Warm and welcome with color

By Julia Boyle
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Nothing updates a room like a fresh coat of paint. Even the scent sends out a subliminal message of new! new! new!

But many people stick with stark, cold white, fearing color will be too bold or won’t match their furniture.

For tips on how to overcome the fear of color and use it wisely, we turned to color specialist Donna Harki, Custom Interiors coordinator at Henry Ford Village, an Erickson community in Dearborn, Mich. She uses the positive qualities of color to transform her clients’ apartments into a place where they feel home.

Her number one suggestion? Use neutral colors like soft shades of beige to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. As an added bonus, neutrals have universal appeal if you ever decide to sell your house.

Three Ds: dimension, drama, definition
Even when playing it safe with neutrals, saving color for the easy-to-change accessories or small areas is a great way to add a burst of energy and personality.

“Just adding a little bit of color to a room can change your whole attitude,” Harki says. “I really believe color plays a role in your mood. And the right use of it can help you feel more relaxed and comfortable.”

She suggests using punches of color to enliven a neutral scheme. Highlight the room and reflect your personality with accents of a bright color in furniture, decorative pillows, artwork, and other accessories.

“You can create the same effect with an accent wall,” she says. “It’s a great way to draw the eye to an asset in the room, such as a bay window, and make the room appear larger.”

Splash your highlight color on a single wall to add dimension, drama, and definition. Or paint your accent wall a shade darker than the others for more continuity.

Test it first
Whether painting an entire room or just one wall, test the color first. Painting may be a quick and inexpensive way to transform your home, but not if you have to redo it.