Colour your home

Here are answers to frequently asked questions about choosing the most appropriate and effective colour palette for q any given interior.

What's the most important role colour plays in a room?

It sets the mood for a room. The colour you choose is really about what you want q the room to feel like.

What kind of guidelines should you follow if someone wants to use bold colours?

You need to be aware that you will likely get tired of bold colours very quickly. If you really want to incorporate a strong, bold colour, use it as an accent. Bold colours are often attractive because they are the colour of the moment; this can q quickly date a room.

Is a neutral color scheme always appropriate?

No. It totally depends on the house, the location, the architecture, and the personality of the homeowner. It's about trying to keep a balance. An entire q neutral house can be boring.

How do you use colour to affect the relationship with other decorative elements?

Colour is key to how the decor is perceived. If it's a big room, paint it a brighter, warmer colour to bring the walls in. Paint a smaller room a cooler colour to push the walls out. Colour also establishes visual weight and balance. If you put a bold primary-based piece of art in a pastel room, it's probably not going to seem right. The colours of the art should balance the colours of the q space.

What are the challenges homeowners face in choosing colours and color schemes?

Sometimes people are scared of colour, especially dark colours. Ultimately, people should really follow their heart: If they love a colour, test it, and like it in place, they should not be afraid to choose it.