Craving Color

Leonardo scribbled some of the first notes about color theory in 1490.

Mary Douglas Drysdale

But it was Isaac Newton, more than 200 years later, who incited general interest (and controversy) about color theory, and in particular, the nature of primary colors. 

See Tobi Fairley's Rothesay lantern here.  Did you know that the three primary colors, red, yellow and blue cannot be achieved by mixing?  

Nancy Boszhardt Design

Intense color accents work well in traditional decorating because they are unexpected.

David Jimenez

Relax, I promise not to say "you-know-whats" of color for the entire post.  

Hallways, stairways and passages are important transitional spaces.  It can be interesting to use a passage as a low-key "eye-rest" place in houses that are colorful or pattern-filled.

However, in predominantly white or neutral decorating schemes, I love colorful walls, doors, rugs or accessories in passageways or powder rooms to add excitement and fun, or reinforce a design message. (See our post, A Room With a View)

Photgraphed by Evan Sklar

If you have a contemporary spirit but a traditional heart, consider building a classic "wardrobe" of furnishings with beautiful antiques, but upholster them in colorful fabrics.  This room by Fiona Newell Weeks plays the timelessness of traditional architectural elements, furnishings and patterns against a jazzy citrus palette.

A hot pink chaise in a classic shape might be just the thing to take a room from ho-hum to hottie.

Mary Emmerling, Designer

Slipcovers with dressmaker details in a large-scale traditional motif in lemon and white, cool down this room for summer..

Nancy Boszhardt, Designer

Buy art in colors that you love, and you'll make a neutral traditional space seem much more confident.

And if your sofa matches your lipstick, so much the better.

This c. 1810 yellow tole tray, at Spurgeon-Lewis Antiques, here seems almost modern.

Mary Douglas Drysdale creates traditional interiors with a clean, modern vibe.

Painting a door is so easy to do, easy to change, and makes such an impact it almost feels like cheating.

Why let passers-by have all the fun.  This door is yellow on the inside.

If you are on the fence about which color to use in a space, consider test driving a color for a week with a bouquet..

Swatch some paint, drape some inexpensive fabric or tack up a sheet of wrapping paper, or try a few pillows and a throw.  

It is often surprising how much one loves a color, or how tired one becomes of a color that one was initially attracted to.

Recommended From Our Library: