Design Blog – Page 3 – The Serene Factor

Complementary Color Schemes

Get the color combination just right.

It is best to refer to the color-wheel to get this look just right because it depends onthe way colors are arranged on it. Complementary schemes are made with colors opposite to each other on the color wheel like Blue and Orange, Red and Green, Purple and Yellow.

Color Wheel by Janet Bionda

How to get the complementary color combination just right.

Go beyond the Primary Colors and combine different shades. This color wheel does a great job of understanding different shades.
Balance Proportions – Using opposite colors on the color wheel does not mean you have to use them in equal parts. In this image, blue is the main color here(70%) and orange is added as a pop of color(30%). Christmas decor of red and green are a classic complementary color combination.This article is a part of the color scheme series-

Tonal Color Scheme

Color scheme – Tone on tone

Pick your favorite color and play in different shades and tones of the same color. Here it is done with shades of blue. If you feel the need to understand tones and shades in detail, check out this wiki article about it.

It is most commonly done with neutral shades like white, cream, almond, and different tones of beige, etc. It is also done in shades of pink the in a kids room.

It needs some discipline and careful editing out of colors that don’t belong there so it has a photogenic effect when done right. You can look at a real example on this blog article here.

This article is a part of the color scheme series-

Color Scheme- Fully Coordinated

How to play within an all coordinated color scheme in your interiors and get it right.

A fully coordinated color scheme means all interior furnishings and decor items are of the same color.

An all-white color scheme is on trend right now and requires careful editing. But it looks elegant when done right. The Minimal and Scandinavian styles of decor apply this scheme with confidence.

When done with neutral shades like all-white, all-cream, all-beige, all gray, it can look good without looking dull. Here are three things to take care of when doing an all coordinated color scheme.

TEXTURAL INTEREST- A couch with a cotton twill slipcover, with a thick woven blanket, a faux fur throw pillow.. even when they are all in the same color, say white, will look interesting because of the difference in texture and how they feel like to the hand.

HIGH-QUALITY MATERIALS – When the eye is not distracted by different colors, it has more time to rest on the furnishings. Higher quality of each item becomes more important. It also adds a touch of elegance.

NATURAL MATERIALS – Cararra marble has become all the rage since it fits in well with an all-white color scheme and adds just enough interest without breaking the color-scheme. Warm-toned wood floors, a lush green plant, and metallic accents and a candle add an interest to an all coordinated scheme and stop it from looking pasty or chalky. These are also a good way to balance out the five elements according to Feng Shui ( wood, earth, fire, water and metal). THIs look also has the makings of what can be referred to as a MODERN ORGANIC style. More on that in another post.

This article is a part of the color scheme series-

Color Schemes – Index

Color Schemes discussed in detail.

Color is one of my favorite things to study, think about and work with. Here, I attempt to list out the most common color schemes found in interiors. Some color schemes are specific to some styles, some become iconic of certain decades. E.g. Psychedelic neons are iconic of the 60s. Rusty orange and teal are of the 70s and CMYKs in the 80s. I suppose, a decade down we will look at gray, blue and white the same way.

Read more about each of these color schemes –

Contemporary Style Interiors

Trendsetter? Up to date? Live in the moment? This is for you.

Origin: The style that is being produced right now and is ever changing is contemporary style. It takes on an identity in hindsight.

Architectural Match: Contemporary flat roof houses, modern homes.

Look and Feel: fresh, hard to match to previous style eras.

Picture this: It is characterized by open floor plans, high ceilings and floor to ceiling windows with bright and airy interiors. The focus right now is on the juxtaposition of furniture with clean lines with pieces with unique free flowing forms. Think of a transparent acrylic coffee table, next to a comfortable yet sleek couch next to a bright orange accent chair in a room with accent walls and metallic decor items.

Colors: Subtle neutral colors are commonly used. The focus is on natural organic materials like linen, leather, stone, jute, and bamboo.

Patterns: Large scale cropped prints, abstract geometric prints, crystals, palm leaf motif, tribal geometric prints, watercolor florals faux animal print rugs.

Is it for you? If you like new, functional, clean items in a variety of materials then this current style is for you.

Rustic Style Interiors

Honest, what you see is what you get – kind of a person? This is for you.

Origin: This style celebrates the materials used and makes no attempt to hide them.

Architectural Match: Log cabins, neo-traditional, contemporary homes

Look and Feel: Honest, rugged, true-to-nature

Picture this: Think of log cabins, exposed wooden beams and ceilings, exposed brick walls, a table made of reclaimed wood planks with legs made of iron, etc. Everything has a rugged yet finished feel to it with a focus on the honesty of materials.

Colors: Natural colors of stone, wood, greens, linens

Patterns: natural grains of stone, of wood

Is it for you? If you love nature in its true form, then this slightly masculine style is for you.

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About The Author

Richa brings you only the most practical, to-the-point, no-nonsense information that helps turn your house into your dream home. She has a passion for simplifying design concepts that you can actually put to use. She has a degree in Architecture, over thirty published articles, a life blog and has co-authored the amazon.com bestseller 'My First Home' with Shashank Shekhar.

Category: Design Blog