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Willowbank Lecture, "Color in the Home"
October 2006

• Look around you for color inspiration. From nature to a favorite painting, great color combinations are everywhere. Magazines are also a great resource; rip out color combinations that you are attracted to; most likely you will start to see a pattern.
• If you're overwhelmed by the number of options for paint colors focus on Benjamin Moore's historical colors. This ia collection of close to 100 paint colors based on popular colors throughout the ages, you know they are tried and true! I use them all the time.
• Make sure you look at paint and fabric samples in the actual space they are being used in. Light can dramatically alter the way we see color, and you wan to make sure the color will work in the space it is being used. Use Benjamin Moor's sample jars or C2's large color chips and paint/hang in an area of a room so you can see what it looks like in the morning and at night.
  
  Good Resources: Benjamin Moor sample paint jars (available at your local hardware stores, C2 large pain chips (www.c2color.com)
• Think outside the box - color can be used in unexpected places and have a huge impact. Try painting the inside of your kitchen cabinets a great apple green, you'll smile every time you open them up. In a casual setting it can be fun to paint staircase risers a contrasting color, or paint the inside of an open bookcase a bright color. it will make the objects inside really pop.

• Pick neutral fabrics for bigger furniture pieces such as a sofa so you can easily change your color scheme without having to reinvest in furniture. Accents such as pillows and paint color can dramatically change the look and feel of a space.
• All walls don't need to be the same color, if you are nervous about color try a bolder color on an accent wall with a lighter shade of the same color or a neutral color on the rest of the walls. It's a great way to add color without overwhelming a room or to highlight a specific area or object.
• Most importantly, don't be afraid to use color. Pain color is one of the easiest and least costly ways to change a space. Worst case scenario you try again!
• When in doubt or overwhelmed inlist some professional help. A color consultant can help you to create a cohesive and unique color palette for your home.