Designer Elephant Blog: Colors

Elwin and I have been debating what color we should paint our new rec room and that got us thinking about the effects you can create using color in your décor. Elwin is convinced that we should go with bold, dark tones for our space. He likes to throw elaborate parties for our friends and he feels that a deep scarlet or midnight blue would make a dramatic backdrop to his little soirees.

While I agree that WOULD make for exciting parties, I plan to use our rec room a lot and I wonder if such dark shades would feel too heavy for me to be around all the time. I plan to use the room for crafting and reading and if I had to sit in a dark room every day I think that would bring down my mood. I suggested that we go with a light color, like a pretty yellow. I think that would make me feel happy – like the sun was shining down on me.

I think Elwin and I will have to find some sort of compromise. Maybe we could use different shades of the same color to get the effect we’re both looking for. If we painted the walls a soft blue, but added furniture and accessories in a dark color that could give Elwin the drama he’s looking for and still let me feel like I’m in a more open space.

What do you think? Do you ever notice that the colors and tones around you have an effect on your mood?

159 Responses to Designer Elephant Blog: Colors

  1. Eclipsecherry16 says:

    How about if you painted the walls a pale yellow and added some light colored pictures or decorations, but let all the furniture be in shades of dark blue, green, or red? I’d love a room like that…..:)

  2. snrq says:

    Yes! i Agree with you. Color does make a big differance. If this is going to be a shared space compromizeis in order. I don’t know too many men who would like a rec room yellow. As much as girls would. But, I have confidence in your great skills & good nature. You’ll come up with a fantastic idea. Can’t wait to see the results. Keep up the great work!!

  3. skillet and jen lover says:

    what if you use a black and whit mixture with contrasts of light and dark.

  4. Stella (aka Carly) says:

    Why don’t u just split the room in half
    and do half dark colors and half light colors?
    Or Just do light colors and during party’s put up
    Midnight Blue Wllpaper or dark scarlet

    wall paper?????????????????????????????????????????????????????

    ~ Stella (aka Carly)

  5. jordengirl says:

    u should just use a yellow wall and dark flooring that would be fair

  6. Gryffindors says:

    What I would do is I would paint each wall a differant color. That way you could both be happy;)!

  7. Iamloverofhorses (< My log in name add me ! ) says:

    I think you should do a chocolate brown for the dark color and add a nice lilac purple or a bright pink . That way you get a mix of dark and light but at the same time it makes a great comination .

  8. amethyst says:

    *i HAVE to go with Haily because SHE is SOSO right i mean think a dark room a dark mood right?
    but i do like a lot of dark colors because pretty but not for a room NO NO NO NO!

  9. sunnysideup777 says:

    What if one side of the wall is a deep blue with light blue polka dots and the other side is a light blue with deep blue polka dots that way you both add a little flair in each side. The deep blue with light blue polka dots can the be “Hang-out” spot the other can be your craft side!

  10. christian says:

    When doing crafting, sewing, reading the room should be light in color. Yellow, especially bright yellow would detract too much and not be restful. Something that reflects natural light would be better.

Leave a Reply