If you are unsure how to choose colour for your space, or better yet, feel backed into a corner as to which colour to use where, contact us to help. Not only is Colourhelp an excellent resource for ideas, but we are here to help you one on one! send us a quick email and we will be happy to schedule you for your very own consult with one of our colour specialists. We utilize Benjamin Moore paints as they are high quality and have a fantastic array of different colours to choose from. And most importantly Benjamin Moore offers paints that are very low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) which keep our earth healthier and our homes virtually free of that headache causing paint smell. Contact us anytime! We are happy to help

I recently came across a charming little apartment in downtown Toronto. From the outside, the building was small, likely a 6plex and appeared to have an almost historic look to it. Walked inside to see the renovations that were taking place in the interior of the condo and WOW! What a great job they were doing! Yes, the space indeed had the older radiators for heating, and those wonderful high baseboards we all know and love, crown molding with an old world feel along all ceiling corners…. And BAM!! Sparkling new Grey black granite counter tops, dark espresso hardwood floors newly installed, super chic bright white smooth frosted glass cupboards with steel handles fabulous pot lights throughout the kitchen, stainless steel appliances bathroom gutted and in its place a wonderful espresso vanity with rectangular sink, fabulous slate floors in the main entrance foyer area leading also into the bathroom…. And I started to wonder? How does one use colour in a space while still respecting the dignity of the home?

In this case it was simple; the combination of old and new in this particular space made me want to go super modern and youthful in the colours… and that’s exactly what I created in the pallet. Totally bright lime green accent walls in the kitchen to offset both the darker floors as well as the crisp white cabinetry since there was so much of it, the green did not at all take over the look of the space. Connecting living room I decided that an off white with a dark charcoal accent wall would do and the main foyer I did in super fuchsia hot pink colour including the ceiling. Thought about how wonderful a stainless steel and crystal round chandelier would look hanging from the ceiling in the main entrance way. It created such a dramatic entrance into the apartment making the mind wonder other lovely surprises this new world condo had to offer. Upon completing the palette and colour schedule I thought to myself: THIS…. Is the home of a young single woman!!! And she was happy!!

image source
Colour on a ceiling is not unheard of. Many colour consultants and decorators see white ceilings as a “white sheet thrown over a room.”
Lets say for example you have a very large open concept room. The new fad: The “great room”. Perhaps you have some really attractive good quality pieces to fill the room and you want to bring attention to these. Keeping the walls slightly lighter than the ceiling can do a great job bringing the viewing level lower. Your eyes will automatically drop down and focus on the possessions of your room.
Potentially, you could paint the walls a lighter neutral colour and the the ceiling could be the accent colour. How would you tie it all in? Have some accent pieces, perhaps different textiles or patterns with the same tone, to tie it all in.
Imagine a sage green ceiling with a taupe beige wall and dark wood floors and table set. Why not? Colour does not have to be intimidating. Keep in mind that solid plaster ceiling does much better than stucco. Stucco is harder to toss a colour on because its not as appealing to the eye. You could however paint a stucco ceiling in a super light almost white shade of the colour on the walls. It would certainly help to blend it all in. I had a client once ask me for a dark red ceiling to create a bistro look in his downtown loft! Enjoy colour. And hey, if you outgrow it, re paint!!

The choice of colour scheme for the living room is more likely to relate to

markham area living room

how the room is used than to other criteria. If the room is large and combines sitting and dining areas, then each zone can be used to illustrate the fresh look by using different combinations of the chosen colour scheme, or by separating them entirely. Colourwashes are effective at maintaining the light, fresh feel.

For example clear, spring green could be applied to the walls in a soft colourwash, linking the different areas, while the furnishing and ornamentation can be used to define each area. Blues work well when several shades are used together, so paint dining chairs, or combine blue and white on upholstery. Bring in the wall colour again for tablecloth, edged in darker, defining colour, such as a deeper tone of green or a contrasting blue. The sitting area could be furnished using a different contrast, such as off white alongside the same blues and greens. Pattern in the fresh colour scheme is flexible and can be directed toward bright and light checks, stripes, geometrics and floral as well as foundation plain colours. Cheerful modern floral provide a useful means of bringing together the room’s principal colours is various mixes. Try them in dusty pink and spring green, lilac and cream or primrose and zesty yellow green. Fresh colour combinations help create a lighthearted, young aura that relates to easy and informal living, where the colours are light and true and the atmosphere uplifting. Against a background of these delicate hues, pick up a contrasting colour or two within limited elements, such as flowers.

toronto area living room

The fresh living room needs to make the most of the concept of spaciousness. To do this, distribute chosen elements of either furniture, curtaining, or carpet to create areas of light or neutral colour, using materials that are white, off white, or the very palest insinuation of your main featured colour. To further the sense of freshness, keep decorative detail and ornamentation simple, clean lined and related to the room’s colour theme. Here where less in more the focus is placed on the composed areas of fresh colour lime green , primrose yellow, rose pink combined with lightweight, simple objects, plants, flowers and furnishings.

Understandably, pattern and ornamentation must also maintain this lightness and freshness, therefore intensely chintz, are too oppressive to use. Likewise decorative objects, pictures, and accessories need to reflect the same harmonious colour and lightness of quality as the rest of the room. Natural light helps elevate the fresh quality of colour, greens and yellow become sublimely luminous in clear sunlight, while pinks and violets take on extra vibrancy.

http://home-colour-tips.blogspot.com

If you are looking for a Toronto Colour consultant, please call us today at
416-800-0436 or complete our online request form.

Painting Tips

A house is made to look more beautiful, spacious, attractive if one has the best colour scheme and furnish done. Proper colours at the proper place helps in overcoming all the bad effects in the house. Well, choosing a proper colour and wearing it over at the accurate place is not every persons cup of tea. Thus, here we have come up with some helpful tips which can be useful for everyone to choose the right colour and make the house look more appealing…..

TIPS:

1) Firstly, you should have the theme in mind such as the Indian traditional, English countryside, Techo, modern, American and so on…going along with the formal/casual style.

2) Having in mind the style and theme, you should decide on a root or anchor fabric that has three or more colours.

3) Use the background colours from the fabric as a wall colour.

4) It would be preferable to use a mid-toned colour from the fabric for flooring and larger furniture feices, which could a patterned or a solid design. Upholstery can be done by using a coordinating fabric or also in your own anchor fabric. Fix the anchor fabric in at least these places in the room. ( Pillows, curtains, upholstery..)

5) The decorative pillows, welting, picture mats and the accessories can be graced by using the brightest colours from the colours.

6) Coordinating fabrics can also be used in the other scales like the chairs, cording, tablecloth and so on..

7) If you want to use the American Flag as the design then you can use it in this way…..White (background colour ) for walls, a mid toned navy blue colour (on the floor), blue and white brisking on the sofa and the brightest red for accessories and accents.

This can also be continued by the blue and white ticking strips as the coordinating prints ,a navy star print fabric and a red and white mini check used on chairs,pillows and the curtains. Return the colours evenly throughout the room, adding dressy details like cording is one way to distribute colour and add interest. Divide the colour by using 60% of the lightest shade in the background of the room,30% in the mid tone colour,and 10% in the brightest, accent colours. Get the look right at the first instance Choosing the right paint for your house can be a challenging task for decorating your house. Afterall its the chosen colour which is going to make your house look more toned.

Usually people feel that choosing a colour is not a very difficult task as there are various colours in the market. But in real if you go in the market to look out for the colours you will be left confused and blank by the end of the day. Thus, we will be guiding you some more for making this task easier for you.

Have patience:

While planning a room always be patient as painting is the most versatile element for your room decor, the easiest to change and also the least expensive. Collect paint chips from allover, try getting ideas from wherever possible. But, make the decision only when the rugs, wallpapers and the fabrics have been finalized. Take your samples along: Whenever you go out for shopping always make it a point that you carry the trim samples of the tiles, fabric, carpet tile, wallpaper as you wil need to refer them frequently. You never know of where you can find something really wonderful and exotic, so be sure that you carry everything along.

Read the colours:

Look at all the colours carefully, even if you are not using the darker tone, because you will find clues about the underlying tones of different shades of the colour on a full sample strip of coordinated colours. You can actually use a brilliant shade for yourself. Basic colour selection: Try using a deeper or brighter tones of the print for accents throughout the room, if you have selected a print fabric and might wish to select the coordinating wall paint from the background of the print.

Trimming it:

If your strong enough then go for the really striking look by trying the lighter coloured walls and dark tones or bright colours for all your trimmings, or else you can consider the palest shade of colours for your moldings, doors and windows to coordinate with the walls.

Choose the right finish:

Matte finishes hide imperfections, glossy finishes reflect more light, but they tend to blow up imperfections on the walls, Thus at the end of all decide which paint would be the best for your project. Thus by considering these things you can choose a right colour for your house that catches everyone’s eye & captivates your heart for making your home sweet home a wonderful abode to stay in.

More reference about these can be found on http://www.mumbaiproperties.info

If you are looking for a Toronto Colour consultant, please call us today at
416-800-0436 or complete our online request form.

Follow our golden rules to getting colour right

Love red but think it will overpower your room? Think blue is beautiful but maybe too cool? Whatever your favourite colour is, you can make it work in your home

Decorate with red

Create a feature wall

Paint one feature wall in red and keep the others neutral to balance out the intensity of the colour.

Use accents of red

Choose fabrics and accessories with red patterns and motifs, and leave the remainder in black and neutral to create contrast.

Choose dark wood furniture

Continue the sophisticated feel of the room with dark wood furniture that will contrast with the bold red.

Go for light-coloured flooring

Lift the scheme with a neutral-toned carpet, and curtains can be plain or have a stylized print.

Decorate with blue

Choose the warmest blues

Pick out a deep aqua tone of blue for the walls to keep it from looking too cold.

Create balance Choose a piece of furniture in a darker blue to contrast with others in warm off-white and balance the look.

Opt for accent colours

Use accents of taupe and darker denim for accessories to create richness of colour in the scheme.

Add touches of pink

Small hints of bright pink are the perfect accent colour to lift the room – fresh flowers are brilliant for this.

Decorate with orange

Create the right balance of colour Keep it chic by using a paler tone on one wall and choosing a neutral for the others. A pale carpet will also help tone it down.

Use prints

Add bright orange to the wall in small doses with framed prints.

Choose patterned carpet

In a room of strong, contrasting colour, a patterned carpet with a light background breaks up the colour blocks.

Pick sophisticated furniture

Sleek dark wood furniture works best in this scheme, and go for bright orange and chocolate-brown accessories.

Decorate with purple

Choose a patterned feature wall

Purple absorbs light, making it look darker than it is, so avoid wall-to-wall blocks of purple by using a patterned feature wallpaper that combines purple and lighter tones.

Pick out coordinating accessories

Go for accessories in the same purple as your wall colour, and a slightly darker tone, mixed with bright pinks.

Opt for luxurious fabrics

Shimmering fabrics, such as plush velvets and sumptuous silks, add depth to the scheme.

Go for mirrored furniture

Gorgeous mirrored furniture will reflect light around the room and add to the opulent feel that purple creates.

You can find more information on interior design and interior design ideas at house to home, helping you create a look you’ll love

If you are looking for a Toronto Colour consultant, please call us today at
416-800-0436 or complete our online request form.

Choosing paint colours for your Toronto area home may seem difficult, but in fact it really is quite simple. Your first step should always be determining exactly what you are planning to paint. For example, if you were painting a car you probably would not want to paint it rust coloured. This is the same concept for your home; consider your colour choices carefully since you will be looking at it for a long time. You want something that you enjoy, and if possible inspires you or even helps you to relax.

Let us assume for a moment that you are painting the outside. One of the key things you need to look at is the colour of the homes around you. However, if you are painting inside you would want to look at the rooms and the style of the furniture in the room. Typically, someone is not going to be interested in painting their home hot pink or even electric blue unless it would blend in with either the other homes around them, or blend with the other rooms in their home. While it is good to express your individual style, you should select a colour that will help emphasize your home, rather than draw attention to it for all of the wrong reasons.

Once you have looked at the colours around the area you are wanting to paint, regardless of whether it is inside or outside it is very important to start looking at various colours that interest you that will also blend in well with those around you. For example, blues and yellows coordinate well together, and if you are feeling especially bold and bright, you could even mix shades of red and blue together wonderfully. The choices and options are almost limitless, but if you are willing to coordinate colours carefully, you can choose almost any colour in the rainbow to paint with.

One important consideration that you need to take into account is the exact sheen. This will often alter the shade of the colour that you are using. What may look inappropriate in one sheen may look perfect in another sheen. You should always carefully consider where you are painting at before you select your sheen. If you are painting outside then you are also going to need to ensure that the paint is appropriate for outdoors, this can often mean needing to select a different shade to ensure it does not fade quickly.

With some careful consideration, you are certain to select something that is brilliant and helps you coordinate everything perfectly. Do not be afraid to work with bright or even contrasting colours in order to create the perfect appearance. You should also spend a bit of time in a paint store, or looking online at various paint samples to help you really select the best colours for your needs. You may discover that the colours you wanted at first are not what you ultimately choose at all.

Carrie Freeman is a published writer who also works closely with numerous businesses and clients from various countries. To contact her please use http://www.mediaenterprisesolutions.com

If you are looking for a Toronto Colour consultant, please call us today at
416-800-0436 or complete our online request form.

Colour is a key component in interior design. If you want a beautiful home that has a real “wow factor” then you need to have an understanding of colour and how to use it. This article aims to give you an insight into the different types of colours, highlighting those that work well together. It also looks at how to create colour schemes that produce the desired ‘mood’ and suit the particular space. With these tips you’ll able to use colour with confidence to bring about a really beautiful home.

Colour can be broken into 2 categories: Primary – red, yellow and blue; and Secondary-green, violet and orange. The following primary and secondary colours are known as ‘complimentary’ colours: blue and orange, red and green and yellow and violet. However, in their purest forms these colours combinations will create ‘visual discomfort’ because they will compete with each other for attention. The most successful way to utilize these colour combinations is to use darker or lighter (i.e. toned down) forms of the colours. Another way to use complimentary colours is to introduce small amounts of one of the colours, for example, a few orange accessories in an otherwise blue room.

For a more gentle, less dramatic look you could adopt a ‘toning scheme’. This is using different shades of the same colour. For instance, you could have pale blue walls, a darker blue sofa and soft furnishings in other shades of blue. If you choose this type of scheme, you need to introduce a good variety of shades and/ or patterns to avoid monotony. Using colours combinations that allow the eye to travel easily from one colour to the next can bring about a ‘harmonious’ colour scheme. Using colours that are quite similar to each other such as red, orange and yellow creates this scheme.

Another look is the ‘monochromatic’ scheme, i.e. the use of just one colour. Neutral colours such as cream, beige and white (which is not really a colour but a tone). This scheme can produce a real sleek, modern space but you need to make sure that you select a colour that works well with the soft furnishings, fabrics and flooring in the room.

Colour can affect our state of mine, therefore, it’s really important that you think about the kind of mood you want evoke in particular areas of your home. Pastel colours create a peaceful, soothing mood and, thus, work well in children’s rooms. Bright colours exude vibrancy and are really effective in busy areas of your home. Deep colours can seem somber but they’re actually very restful and are good in areas of the home where you want to relax. Darker colours, however, work best in areas where there is plenty of light.

Colours can be used to create ‘optical illusions’ that make your home look different than it really is. A low ceiling can be made to look higher by painting it a lighter colour than the walls. One wall painted in a lighter colour than the other walls will make the room look longer. A room can be made to look more spacious by painting the walls and ceilings the same light colour.

This article has highlighted the importance of really thinking about what you want colour to achieve in your home. It has outlined some of the colour schemes that can be used to create certain looks and moods and has touched on some of the many techniques in which colour can be used to make your home look different than it really is. With an increased awareness of how to use colour more effectively, you should be able to create areas in your home that define the functionality of the space, evoke the right mood and look great.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Interior Design

If you are looking for a Toronto Colour consultant, please call us today at
416-800-0436 or complete our online request form.

White: a nice colour that stands for purity and innocence. But too much white might cause headaches; it might also make you nervous and restless. Therefore, white alone is not a very happy choice for interior decorations, although plenty of interior decorations magazines and TV commercials show us spotless white interiors. Is that so? Why don’t you take a second look to note what other colours are there used to complete the picture?

In most cases white is used a background colour. We see often brightly coloured paintings hanging on white walls, red roses on a sparkling white piece of furniture, other coloured accents here and there to complete the interior design, to give it meaning, balance or strength. White walls are a blessing in tropical areas. White’s freshness is perfect for a Mediterranean look, for a home in sunny Tuscany, for your beach house or for other such residences. But if you don’t live in such an area, choose your colours carefully. Remember that colours influence your life, your behavior and your mood. Choose a wrong colour and you might live an uneasy time without even knowing what bothers you. But don’t ever believe that neutral colours are ideal colours. Do you live a neutral life? Do you lack personality? No. You don’t! So don’t be afraid of colour.

So far you know that white is classic but too much white might cease to be neutral and become and element of stress. The good news is that white goes well with any colours. A spot of red or orange to stimulate your appetite in the dining room, some blue or green accents to calm you down in the living room and bathroom, orange and yellow for your kitchen and pastel colours in your bedroom; these are the colour arrangements generally recommended by interior designers. But in your home, you are the interior designer. You should choose the colours according to your personality and your feelings.

It’s maybe time for a bolder colour combination? A mixture of bright and wild colours like turquoise and orange or violet and lime? Take a look at the colour wheel and choose either colours that are opposite in it or that sit next to each other. Opposite colours are complementary colours and neighboring colours provide for colour harmony. You can find a colour wheel easily online, even virtual colour pickers, but pay attention when you choose your colours based upon such tools, as monitors’ resolution may show colours slightly distorted than in reality.

Walls alone don’t make interior decorations. Accents on the walls are nothing more than that: accents. The art of interior decorations sees your living space as a whole. So choosing colours refers not solely to walls and accents, but furniture and lighting as well. If you are not skilled enough to do this on your own, if you are not bold enough to experiment, then you should probably let a professional interior designer take a look at your home and decorate it accordingly.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Interior Design

If you are looking for a Toronto Colour consultant, please call us today at
416-800-0436 or complete our online request form.

We live surrounded by colors, shades and light. Each tone and sometimes we don’t even notice it, influences our mood, each colour has a meaning and intertwines with our frame of mind. There is nothing arbitrary in this world: it’s all harmony. Have you noticed? There are days you feel like wearing black and days you feel like adding colour to your life, spicing it up a little by wearing an orange top or a lime green scarf, or a mysterious dark red evening dress. You can choose the colors for your wardrobe according to your mood and change them as often as you like, but you cannot change the colors of a room so easily. When you start decorating a room it is very important that you choose the colors right.

You should find a way to balance the tones, to create the mood you long for. You want a room full of energy, use orange. You want passion – red is the answer. You want to chill – take blue. So let’s see what each colour means, for colors are not given the same meaning all over the world.

Red is for many the colour of passionate love: a red rose, a red box of chocolates on Valentines Day, a red heart, but in South Africa red means mourning. Red is also the most common colour found in national flags. That is because in ancient times flags were usually used on the battlefield and red gave the signal for battle. Red is also the colour of blood – red eggs at Easter symbolize the blood of Christ and good luck. Red is good luck also in China, where it is also used as wedding color. If you like red, creating an interior decoration with a Chinese theme is a perfect choice.

Green is the colour of nature. You find it everywhere: in trees, grass and even some fruits. It relaxes and inspires. In ancient times green was the colour of honor and victory. In Ireland, this is still the colour of good luck. Choose an Irish theme if you like dark green. Blue is the most common colour used in interior decoration – it relaxes and refreshes, it provides for a feeling of safety. This shouldn’t be a surprise: as you know blue is also the colour for police uniforms. If you choose blue for your home, you cannot go wrong. But blue is a cold color, so balance it with orange or yellow.

Purple is a royal color. In ancient times purple was difficult to obtain – the colour was extracted from Purpura snails. This is also the colour of inspiration, so if you are an artist, a room with purple accents might stimulate your mind. As purple is believed to help kids develop imagination, it is often used to decorate children rooms.

Yellow and orange are extremely warm colors. They are usually associated with the sun and with tropical fruits (oranges, bananas, lemons). Both have a positive impact, however yellow could be taken as a symbol of jealousy and deceit and let’s not forget that some time ago, in Spain, executioners wore yellow. Take care how you use orange and yellow in interior decorations: both stand out and tend to dominate the room. Black and white are neutral. Both symbolize mourning, each for different civilizations. But hey, almost each colour symbolizes mourning for some: red for South Africans, blue for Iranians, purple for women in Thailand, yellow for Egyptians, white for Chinese and Japanese, black for Europeans and Americans. But black and white are both very elegant and, while you should not paint your walls black, you could choose black furniture to give your interiors a feel of opulence and strength. White is purity, kindness, peace and loyalty.

If you are looking for a Toronto Colour consultant, please call us today at
416-800-0436 or complete our online request form.