Choose a Color Scheme Like a Pro

The Color Wheel

The color wheel identifies color families and how they relate.

Primary Colors

All colors, with the exception of white, come from primary colors. Blue, yellow and red are the primary colors. Combinations of these three colors produce other colors. Mix all three together in equal amounts to produce brown.

Secondary Colors

Mix equal amounts of two primary colors to create secondary colors. The results are violet (red and blue), green (blue and yellow) and orange (red and yellow).

Tertiary Colors

Mix one primary color with larger amounts of another primary color to create tertiary colors. For example, mix one part blue with two parts red to make red-violet.

Basic Color Terms

• The hue of a color is the basic color. For example, blue is the hue in light blue and dark blue.
• Tone describes the color's density and reflective quality. Tone is important when choosing a color scheme.
• The value of a color describes the amount of white or black in the color. The value ranges from light to dark on a gray scale.
• The saturation of a color refers to its pureness and boldness.

More Hot Color Tips:

• Color Combinations
• Color Schemes
• Color Selection Tips
• Planning Your Room
• Special Color Effects

Theme of this week..Blue..hehe

Bedrooms

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Frugal Flair

Look for exotic silky fabric in markets and use it to trim a plain white duvet cover or bedspread and to make cushion covers that add an aura of luxury to your bed.

Bathrooms

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Sky High

With billowing curtains and blue-washed walls, this room borrows the color of a spring sky to create a beautifully refreshing atmosphere. Natural textures and accessories join a varied mix of furniture and fittings to give the look its laid-back, modern charm.

From Creative Spaces. Photo © BBC Good Homes. © 2002. Hylas Publishing, publisher.

Living Rooms

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Harbor Lights

The bigger the windows, the greater the potential to play decoratively with light, dark, and all nuances in between. The elements in this peaceful sitting room have been expertly planned to enhance those

Kitchens/Dining Rooms

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Tropical Punch

A tile-top table is backed by a deep blue wall in this outdoor dining area, evoking the hues of the Caribbean Sea. The addition of white accents in the tabletop and chairs, as well as the white-painted wood floor, gives the space a tranquil yet refreshing feeling.

contrasts.

My Favourite color.. Blue.. nice combination.. white

Photography by Andrew McCaul

Inexpensive Options Paint is an economical way to change the look of a room; this striking pale blue is softened by the theme of white. At the center of it all is a bed of cloudlike comfort, enveloped in simple white cotton jersey sheets ($25 for a queen set) and a down comforter under $100. Framed by a versatile and well-priced cotton-duck-covered headboard and sheer curtain panels draped from a wall-mounted rod above, the bed's pure palette also allows for fun with color and details. Mirrors: Oly. Mattress: 1-800-Mattress. Bedding: Linens 'n' Things, Pine Cone Hill. Headboard: Spiegel. Rug: Shyam Ahuja. next : Add Easy Details

Three Bedrooms

Inexpensive Options

Add Easy Details

A Splash of Color