top of page

A little about color...

Everyone is aware of colors around them, but sometimes the lingo of color is confusing and often misused. In working with you in a color consultation I will use words that refer to the lightness or darkness of a color, the pureness or saturation of a color, and the advancement or receding of a color.  The two main factors that influence how you see color are the light it is seen in and what you put it against.  Other colors affect color, making the undertones more pronounced when put next to certain colors.  

"Shade" is often misused to refer to either lighter or darker colors.  Actually, shade is adding black to a color to darken it, tint is adding white to lighten, and tone is adding gray to neutralize it. "Value" describes the lightness or darkness of the color.

In the illustration on the right, the color blue is seen against gray, white and black.  You can see how the visual of the color is affected by what it is put against and changes as you lighten the color.  It almost disappears into the white, but is enhanced by putting against the black.  Contrast is a factor in how colors work with the other things in your home or business.  I work with you and suggest ways to balance the contrast and accents without creating choppiness and distractions that are unpleasant to the eye.

Color Consultations

Understanding color and how it affects the surroundings and the occupants is why I offer consultations to help with the selections of paint and other products for the home or business.  A typical consultation runs 60-90 minutes for an affordable hourly fee.  Often, it allows time to select the colors for an entire home, but depending on the decision-making process of different clients, it may take more than one consultation time, or extended hourly time, to complete the color choices for a large home or business with many colors, or both exterior and interior selections. During a consultation, I also can discuss other choices you need to make and other interior design needs that you might have.  Please call or email for prices and to discuss your particular project. 

bottom of page