Design Confidently, Live Comfortably
  When considering color, don't stop at the walls. A colorful floor can completely transform a room. Whether you choose a vibrant area rug, tiles, carpet, or even stenciling to conceal worn-out hardwood, covering a floor with color is a simple way to add drama to a space. And remember: If you tire of your bright, multicolored kilim carpet after a while, all you have to do is roll it up and put it away.
Furnishings -- both upholstered pieces and case goods -- can make a color statement, too. For example, I used simple, red-lacquered chairs in my kitchen to pump up the energy and complement my natural pine farm table. Accessories are ideal for pulling colors together in a room. You can use pillows, throws, table runners, artwork, floral arrangements -- anything that pleases you —and as many or as few pieces as you like.
I've come to think of color as a relatively inexpensive tool that can change the way you feel about your rooms. By simply painting, papering, or adding pillows to the mix, you can create a new mood, enhance a space, and liven up your home -- without changing much else. Sharon Hanby-Robie is an interior designer and author of My Name Isn't Martha, but I Can Decorate My Home (Pocket Books, 1998). She lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Many of the rooms in this article that were photographed by Eric Roth, including the one on the cover of the May/June 2004 issue, were designed by the artist Susan Sargent, who has a signature collection of rugs, fabrics, and furniture. Sargent's rooms are from her book New Country Color (Watson-Guptill, 2001). Visit her Web site at www.susansargent.com. NEXT: How a Color Wheel Works BACK: Paint Is a Great Place to Start |
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