Good Question: Duo or Monoshade?

Hello AT,

I have a good question. I recently purchased a townhouse with an interesting dining room/living room layout. The current owners used red contrasting paint in the dining room and then a warm yellow everywhere else (All pics here). Would it be better to use one single color throughout the area, contrasting colors or a variation of shades? I'm leaning toward aqua (if that makes a difference.)

Thanks, Natalie

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Dear Natalie,

If you've looked at the Fall Colors Contest, you'd see that accent colors CAN do lovely things for a home, but we usually recommend using them to define one room from another, not pull the accent throughout the whole home as it seems to be happening here.

We don't mind their accents but feel you should make the home your own. Choose your own colors!

That said, if you go with aqua, remember that it is a "cool" color and can clash a bit with "warm" colors. Test your colors on the wall before you commit!

Anyone else?

Comments (5)

I don't mind the red/ yellow combo that is going on in the townhouse, and I agree with Maxwell that the blue would seem to clash being a different color temperature. What is the "theme" you are going for? It looks like the pictures you posted were maybe from the realtor's site? Does your style/ furnishings go with the existing warm earth tones, or do you have a "cooler" style? Moving into a new place you could freshly paint the entire place while it's empty, no furniture to move, makes me drool for color just thinking of it. The bedroom definitely needs some color though!

posted by hannah on 2006-10-31 19:09:28

sorry, to answer your question, I don't think mono-color would be a good choice, I don't know- it might make the space feel larger, or just blah. Usually using contrasting or complementing colors defines spaces, especially in open floor plans like it looks like you have. I've had luck with mixing custom colors for small areas- mixing leftover yellow and red, throwing in some blue for a slight different shade, just be careful you keep some for touch-ups later, I learned that one the hard way...

posted by hannah on 2006-10-31 19:13:40

Hi - I am planning on having the entire place completely repainted so the pics are just to show the set-up. I tend to prefer cooler shades and my furniture is mostly dark wood. The centerpiece of my place will be a framed Bruce Weber grayscale photograph hanging over the mantle. Thanks for your tips. Keep 'em coming!!

posted by Natalie on 2006-10-31 20:07:06

Natalie, I would think about using different shades of aqua to define your space - it will all flow, but your eye will subtly discern where one area ends and another begins. I like contrasting color on one wall of a room as a focal point, if you have an open-plan space.

posted by beatrice on 2006-10-31 20:37:04

Personally I like multiple shades and accent colors. Not so many as to be overly busy, and not so much contrast that the eye is jumping around too much.

As the the piture, I like it the way it is except I wouldn't do the half-wall in red.

I have a similar issue - my townhouse condo with 30 foot ceilings, an open floor plan and some odd angles. I admit I had to consult a designer. In the end, I went with with 3 colors : a rich cholocolate brown, a medium taupe, and a tall narrow wall in red as an accent which also picks up on the main color of an antique Persian rug in the living area. The entry hall is papered with this modern "winter trees" wallpaper which also complements the pallete.

http://www.creativewallcovering.com/12-sl092273-wallpaper.html

posted by Keith on 2006-11-01 13:41:05