Transform Primitive Hues into Elegant Shades with an Interior Designer's Tips and Tricks
Decode the Designer's Primal Palette: Lessons from Meta Coleman on Using Primary Colors in Your Home
Get ready to turn up the heat with a bit of energy and charm in your living space! Utah's very own interior designer, Meta Coleman, makes her work shimmer with a trace of fairytale cottage allure. All thanks to her adoration for folkloric patterns, along with her daring yet refined use of fundamental colors—each carrying a subtle, earthy undertone that takes these primaries from classroom to Coolville. Intrigued? We asked the design whiz to share her secrets for using primary colors to amp up both your rooms and your mood.
The Basic Breakdown: What You Should Know About Primary Colors
Red: A PowerhouseBe prepared—red packs a punch! Given its potency, Meta tends to employ it as an accent or in small-scale items like sofa welting trims, pillows, or ornaments. For larger items such as rugs or cabinets, try a muted red to keep the look trendy yet classy.
Blue: The ChameleonHands down, blue is the most flexible primary color. Its diverse range of shades allows it to integrate seamlessly with almost any palette. Plus, it's calming—evoking images of the vast, tranquil sky. Meta usually leans towards a blue with a hint of green, perfect for walls and larger surfaces, whereas softer blues dominate on smaller surfaces.
Yellow: The Intruder with a HugYellow is a warm, welcoming color that can transform your home into a cozy, inviting haven. When paired correctly, it shines brighter than a stark white and works better during any time of the day.
The Color Trinity: Pick Your Perfect Trio
Ensure your color scheme rocks by assembling a trio, consisting of a primary, a secondary, and a tertiary color. Start with a main color, preferably mellow (such as blue). The secondary color should complement the main one (like red with blue). Lastly, the tertiary color should act as a counterpart to the first two (green goes great with red and blue). Remember, every color doesn’t need to be the room’s center of attraction. Some colors are there to lend support and elevate the showstoppers without contributing to the chaos.
Color Wheel Coordination: Harness the Ultimate Pairing Guide
Feeling unsure about creating a harmonious color scheme? Worry no more! Consult the mighty color wheel. Picking coordinating colors becomes as easy as spinning a racetrack. Choose colors opposing each other on the color wheel for contrast, or neighboring hues for a more subtle, complementary effect.
Emphasis on Scale: Master the Art of Balance
When including any color, think of scale. Bigger areas require softer tones (meaning more gray or white). For smaller areas, feel free to go bold with vibrant colors. Once a color is on a big surface like a wall, it really takes over the room—making it stronger than you might have initially thought.
Meta ColemanDrafting colors that evoke positive memories and feelings is the goal, she says. Consider your space a hideaway, a place where you can create a sanctuary filled with warmth, vibrancy, and tranquility.
The Perfect Paintbox Preview: Trials Are a Must
Always remember to test paint samples in your room. Gather multiple iterations of the same shade, study the effects, and observe any differences due to natural light. Remember, colors change with the time of day and the light they reflect, so it’s crucial that you love it around the clock.
Picking the Proper Paint Finish: A Surface Showdown
When dealing with various surfaces, choose your paint finish thoughtfully. For the ceiling, opt for a flat or matte surface. Walls should have a bit of sheen (eggshell finish), and trim, baseboard casings, millwork, and furniture require a semi-gloss finish. These finishes not only elevate the visual appeal but also make cleaning a tad simpler.
Expand the Color Frontier: Beyond Walls
Why stop at painting walls? Meta recommends giving baseboards, doorframes, and millwork a pop of color! Don’t shy away from experimenting with stencils, decorative paint elements, or even colorful furniture. Lampshades are a creative way to bring in a strong, powerful color without overwhelming the room.
Experiment with Confidence: Don't Fear Mistakes
Remember, everyone makes mistakes! Embrace color, have fun, and don’t sweat the small stuff. Just because you see a stunning shade in a magazine or online, realize that professional photographers might have altered the colors to suit their vision.
Paint as Magic Wand: Solutions Abound
Remember that paint can be a powerful problem-solver! In a recent kitchen remodel, Meta transformed a 90s maple kitchen with an In-N-Out Burger-inspired tile countertop. By simply repainting the cabins with a warm white and the beams with sage green, she managed to neutralize the counter, giving it a more timeless look. Needless to say, the original plan was to replace the counter entirely—a decision rescinded after the gorgeous paint job.
Color Preferences of Meta Coleman
Meta favors these hues time and time again:
- Westhighland White—Sherwin Williams: A lovely, versatile cream shade.
- Calke Green—Farrow & Ball: A warm, pleasing green that can be used for larger surfaces.
- Ultra Marine Blue—Farrow & Ball: A rich, timeless blue—historically-speaking.
- Meta Coleman's use of primary colors in decorating, such as a muted red, a hint-of-green blue, and vibrant yellow, can transform living spaces into warm, inviting havens.
- To create a harmonious color scheme, assemble a trio consisting of a primary color (like blue), a secondary color (such as red) that complements the main one, and a tertiary color (like green) that acts as a counterpart to the first two.
- Experimenting with colors beyond walls, like painting baseboards, doorframes, and using colorful furniture, can add life and vitality to any space, according to design expert Meta Coleman.
