Dear Marc:
We are in the process of having our family room remodelled. The contractor has already started taking out a few walls to build a bigger open area. I have been flipping through magazines and watching design shows to try to find ideas for neat colour schemes to use in my new family room. The painters are coming in a few weeks and I'd like to have the colours chosen for them. What are some great colour combos I could use? -- Sandy
Dear Sandy:
Colours are what tie a room together. Whether it's a soft taupe on a wall contrasted with deep-purple florals on the side table, colours in a room work together to create unity among the design elements in the space. I've compiled some colour schemes that are a must-have for any homeowner looking to design or renovate her space in 2011.
* Purple is one of the hottest colours of 2011. It has been lingering in design trends for a few years, so most designers thought it was going to be outdated this year. That is not the case. Purple is here to stay and it's hotter than ever. The shades of purple to look for vary between bright purple to deep grey-infused purples. Some great examples include: Garden Plum (P5096-85) and Fashion Girl (P5194-63) by Para Paints
* Grey is the new taupe. Taupe used to be the colour of choice for designers and homeowners alike. Those who wanted to design neutral colour schemes used taupe as their neutral and built their colour schemes from there. In 2011, the trends are shifting away from taupes and going in the direction of greys. We see greys in dark and light shades. The lighter shades are used as main wall colours and the darker shades are used as accent walls or accessory colours. One of my personal favourites is Guys Night (P5248-73) by Para Paints, which works perfectly as an accent in a "guy space."
* Blue was a popular colour last year, and is still used as an accent colour for 2011. Popular shades this year include bright sky blues, such as Church Tops (P5007-62D) by Para Paints, grey-infused blues, such as Starless Sky (P5155-62) by Para Paints, and blue-greens, such as my personal favourite, Rocky Crest (5104-73) by Para Paints. Blues makes a great accent colour, and the colour promotes a calm and peaceful atmosphere. Some cultures even believe it promotes human metabolism. Blues, depending on their shade, can be paired with many colours such as grey, taupe, purple, yellow and green.
* Yellow is a very happy colour, reminding us of sunny summer days, where the blue sky contrasts with the yellow rays of the sun. This year, yellow appears in many shades, from sunny to golden yellows. The sunny yellows are paired with sky-blues, vibrant purples, and deep greys. The golden yellows, however, are paired with more traditional taupes and chocolate browns. Whatever your taste, bringing sunshine into your space is sure to create a vibrant, attractive atmosphere. Some of my personal favourites include Golden Rod (P5058-83D) and Bean Bag Toss (P5049-42) by Para Paints.
* Red is the colour of passion. While not at the front of 2011 trends, I believe it still makes a wonderful accent colour in a designer space. As with any passion that must be expressed in moderation, the same can be said for the colour red. It makes a great accent wall colour, but a fire-truck-red room might be a little much. Rather than overwhelming the eye, it's best to balance such a bold colour with a more soothing colour, such as grey or taupe. Some of the popular shades of red steer toward pinkish reds and corals, such as Assert Yourself (P5080-63) and Fireside (P5076-63) by Para Paints.
Pairing vibrant colours is a great way to bring a dull space back to life. Don't be afraid to be bold and different. Design is about exploring how our surroundings affect our everyday lives.
-- Postmedia News
