Block Party

One of the biggest trends in painting right now is Color Blocking.  Color Blocking is a simple, inexpensive way to add interest to both a single wall and an entire room.  Color Blocking is just what it sounds like – painting different blocks of color on a wall.  You can use any combination of rectangles and/or squares in different sizes and colors, or different shades of one color.  Getting the blocks visually balanced is a challenge, so it’s important to sketch out the design on paper first.  Try several combinations.  When you have settled on a design, transfer it to the wall with a light pencil outline.  Then fill in the blocks with paint.  It’s that easy.  Here are some helpful tips for your next block party:

• For sophisticated, understated style choose colors from the same color family.
• For something more playful like kids’ rooms, try complementary colors like yellow
  and violet. You’ll get a balanced look if you pick colors with the same value
  (colors in the same position on the color card). Don’t forget, colors will appear more intense when applied to big wall areas, so plan accordingly. Then block on!

The color wheel can be used to make any project go from good to great.  The color wheel gives you an instant, easy way to match up colors for a great combination for your next project.  Start with a dominant color, maybe something from the latest trends, and build from there.  For a monochromatic color scheme, choose a single color, then vary its value (for example, dark blue and light blue).  An adjacent color scheme uses two or more colors that are next to each other on the wheel.  Remember to keep one color dominant and use the other(s) for accents.  A complementary color scheme has the greatest contrast.  Just choose two colors that are directly opposite each other on the wheel, like red and green.  Remember, one color still needs to be dominant.  For a double split complementary scheme, use two pairs of complementary colors, for a total of four.  A simple split complementary color scheme uses one main color, plus accents of two more colors located next to the colors opposite the main color on the wheel.  A triadic color scheme uses three colors that are equal distance from each other on the wheel.  Whichever way you go, let the color wheel and your personal taste guide you.