The Art of Color
Why you need a paint color consultation

Color has a profound impact on our lives, influencing our emotions, perceptions, and even behavior. From the soothing hues of a serene blue to the vibrant energy of a sunny yellow, the colors we surround ourselves with can shape our moods and enhance our living spaces. Yet, selecting the perfect paint color for your home can be a daunting task—one that often requires more than just a trip to the hardware store. It can be difficult to visualize how a color will appear covering a large surface area with only a tiny swatch to go by! What about coordinating with other colors in the house and furnishings? And of course, there’s the challenge of picking a color in the first place with seemingly limitless options. This is where the invaluable service of a paint color consultation comes into play.

The Challenge of Choosing Colors

Walk into any paint store, and you’ll be greeted by rows upon rows of paint swatches, each boasting an array of colors and shades. While this abundance of choice may seem liberating at first, it can quickly become overwhelming. How do you navigate the sea of options to find the perfect color that complements your space and reflects your personality? On top of that, there’s the problem of relativity- colors appear different relative to their proportions and to the other colors surrounding them. Luckily it doesn’t take Einstein to figure out this theory of relativity; you need someone familiar with color theory. Artists and designers understand how colors will behave and interact with each other depending on conditions such as lighting and scale, so there’s no need to worry about the perfect swatch looking different on the wall.

The Benefits of a Paint Color Consultation

Expert Guidance:

A paint color consultant brings expertise and experience to the table. They understand the nuances of color theory, lighting, and design principles, allowing them to provide personalized recommendations tailored to your unique preferences and space. Our Color Specialist, Sylvia, studied color and design at MICA, one of the top art schools in the country, and spent a year putting her education into practice as a local muralist. She understands color and painting from a fine arts standpoint, which translates beautifully into creating compositions with color in designed spaces.

Visualizing Possibilities:

It can be challenging to imagine how a paint color will look once applied to your walls. Sylvia will come prepared with her trusty bag of samples, nicknamed Chet! Chet is filled with a myriad of visual aids, including fan decks that show all the possibilities side-by-side and extra large color swatches that accurately present how colors will appear over large areas. If you want to proceed a step further after the consultation, Sylvia can even create digital renderings or mood boards with Photoshop and send them directly to your email.

Maximizing Space:

The right paint color has the power to transform a room, making it appear larger, brighter, cleaner, or cozier depending on your goals. A consultant can help you choose colors that optimize the perceived size and ambiance of your space. Sylvia takes the value, saturation, and warmth of every color into consideration. Based on these elements, she understands what mood a color will evoke as well as how it will affect the perceived size and proportions of a space.

Coordinating Color Schemes:

Harmonizing paint colors with existing furnishings, decor, and architectural elements is essential for achieving a cohesive look. Sylvia can assist in selecting complementary colors that tie everything together seamlessly.

Avoiding Costly Mistakes:

Painting is an investment, both in terms of time and money. Choosing the wrong color can result in dissatisfaction and the need for costly repainting. By consulting with an expert upfront, you can mitigate the risk of costly mistakes and ensure a result you’ll love for years to come.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Consultation

Communicate Your Vision:

Be clear about your preferences, lifestyle, and any specific requirements or concerns you have regarding color selection. Any pictures or swatches you’ve curated yourself are welcome, but not required. If you’re not exactly sure what you want, that’s fine too! Sylvia will be able to find the perfect match for you based on whatever stipulations- or lack thereof- you may have. She takes into account whatever your main concern is first: what are you worried might go wrong? After tailoring options that all counteract what you know you dislike, she’ll present you with manageable choices that work for the space. There’s no one  “right answer”! Many directions may work for the same space. Once you see what each of them looks like, your own taste and style will shine through and it will be easy to pick out what looks best to you. Even if you still feel indecisive or stuck between favorites, every option you’ll be shown is expert-approved, so you can’t go wrong! 

Be Open to Suggestions:

While you may have a general idea of what you want, be receptive to alternative suggestions from the consultant. They may introduce you to colors or combinations you hadn’t considered before. Don’t worry that you’ll end up with a style that doesn’t feel like you; Sylvia will always suggest what she thinks you’ll enjoy most based on what you’ve told and shown her. 

“Everyone’s taste is valid when it comes to home decorating,” She says. “You’re the one who’ll be spending the most time in the space you’re painting, so what you want out of it is what’s most important. Your home should be a reflection of you, where you feel most comfortable as your authentic self. Most people know how they want their homes to feel, but not the best way to accomplish that. It’s my job to figure out what people really want and make it happen!”

Consider Lighting:

Lighting plays a significant role in how colors appear in a space. Discuss the natural and artificial lighting conditions in your home to ensure the chosen colors will look their best in all lighting scenarios. Sylvia will hold her large swatches in different lighting throughout the space to ensure you’re happy. You get to keep any swatches you’re considering, so you’ll be able to tape them up when the outdoor lighting changes depending on the time of day and weather conditions.

Conclusion

Choosing the right paint color for your home is more than just a matter of aesthetics—it’s about creating a space that reflects your personality, enhances your mood, and promotes comfort and well-being. A paint color consultation offers invaluable guidance, expertise, and support throughout the decision-making process, helping you achieve the perfect palette for your space. So, the next time you’re faced with the daunting task of selecting paint colors, consider enlisting the help of Rowan Hall Interior’s professional consultant to bring your vision to life with confidence and ease.

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