Building a tonal colour scheme that sings
Ihas been a long-time lover of tonal colour schemes and tone-on-tone decor in general. And, she’s not alone. Gael, and many others, know well that this paint concept adds visual interest to a home.
She explains that tone-on-tone colouring is generally defined as a decorative technique that takes a single, or few colours, and uses a different saturation of that colour (or colours) throughout a space. When done right, tone-on-tone colour combinations in a room can result in subtle elegance and may be considered a gesture of artistry and design. More simply, they can just look great.
“A tone is generally considered to be lighter and darker variations on a single colour. In design, creating a tone-on-tone of tonal scheme means working with a hue you like then manipulating that colour through fabrics, tints, shades and textures to create interest and variety.
“In the paint world specifically, that involves different shades of the same colour and results in a room that can be dramatically transformed just by lightening or darkening a colour,” Gael explains.
It’s a colour concept which Gael believes works in any room — bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and living spaces. It can be used throughout an entire home or a technique that can be applied in single room such as a bedroom, for example.
In the context of a bedroom, one idea is to use a headboard to add tone-on-tone interest.
Paint the wall behind the bed in a slightly deeper tone than your headboard colour. In this way, the headboard will match the wall nicely without blending into it completely. Of course, tonal schemes can be used on the exterior of a house, too. It’s an effect often used on windowsills and provides a perfect way to accent a feature, such as shutters.
Gael finds creating tone-ontone colour palettes to be a fascinating exercise and believes it’s a strategy that works well with any hue, regardless of whether the desired impact is out-there, or a more subtle look.
“For a dramatic space, use a dark wall colour as an accent colour then half, quarter and even one eighth strength of the colour on trims, skirtings and even on the ceiling.
“For more drama, use more contrasting shades. For a more subdued look, stick to just two or three shades.
“Incorporating similar shades, plus the clever use of repetition and contrast makes it work. Mix and match patterns and materials but keep them all within the same colour family,” she advises.
For example, in a living room use one colour for the walls and then lighten the same colour in pillows, cushions, and accent rugs. This will result in a pulled together look, she assures.
In a tonal scheme, there’s often some trickery involved, too. Clients with very high ceilings who want to make their room feel more intimate are advised by Gael to match their curtains to the walls. Choosing a darker colour for the ceiling can also help it to advance, bringing the height down visually.
She’s found that tone-on-tone schemes also work beautifully with true neutrals like black and white.
“These neutrals work seamlessly together they will meld together with little effort. Use black or white in fabrics and trim colours to accent a tone-on-tone palette,” she says. Look to shades like Resene Nero and Resene Half Alabaster for the starkest contrast. The trick is to pick hues that complement, with enough variation to keep things from becoming completely homogeneous.
The tonal theme is most certainly not limited to variations on neutrals.
When deep, rich and luscious purple was the colour de rigueur last year, then paired paint colours included the likes of Resene Gun Powder and Resene Chapta and Verse — perfect for a cosy, cocooning bedroom.