For my color theory class final, we were asked to, well, play around with a lot of color!

The instructor presented us with two grayscale interior perspectives, and we were to create several experiments and then chose a final color scheme that we found to be most successful based on the program requirements (the project specifications and what the client asks for), Johannes Itten’s color theory (a definitive twentieth century color theorist), and Light Reflective Value (LRV) which is a standardized numerical system that qualifies the amount of light a certain color and/or surface material will reflect.

Program requirements are of course, highly important.  Gotta give the client what they want!  And, as a designer, one must make sure the intended plans will genuinely serve the space and the people using it aesthetically and functionally.  

Itten’s elaboration on the behaviors and relationships of hues is tremendous.  The way he writes could effectively communicate color to a blind person.  I couldn’t believe how few images of color actually accompany his writing.  At first I was discouraged.  But as I actually started reading, I realized that Itten’s style of communication, and I think, especially, his intimate knowledge of color, allowed for a crystaline representation of color theory through literal language.  The few, carefully placed diagrams and colors wheels were quite necessary, but only at specific intervals.   

In any case, Itten talks about seven points of contrast between colors.  He identifies things like the type of contrast that results from the combination of pure hues, as well as how carefully moderated contrast can create depth in a space not otherwise accessible.  He articulated the process by which colors influence one another, chameleon like, depending on what colors are neighbors at the moment.  Itten also argued that color is so dynamic and influential in a space that it can - should - be used as a primary design element in such a way that the color choses its place in the room, rather than certain walls, floors and furniture taking on various hues after the fact.

All of these theories, and others not mentioned here, of course, relate to how a designer uses color within a space.  It is at these deeper levels of thought that the color within a given space can begin to bring life to users, and the room itself.  Like I said: tremendous. And, yes, sometimes rather esoteric.  

Lastly, LRV is something that may seem a bit tangential or over-thought.  In fact, choosing colors that reflect light appropriately to the space is an ergonomic and sustainability related consideration.  The color in a space that does not reflect enough light, contributing to a room that is too dim, will strain the eyes of users, thus require more artificial lighting, and become a burden to the owner’s pocketbook and the planet’s resources.  Similarly, a room that is too bright and reflects back much of the bright, south-facing light entering the room, for example, will cause discomfort for users, and further renovations will likely be needed - like, the installation of additional blinds, or a complete re-do of the interior colors and surfaces.  For most families and businesses, the initial renovation or build is enough of a strain on financial resources to have errors in bad lighting come along.  

Within all of these elements lay our challenge, we students of interior design color theory.  Truth be told, I loved this assignment; responding to logistical limitations, while creating a beautiful, functional space, is exactly what I love about design.

Anyway.  On with it!

We were to come up with several color options for a “Sunset Hotel”, and a “Family Cottage.”  Here they are!

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We are studying color palettes and the attitudes that they can communicate in my color theory class.  I’d LOVE it if you could please pop over to the link below and answer two questions for me!  I need 16 more results in the next six days!  Thank you!

Click here to take survey

For those of you who took the survey I posted for class here a few weeks back, the results!

By the way, I have the greatest circle of friends and associates.  I received 60 responses in a matter of two days!  You guys rock!

A refresher: the purpose of this survey was to provide feedback about the plants in the connected image.  The hope was to see whether or not the colors, in addition to the actual plants, would suggest a certain environment, or ambiance - namely, fresh and natural, or established and expensive.  

My hypothesis was that respondents (you guys) would find the plants rare and expensive.  While I have seen these plants a readily in yards or garden stores, they are typically placed in well-manicured lawns or gardens.  

As it turns out, 51% agreed with my hypothesis.  

Like for most of my fellow students in the class, the breakdown was nearly even.  I found this especially interesting because of the number of respondents I had.  

If I were to conduct this survey again, I would probably use the color palette alone, without the image of the plants.  Or, if using the image of plants, I would check the perception of natural vs. established  with the geographic location my respondents are in.  

       

With summer approaching, there’s no doubt our guest room will be seeing some action.  And, what with it’s slightly psychedelic, dimensional, lilac wall paper, and single view window out to the backyard trees, it has been dynamic space to prepare, to say the least!

One of the best things about this room is that it’s at the end of a series of small hallways, away from the main entrance and most other action (while still being conveniently close to the closest bathroom).  It already feels intimate and quiet because of it’s location.  I wanted to enhance this feature while also creating a sense of intrigue-away-from home.

One of the first things I did with the guest room when we moved into the space was to buy some lush steel grey sheets.  The carpet in the guest room is a simple, grey color, but actually a perfect neutral for the lilac walls.  

A chartreuse and white bedspread we already had would serve as a decent contrast color, and the grey would tie it all together.  

I found this amazing grey throw that goes so harmoniously with the pattern on the duvet.  

It’s wool, huge, and perfect.

The bed is definitely the focal point of this room.  The space isn’t big enough for anything else to become a center of attraction - which is actually perfect for a guest room.  This size keeps it manageable and super cozy.  To enhance the feeling, I decided to pull in as many details as I could that would lend themselves to the color palette, and the whimsical patterns of the linens.  

The decorative pillow I think we may have inherited from Alex’s mom’s travels to India some years ago.  It’s beautiful.  …and falling apart a little from being my constant companion (back pillow) while pregnant with Jasper last year.  

And these adorable crocheted camels I bought from my very talented friend, who’s etsy page can be found here.  I saw her post these on Facebook and claimed them within seconds.  The brown one has two saddle bags!  …it’s a little hard to see in this photo.

If you have ever visited my jewelry blog or store, you’ll know I’m a bit obsessed with terrariums.  …oh, and Middle Eastern architecture.  Aaaaaand, (the idea of) making furniture with my own hands.  If anyone wants to come and accompany me to actually do the latter, I’d be much obliged, so I can stop being quite so much the person who owns books on all kinds of cool topics that I have no idea how to actually approach in real life.

And, of course, a little greenery.  I think if I had my way and the budget, every single room in my house would have a tree in it.  A straight up, full on tree.  Le sigh.

All of these little trinkets are found on two industrial-style shelving units, one about twice the width of the other.  They are placed like night stands, giving lots of room for these little details, without them starting to feel like a collection.  

There is also a dresser in the room that the owners of the house left for us to use.  This dresser has morphed several times, as I understand it, and turned a slightly iridescent black when it found a home in this room of the purple wall paper and grey carpet.  A good choice, I think!  In fact, the dresser and the industrial shelves look like they were meant for each other.

On it is placed three little homemade terrariums that were intended for my son’s room, until he got old enough that stuffed animals became the only safe decoration for any space of his.  One day I’ll get actual little air plants from Pistils to replace the painted moss.  Even though I like it, too.

Next to the terrariums is a collage print of a reindeer (homage to my Finnish mother), which matches the one of an elephant that sits on the beside shelves.

I love these guys (they’re from IKEA, but a few years back).

All things considering I love this room.  I could easily spend my day studying in here.  The sun coming through the window that looks out onto the birch tree and corner patio is sublime.  

The only things left to fix are this giant bare wall above the bed:

Which will be filled with a “stay a while” sign a la something like this or this or this.

Just kidding.  That last one would be crazy.  …crazy good.  

Last week it was all about the black and white in my sketching class.  

This week, we are finally getting into COLOR!  I’m a woman who’s favorite color alternates between, oh, sea-foam green, orangish-red, goldenrod yellow, chartreuse, indigo, caramel brown, steel grey, and eggplant purple…at a very high acceleration.  Sometimes, they’re all favorites at once.  

So, to be able to start learning how to really use color in rendering spaces is so tremendously exciting.

We are using Prismacolor colored pencils so far - such a decadent and rich medium.  Yet, so accessible!  It’s a wonder to combine those two sides of things.  Some great art can emerge as a result!  

While my sketches from this week are far from what one can call “great art”, they are some enjoyable first attempts at utilizing these hues and values for the best.

“We perceive color because our eyes have specialized cells behind the retinas where the differing energy wavelengths are perceived as color.”

That is amazing!  One of my classes has to do with light and color.  Only in the first few pages of my reading, I’m in awe.  How about this:

When color and light are combined with tactile and visual elements—texture, scale, pattern, rhythm, shape and other tools of the designer—they influence physical and emotional behavior.  Color used intuitively can be decorative and emotive, but an unexamined approach limits the design. Providing new and original ideas in a conscious and planned way promotes the concept, identity and successful function of the space.