Design Notes
Contrast is a design element that is used often since it makes a statement, creates visual interest, and provides a touch of elegance to the space. White and Black, dark mixed with warm metals like gold, copper, and brass. Many interior designers are choosing to use this tool and these color combinations more in their creations, and it seems that this trend is only increasing in popularity. Let’s explore the different ways you can add dark colors to your space, balanced with enough light to make a beautiful presentation in your home that both you and your guests will enjoy.
Why Contrast?
The purpose of contrast is to draw attention to certain features and highlight special areas in the design. Contrast also has the ability to organize the area and develop a design hierarchy by guiding the eye to certain items or focal points. The stronger the contrast, the greater the emphasis. Here are a few additional tips.
A Balancing Act
While contrast is a beautiful thing, it still requires a correct balance. If it leans heavily in either direction, it produces the opposite effect. Too much dark color and the space can become too heavy, and a lean toward light can leave the room feeling empty. Here are some tips for creating a unified design:
- Dividing the wall color: Painting the upper wall and lower wall two different colors, with the darker color on the bottom, can create a stunning effect for the room.
- Mix materials: Dark metal lamps with light shades, a dark couch with bright pillows rich in texture, art pieces with a darker palette against a white wall, or wood accents.
- Include light: This is good because it adds warmth to the space, especially in the evening.
- Little things: Hardware and plumbing are an easy way to add a pop without overdoing it.
Contrast, when done right, creates a design that captivates the eye. See how we accomplished this goal in this design project. Explore places like Pinterest to find inspirational photos you can bring to your design meeting.
The Benefits
There are many benefits to using contrast in your design. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Size control: By using the colors correctly, you can add or condense the feel of a room. Painting a ceiling and even the walls dark tends to make it feel cozier, while light walls open up a small space.
- Focal points: Do you want to highlight specific items in the home? Placing them against a strong contrast immediately draws the eye to them.
- Visual interest: Natural wood floating shelves set against a dark or light backsplash create amazing visual interest in the design.
- Bold: Bright patterns can make a strong statement and create a fun touch to the space.
The possibilities are endless and the choices abundant. There are many ways to design a space using contrast, meaning that whatever your style, it can be accomplished.
Greenbrook DesignEvery home has a story, and it is mainly told through interior design. Each element plays a part in conveying what matters most to you and reflects a part of your personality. Over the years, an increasing number of individuals have stepped outside the traditional design box and incorporated elements that hold meaning for them or are connected to a cherished memory. This shift has led more companies to expand their product line to include unique items made from various materials. Designers have followed suit and are looking for ways to deliver a tailored look for each client. These results sometimes give rise to interior design trends, and 2023 has some fun and elegant ones. Let’s see if any of them interest you as you prepare to hit the refresh button in your home.
Walker Woodworking It’s a New Year, a new you… But does your resolution list include some remodeling? If it does, it’s probably best to start with your kitchen – from the floors and work your way up. Kitchen floors are often victims of damage throughout the year, and now is the perfect time to give them a fresh new look. Let them shine like you’re going to the following year! There are numerous flooring options to consider for your new kitchen. So, if you don’t know where to start, we’re here to help!
Greenbrook DesignOne of the most exciting and anticipated times of the year has arrived, as numerous paint and design companies announce their Color of the Year choices. Designers and manufacturers alike look forward to this pronouncement as it provides inspiration and even direction for the coming year. Many companies use these colors to shape the new products that will be released in the coming year, and homeowners often enjoy incorporating them throughout their homes for added enjoyment
Paint companies like Sherwin-Williams have already announced their amazing Color of the Year choice, Redend Point, which draws from nature’s calm color palette. Benjamin Moore’s choice of Raspberry Blush, though, is closer in shade to the color selection made by the one company everyone in the fashion world looks to, Pantone. Designers and manufacturers alike waited with eagerness to hear Pantone’s color of the year announcement, and for 2023, their choice was Viva Magenta, a color described as a “crimson red tone that presents a balance between warm and cool. This hybrid of red and pink is a reflection of our current world’s relationship of living in both a physical and digital world. More and more homeowners are learning to blend their work and home lifestyles, which have become deeply entwined over the last couple of years. We know that color is much more than a splash of paint on a wall or cabinet; it speaks a language all its own, something Pantone seems to grasp and express well. So what influence will 2023’s Viva Magenta have on us? Let’s explore the answers today.
Greenbrook DesignWhen you first moved into your property, you took the time to come up with the perfect design for a space you’ll call home. However, over time, circumstances change, and so do people. And, now, you’ve found yourself in a situation of wanting to change things up a bit. If you’re wondering how to tell it’s time to redesign your home, sit tight and let us walk you through all the major signs.
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