color language color language imagine envision create a color guide for home decorating A COLOR GUIDE FOR HOME DECORATING

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1 color language a color guide for home decorating color language A COLOR GUIDE FOR HOME DECORATING imagine envision create

2 Color is one of the most dynamic elements in your home s décor. Color not only sets the tone and feel of a room, but also ties together the furnishings and accessories. Benjamin Moore can take you from inspiration to results, flawlessly capturing your unique vision of home. We offer a variety of color tools to help you explore, experiment and select color easily. And when it comes to finding that perfect color, you can be sure that Benjamin Moore has exactly what you re looking for. Getting Started Create a list of the key elements that will remain in the room sofa, rug, flooring. Determine your budget. Consider which changes will have the most impact for the money, such as paint, slipcovers and fresh accessories. Think about the room s purpose and how you d like to feel in it. For example, do you see your family room as a quiet haven from the world, or as the lively entertainment center of your home? Determine your own personal color preferences. Which colors do you naturally gravitate toward warms, cools or neutrals? Collect color and fabric swatches and images from magazines and websites. Gather ideas from your favorite vacation spots, flowers, trees anything that inspires you. Create Your Palette Once you ve gathered your ideas, take a look at your collection and see which design elements stand out. Are there specific colors, styles or other elements that attract you? Group colors to see which ones most appeal to you. View all samples together in the room where they ll be used. You will then see how your choices look with existing elements and in actual lighting conditions. Consider the size and scale of your room and its furnishings. Keep in mind the concept of harmony and balance while editing your choices.

3 Color A Function of Light Have you ever seen a paint chip or color that you absolutely loved in a store but found it looked completely different when you took it home? You ve just experienced metamerism, a phenomenon whereby colors seem to change when viewed under different light sources. It s always best to view color swatches in the actual space and lighting conditions in which they ll be used. Some colors are particularly prone to metamerism, including tans, taupes, grays, grayed-blues, mauves, lilacs and grayed yellow-greens. Did You Know: Surrounding colors impact how any one color is perceived. An ivory wall can appear pink when paired with a vibrant red carpet. wall color: greyhound 1579 direct sunlight Considered the ideal light source, natural sunlight maintains a neutral balance between the warm (yellow cast) and cool (blue cast) ends of the light spectrum. Northern light is the coolest, while light from a southern exposure is most intense. Here, direct sunlight provides the truest rendition of the colors in this room. indirect sunlight Natural sunlight is not consistent. It changes throughout the day, from sunrise to sunset. The intense golden rays and subsequent distinct shadows of a sunny, late afternoon have a profound effect on the colors in this room. artificial light The color rendition in this room appears warm under incandescent and halogen lights, where reds and yellows are enhanced, and blues and greens are dulled. Under the cool cast of fluorescent lights, blues and greens are enhanced, while reds and yellows are muted.

4 Warm Colors Reds, oranges and yellows advance or condense a room. The Color Wheel VIOLET (SECONDARY) RED VIOLET Think intimate, cozy. RED (PRIMARY) RED ORANGE ORANGE (SECONDARY) The standard color wheel includes high-intensity, pure colors. While you may not use these vibrant colors in your home as they appear on the wheel, the principles associated with this handy tool can help you create your desired effect. There are 12 colors in a standard color wheel that are divided into three designations: primary colors Pure red, blue and yellow. secondary colors Combinations of two primary colors. These include orange (red + yellow), green (yellow + blue) and violet (blue + red). Monochromatic A color scheme that uses tints and shades of the same color. The effect of a monochromatic color scheme can be subtle and subdued when using a soft color, or dramatic and daring when opting for a rich hue. BLUE VIOLET YELLOW ORANGE tertiary colors These colors are a combination of a primary and a secondary color, such as red orange, yellow orange, yellow green, blue green, blue violet, and red violet. Color Speak BLUE (PRIMARY) BLUE GREEN (SECONDARY) GREEN Cool Colors Greens, blues and violets recede or expand a room. Think calming, open. YELLOW GREEN YELLOW (PRIMARY) Color intensity describes the brightness or dullness of a color, while color value refers to a color s lightness or darkness. Add white to a color to create a tint. Add black to create a shade. Color Schemes Based on the principles of the color wheel, color schemes are helpful guidelines you can use to create the look you desire for your home. Color schemes are combinations or pairings that create an aesthetic look and feel for a space. Complementary A color scheme that includes two colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. Opposites attract, so it s no surprise that complementary colors are pleasing to the eye.

5 Analogous A color scheme that uses adjacent colors on the color wheel. Create a pleasing palette by using one color more prominently than the other two colors. walls: forest floor 1498 ceiling: dry sage fireplace: vapor AF-35 main wall: firenze AF-225 accent wall: dorset gold HC-8 cabinets: standish white HC-32 Triad A color scheme that includes any three colors equally spaced on the color wheel. Use colors in varied proportions one dominant color, a secondary hue, then an accent color for pop. walls: marblehead gold HC-11 accent wall: cabernet ceiling & trim: glacier white OC-37 main wall: french violet 1427 accent wall: pale avocado accent: montana agate 056

6 Neutrals An infinite array of neutral grays, beiges and whites offer a limitless range of versatility, working seamlessly in both modern and classic designs. When used alone, neutrals provide a space with sophisticated elegance. Create interest by varying tones of neutrals and adding texture and pattern to your room s décor. Bright accents add energy to neutraltoned spaces and are the easiest way to explore vivid color. wall color: kendall charcoal HC-166, willow creek 1468 Choose the Right Finish Sheen levels impact both the aesthetic and functional aspects of a room. They affect the amount of light reflected from the painted surface, hiding or highlighting imperfections and influencing color perception. wall color: barren plain wall colors from front to back: steep cliff gray , chestertown buff HC-9, firenze AF-225 Go with the Flow While moving through your home, consider the colors that can be seen from the openings in each room. Whether you have an open floor plan or your space is clearly defined, select colors that flow from one area to the next to create a thoroughly pleasing effect. Flat is the least reflective finish and provides excellent depth of color. It s a great choice for hiding minor surface imperfections on walls and generally preferred for ceilings. Matte is more reflective than flat and is also great for minimizing minor surface imperfections while providing a durable finish. Eggshell imparts a softly polished glow and provides an easy-to-clean surface. It s perfect for busy areas such as kitchens, dining rooms and family rooms. Satin or pearl is a medium finish ideal for high-traffic areas like hallways when the full sheen of a semi-gloss is not desired. Semi-gloss creates a smooth, highly reflective finish that is durable and withstands repeated cleaning. It is also used to highlight interior trim, doors and window frames. wall color: kennebunkport green HC-123

7 Try-on Color Interactive Color Tools to assist you with your color selection. Color experiences to help you find the perfect color every time. Color Samples offer the ability to experience colors in the actual places that will be painted. The opportunity to view prospective colors on different walls and under various lighting conditions creates a true representation of the color. Living with your Color Samples during both days and evenings instills greater confidence in your final color selection. 2 oz. Color Samples: The best way to test a number of different colors on your wall, each Color Samples jar covers about a 2' x 2' surface with two coats of paint. Choose from a versatile palette of 260 designer favorite colors. Color Samples Pints (available at select Benjamin Moore retail locations): Over 3,000 colors are available in this larger sampling size for greater color viewing in a variety of locations. Big Chips: These generously sized 18" x 18" color panels are portable. You can move them about your room to view the color with your furnishings under different lighting conditions. big chips colors, left to right: buttered yam AF-230, firenze AF-225, georgian brick HC-50 top left: firenze AF-225, bottom left: buttered yam AF230, top right: marblehead gold HC-11, bottom right: timothy straw hallway: firenze AF-225, living room: timothy straw Color Gallery is a color selection tool like no other. It not only gives you access to Benjamin Moore s complete catalog of more than 3,400 beautiful paint colors, but also creates the perfect color combinations for the colors that you choose. Color Gallery makes it easy even fun to find the colors that you re looking for, or to simply explore colors and find fresh inspiration. Find it online at benjaminmoore.com/ colorgallery. Color Gallery Personal Color Viewer enables you to upload your own photos or use images from our room library to explore limitless color options. Find it online at benjaminmoore.com/personalcolorviewer. Our Color Capture app for iphone and Android OS phones lets you capture color inspiration wherever you are. Simply take a picture with your phone, tap the match key, and the closest Benjamin Moore color will appear. Personal Color Viewer

8 Visit your local Benjamin Moore retailer for advice on product, sheen and color selection. To find a Benjamin Moore retailer near you, call PAINT-6 or visit benjaminmoore.com. Please note a printed rendition of painted substrates can only approximate the actual color on the painted surface. Color accuracy is ensured only when tinted in quality Benjamin Moore paints. Color representations may differ slightly from actual paint. Depending on the clarity and depth of color, some colors may require multiple coats. Visit our Color Studio for more exact color samples Benjamin Moore & Co. ben, Benjamin Moore, Color Capture, Personal Color Viewer and the triangle M symbol are registered trademarks, licensed to Benjamin Moore & Co. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Montvale, NJ benjaminmoore.com /M /10 Printed in U.S.A.