Colors and shapes
Personalize a large space with a dramatic flourish of warm shades and distinctive framing.
Playful placement of colors by Farrow & Ball embellish this whimsical children's space.
Q. Our children’s bedrooms are on the top floor, and the ceilings slant under the pitched roof. It is a perfect space for kids, cozy and bright. I want to paint with two or three colors and don’t know where it would look best to stop one color and start another. Thanks for your help. – Louisa
A. We think of paint as one of the best renovation tools because the simple act of adding color or colors to a wall transforms the way we see the entire space. A low ceiling takes on new heights when painted white or a pastel shade. High walls are brought down to human scale by dividing up the space with different paint colors or combining paint and wallpaper. Walls that have imperfections can be camouflaged with a textured paint technique.
Colors shape a room. They give you the option of highlighting the details you like. There are different tactics for decorating an attic room such as yours. Shown here is a children’s room filled with exuberant colors from Farrow & Ball. The angle of the walls and ceiling have been divided into four distinct sections. Red Earth tops a cool Lulworth Blue with a soft gray called Mouse Back, grounding the busy walls. Note that the sharp angle of the walls is continued through to the inside of the dormers, which reinforces the shape even more. Wimborne White lifts the ceiling.
Another option that I have utilized successfully is to paint a cloudy sky on the ceiling and upper wall. The lower wall is kid height, so this is a good place to apply a fantasy wallpaper pattern in a theme that your children enjoy. Talk to your kids about what they would like – they are a great source of inspiration and are not afraid of bold colors.
Q. Our kitchen and dining room are open-plan. Should the decorating follow one specific design or colorway? We would like to add some color(s) but aren’t sure how to break up the space. – Timothy and Tania
A. As mentioned above, adding color(s) affords you the opportunity to arrange and shape your space the way you want. The large kitchen and dining room shown here have a high ceiling, so the homeowners chose to break up the height using two distinct and contrasting colors. Farrow & Ball’s russet red called Charlotte’s Locks and their blue/gray Railings are a warm and intimate duo that has been framed in white to further enhance the atmosphere.
Both artificial and natural light have a huge effect on color. If you choose to keep your kitchen bright, then apply creamy white or shades that reflect light well. Then add drama to the dining room with a stronger color palette. Wood is another color to take into consideration. The golden hue and pattern of the herringbone floor adds even more interest.
Email your questions to house2home@debbietravis.com.