Darker colors are trending for 2023

BY SARAH COLBURN STAFF WRITER

Dark, saturated colors can provide a feeling of luxury and bring a brooding ambiance to a space.

Knowing how to balance those dark colors with accessories and furniture is an art that can be broken down into steps.

– Think about the finish of the paint and the amount of light coming into the room. An eggshell or satin finish can help provide a reflective quality in the space.

– Dark colors recede and trick the eye, softening the edges of the room and creating a cozy feel.

– Contrast dark walls with a lighter flooring choice, such as a large, light-colored area rug. A lighter floor will help ground the room and keep it from feeling too heavy.

– Ceilings can be kept light, but in large, cavernous rooms, the dark color can be wrapped on the walls into the ceiling to the entire space together.

– Repeating the wall color on the trim will heighten the room and further blur the line between the wall and the flooring.

– Bring in light. In addition to overhead light fixtures, be sure to consider table lamps and wall sconces to add layered lighting and depth to the room. Multiple points of light can do wonders for a room and provide not only interest but layers of warmth. Picture frame lights can add another element of sophistication to a space.

– Dark walls provide a great backdrop for warmtoned woods and bring out the richness of the wood grain. Don’t be afraid to repeat these same warm and spicy tones in accessories and artwork for the room.

– Pops of metallic décor can elevate the space and provide an additional reflective quality as can glass accents. Creating reflective spaces throughout the room encourages the eye to take in the whole space. Consider vases, cloches, artwork, metallic shapes and metallic knobs on furniture to add interest.

– Choose furniture, accessories and artwork that stand out from the wall color. Grays and whites contrast well with deep wall colors.

– Consider adding a pop of bold color with an accent

Colors page 45

Colors

from page 44 chair or two. Bright colors can provide interest and a sense of flair. Bright colors with patterns can incorporate the dark color on the wall.

– An accent color can be sprinkled throughout the room using throw blankets, pillows and accessories that bring the space to life. Adding the wall color into some of the pieces can create a back and forth between the walls and the accessories to create a cohesive look.

– When choosing accessories, be sure to consider the texture. Adding varied textures to a room can raise its sophistication factor. Texture can come into a space through curtains, planters, trays and fabric choices.

Getting a soil test for your garden is a great way to determine soil health. A soil test will reveal the pH level and, therefore, influence what plants and fertilizers are best for your garden.

The pH level should be between 6 and 6.5. If the soil is out of this range, it can adversely affect plant health. Some plants do like a higher or lower pH level as well. Research on plant health will show what pH level is best for the plants in your garden.

Knowing this information can assist in establishing which fertilizer is best suited for your garden needs.