ReDESIGNS by Ava: Color Makes a Difference

“Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings, God made their glowing colors, and made their tiny wings.  All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful; the Lord God made them all.”  ~ Cecil F. Alexander

With the month of March comes the promise of spring. Soon we will have the opportunity to watch color unfold in this part of North Carolina, and that makes me happy! The many colors of the flowers and trees, even the green grass, bring new life to the world. Ever notice all the different shades of green in the new growth in the spring? I am fascinated with all the shades. Many times when doing a decorating project, I stress about using different shades of green together, but when I look at all the greens, I see God use in nature, they all go together.

I love color and live with quite a lot of it in my home. One of my favorite expressions is, “Life too short to live with beige and white.” Whether you are aware of its effect on you or not, color plays a vital role in how you live…..even how you dress. Color can influence your thinking, your feelings, and your actions. It can irritate or calm your spirits, raise your blood pressure, and even make you hungry!

Probably most of you remember your first experiences…..and experiments with color. It was the first time you came into contact with a box of crayons. There are many color choices in a box of crayons. “We can learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors. But they all have to learn to live in the same box.” (Robert Fulghum) Similarly, our color choices have to live together in the same house.

Paint is the easiest, quickest, and most economical way to transform a room. If you are on a budget, yet want to make a noticeable improvement to a room, pull out the paintbrush. Maybe you are thinking of putting your house on the market to sell. The smell of a fresh coat of paint will create a “WOW, this house is new!” signal to potential buyers. Choosing a paint color or coordinating fabrics can be perplexing. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It will save you time and dollars in the end.

First, decorate your home with the colors you and your family love. Second, remember these helpful tips:

  • To make a space feel cooler and peaceful, use cool colors such as blues, greens, and violets.
  • To make a space feel warmer, use warm colors such as reds, oranges, or yellows.
  • If your family tends to overeat, try painting the kitchen and dining room blue. Cool colors tend to diminish appetites.
  • Coral, soft teal, sage, or even monochromatic tone-on-tone color palette can make you feel calm and serene.
  • To have a common thread woven room by room throughout your home, chose a favorite color and use a touch of it in every room.
  • Try vibrant colors like reds and yellows in rooms where people are very social, such as dining rooms and kitchens.

Need inspiration for a color palette to use in your home? Check out design-seeds.com, and of course, Pinterest is a great app.

Choosing the right color for your home is probably the hardest decorating decision you have to make, but the use of color is an easy and inexpensive way to bring peace and harmony to your home.

I am honored that you read my column each month. It is my pleasure to share decorating ideas to help you create a beautiful place where your family can come to be loved, refreshed, and encouraged. Need help with making decorating decisions for your home? Give ReDESIGNS by Ava a call.

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