Making Your Walls And Rooms More Inviting

by Marjorie Dorfman | More from this Blogger

12 Sep 2006 09:21 AM

It's difficult to imagine walls as entities with personality or mood, but the colors you paint them conveys more of this than you might expect. While white walls can give the illusion of expanding space, they can also convey an icy coldness. For more warmth, by all means turn up the heat, but also consider a warm vanilla over pure white. Though subtle, the difference is striking.

If vanilla is neither your favorite color nor warm enough, consider a living room in apricot, sunny yellow or deep russet. If you prefer your colors richer and deeper, try sponging two or three extra tones. Sponging can also tone down a color. Ivory and tangerine together can render a peaches-and-cream effect. Rose for a ceiling creates a flattering tint. For very high ceilings, you want to create the effect of them being closer, not so close you will bang into it but close enough where, if you wish, you can address your ceiling on an intimate basis. (Hello, ceiling, how are you?) A rich persimmon or creamy caramel will help to create this effect. Actually, any warm shade that coordinates with the colors of the walls, floors and furnishings will suffice.

Shades and sheer curtains warm northern light and the best colors for this effect are rose, peach or bright yellow. A cool room can be transformed into a warm one with splashes of geranium, coral or shrimp-colored accessories. For overly formal upholstery, consider warm-colored slipcovers of medium tones. Choose practical prints such as stripes, dots, batiks and plaids (but not all together or everyone will get a headache and absolutely nothing will match).

The overall effect of a warm room vs. a cold one can best be achieved by something dull (not your uncle; think of someone else), something bright and something light in every room of the house. High tech alone discourages warmth and it must be balanced in order for a room to be in harmony with guests and visitors. Mellow wood, and polished stone can be contrasted with soft leather and crisp cotton. Brass, crystal and silver add sparkle.

So what are you waiting for? Warmth awaits and guests are coming! Radiate now! Good luck!

"Wake Up Your Walls In Your Home"

Learn more about Marjorie Dorfman

Marjorie Dorfman is a freelance writer and former teacher originally from Brooklyn, New York.

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Tristi Pinkston (10839) 12 Sep 2006 09:58 AM

My mom painted one wall of her living room forest green. We live with her for the time being and I hate that wall; it makes the room look so much smaller. Other people come and and start to exclaim over how much they love it. Colors really do affect people differently, that's for sure.

Oh, and I love having conversations with my ceiling. Just this morning we were discussing cobwebs. :)

Marjorie Dorfman (2577) 13 Sep 2006 03:23 AM

Hi Tristi- Thanks so much for sharing! Yes, color really does make a difference in a room, even to the spiders making the cobwebs. (They know their way to my house too!) Keep reading. It's more fun than cleaning anyway.