The art of using accent colours

Certain colours innately evoke different memories, thoughts or moods. If your home is laced with walls that are too white or overbearingly dark, details in your décor can change everything. By recognizing this, it is easy to brighten up or give any room a little extra personality with accent colours.

 

Barbara Schmidt, a nationally recognized interior style consultant whose work has appeared in 'Architectural Digest,' 'In Style,' 'Elle Décor,' and 'Metropolitan Home,' suggests that, when adding colour to a room the use of pillows, throw blankets and, most importantly, art helps to brighten any space.

"People are more and more sophisticated when it comes to colour and decoration," she says. "You can't just hang up plain artwork anymore and have it look like it's a finished room. You really need to look at your colour scheme and bring complementary or blended colours into your framed art."

The executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, Leatrice Eiseman, agrees. "Specific colours have the ability to bring out excitement, happiness, relaxation and even aggression," says Eiseman. "That is why the colours you use in your home are so important. They should represent your personality while creating an environment that inspires you."
"There is a reason that when people see yellow they think happy. Green is automatically fresh, and red is romantic, hot or appetizing," says Schmidt. "Depending on the colours you use, your room will have a different vibe."

Consider these tips from Schmidt when adding colour accents to any room:

Primary colours on a white wall can make a room look juvenile; subdued colours always end up looking more sophisticated and calm," she says. When having a piece professionally custom framed, remember that less contrast between the art and wall provides a more classic look.

If you are dealing with a plain white or beige wall, consider matting all artwork using the same accent colour. Even if the art isn't related, a gallery is created through the matboard.

Hang art in white lacquered frames with white matboard against a brightly coloured wall. There will be a nice contrast while creating a cohesive focal point. For a bright colour, kelly green is very trendy right now.

Lastly, Schmidt recommends custom framing for more than just artwork. "Taking any meaningful item to your professional custom framer can enhance not only that item, but bring new colour and life into any room."