While recently visiting a friend, I was blown away by her ultra-sexy dining room. Each element she incorporated was thoughtfully considered and beautifully balanced. Her choice of dark charcoal for both the walls and ceiling worked so well that as a guest, it made me feel both relaxed and at home in her upscale sanctuary. So why did it work, and how can you achieve a similar effect?
Oftentimes folks can feel too intimidated to play with bold color choices, particularly in prominent rooms such as a dining room. However, using a bold palette can be a great way to make a room feel exciting, rich, and cozy. If you're considering "Getting Bold" here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Know your space
Think about how the room transitions to the rest of the house. Will a statement color open the room up or close it off and is that your objective? Bold colors can be used to create the illusion of a barrier that might not architecturally be there. For example, painting a breakfast nook in a large open kitchen can create separation and make each space feel individual and distinct.
2. Consider the ceiling color
Painting both the same color creates a cohesive flow between the walls and ceiling. However, keep in mind the height of your ceilings. Low ceilings can sometimes feel even smaller when painted. In that case, start with the wall and assess the space before you move to paint the ceiling.
3. Think about lighting
Is there natural light in the space and how does play off the walls? Is there recessed or overhead lighting and does that lighting create too much brightness or unnecessary shadows? In the example of my friend's dining room, she had tremendous natural light and thoughtfully selected downward-facing light fixtures with dark copper shades. The downward-facing, dark shades remove potentially distracting shadows being cast on the ceiling keeping the focus on the natural dining table.
4. Find the right finish
Bold colors can accentuate flaws so you'll want to start by evening out any irregular areas on the wall or ceiling. Additionally, using a lower sheen finish can reduce reflection and help to hide imperfections.
5. Incorporate artwork
When going bold on walls try incorporating large but understated pieces of artwork to help tie the room together.