INTERIOR DESIGN & FENG SHUI SPECIALISTS

Magdalena Brandon

Magdalena Brandon Designer of FUNG SHUI

Where do I begin? This is the question we hear daily from clients. Home-owners know they want to do something new, but don’t have any idea how to get started. Some will say they want to begin with window treatments or furniture. Others ask if they should start with a color plan. It isn’t always easy to get started, but you can actually begin anywhere. The possibilities are endless. Before you start though, there are several questions that have to be answered before taking the initial step:

1.Lifestyle Do you have children? What are their ages, hobbies, etc.? If there are young children in your family, which room will they use to entertain their friends? This room will need furniture that fits the lifestyle. Durable, not too expensive (disposable), and especially functional. Do you entertain often? If this is the case, make sure that the areas in your home designated for entertaining have several seating arrangements for conversation. The flow of the room is also important and make sure there is plenty of light.

To get an idea of the budget you’ll need, my first suggestion would be to decide on which area will make you the happiest to see complete

The question is what is this room being used for?

When selecting furniture, scale is the first step. Many homes can be deceiving – so always remember to measure your room carefully.

2. Ambience Is your style casual or formal? Do you like to come home, take your shoes off, get comfortable and lounge on your sofa? Do you want your home to feel comfortable and relaxing? If your answer is yes to either question, you are more casual in your surroundings. Your furniture selections would lean towards an overstuffed sofa and chair in a chenille fabric. You may want to keep the color schemes more neutral with just a splash of color throughout the room. Window treatments would be very simple in a contrasting color or fabric.

3. Color Scheme When looking at colors for your new or existing home, stop and discuss with your family or significant other what colors make you feel good. Is there any color you absolutely do not want? It’s especially important to keep in mind what the room is being used for. Each room has its’ own character and use – so make sure the right color is used in the right room.

4. Existing Items If you have any items that are heirlooms or just near and dear to your heart, they can be worked into any room makeover. Existing furniture that is still in good condition can be reupholstered to give you the look of new for a fraction of the cost. Many wood pieces can be refinished or faux painted to fit in your new color scheme as well. If there are pieces of art that you still wish to use, a simple change of frame or mats will make any piece of art look great. There might be a few items that may or may not work – a designer will always let you know if that is the case. Bringing in new pieces to blend with the old can be beautiful if done correctly.

WHAT COLORS SPEAK TO YOU?

It’s easy to pick a favorite color for your rooms. For the visual tension that makes things interesting, however, a single color isn’t always enough. Mixing colors takes some skill, but it shouldn’t intimidate. Begin with your favorite color, then use the simple color wheel lessons on the next few pages to find compatible accents for it. For starters, you can prevent color clashes with a palette from one of four color groups: primary, secondary, tertiary, and monochromatic.

A STRONG FOUNDATION: PRIMARY COLORS

For rooms that come off feeling strong and solid, a scheme of primary colors – red, blue, and yellow – is an ideal choice. Each is a pure color that can’t be created by mixing other hues. Use them in pairs or combine all three; they work equally in country, traditional, and modern rooms.

THE NEXT STEP: SECONDARY COLORS

Secondary colors – green, orange, and purple – are created by mixing two primaries in equal amounts. Green is made from blue and yellow, orange from yellow and red, and purple from red and blue. Like all colors, each secondary hue can be tinted with white or shaded with black for variations. If you can’t envision a bold orange and green room, think about pairing up their paler tints of peach and sage. The primary and secondary colors illustrate that you can make a compatible triadic scheme by choosing any three colors equidistant on the wheel.

INTERMEDIATE PLAYERS: TERTIARY COLORS

These colors are an equal mix of a primary plus its closest secondary color: blue-green, yellow-green, red-orange, red-purple, and blue-purple.

SINGLE-SHOT COLOR: MONOCHROMATIC

What prevents a monochromatic scheme from being bland is subtle variation of a single color’s intensity. For instance, orange, coral, peach offer variety within the same family.

HOW COLOR AFFECTS YOUR MOOD

The colors you live with really do influence your emotions. Some palettes lighten and brighten your mood, and others pacify or purify. We respond to color with our hearts, not just our heads, so it’s important to choose wisely. Understand that colors behave in three basic ways- active, passive, and neutral – and you can easily match every room’s colors to your personal desires and taste, and to how you intend to use the room.