apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I agree that environment, weather, lighting, culture, etc definitely influence color selection, but it' much more complex than cools versus warms.

The key to color is all about balance; too much of anything (warm or cool) feels uncomfortable. The function of a space, how it's used, has to be considered first and foremost. Color doesn't exist in a bubble; it has to be analyzed in the context of it's surroundings. So, a blue might have a warm undertone that looks even warmer next to a turquoise, but feels cool next to a violet.

Great topic, AT!

I have probably chosen bolder colors for my apartment here in SF than I would have if I were in a perpetually sunny place like Palm Springs or Fort Lauderdale.

Not from SF but the light definitely affects the colors I want. When I lived in a north-facing apartment I wanted a pastelly pallette... when I moved to a west-facing place, I dismissed that in about two seconds.

I love the round dining room table in the picture....does anyone know where it is from??

I used to live in an apartment with a huge picture window looking down on the bay. I painted the room a bright sky blue. That way, even when it wasn't really blue outside, it made me feel like it was.....the color really framed the view nicely, though.

That top photo is GORGEOUS! It should be required viewing for anyone who wants to paint all their woodwork glossy white.

I don't live in San Francisco with the fog. But I do live in Portland with the constant dreary days. The weather outside DEFINITELY influences my design. While I have always been drawn to cool colors, in Portland I find myself preferring spaces that utilize warm colors.

The warm colors add a coziness that helps lift the spirit on all of those gloomy days.

Beautiful photo! We live on the water near Seattle (double-dose of dreary in the winter time) and we used a very rich, reddish strand bamboo on our floors, which adds a warm glow. We also used a warm-toned, creamy-colored paint. Even with the rain outside and no fireplace in our condo we feel nice and toasty inside!

I live in one of the sunnier areas of SF (Noe Valley/Mission) but it is still pretty foggy in the evenings and many mornings. Though my east-facing living room looks out onto the palm trees of Dolores St., the light can be very cool and def. and it poses some difficulties with color, so I have kept the ivory colored walls and have a kilim rug and somewhat matching pillows on my sofa. The fireplace warms the room up, too. I read in a design book once that northern climes should stay clear of hot, tropical colors, and I think this is probably true. Bold yellows and such can look washed out.