Design Notes
Color. It is what gives our world variety and speaks a language all its own. It is a versatile element that is used in various professions such as art, entertainment, and even cooking. Interior designers thrive on color to express their client’s personality and tell their story. Color is also the common thread that ties other elements, like texture and pattern. Woven together, they create a sense of unity and influence the mood. It is fairly common knowledge that each color implies a mood, such as blue is calm, green represents growth, and yellow expresses happiness. The colors you select for your home can have an effect on the atmosphere, and more and more homeowners are looking to add a little comfort with color.
The Power Of Color
Color is a powerful tool, which is why designers use it in multiple ways. We react to color differently, some even based on past experiences. Certain colors can motivate, while others have the ability to calm you down after a stressful day. Choosing the right palette can help create the right atmosphere to keep your family relaxed and happy when at home. The saturation of a shade or tint of a color can also affect the meaning, such as a more muted green invokes calm, and a bright lime green sparks creativity. Each area in the home has a purpose that can be reflected in the color choice:
- Kitchen: The heart of the home should have a palette that reflects that, such as browns, grays, and even blues.
- Bedroom: A place of repose and relaxation, use colors like blue and purple, as both are in the cool spectrum and have a soothing and calm vibe.
- Home office/children’s area: Productivity and creativity are essential in this area, and the bright hue of orange makes it well-suited for this. Pillows, art, or furniture pieces are great ways to add a touch of this to the room.
Your house is yours; it is a reflection of you and should make you feel comfortable at home. Look at a swatch book of colors and get a sense of which ones you enjoy most, then build your design so that the end result matches.
The Benefits Of Color
With so much stress faced on a daily basis, it is important that we have one place to go and recharge, to let go of it all and completely rest. Choosing the right colors for you will benefit your health and create the perfect environment for you and your family. They can help you feel safe and comfortable, and even make a room feel larger or smaller depending on the need. Again, color can help us feel happy, creative, excited, or relaxed; it all depends on what works best for you, so don’t be afraid to venture out of the norm when it comes to color selection.
Nature’s Color Palette
When looking for inspiration for the perfect balance of calm and beauty, there is none better than nature herself. Since many are doing more from home, it is essential to create a space that has a pleasant environment, and nature’s color palette provides just that vibe. From the soft whites to the calming neutrals of browns and grays, there is no lack of refreshing and uplifting vibes. There are several ways to add a touch of nature or maximize what you have when planning a design:
- Mirrors: Reflecting the natural light you already have maximizes it to the fullest and gives the room a more open and airy feeling, which is great for the mind and body.
- Natural choices: When selecting decor items, think natural or more organic, like a driftwood coffee table, glass or pottery vases, artwork that has a neutral color palette, fabrics such as linen, and even the shape of furniture, such as simple curves or soft lines.
- Wood: One of nature’s top products, wood provides multiple ways to add a natural, organic vibe to the room, including built-ins, cabinets, fireplace mantles, accent walls, and more. By using wood in its shades, the room will automatically be in harmony with the other elements, and the colors will produce a calm and inviting environment.
Nature has been the inspiration behind many award-winning designs and will never be outdone. It has a timeless appeal and draw for many, which means you can’t go wrong when you choose nature’s palette.
How To Include Color
We experience color every day, from the store to a restaurant or even a quick stop at a convenience store. Sometimes, we even remember how we felt in a particular place, unaware that the color influenced our mood. Take some time to think back to when you last felt relaxed, productive, or happy; try to remember your surroundings, especially color. Recreate that atmosphere in your home by following a similar palette. You will be amazed at the results.
- Accents: A painted wall or ceiling, throw blankets, art pieces, furniture, window treatments, decor items, or a rug. These are easy ways to add color to the room without overloading it or blending color combinations.
- Flooring: Tile, hardwood, or even painting it can add color to the room in a unique way.
- Plants: Adding some greenery to your home is not only healthy but also colorful, and Mother Nature has no shortage of colors. It also comes with an added health bonus for your family.
- Variations: Remember that one color has multiple shades and tints, meaning that you can create a room designed around a monochromatic palette, which will bring unity while not being boring.
Get creative and think outside the box when it comes to color. There are so many ways to add the exact vibe you want. Check out Pinterest for some other amazing ideas and suggestions.
Walker Woodworking Too much clutter can detract from your home’s wellness and leave you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and even depressed if it sticks around long enough. It can also make it difficult to concentrate, which can affect the entire family. It’s important to set about decluttering in an eco-friendly way to ensure that you aren’t throwing out things that could be put to good use elsewhere. With so many landfills already overflowing, it’s imperative for us all to do our part and keep recycling.
Keep reading for some great tips from Greenbook Design on how to declutter your home in an eco-friendly way.
Greenbrook DesignWarmer weather is just around the corner, meaning we can finally spend more time outside doing what we love, like grilling, swimming, and sitting around fire pits. One thing that all of these have in common is that they can be done in your own backyard. Outdoor spaces are trending this year and for good reason, since they provide a change of scenery for homeowners without having to drive somewhere, plus they add more usable space to your home. Enjoy fresh air, cool summer nights, and time with family all within the safety of your own home. Here are a few reasons and benefits to adding or upgrading your outdoor space.
Greenbrook DesignColor. It is what gives our world variety and speaks a language all its own. It is a versatile element that is used in various professions such as art, entertainment, and even cooking. Interior designers thrive on color to express their client’s personality and tell their story. Color is also the common thread that ties other elements, like texture and pattern. Woven together, they create a sense of unity and influence the mood. It is fairly common knowledge that each color implies a mood, such as blue is calm, green represents growth, and yellow expresses happiness. The colors you select for your home can have an effect on the atmosphere, and more and more homeowners are looking to add a little comfort with color.
Walker WoodworkingThe kitchen sink is probably one of the most important elements in the kitchen, since it’s where we wash dishes, rinse food, and wash our hands. There are so many options, such as stainless steel, porcelain, and ceramic. Then, of course, there are multiple styles and sizes. At Greenbrook, we are always looking for new items that will meet a need for our clients, and sinks definitely are one of them, which is why we are an authorized dealer for the Karran Sinks.
Walker Woodworking Old meets new to create a blend of something beautiful, which is one way to summarize grand millennial style. While minimalism is still a popular trend, many millennials are finding comfort and freedom of expression from their beloved family heritage. Grand millennial is a combination of the new with things of the past, like that old wingback chair from grandma’s attic, and breathing new life into it through reupholstering it. This style also pairs perfectly with many people’s desire to recycle and reduce waste by repurposing existing materials. Let’s unpack this style a little more and find out if it is right for you.
Walker Woodworking
Greenbrook Design