Life with Color
Gather round, dear Readers, because I’m going to tell you An Embarrassing Story.?? It was 1997, about a year before I started Garay Artisans.? My family moved into a beautiful house and despite being up North, the house had features of a typical Southern “shotgun house” — which means that it had several rooms right after the other with no hallways.? I have always loved it when you can see the color of the next room from the room you are standing in and so I thought “Here’s my chance!”.? Today, I know this works best with spaces that have enfilades and are not so open to one another, but that was not something I knew then.
I convinced my family I knew what I was doing, went to Home Depot and picked
a bright red, an electric yellow, a cobalt blue and a strong purple color.
There was no “testing” – I just lived La Vida Loca and bought multiple gallons.
[I know, I know -- cringe.]
I planned each room to have a different color and the result was a train wreck jaw-droppingly awful HORRIFIC.? My brother, sister and I had worked so hard painting the walls that we were too exhausted to even contemplate changing the colors back to white.? So, they lived with it and it became known to family and friends as The Crayola House.? [I'd like to take this opportunity yet again to apologize profusely to my family for what I put them through.]? That epic failure is what prompted me to take a Color Theory course immediately from Dean Sickler — my first class ever — and thankfully, I’ve become waaaay more savvy at working with colors.? There is no need to close your wallets, prospective clients, I promise.
I still love the idea of multiple colors and spied these next pics on Tricia Guild Pattern, Windows, Momoy, the Furniture Store blog and Marie Claire Maison.? Multiple colors in design — had to share.
(above) The dated floral pattern on the fabric and the polka dots are the only elements to give me pause but other than that…carry on!
(above) Busy, yes. But I still like it.
(above) If I had to start my day by skipping down these steps and out my front door, I believe it would put me in the mood to accomplish anything!
(above) This all works for me.? You? The super high ceilings help, definitely.
I do believe it takes a wonderful professional to incorporate multiple colors well — it’s why I enjoy working with designers and helping to put it all together.? Hope you’ve enjoyed this post…and my Story of Shame.? I also hope I’m not alone…
Debra
649 days ago
Love la colour!
Theresa Cheek
649 days ago
Hahaha!! So sorry to laugh, but, I do admire the fact you were never intimidated by color!! Of course, I can share some similar early career moves!
We just needed some color theory, Dean’s book is the perfect answer!
Regina
649 days ago
YES! Dean’s Color Theory book is coming out soon…he is the master. I must blog about it!
Barbara Rocha
639 days ago
Love colour, love the flow – it takes a strong person to live in something as colourful as the pictures above. Up here in the north the general public is very afraid of colour. They use accents for their “splash”. Wait until you see my powder room after the reno! Pazzaz is all I can say! Get your sunglasses and enjoy!