The very definition of life is color. This is the first chapter of the most recent book that Rebecca Atwood, a textile designer, has written. After the tremendous success of her previous take on pattern, Atwood is now offering more of her insightful guidance, this time focusing on color. And as the first sentence of this paragraph points out, one of the reasons color is so difficult to comprehend is that it is constantly shifting depending on what it is combined with, what material it is on, and perhaps most importantly, how it is lit. This is one of the reasons why color is so difficult to understand. This is one of the many factors that contribute to the complexity of color perception.
Despite the fact that the entire book is a veritable treasure trove of information on color, there is one chapter in particular that stands out as particularly helpful. The chapter in question is titled "How to Decorate a Space with Little or No Natural Light."You see, when we are selecting paint colors at the store, we frequently look at chips while they are lit by bright, fluorescent lights. In other words, we are essentially blinded by the light. On the other hand, when we are looking for inspiration on Pinterest and scrolling through the site, we are looking at colors that are being backlit by a screen. The question that arises at this juncture is, what actions should one take when a space does not have adequate lighting? This is what you should do instead, according to Atwood's advice.
It is important to use multiple sources of light.
Any interior designer worth their salt will tell you that artificial light is even more important than it normally is, which is to say that it is VERY important; however, it is even more important than it normally is. If there isn't any natural light coming in through the windows, then there is artificial light. This suggests that you will require more than one source of light in order to see properly. Atwood recommends that every room have multiple layers of lighting that can be broken down into one of three categories: ambient (think overhead lighting), task (think reading lamp, a light over a stove, etc.), or accent (which supplements ambient lighting and is used to highlight artwork or other details in a room). Each of these categories can be broken down further into subcategories. In general, the lighting in every room should be broken up into multiple layers.
When you have multiple wall lights sources, you are able to adjust the level of light throughout the day, which more accurately simulates the effects of natural light and ensures that your colors will look good at any time of the day. This also makes it possible to change the color temperature of the light.
Find the right light bulbs in the appropriate places.
It is not the appropriate strategy to simply use whatever is already present in the lamp; doing so would be irresponsible. When a light is outfitted with a lightbulb that is not appropriate for the fixture, the light that is generated is essentially wasted. Atwood suggests trying out a variety of options at various times of the day and experimenting with what works best for you. If you adore the way a color looks when it is illuminated by natural light but find that it appears too yellow when lit by artificial wall lights at night, she suggests switching to a different bulb.
When working with colors of varying tones, your imagination will come in handy.
It's possible that being in a room with dim lighting will persuade you to use colors that you never would have guessed you'd like had the lighting been brighter. According to Atwood, I would like to emphasize how important it is to look at the colors in the space and even bring in things that might be outside of your original idea to see how they feel. I would like to emphasize this because I would like to emphasize how important it is to look at the colors in the space. For example, if you are thinking about using the color green, you should bring a variety of its shades, such as light, medium, and dark, as well as some more yellow greens and some more blue greens.
Keep in mind that you need to take into account a number of different saturations as well:Atwood claims that all it takes to generate new concepts is to do something as mundane as play around with a fan deck of paint while in the vicinity. It's possible that the lighting in the room requires you to use a warmer or cooler version of the color. Alternatively, it's possible that the lighting in the room requires you to use a color that's more saturated because the dim lighting makes it look more muted.
Avoid using the color white at all costs.
It might appear that painting a dim room a brilliant white would be an effective way to make the room feel more open; however, this is not always the case. In some situations, painting a dark room white can actually make the room feel even darker. According to Atwood, the person who arrived at this realization was the designer, and her name is Emily Henderson. Atwood prefers white walls, but she warns that if a room doesn't get a lot of natural light, the walls can end up looking very dirty. This is especially true in rooms that are darker. If this describes your situation, it is recommended that you choose a midtone or an intentional gray rather than a white that winds up appearing gray due to the absence of light. This is because a white will wind up looking gray in this situation.
Put a finish on it.
Always keep in mind that the finish you choose is almost as important as the color you choose itself. Atwood suggests going for a surface that has a matte finish rather than a high-gloss one in environments where there is insufficient natural light. This is due to the fact that the high-gloss finish will reflect more light than the matte finish.
Make use of some reflection!
What is the most efficient method for giving the impression that there is more room in your space? Consider the implications! Atwood suggests making use of mirrors and white accessories because they are effective ways to reflect light around a room, which is why she recommends their use.
