the two rooms. Any color suggestions? Secondly, is it possible to have a warm neutral wall butt up against a cool neutral wall? If so, what's the trick to making it work?
Answer
Hi Alia
You can do two things, keeping in mind that all of these colors can be between LRV 35 and 75. Every color except a true flat black is light-reflective, so I'm not sure what you mean by that term in this context. The LRV level is up to your lighting and your taste. Also remember, "neutral" is a misnomer. They only true neutral is medium grey. So I'm suggesting a bunch of colors you will have to consider "colorful neutrals" because it all depends on the number of pigments in each mix and complexity. "Yellow green" doesn't have to mean lime green, it can be a complex, creamy yellow-beige with a dash of green in it.
Suggestion #1, which is what you are describing.
A: paint the living room a warm-toned neutral. Suggested colors are only for guidance since you did not mention a specific brand of paint. Colors: pale sage (warm yellow undertone), peachy-beige, warm taupe, yellow-green, peach or mango, warm cream, warm tan, etc.
B. Paint the dining room a cooler neutral, similar in saturation only cooler in tone, a slight shift or major shift: sage green (blue cast), yellow-green (It can be warm or cool), peach with a blue cast, cool taupe, cool creamy grey, pale aqua, etc.
Suggestion B: ignore the "warm in one and cool in the other rule" you set for yourself. Paint each room two colors you totally love and fit the funtion of the rooms better and work with your funishings:
EACH ROOM: Try a light warm golden beige in the living room and a deeper, golden tan in the dining room. Or try a light blue-grey in the living room (Complements the yellows) and a deep golden shade in the dining room. Most people like dining rooms to be warm and convivial, so try something warm in there and a cooler color in the living room for contrast with the furniture.
Take a look at these two paint brands for complex & colorful neutrals: Ellen Kennon Full-Spectrum Paints and Sherwin Williams "Fundamentally Neutrals" color selection. I use both extensively.
As for warm neutrals next to cool neutrals, there are no "tricks". They only trick is- do you like it? If the answer is yes, go for it!
I hope this helps!
Rebecca
Ask a Question
|
|
