Color

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I found this info on the Pottery Barn website helpful. I'm trying to learn more about design these days. This explains decorating with color in a simple and straightforward way.

CREATING COLORFUL ROOMS
Color can transform a room. Simply adding a bright pillow or vibrant rug instantly changes the look and feel of a space. By understanding color principles, you can create color combinations for your entire home - with confidence.

THE COLOR WHEEL

The color wheel is to a decorator what the T-square is to an architect: an invaluable tool for making decisions and finding solutions. If you don't have a color wheel, take a quick drive to your local paint store to get one as a reference tool. The circular diagram shows relationships between colors and offers a standard formula for decorating. Colors of the rainbow are organized equidistantly around the wheel so you can see at-a-glance the relationship between different color schemes.

PRIMARY COLORS

Every color of the rainbow originates from red, yellow or blue, the strongest forms of all colors.

SECONDARY COLORS

Secondary colors are made up of equal amounts of different primary colors. For example, green is a combination of blue and yellow. Violet, pink and orange are also secondary colors.

TERTIARY COLORS

The mixture of one primary and its closest secondary color: blue-green, blue-violet, red-violet, red-orange, yellow-orange and yellow-green.

CHOOSING COLORS

Start playing around with color combinations to see the different effects. Try combining complementary colors - those that reside directly across from one another on the color wheel - to create pleasing, dramatic results. Experiment by layering in a third or fourth color to create an even more dynamic scheme.

THE IMPORTANCE OF WHITE

When decorating a room, you want a space that's lively without being overwhelming. High-contrast colors create interest and drama. Neutrals and soft colors create harmony and balance. Experiment with mixing and matching different colors on the color wheel. Create harmony by using a backdrop of whites or neutrals, which provide the eye with visual relief and prevent the overall effect of your room from feeling too busy.