| Life would be, well, colourless, without that sunny | | | | economic and social trends, reflect these factors in |
| yellow kitchen to brighten your morning or that | | | | new colour palettes. In 2009, for example, a yearning |
| calming blue bedroom to ease your transition from | | | | to return to the way things were has resulted in |
| busy day to relaxing night. | | | | colours inspired by handicrafts and found objects. |
| It's well known that colour is a mood-maker, so it | | | | Look for weathered greys and sand colours |
| follows that changing colour can change your living | | | | reminiscent of driftwood and beaches and |
| environment. In these hard times, home owners are | | | | rough-hewn browns and terracottas inspired by the |
| drawn to change the mood of their home, to create | | | | work of artisans. Environmentally conscious home |
| sanctuaries far away from the problems of daily | | | | owners are adopting the new natural shades of |
| living. but without spending too much. The answer is | | | | green to bring the outdoors in, while warm bronzes, |
| colour. If you're looking to make simple and | | | | rich deep oranges and khaki browns are part of a |
| inexpensive but effective changes in your home, | | | | renewed interest in warm colours. |
| then a fresh coat of paint is the way to go. | | | | Chances are you're reading this and thinking, 'How do |
| However, a word of advice: don't jump into it. Think | | | | I find my way through this to create an individual |
| long and hard about your lifestyle and what you | | | | palette that will suit my family and my lifestyle?' Enter |
| want your home to say about you before you pick | | | | the colour consultant, a professional well-versed in |
| up a paint brush. | | | | the way colours affect your life and spot-on with the |
| As home owners we are both fascinated and scared | | | | latest trends. A colour consultant's job is to work |
| by the power of colour. We generally don't | | | | with you to develop a colour scheme that will do |
| understand the way colour works in our lives and we | | | | what you want it to do. In short, he or she will take |
| are taken aback by the choices available. In fact, | | | | away the guesswork. |
| when faced with a sea of paint chips, many of us | | | | Are you confused about how to incorporate the |
| freeze. Although it may be relatively inexpensive to | | | | latest colours? Your colour consultant will help you |
| re-paint, a mistake is both downheartening and time | | | | choose which trend is right for you. Are you looking |
| consuming. It discourages us from trying. | | | | to the future, perhaps preparing your home for sale |
| As well, there's a lot of art and science behind the | | | | once the housing market improves? He or she will |
| use of colour. What may seem obvious - yellow is a | | | | assist you in picking a palette that will reflect your |
| warm, happy colour - becomes less so when you | | | | own lifestyle while appealing to the majority of |
| consider the thousands of variations of yellow. Is | | | | potential home buyers. Are you afraid of going |
| black really black? Certainly not. Every black chip on | | | | overboard with colour? The colour consultant's job is |
| your paint card is made up of other colours. In fact, | | | | to edit so instead of patchy, the look will be |
| today's new technology has created blacks with | | | | professional. |
| undertones that change dramatically as they catch | | | | Most importantly, it will have been worth taking the |
| the light. | | | | chance; your house now makes you happy, and isn't |
| Keeping up with colour changes can be daunting. The | | | | that what's it's all about. |
| coatings industry, influenced by runway fashion and | | | | |